As it lobbies to take action addressing the economic downturn associated with a public health emergency, COBA says it has gotten mixed results. Christine Robinson, a COBA member and the executive director of The Argus Foundation, praised Sarasota County and the city of North Port for implementing changes and sharing information with the group.

Robinson said some other officials have either struggled to grasp the severity of the financial crisis facing businesses or not been communicative with COBA at all. She expressed concern that other local governments were not being responsive enough to the needs of the business community.

“They need to go out and hear these stories and understand the sense of urgency,” Robinson said. “There is some disconnect happening right now.”