Information Updates For January 29, 2021

NEW updates for Friday, January 29, 2021

1) Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration released new guidance for the use of New York State’s sick leave law for COVID-19, which can be found HERE. Guidance overview:

In the new guidance, employees who return to work after a mandatory quarantine or isolation do not have to be tested before returning to work, except if the employee works in a nursing home. However, if an employee subsequently tests positive for COVID-19 after an order to quarantine or isolate they must not report to work.

If an employee tests positive following an order to quarantine or to isolate, the employee will be entitled to sick leave as required by New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law. The employee must provide the employer documentation from a licensed medical provider or testing facility to confirm the employee tested positive after their initial quarantine.

If an employer requires an employee who has not been ordered to quarantine to remain out of work due to exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19, the employer must continue to pay the employee’s regular rate of pay. This will continue until the employer allows the employee to return to work or the employee becomes subject to a quarantine order, at which point the employee would qualify for New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law.

No employee will qualify for sick leave under the state’s sick leave law for more than three orders of quarantine, with the second and third order requiring a positive COVID-19 test.

2) The City of Poughkeepsie announced a partnership with Community Capital New York to administer a $200,000 grant program to help microenterprise businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The businesses applying must have five or fewer employees, including the owner, and are eligible for up to a $10,000 grant. Additional restrictions and requirements, or to apply, can be found HERE.

3) Governor Cuomo announced today that beginning on March 15 he will allow event venues to increase capacity to 50%, with a maximum gathering of 150 people, as long as testing is performed and approval has been received form the local Department of Health. We will publich guidance when it's received.

COVID resources for your organization

Funding Assistance:

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus Relief
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
First Draw PPP Loans for first-time program participants.
Second Draw PPP Loans beginning January 13, 2021, for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund offers reimbursement grants for up to $5,000 to eligible businesses
NY Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) provides flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses, not-for-profits, and small residential landlords.
Central Hudson’s Back to Business funding program has committed up to $1 million in economic development support to provide local small businesses with grants to help pay down new working capital loans taken with participating local banks.
ESD COVID-19 Business Resources
NYS Council on the Arts (NYSCA) COVID-19 Relief Funds and Business Support
Pursuit Lending COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
Community Capital of New York COVID-19 Resource Page: Community Capital New York is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Kiva Lending
New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) ReCharge NY Program
Funding for Infrastructure Projects that Protect or Improve Water Quality – Applications due by 4:00PM on Friday, February 12, 2021
Community Development Block Grant
Applications for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility, and Community Planning projects accepted until 4:00 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Applications for Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards.
Federal Grants

Technical Assistance for Businesses:

Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center: Serving Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster Counties
Rockland Small Business Development Center: Serving Putnam, Rockland, Westchester Counties
Women’s Enterprise Development Center COVID-19 resources
COVID-19 Business Mentor NY Volunteer Task Force: New York State has partnered with business leaders to create a dedicated group of volunteers across different NYS industries – from law firms to financial professionals – to assist business owners with questions related to the impact of COVID-19.
Empire State Digital: Connects New York-based small businesses with the education, access, and resources needed to digitize, expand and adapt to the new economy due to the changes from COVID-19.
New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership: The initiative provides commercial tenants and small business landlords with pro bono legal services, and the information needed to reach a mutually agreeable lease renegotiation.
SBA’s Ascent: Free learning platform for women entrepreneurs
Fuzehub: Resources for NYS Manufacturers
Business Express: Your Guide to Doing Business in New York State

Resources for Employers/Employees:

A "Return To Work Waiver" for businesses to use for both employees who have tested positive and those who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive can be found HERE.
Dutchess Business Notification Network Buy Local PPE Supplier List
NY State of Health: Shop here to see what health insurance options are available to you, your family, and your business
Child Care: Parents in need of free child care resources and referrals are encouraged to visit www.HVChildCare.org, where they can enter their zip code to immediately find the name and contact information of the agency that serves their location.
U.S. Department of Labor Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Tool
NYS DOL FAQ for Employers with COVID-19 related Questions
New York State Jobs Express: Employers with job openings can post their open positions, and individuals looking for employment can search for opportunities on the NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website.
NYS Office of General Services: Guidance on Doing Business with New York State
Thomas COVID-19 Response Supplier program: If You Can Help Supply Critical PPE Products, Sign Up HERE.
NYS DOL Shared Work Program: New York State’s DOL Shared Work Program helps businesses manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.
IRS FAQs for COVID-19 Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses

Resources for Individuals:

NYS COVID Rent Relief Program: Applications open 12/18/2020 – 2/1/2021
New Tool to Help New Yorkers Access Critical Social Service Benefits Here
For Job Seekers:
NYS Department of Labor’s Jobs Express website
SUNY Online Training Center – free skill-building, college prep, and employment certification programs with one-on-one career coaching
Free Online Platform for New Yorkers to Learn New Job Skills, Earn Certificates & Advance Their Careers: Create a free account with Coursera HERE