***WEBINAR ALERT***
The Dutchess Business Notification Network and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in a virtual business town hall conversation with Congressmen Antonio Delgado and Sean Patrick Maloney on Tuesday, April 21, 1:30PM. The format will open with remarks and end with a Q&A session. Sponsored by Nuvance Health. You can register for the event HERE .
Update for Friday, April 17, 2020
  • REMINDER: The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce has created a list of LOCAL Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suppliers. All employees still interacting with the public, regardless of social distancing, are required to have some kind of face covering under an Executive Order that went into effect Wednesday, 4/15. To view the local supplier list, click HERE. If you would like to be listed as a local vendor for direct retail sale of PPE, you must: 1) be a local business 2) send an email to [email protected] with the list of PPE you have to offer, along with your contact information. 

  • Dutchess County government has released an informational flier on how to create your own cloth mask if you cannot purchase one. The flier can be found HERE. They have also released a "Best Practices For Business" fact sheet that can be found HERE.

  • In partnership with the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the Dutchess Responds Fund has initiated a rolling application process to support nonprofits that have been providing critical support to the community as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This revolving application process will allow current and future donations to the fund to support two priorities—Front Line and Service-Challenged needs. Grants will be available in increments up to $10,000 depending on funding availability. To read the press release, click HERE.

  • In today's (Friday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced he would be signing an Executive Order directing public and private labs to work with the state Department of Health to ensure they are prioritizing tests. Until testing can be ramped up, he said the NY PAUSE measures would have to stay in place.

  • Governor Cuomo also called for direct funding from the federal government to make up budget shortfalls in state's budgets. Without additional funding, he warned New York would have to drastically reduce what the state funds.

  • New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica said that the state would likely experience a $10-$15 billion budget shortfall. This is being compounded by 30% of individuals deferring to file their tax returns because of the IRS pushing back the tax deadline.

  • As part of the State's phased in reopening, the State recommended businesses begin looking at the following issues when developing their plan to reopen.
  1. Transport: Ensure employees have means for safe transport or require telecommuting/work from home.
  2. Workplace: Ensure workplaces are designed to include social distancing measures, telecommuting for those who can and the most vulnerable.
  3. Customer Interaction: Ensure measures designed to ensure minimal contact with customers, ensure public-interacting employees have necessary protective supplies such as gloves, masks, etc. Special precautions should be taken for businesses that primarily interact with the most vulnerable populations.
  4. Proactive Infection Plan: Ensure protocols in place should an employee develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive.

  • RBT CPAs have created an explanation on how businesses can take advantage of a new federal income tax credit for employers that retain their employees. A detailed explanation can be found HERE.

  • To extend a helping hand to small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund. This fund is a key pillar of the U.S. Chamber’s Save Small Business Initiative. For information on this grant program, visit HERE.

  • Are you an essential business in need of employees? List your business and job postings HERE and email Kadiyah at [email protected] to be added to the Dutchess One Stop listing found HERE.

  • The IRS has released a tracking tool for you to see the status of your Economic Impact Payment (the $1,200 check for those making less than $75,000). You can track your payment HERE.
To get updates as they come in and are verified, be sure to join our Facebook Group by searching "Dutchess Business Notification Network", or by clicking HERE .

To view our website and see previous emails, important documents, and other resources available, click HERE .
If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email [email protected]. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.
Resources With Links
United States Small Business Administration
Centers For Disease Control

Novel Coronavirus Hotline (24/7): 1-888-364-3065
New York State Department of Labor
Dutchess County Government


Dutchess County Mental Health Hotline (24/7): (877) 485-9700
Dutchess Tourism
Details on major attraction closures, lodging updates, and restaurant regulations (including a list of restaurant and farms open for takeout, curbside & delivery) can be found here : https://dutchesstourism.com/covid-19-consumer-updates
Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board
Dutchess Business Notification Network
If you were forwarded this email but would like to be added to the email list, please let us know by clicking HERE.
Dutchess Business Notification Network | [email protected]