Thursday, October 8, 2020
Essex County No Longer Subject to Vermont Travel Restrictions
Essex County, New York, which had been subjected by the State of Vermont to travel restrictions related to COVID-19, is now "Green" once again, rejoining Clinton, Franklin and Hamilton Counties which had remained Green. This means Vermont is no longer imposing any restrictions on travel between Vermont and Essex County. Warren County, however, remains in Red status with travel restrictions to and from Vermont.
WEBINAR: Employee Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Please join the North Country Chamber of Commerce and guest speaker, Jaci Kelleher Esq. of Stafford Owens Law Firm as we explore the issues and impact of sexual and other harassment types in the workplace.

Participants of this virtual session will focus on prevention and intervention through looking at current NYS law and policies regarding harassment and discrimination and through recognizing the legal definition and conditions of sexual harassment. Finally, participants will learn strategies to create a safe, supportive and respectful work environment for everyone.

  • Dates: October 14, 2020
  • Times: 2pm - 4pm
  • Cost: $8.00 (member & partner chamber members) $16 (non-member)

This training is required annually for all employees in New York State and meets NYS compliance requirements.

Register for the training by clicking the buttons below, please note space is limited:
Please Give Santa a Chance!
The North Country Chamber is joined in the effort to help SANTA'S WORKSHOP in Wilmington to organize a safe Yuletide Walks program for the upcoming Christmas season. Forced to remain closed this year, this historic and beloved attraction hopes to salvage one part of its operations through a concept for a safe and safely managed walkabout activity at the site without rides and some elements and with limited numbers. 

We join in encouraging the State of New York to actively work with Santa's Workshop and our partners in Wilmington to devise a safe plan that can be approved as soon as possible, allowing organization of this modest approach to saving Christmas at the venerable site.
'Please Stay Home,' Health Minister Urges Quebecers as COVID-19 Cases Surge
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to soar, Quebec’s health minister conceded Tuesday that it’s really difficult to say for sure where the new infections are coming from.

Unlike the first wave of the pandemic, which could be traced to travellers before it took hold in seniors’ residences, this one is popping up in all kinds of places and all over Quebec, Christian Dubé said.

“It’s really hard to say,” Dubé said at a news conference updating the pandemic situation. “Are they getting it at work, are they getting it in the hospitals or are they getting it at school?

“It’s very difficult to know exactly where you got it. That’s the reason we’re saying right now we’re shutting down all those places where we can be together because we don’t know exactly.
Business Planning in a COVID-19 World
Your business plan was never meant to be an exercise in futility - it's meant to be the backbone of your business success. Now, more than ever, it's time to revisit your business plan (or write one) to ensure that you are focused on the key elements to help you adapt to and survive the pandemic as we continue to evolve in the new normal.

Let's convert your dusty old business plan into a working document to keep your business moving forward with the ability to pivot and revise to meet the current challenges we face as small business owners.

In this session, you will learn:
  • If your marketing strategy is set up best for the changing needs of your customers
  • How to reach and communicate with your customers
  • How to determine if your pricing, products, or service offerings need to change
  • How to keep planning for the future, including when to pivot

Plan on networking/chatting with fellow entrepreneurs, the speaker and SCORE mentors at the end of the session.
QUICK LINKS:
  • Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.


  • Looking for Supplies: If your business is looking for hard to find protective products, we have created a list of businesses offering hand sanitizer, gloves, wipes, masks and other items.

  • SCORE: Visit Scores Coronavirus page for webinars and useful articles for small businesses.
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, The North Country Chamber of Commerce has created a comprehensive list of resources to navigate state and local requirements. Check out the home page for details. There is also a series of webinars available for businesses to help educate and provide answers to common questions.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000