Tuesday April 14, 2020
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!
TELE-TOWN HALL: ASK OUR COUNTY LEADERS
The  North Country Chamber of Commerce  is hosting a conversation with our local county leaders on Thursday. Hear updates and answers to questions regarding the response by our Counties to COVID-19 and the impacts on our county governments.

Panelists will include:

  • Mark Henry, Chair, Clinton County Legislature
  • Donald Dabiew, Chair, Franklin County Legislature
  • Shaun Gilliland, Chair, Essex County Board of Supervisors
  • Bill Farber, Chair, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors

THE DETAILS
  • DATE: Thursday, April 16th
  • TIME: 9am
  • SIGN-UP

Register and ask your questions by clicking the button below!

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
CONTINUING ADVOCACY FOR NORTH COUNTRY DAIRY FARMERS
We continue to work with our friends at Farm Bureau to advocate for more specific support for our dairy farmers.

We welcome the attached letter sent on Friday to USDA Secretary Perdue by Richard Ball, Commissioner, N.Y.S. Dept. of Agriculture & Markets and Russell Redding, Secretary, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture.

Our efforts will continue.
THANK YOU TO CVPH EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES & THE COMMUNITY
A message from Michelle LeBeau

"Our community is standing together like never before in the face of COVID-19. I take great pride in the amazing work of the men and women at Champlain Valley Physician Hospital (CVPH) who are contributing to that effort by caring for those who are affected.

These are tough times indeed. In just a few short weeks, there has been a tremendous amount of change and disruption to both our home and work lives. We have cancelled non-essential surgeries, procedures, diagnostics and many provider visits. We have created an exterior Emergency Department, a second ICU and have finalized plans to care for nearly 100 more inpatients. Every department, unit, service and all of our employees have been affected by these changes. And despite all of that, their focus remains on the care of our patients and each other – it’s a true testament to the professionalism of this team."

Read the full message below.
NEW GUIDANCE ABOUT ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFICIARIES  
“The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals who do not normally file a tax return, and also announced that it would begin making automatic payments.

However, for some people receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration--specifically those who have dependent children under the age of 17--it is to their advantage to go to this portal to ensure they also get the $500 per dependent Economic Impact Payment. I encourage them to do this as soon as possible, and want to provide the following details:
 
  • People who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage at to enter their information instead of waiting for their automatic $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. By taking proactive steps to enter information on the IRS website about them and their qualifying children, they will also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment. If Social Security beneficiaries in this group do not provide their information to the IRS soon, they will have to wait to receive their $500 per qualifying child.
  •  The same new guidance also applies to SSI recipients, especially those who have qualifying children under age 17. To receive the full amount of the Economic Impact Payments you and your family are eligible for, go to the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children. 
  • Additionally, any new beneficiaries since January 1, 2020, of either Social Security or SSI benefits, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, will also need to go to the IRS’s Non-Filers website to enter their information.
  • Lastly, for Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries who do not have qualifying children under age 17, you do not need to take any action with the IRS. You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.
  • For SSI recipients who do not have qualifying children under age 17, we continue to work closely with Treasury in our efforts to make these payments automatically.  Please note that we will not consider Economic Impact Payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.
 
The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found here . In addition, please continue to visit the IRS website for the latest information.
 
We will continue to update Social Security’s COVID-19 web page as further details become available.” 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST)
Our partners at the ROOST office in Lake Placid put together a great video thanking the many essential workers who are tirelessly working to keep our Adirondack communities going during this time. We loves this message and applaud ROOST's commitment to the region!

DONATE NOW: FEED OUR FRONTLINE
Hospital staff is working around the clock and risking their own health to care for our North Country residents. Restaurants are struggling to stay open, and people want to know how they can help others get through this challenging time.

Feed Our Frontline  is an initiative that brings it all together.

All funds raised will be used to buy meals for our frontline at area hospitals.

The  North Country Chamber of Commerce  wants to thank our incredible health care teams and provide residents and corporations with a way to show their support.

If you would like to help support the health care community and local restaurants,  DONATE TODAY.
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.
QUICK LINKS:




  • 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.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000