A core pillar of a media organization’s community betterment charter, not to be overlooked during the COVID-19 crisis, is the effect of the pandemic on the local business community.

This canvasses a wide range of merchant and citizen needs, including (but certainly not limited to):

• Helping residents access products and services of need and acquire them in safe, secure ways
• Giving local businesses the proper platform to reach residents with updated information, notable operational changes, and answers to important questions
• Beyond just promoting “shop local,” enabling community members to actually do so, to give businesses the immediate financial support they need

With more residents being told to avoid public places for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, local news organizations are finding creative ways to help their readers and viewers support local businesses, including through new products, resources and direct engagement.

In Cape Girardeau, Mo., the Southeast Missourian created…