Information Updates For March 12, 2021

NEW Updates For Friday, March 12, 2021

Webinar: Small Business Update - The American Rescue Plan Act, Hosted by: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

When: TODAY, March 12, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. ET

What: The new $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill—titled the American Rescue Plan Act—includes long-awaited targeted aid dedicated specifically to the restaurant industry, new provisions for small businesses across other industries, and more money for the Paycheck Protection Program. This virtual discussion will focus on the new bill and what it means for small businesses and restaurants.

Who: U.S. Chamber executive vice president and chief policy officer Neil Bradley, CO— content director Jeanette Mulvey, and National Restaurant Association executive vice president Sean Kennedy.

NEW Business Resources:

In-person events can increase to 150 beginning March 15. Responsible parties are required to notify the local health departments five days in advance of the event taking place. A form was developed to make it easier for the responsible parties to submit the event information and for the county to receive and share the information. The form can be found HERE.

Once completed and submitted, the submitter will receive a confirmation email along with a PDF of the commissioner's orders.

The New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) network has launched a competitive grant program that will help manufacturers solve challenges created by COVID-19, emerge from the crisis more resilient and adaptable, and prepare for future emergencies.
Join the March 18th webinar, 10am – 11am, to hear about these exciting opportunities and additional services available through the NY MEP.
Learn more and sign up to attend HERE.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has been signed into law. According to the SBA the act's small business assistance and support are as follows:

The American Rescue Plan Act provides additional relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries for programs the SBA is currently administering and adds new efforts, including:

$7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services.
Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, and the SVOG.
$15 billion additional for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments, including NEW $5 billion for Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advance payments for those hardest hit.
NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants.
NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources.

SBA’s current relief efforts can be found at www.sba.gov/coronavirusrelief, and more details about these program updates and new efforts the SBA will administer in the coming weeks will be located there as well.

NYS COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Information:

Summary of Reopening Timeline
Beginning March 15: Weddings and Catered Events Can Resume Statewide following guidelines HERE.
Beginning March 19: Restaurants Outside New York City Can Move to 75% Indoor Capacity. The Food Services guidelines will be updated with this information.
Beginning March 22:
Residential Gatherings
Indoor gathering limit will continue to be restricted to 10 people
Outdoor gathering limit will increase to 25 people
Non-residential Gatherings
Indoor maximum will increase to 100 people
Outdoor maximum will increase to 200 people
Beginning March 26: Indoor Family Entertainment Centers Can Open limited to 25% capacity though guidelines have not yet been issued.
Beginning April 2: Event, Arts and Entertainment Venues Can Reopen, though guidelines have not yet been issued.
Restricted to 33% capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors
With proof of a negative COVID test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors
Beginning April 9: Outdoor Amusement Parks Can Open at 33% capacity though guidelines have not yet been issued.
14 Community-Based Pop-Up Vaccination Sites Coming Online This Week to Vaccinate More Than 4,000 New Yorkers
Bolstering State's Commitment to Ensuring Fairness and Equity in Vaccine Distribution Process
Community-Based 'Pop Up' Vaccination Sites Have Enabled Over 54,000 New Yorkers to Receive First Dosage of Vaccine
Host Sites and Partner Providers Conduct Outreach Within Their Communities and Work with Community Leaders and Organizations to Identify Eligible New Yorkers and Schedule Vaccination Appointments
Quarantine for Domestic Travel Will No Longer Be Required Starting April 1
While No Longer Required, Quarantine After Domestic Travel is Still Advised as Added Precaution
Mandatory Quarantine Remains in Effect for International Travelers
All Travelers Covered Must Continue to Fill Out Traveler Health Form Upon Arrival Into New York State

COVID resources for your organization

Business Resources:

NYS Small Business Development Center has published a list of micro-grant and micro-loan programs for pandemic relief. View it HERE.
The U.S. Small Business Association has created a streamlined webpage of federal resources which you can find HERE. It includes:
Funding options
Tax credits and tax filing help
Contracting assistance
And more!
2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2020 NYS Community Development Block Grant Program competitive application for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility and Community Planning projects and open round application for Economic Development and Microenterprise activities.
CDBG Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise Application materials are available now. Applications for Open Round Economic Development and Microenterprise applications will be accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards.
$17 Million in Funding Available for New York Communities' Climate Goals
NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program Can Help You Reach Your Community’s Climate Goals
Learn more about how the program works or connect with your Clean Energy Community Coordinator to get started
Find a Coordinator here

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
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
Community Development Block Grant
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:

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
Dutchess One Stop Career Center - Free employment-related services for employers and job seekers including job postings, job fairs, resume help, interview skills, and online trainings with Coursera. For individuals that meet the eligibility requirements, funding assistance for training and on-the-job training opportunities are also available. Transportation assistance (defensive driving courses, DMV registration, auto insurance assistance and more) is offered for qualified individuals