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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Tele-Town Hall:
HON. KATHY HOCHUL
LT. GOVERNOR, STATE OF NEW YORK
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The
North Country Chamber of Commerce
is hosting a conversation with Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul on April 22nd at 2:00pm. Hear an update and answers to questions regarding the state's response to COVID-19 and plans for economic recovery.
DATE: Wednesday, April 22
TIME: 2:00pm
Register
and ask your questions today by clicking the button below!
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the webinar.
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Announces a New Grant Fund
Businesses can apply for a $5000 Grant starting Monday April 20th
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The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in an effort to help small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, has created the Save Small Business Fund. Eligible businesses can apply for a $5000 grant.
To qualify, the business must:
- Be in an economically vulnerable area.
- Many areas of the North Country qualify. It’s easy to check to see your business is in a qualified community. Go to the US Chamber savesmallbusiness page and enter the zip code your business is located in. The site will immediately tell you if your community qualifies.
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic
A short application will go live, TODAY - April 20
th
at noon Pacific Time (3pm EST). Funds are limited so apply as soon as possible for the best chance to receive funding.
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U.S. AND CANADA EXTEND BORDER RESTRICTIONS 30 DAYS
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As generally expected, the U.S. and Canada have announced that border crossing restrictions that were announced last month through April 21 are being extended an additional 30 days. Under the continued restrictions, personal car travel across the border will remain limited to a few categories of essential travel, such as commuting cross border to essential work (including hundreds of Canadian nurses, doctors and other health professionals working in North Country hospitals each day), emergency services and travel for medical care, among other very limited purposes.
Commercial shipping in both directions remains unrestricted. In a sign of the strength of the Quebec-New York economic connection which has been developed, truck numbers at the Champlain border crossing remain close to par with a year earlier, while truck numbers at most other major crossings are down more than 20%.
According to Garry Douglas, President, the North Country Chamber of Commerce is in discussions with several partners to begin plans for restoring cross border travel and boosting commerce as soon as movement is loosened. "We are in a dialogue with the Quebec Government, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec (FCCQ) on shared strategies and messaging, including a recent webinar we did with the Montreal Chamber on cross border shipping. At the same time, we are now working with our federal and state elected leaders to ensure that our region's cross border economic dynamic is reflected in upcoming economic revitalization plans. And we look forward to collaborating with tourism partners such as ROOST on shared marketing strategies in Canada this summer. This was a definite desire of the county board chairs of Clinton, Franklin, Essex and Hamilton Counties expressed in a recent tele-town hall we hosted with them."
Douglas adds, "It continues to be profoundly sad to be so separated from daily interaction with our friends and neighbors from across the border. It's all a reminder that we can never take our cross border connections for granted."
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A GUIDE TO THE CARES ACT: Self-Employed and Independent Contractors
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If you are an independent contractor or are self-employed, you may be eligible for assistance due to COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know about Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Independent contractors and self-employed individuals are normally not eligible for unemployment compensation. However, under the CARES Act, such individuals can receive benefits under the PUA program.
- Paycheck Protection Program: The PPP is a forgivable loan that can be used to help you, as an independent contractor or self-employed individual, replace your compensation (i.e. pay yourself due to lost income), pay mortgage interest, make business rent payments, and more.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan: The SBA’s EIDL is meant to provide relief to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of COVID-19.
Check out our website
for a full breakdown of each program, including eligibility requirements and forms needed.
Still have questions, we can help, send us an
email
and we will get back to you shortly.
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM: UVM HEALTH NETWORK
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We Will Persevere: A personal message from John R. Brumsted, MD, President and CEO, The University of Vermont Health Network
"Until the events of the past several months, combatting a global pandemic was a plot to a “B” movie or a launching point for a post-apocalyptic thriller. For health care workers, first responders and public health leaders who participate in preparedness drills on these scenarios, they do so hoping they will never have to put these plans in place. Yet, here we are.
In many ways, the spread of COVID-19 has brought out the best in us. Hope, faith and solidarity are on display every day. We’re witnessing sacrifice from all corners of society. Neighbors are looking out for each other, and our skills and community resources are being deployed in new, imaginative ways. We’re collaborating like never before, and that includes health care providers working together across three states – New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. The spirit of innovation is rising to meet our unprecedented needs: One example is the distillers who have quickly pivoted to producing hand sanitizer for health care workers and the public.."
Click the link below to read his full statement.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: WARD LUMBER
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An update from Ward Lumber President, Jay Ward. We applaud their hard work during this pandemic as an essential businesses keeping our economy running.
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JOIN US FOR COFFEE TALK - A VIRTUAL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS - JUST EARLIER!!
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If there is one thing we’ve learned through this challenging time, is the value of networking. The energy we get from other people, the valuable connections we make at events, and the knowledge we gain from even the most casual conversations is priceless.
Each session will be capped at 12 attendees and will last only 30 minutes. Registration is first-come-first-served, so register today!
More
Coffee Talk
sessions will be scheduled as time permits.
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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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DONATE NOW: FEED OUR FRONTLINE
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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.
All funds raised will be used to buy meals for our frontline at area hospitals.
If you would like to help support the health care community and local
restaurants,
DONATE TODAY.
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Have Questions? We're here to help!
North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
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