***WEBINAR ALERT***
FINAL REMINDER: 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 tomorrow at 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 Monday, April 20, 2020
  • In today's (Monday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced there would be a minimum of 20% cut in state funding to schools, hospitals, and local government if the federal government does not provide unrestricted additional funding to the states. This number could go up to 50%.

  • He also announced a new pilot program for testing methods that will be implemented in public housing in New York City. If the program is successful, it will be expanded to the rest of the state.

  • Governor Cuomo also announced there were no plans to reopen schools as of right now. If a school attempts to reopen before the mandated May 15 closure, the governor said he would shut them down. A public health plan will be developed in the future that will make schools safer through social distancing and disinfecting efforts.

  • A new Essential Business Guidance was released by the state yesterday. It can be found HERE. Guidance has also been issued about the reopening of golf courses and what is permitted with them open. That guidance can be found HERE.

  • The state's Department of Labor has released a fact sheet on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. This is a program for those who cannot work because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Information on the program can be found HERE.

  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced a grant program for small businesses, that will give up to $5,000 per business. You must have between 3 and 20 employees, be in an economically vulnerable community, and have been financially harmed by COVID-19. You can find out more and apply for the grant HERE.

  • The Small Business Development Center has created an online video for those local organizations that have been approved for and/or received a loan under the paycheck protection program. You will need to make sure that you manage those funds correctly to qualify for forgiveness. This webinar will provide you with the following information: Forgiveness terms, calculations, documentation and frequently asked questions. To learn more, click HERE. 

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

  • The U.S. Department of Labor has compiled a number of resources for employees in a single location. The resources and additional information can be found HERE.

  • Interim guidance has been issued that advises OSHA compliance officers on how to evaluate employer's good faith efforts regarding COVID-19. That guidance can be found HERE.

  • Remember tomorrow is #TakeoutTuesday, so be sure to support your local restaurants by ordering a to-go or delivery meal to ensure our local restaurants can remain open! You can find a list of restaurants open for pickup or delivery 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 Contact@DutchessBNN.com. 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
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Dutchess Business Notification Network | Contact@DutchessBNN.com