Eight things you need to know about the impact of COVID-19 on Saratoga County's economy.
8 @ 8 is a newsletter filled with eight things you need to know on topics related to the economy in Saratoga County, New York. You can expect to see 8 @ 8 in your inbox twice a month. If you have content you'd like us to share or have a topic you'd like to see more of, let us know and we'll work to include it in a future edition! - The Saratoga Partnership Team
1. Are you ready to Re-Open - Write Your Safety Plan
In New York, each re-opening business must develop a written Safety Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. A business may fill out this template to fulfill the requirement, or may develop its own Safety Plan. This plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval but must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection. Business owners should refer to the State’s industry-specific guidance for more information on how to safely operate. For a list of regions and sectors that are authorized to re-open, as well as detailed guidance for each sector, please visit:  forward.ny.gov
2. New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) Pre-Applications Opening on May 26 at Noon
New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all businesses), nonprofits and small landlords that have seen sharp reduction in rental income. NYFLF is providing working capital loans so that small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords have access to credit as they reopen. These loans are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords that did not receive a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for COVID-19 in 2020. The loans are not forgivable in part or whole. The loans will need to be paid back over a 5-year term with interest. Priority will be given to industries that have been reopened. This is not a first-come, first-served loan program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as regions and industries reopen. Read more about the New York Forward Loan Fund here .
3. NYS's Tourism Association Educates Travelers on Benefits of Staying in a Hotel Post-COVID-19
In response to the uncertainties following the COVID-19 pandemic, several stories and articles have emerged comparing the safety of hotels and short-term rental stays (such as AirBnb or VRBO). Now more than every, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association feels it is the duty of the Association to use its platform to educate travelers on the new standards set in place by the NYS hospitality industry to make a guests' stay as safe and comfortable as possible. "We must advocate for our lodging partners during this time of uncertainty," said Darryl Leggieri, Discover Saratoga President. "Our local hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts are absolutely taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of every guest and their employees. They will be visible, diligent, and happy to discuss their protocols to instill confidence that they are taking your well-being seriously." Read about the new operating guidelines/best practices for NYS Hospitality Industry here.
4. Hugh Johnson Advisors Presents Insights on Restarting the Capital Region Economy
The Times Union and Hugh Johnson Advisors are presenting a series of community conversations on how to navigate through the challenges posed by coronavirus and find paths to success. This latest webinar featured Dawn Abbuhl, president of Repear Business Systems Inc., Sujata N. Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Tangible Development, Hugh Johnson, founder and chief investment officer at Hugh Johnson Advisors, and Nicole Snow, founder and CEO of Darn Good Yarn. You can watch Back to Business: Retooling Your Business here.
5. Anticipating a Changing Landscape in the Workforce: CBRE's nationwide analysis of industries impacted by COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change lives across the globe, many wonder what effects the pandemic will have on industries, jobs and workforce over the near and long term. Many of these effects will be predicated on the solutions, duration and continued government actions taken to handle the pandemic, but data can already signal which industries are being impacted most and how the pandemic is set to potentially change the labor landscape over the long term. Corporations should be mindful of these impacts and thoughtful about how the shifting labor landscape informs their location strategies. CBRE Labor Analytics outlines some of the key short-and long-term changes to U.S. labor markets as well as the strategies corporations can take in response to these changes.
6. How Innovation is Accelerating to Meet Coronavirus Challenges
During the coronavirus pandemic, technology innovation has progressed on an expedited timeline to meet new and emerging challenges, according to industry leaders at a recent virtual event hosted by the Chamber Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC). Here are five ways that technological innovation is accelerating to meet the crisis: 1.) The workforce is becoming more digital, flexible, skills-based, and regional 2.) Connectivity will be the norm and not the exception 3.) Data will help secure better health outcomes 4.) Autonomous vehicles are hitting the road 5.) Daily life will rely on the gig economy. Read more about how innovation is accelerating to meet Coronavirus challenges here.
7. Cushman & Wakefield's 6 Feet Office Design
Certain phrases surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have sparked global conversations, the most notable being social distancing - the entire world now understands the importance of staying six feet away. Across the globe, countries are in different stages of experiencing the pandemic. But, as we begin visualizing life after COVID-19, we must begin to think about what a six feet society will look like and how we will adjust. "The 6 feet rule" isn't going away any time soon and it is critical to normalize this guideline into everyday life. The 6 Feet Office is Cushman & Wakefield's conceptual idea to help their clients prepare for their employees to return to the office. Read here how offices can maintain social distancing while creating an effective workplace.
8. Three Resources for Creating a Winning Export Strategy
Approximately two-thirds of small exporters risk missing out on their best opportunities because they do not have an export plan. A plan will help focus efforts on the highest potential markets for your product or service; and it can make the difference between just a few international sales and real business growth. The U.S. Commercial Service has developed free, online resources to make planning easier and help you become a more proactive and successful exporter. Whether you are creating your first export plan, or are fine-tuning an existing plan, use our planning resources to boost your international sales potential. View export planning resources here. Additionally, if you have any questions as it relates to imports or exports, please email the Saratoga Partnership's Global Markets Expert, Mary Estelle Ryckman at Mary.Ryckman@saratogapartnership.org or call 518.871.1887.
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 information and resources on our website www.SaratogaPartnership.org , Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn .

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