Hello Chamber Members and Partners,
Here are the latest updates and resources for businesses and employees during this uncertain time.
Send us any questions or updates you may have, we are here to help provide information, connect the dots and assure those in the North Country that we will get through this together.
Onward and Be Well!
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FRIDAY, MAY 8th - 12:00PM-1:00PM
Re-Imagining Tourism: Where we are, where we're headed and how to get there!
Presenters:
Bob Provost, New York State Tourism Industry Association
The North Country Chamber of Commerce and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau are committed to helping you and your employees get back to work! Our Lunch & Learn sessions cover topics critical to a successful “restart”.
We encourage you to support one of our amazing member restaurants who have worked hard to stay open during this challenging time for our community. Order take-out or delivery and enjoy lunch while you learn…get it, Lunch and Learn?! The webinar is free, but lunch is on you.
Hear from industry expert Bob Provost, CEO/President of New York State Tourism Industry Association, as he discusses current statistics, projections, strategies and insights on how to navigate the journey to the Post-COVID-19 world.
There are no easy answers. Inspiration, insight, innovation and initiative are what you'll require to shape your future instead of letting your future shape you. Learn about the “Tsunami Mentality” and how to ride the wave of change.
We’ll also discuss:
- How to get in front of your messaging
- How to meet the new needs of travelers
- And what to anticipate as we move forward
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**After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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CARES Act Changes How Nonresidential Property Owners Can Write Off Interior Improvement Costs
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Last week, the
IRS released guidance
on how to navigate a provision in the CARES Act that may allow owners of nonresidential properties to immediately write off the costs of their qualified interior improvements.
Prior to the CARES Act, nonresidential property owners had to stretch the deductions for their investments over 39 years, but now, they can choose to spread their deduction over 15 years or effectively elect to write it all off immediately as bonus depreciation.
Qualified improvements include, but are not limited to, any interior work, such as replacing drywall, interior doors, ceilings, or making mechanical/electrical improvements. Structural changes, such as enlargements to the building or adding an elevator, do not count.
Businesses may be eligible to amend their 2018 and 2019 tax returns to take advantage of the benefits of this updated provision.
If interested, we strongly advise that you contact your accountant to discuss these changes, determine if you’re eligible, and determine the best route for you and your business.
A full list of member accountants can be found using our
directory.
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The Transportation Construction Industry is Paving the Way to Reopening
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Transportation infrastructure plays a key role in the economic growth and quality of life for every American and the industry has continued to work through the pandemic and is leading the way as parts of our country look to reopen.
This sector has adjusted their safety practices during the pandemic and accelerated some transportation projects due to decreased traffic in work zones. Associated General Contractors of America’s Brian Turmail outlined these efforts and highlighted the importance of getting federal action to allow the modernization of our nation’s infrastructure during an Americans for Transport Mobility podcast.
Listen to the podcast below. This information is courtesy of the US Chamber of Commerce.
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U.S. Department of Labor Issues Safety Alert for Restaurant, Food and Beverage Businesses Providing Curbside Pickup and Takeout Service
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(OSHA) has issued an alert with safety tips for restaurant, and food and beverage businesses to protect their workers from coronavirus exposure while they provide curbside pickup and takeout service.
OSHA recommends these businesses implement the following:
- Reserve parking spaces near the front door for curbside pickup only
- Avoid direct hand-off, when possible
- Display a door or sidewalk sign with the services available (e.g., take-out, curbside), instructions for pickup, and hours of operation
- Practice sensible social distancing by maintaining 6 feet between co-workers and customers
- Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth
- Provide a place to wash hands and alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns
The new alert is available for
download
.
The alert is the latest effort by OSHA to educate and protect America’s workers and employers during the coronavirus pandemic. OSHA has also published
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
, a document aimed at helping workers and employers learn about ways to protect themselves and their workplaces during the ongoing pandemic.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Fort Ticonderoga
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Fort Ticonderoga
announces a 2020 Digital Campaign – an exciting virtual campus opening. This Digital Campaign features interactive programming, engaging lectures and a preview of the many experiences which will be on-site once Fort Ticonderoga’s gates open in 2020. The museum and cultural destination’s 2020 opening has been postponed due to COVID-19.
This unique opportunity brings digital visitors the layers of history and natural beauty they have come to know at the Fort. Fort Ticonderoga staff continue to press forward with their commitment to providing resources and entertaining programs to engage, inspire, and give context to the world around us.
Beth Hill, President and CEO at Fort Ticonderoga states, “through this Digital Campaign, we are eager for our virtual visitors to enjoy behind-the-scenes information, previews of our upcoming programs, and special insider content on the 2020 season wherever your ‘fort’ may be. We look forward to inspiring visits and welcoming guests again to Fort Ticonderoga sometime in the not-too-distant future."
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A Message from the Hamilton County Department of Public Health
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Erica Mahoney - Director of Public Health for Hamilton County
"Good public health practices including social distancing, wearing cloth face coverings and other PAUSE elements put in place to flatten the curve have been successful. Our confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the county continue to be low and stable. This couldn't have happened without the cooperation of our residents, business owners, second homeowners and visitors.
It is important to remember though that this pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint. As a county, we will have to continue our work to improve and refine the precautions as we move forward. Remember, we have a very vulnerable population, so we all need to continue to share the responsibility for controlling the spread of COVID. Each step in reopening, will require our continued commitment to safety!
The public health department has been working cooperatively with area hospitals and primary care providers, to assure Hamilton County residents can be tested within Hamilton County. As access to testing continues to improve and more residents are tested, we will have a more accurate picture of the incidence of COVID-19 in our County, as well as the ability to better trace it throughout the upcoming months.
Antibody testing will be another tool we can use to test those who may have come in contact with the virus. This test will determine if your body has started to produce antibodies to fight COVID-19. Clinical trials are happening now to see if plasma transfusions containing these antibodies can help in the treatment of COVID-19.
Hamilton County Public Health Medical Director Dr. David Welch says, “The incidence of COVID-19 in Hamilton County is low. Even with respect to the early study on incidence based on antibody testing showing upstate with a 3.6% positive rate and NYC with 21% positive, we have to assume that Hamilton County is in the 4% or less range.” It is important to remember that this virus affects everyone differently. Some may not present with symptoms at all while others are hospitalized with severe shortness of breath, coughing and fever.
Overall in New York State, our healthcare system is smarter and stronger than we were early in this pandemic. We are in a much better position for testing, tracing and isolating COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials are being done to help with treatment options for patients. By flattening the curve and allowing time for research and healthcare delivery to improve, our future looks optimistic.
When looking at the Governor’s plan to re-open New York State, phase one will allow some construction, contracting, and manufacturing companies to reopen in areas like Central New York, the North Country, and the Mohawk Valley likely by the middle of May. This will come in conjunction with the increase in population brought about by Tourism. The state will then monitor the data for two weeks, and if numbers continue to decline, then the region will be allowed to move on to phase two. It will be important to monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in Hamilton County through each phase, to make sure the infection rate does not rise. Phase two will allow additional businesses to reopen that can prove that they have strategies in place to ensure proper infection control measures can be taken. Schools will require deliberate and specific consideration, so to be successful we need to start those conversations immediately.
As Hamilton County works on strategies to reopen, we are looking to partner with schools and local businesses. We need to support the reopening of all our businesses, by providing best practice guidance on ways to reduce the risk within the workplace, plus providing access to masks, sanitizer and other supplies. We will also seek input from our business owners, as to what we can do to help and how to improve safety for our communities. Our businesses are the heart of our communities, so it is critical we all partner together at this time in an effort to restore economic activity in the safest and most responsible way possible.
We look forward to the future, and thank Hamilton County residents, business owners, second homeowners, and tourists for their hard work over the last six weeks to flatten the COVID curve. Because of your compliance with social distancing and wearing of face masks when in public, we are optimistic that re-opening can be a reality. Let's work together to make a phased and structured reopening plan another great success."
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The home page of the Chamber's website is now your go to resource for all things Coronavirus related. From information to help your business, health insurance, employee guidelines, restaurant offerings and CDC resources, northcountrychamber.com will hopefully make things a bit easier for you during this challenging time.
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- 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.
- Now Hiring: Whether you are hiring or looking for work, we have a page dedicated to helping pair potential employees with employers.
- Webinars: Did you miss one of our webinars, you can find them all here.
- How to Help: If you are looking for a way to help the North Country, we have created an ever growing list of needs in our community. And if you are a non-profit, health care organization or a business helping those in need, email us with your needs, contact information and we will be happy to add you to our growing list.
- SCORE: Visit Scores Coronavirus page for webinars and useful articles for small businesses.
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Have Questions? We're here to help!
North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
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