Eight things you need to know about the impact of COVID-19 on Saratoga County's economy.

1. A strong semiconductor industry is vital to America’s economic strength - Interview with Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) President

The Saratoga Partnership President, Shelby Schneider, recently interviewed John Neuffer, President & CEO of  the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) . Ne uffer discussed new federal bipartisan initiatives that seek to reestablish U.S. leadership and revitalize innovation in the global microelectronics sector. SIA is a trade association and lobbying group in Washington D.C. that represents the United States semiconductor industry with members like Globalfoundries, IBM, Intel, On Semiconductor, Cree, and more. SIA seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders to encourage policies and regulations that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Click here to watch the complete interview.

2. Mind Genomics Survey Results

The Saratoga Partnership worked with the Saratoga County Chamber and  Mind Genomics as they looked to help market and transform Saratoga County post-COVID-19. A survey was sent out to gather consumer sentiment about health and safety to gauge how comfortable people feel about participating in different tourism and recreational activities throughout Saratoga County. The survey received over 3000 responses within five days. Mind Genomics analyzed the results which will be used to assist with marketing the Saratoga County region to leisure travelers, business groups, and others. A press conference was held recently to share the results of the survey. The results of the survey are highlighted in these press articles:

3. SUNY Statewide Apprenticeship Opportunities

Join colleagues from Community Colleges, Local Workforce Boards, Economic Development, Community-Based Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturing Associations, and other community collaborators for this conversation on Apprenticeship Programs at SUNY. The discussion will focus on: apprenticeship opportunities and initiatives offered by SUNY and statewide partners; resources for employers and potential apprentices; and strategies to move forward. Register here for either the Monday, July 20th or Thursday, July 23rd Zoom meeting here, both being held from 9:00 am - 10:00 am.

4. Application of GIS for Municipal Infrastructure Planning + Water Resource Protection

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are widely used by the planning community throughout the Capital Region to inventory critical infrastructure, monitor land use changes, and mitigate water quality-related impacts. This Webinar by the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) highlighted examples from communities using a ‘smart cities’ approach to mapping and monitoring municipal sewer, water, and stormwater infrastructure in order to allocate resources, staff, and for capital planning. This webinar also explored how communities are using GIS to map where private sewer systems may have a potential impact on nearby water sources. Lastly, it examined how GIS is being used for modeling potential stormwater quality issues at the watershed scale and help to identify potential mitigation strategies.

5. New Business Models and Technology Solutions for the Survival of US Small Businesses

The broad themes to recover from Covid-19 are, by now, familiar and generally the same for small and large businesses: protecting the health and safety of employees and customers, adapting business models, investing in talent and technology, and adjusting staffing models and labor practices. But like Ginger Rogers, who danced the same steps as Fred Astaire, only backward and wearing high heels, small businesses will need to make all these changes at greater relative cost and with less working capital.  This  article  from McKinsey & Co. covers the unique challenges and opportunities for recovery in three critical sectors: manufacturing, retail, and restaurants. Taken together, these sectors account for approximately 30 percent of small-business jobs in the United States. And while these sectors have distinct characteristics, much of their experience can be extrapolated to other sectors. 

6. Save The Dates: Global NY Export Webinar Series

Empire State Development’s  Global NY Division  will be hosting a six-part webinar series through the month of August. Each presentation will feature one of Global NY's  foreign office representatives  - from Canada, China, Europe, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa - who will share in-depth research on market trends and doing business in their respective countries. They will be available to answer all of your export questions, and companies may also schedule one-on-one consultations with the representatives in the weeks following the series. Whether your company is export-ready, or you’re interested in entering the global marketplace, the series offers an excellent opportunity for your business to connect with trade experts and explore new markets around the world.

Global NY Export Webinar Series Schedule:

Please check the  Global NY webpage  for registration information as it becomes available. If you have additional questions, please call 212-803-2300 or email  [email protected]  or you can also contact Mary Estelle Ryckman, our global markets expert, email  [email protected] .

7. 2020 Deloitte Back-To-School and Back-To-College Surveys

COVID-19 has created a difficult environment for parents to navigate and has changed how they're planning for the upcoming school year. Deloitte's 13th annual back-to-school survey, conducted the first week of June 2020, examines consumers' spending patterns based on responses from 1,200 parents in the United States.

COVID-19 impacted most of the country's 7,000 colleges when stay-at-home orders were implemented this past spring, forcing roughly 20 million students into virtual learning environments overnight. What will the college experience entail for students this fall? How are parents preparing for the 2020 academic year? Deloitte's annual back-to-college survey explores the approaches of 1,025 US parents to back-to-college spending.

8. Analysis: Telehealth's Potential to Redefine Healthcare for Rural America

Recognition of telehealth’s potential to transform healthcare is one of few silver linings in the Covid-19 dark cloud. Telehealth makes healthcare available at home, and for some, at their workplace. Telehealth means using intranets and internet networks to observe, diagnose, initiate or otherwise medically intervene, administer, monitor, record, and/or report on the continuum of care (CoC) – everything that’s done to get you healed. To narrow the healthcare gap, telehealth services need broadband, but currently, 53% of rural homes lack access to the 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload speeds that define broadband. A comprehensive strategy with the goal of reducing the healthcare gap could  achieve six objectives : reimaging visits to the doctor, marrying chronic care and home care, emergency response and trauma care, mental healthcare, re-imagining hospital care, and senior healthcare and aging in place.

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 information and resources on our website www.SaratogaPartnership.org , Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

Saratoga County residents can enroll in the county's CodeRED emergency notification system to receive updates from the county's Emergency Management Team. To enroll, CLICK HERE

Click here for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce latest COVID-19 Business Resource Update Including the US Chamber of COVID Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist + Q+A to for Property Owners + Commercial Tenants