No students. No graduation. ‘Total devastation’ in college towns during pandemic

"It’s a similar story throughout Clemson, South Carolina, and in small college towns across the country, where paper signs taped to bar doors, retail windows and restaurant entrances announce they’re closed until further notice.

As states take steps to reopen businesses and restart the economy, merchants in college towns are only now entering their traditional slow period, even as they look ahead to a fall forecast clouded with uncertainty. With uncertainty around colleges’ plans to reopen, experts warn they might face a prolonged slump that could mean ‘total devastation.’

Will students show up for college in fall? Community colleges offer a hint. It isn’t pretty." …

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/05/15/coronavirus-unemployment-2020-college-graduation-economy/5205202002/?utm_source=whatfinger

My husband and I were just talking about this today. Not having in person graduation ceremonies are disasters for hotels and restaurants in college towns. We’ve had a bunch of restaurants and shops close here permanently and we’re hearing the same about D’s college town.