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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GOVERNOR CUOMO OUTLINES PHASED PLAN TO RE-OPEN NEW YORK
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**Please note that while the Governor is talking about reopening nothing has changed since the last executive order - we are still operating under NY at PAUSE until May 15th. All talks taking place are in the planning stage only.**
The Governor outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing.
The plan will be implemented in phases and will be based on regional analysis and determinations. Based on CDC recommendations, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate they may begin a phased re-opening. The State is closely monitoring the hospitalization rate, the infection rate and the number of positive antibody tests, as well as the overall public health impact, and will make adjustments to the plan and other decisions based on these indicators.
- Phase one will include opening construction and manufacturing functions with low risk.
- Phase two will open certain industries based on priority and risk level. Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered "less essential" or those that present a higher risk of infection spread. As the infection rate declines, the pace of reopening businesses will be increased.
- The region must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area.
- The phased re-opening will also be based on individual business and industry plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. The state is consulting with local leaders in each region and industry to formulate these plans.
- CDC guidance recommends that the State and regional hospitalization rate decline for 14 days before states reopen. The Governor said this metric will be applied regionally, and the NY on Pause orders will remain in effect statewide until May 15th.
**Please note that while the Governor is talking about reopening nothing has changed since the last executive order - we are still operating under NY at PAUSE until May 15th. All talks taking place are in the planning stage only.**
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AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES NOW ELIGIBLE FOR ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS & GRANTS
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On Friday, the President signed the
Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act
, a $484 billion COVID-19 economic stimulus package, into law. This package includes funding for hospitals, increased testing capabilities, and renewed funding for the Small Business Administration loan and grant programs - the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
In addition to the above, this bill has also expanded the eligibility of the EIDL program and now allows farms and other agricultural enterprises to apply. Under the bill, eligible agricultural enterprises are now defined as: “those small business concerns [with 500 or fewer employees] engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural-related industries.”
The
North Country Chamber of Commerce
has been in constant contact with our federal representatives, advocating on behalf of all of our local agricultural businesses, and we would like to thank them for making this important and necessary change to the EIDL program.
For those waiting to submit an EIDL application, we encourage you to frequently check the
SBA’s website
for more information.
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WEBINAR: COVID-19 Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan to Return to Work
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With plans to re-open hopefully just around the corner, business leaders and owners must be prepared to bring employees back to the workplace, address new concerns and navigate updated safety measures.
Join the
Chamber
for a webinar with Scott McKenna, from
Catamount Consulting
, who will give us an update on the current workplace environment, how-to maintain social distancing and necessary precautions businesses will need to be aware of moving forward. He will provide professional guidance and share documents on protocols for your staff to safely return to work.
- DATE: Thursday, April 30th
- TIME: 1:00pm
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THANK YOU TO OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS!
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Many thanks are owed to many people as we continue to navigate through this pandemic as a region, including all who are on the front line of our health care system among many others carrying on essential services of all kinds.
But we also extend thanks to all of the staff and lending officers at our banks and credit unions for the herculean work being done to assist our businesses, farms and organizations one by one, from working with them on their existing debts and needs to the enormous but critically important challenges of assisting so many of them with the complex and changing PPP process.
Most will never fully know how quickly and effectively our area financial institutions have responded, doing seemingly impossible levels of work in the interest of our small businesses and of our region in general. We thank each of them and their respective teams for their commitment and dedication.
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SBA TO BEGIN ACCEPTING PPP APPLICATIONS TODAY
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On Friday, the President signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement, which provides additional funding for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) COVID-19 loan and grant programs - the PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
The SBA has announced that they will resume accepting PPP loan applications today (Monday, April 27th) at 10:30AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower(s).
We encourage any businesses interested in submitting a PPP application to contact their financial institution to inquire if they are participating in the program and to start an application.
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HEALTH INSURANCE DEFERRED PAYMENT - UPDATE
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With such an abundance of information being disseminated and the quickly evolving nature of the situation we wanted to reiterate the information on the payments of commercial health insurance premiums.
DFS requires individual and small group commercial health insurance plans to provide the following relief to consumers and businesses who can demonstrate financial hardship due to COVID-19:
- Defer payments of commercial health insurance premiums through June 1st, 2020 and continue paying claims during this period
- Waive late payment fees otherwise due, and not report late payments to credit rating agencies
- Work with individuals to help them transition to new coverage, if appropriate
DFS will consider any liquidity or solvency concerns of the health plans in giving effect to the emergency regulation. Individuals who buy coverage through NY State of Health and receive subsidies will have additional flexibility.
DFS also reminds uninsured New Yorkers that, as a result of a one-month extension of the special enrollment period announced by NY State of Health and DFS, they can
apply for coverage through NY State of Health
or directly to insurers through May 15, 2020.
If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing coverage. Because of a loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, subsidized Qualified Health Plans or Child Health Plus.
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CDPHP understands the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has led to undue financial hardship for many. That is why we are reaching out with support and resources for our clients in need.
Premium Payment
CDPHP wants to ensure members maintain quality health care coverage during this crisis. With this in mind – and in-line with the Department of Financial Services April 2 press release – CDPHP will be providing a deferral of premium payments due for April and May until June 1 for small group and individual consumers that are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. This does not apply to large groups. Please contact your CDPHP Membership and Billing representative if you have an employer group that needs a premium deferral or if you have any questions.
Additionally, CDPHP will not terminate any member currently enrolled in the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus for non-payment throughout the duration of the crisis. If an individual is new to either of these products, they will still receive a premium invoice, but will not be terminated for non-payment.
The New York State of Health has announced one-month extension of a special enrollment period through May 15, 2020 to allow individuals to apply for coverage through the New York State of Health or directly through the health plan.
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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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