City of Ithaca Launches "We Are Resilient" Web Resource
We Are Resilient  is a new interactive website designed to help businesses in Ithaca and Tompkins County impacted by COVID-19 connect with customers. Our community is creative and resilient. Many 'non-essential' businesses are continuing to offer delivery, pickup, online shopping and other special services. Designed with simple filters and an intuitive interface, people looking to continue to purchase from local shops, restaurants, and vendors during the crisis can quickly and easily find out who is offering what.
The City of Ithaca Office of Economic Development worked with their GIS Department to create this tool, but they're drawing data from partners and working with others including the Downtown Ithaca Alliance , Tompkins Chamber and Ithaca Voice to make it available as an embedded app directly on partner websites and to help keep the data up to date. 

The Tompkins Chamber is working to add all member operating hours/service information that have been tracked on our website to the We Are Resilient county-wide resource. If you would like to be added, please email us .
PPP & EIDL to be Recapitalized
 * Watch closely for EIDL application to reopen if you haven't submitted already
* Talk to your lender ASAP about PPP if you are interested in applying

We will share more information as soon as we have a formal announcement. If you think you're interested in submitting, you should spend time gathering your financial information and preparing to apply.
SBA Cautions Business on Increase of Lending SCAMS

Reports of scammers are on the rise with respect to the PPP and EIDL programs.
  
Report Fraud
Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at,  https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/office-inspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline .
open_sign_green.jpg
Turning Towards Reopening/Recovery

We've been thinking a lot about what "reopen" and "recovery" might look like - throughout our local area, New York State, and beyond. We know that you are, too.

Recent updates from the Governor's Office show that Albany is beginning to plan for a regional approach to reopening our economies. It is clear that this strategy must rely on local and regional assessments of risk, testing and healthcare capacity, and readiness to open. Testing will be a critical piece of our new world, as will retaining some social distancing and mask-wearing practices for an undetermined amount of time.

That being said, it's a good time for you to begin thinking about what this might look like in your particular business or organization, and how your operations might shift in the interim - or in the long term. Prolonged periods of remote work, or rotating shifts may be needed. Management of customer flow may be necessary to comply with social distancing guidelines and ensure safety for your staff and customers. Begin to envision how you might prepare your workforce and your place of business for interacting differently and safely - likely until we have an effective vaccine option for this Coronavirus.

Some Recommended Resources/Reading:

The Chamber and CVB Team will be here with you every step of the way - advocating for your business and organization's interests, while keeping our shared public health goals and community safety top of mind. We will continue sharing resources on "reopen and recovery" in the coming weeks, and be in touch about ways we can collaborate to support our business community. If you've found a compelling article or planning resource, please email it to Jennifer .
Tompkins County Health Department & Emergency Management collaborate with Tompkins Chamber Foundation to provide lunches to mask makers supplying masks for essential workers. Operating restaurants are encouraged to sign up to take advantage of this opportunity.

Tompkins County is also still seeking volunteers to support sewing efforts. Sign up at the link to the right, and put "sewing volunteer" in the subject line.
Do you need masks or hand sanitizer to protect your employees or customers?

Please click the button below to fill out a Google form.
Indicate how many essential employees you're seeking homemade fabric masks for (and for what purpose/responsibilities), and how many gallons of hand sanitizer you would be interested in receiving in the next week or two. We cannot promise supplies will be available, and note that you'll need to be patient especially for masks. Public health priority order will determine where masks go and when. Thank you!
Local Business has Hand Sanitizer Available for Purchase

Local startup Ecoelectro has begun manufacturing hand sanitizer, available in 9 oz bottles or 32 oz bottles. Email Gabriel Rodrigue z if you're interested in purchasing hand sanitizer from this firm.
Ithaca/Tompkins County Visitor Journey Arrival to Departure (A2D) Tourism Training Live Classes Go Virtual!

Visit Ithaca, Tompkins Workforce Development Board, Tompkins Workforce New York and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance have partnered to create a tourism training program. If you have front-line staff, volunteers or others that interface with your customers, clients or guests, this program is for them.

A2D is a two-part program. The first part is the completion of seven online modules taking most people 80-100 minutes to complete. The second part is attendance in a two-hour live class. We have adjusted our curriculum to be able to provide the live class  remotely  via a zoom meeting.

If you have not already completed the training, we invite you to complete the modules and join us for a fun, virtual live class where you can connect with others in the tourism industry. We know a recovery is coming and what better way to prepare you and your team for when that happens!

For more information, please go to visitithaca.com/visitor-journey . Here you will find more details on A2D and the link to an external learning management program where you can create an account, complete the online modules and schedule yourself into one of the upcoming virtual live classes.

Reservations for the live class are required and there is a limit per class. We have set aside the below dates for virtual live classes.  

April 24 th , April 30 th, May 6 th , 12 th , 21 st , and 28 th

To see times and/or RSVP, please log-on to ithaca.visitorjourney.com . For more information, please reach out to Ryan Shehu at ryan@visitithaca.com .
Congratulations to Ryan Shehu from Visit Ithaca!
The Destinations International Foundation and Destinations International, the global trade association for official convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards, recently announced the 2020 30 Under 30 class , which is a group of highly talented young professionals in the destination organization industry. The program is part of the Destinations International Foundation’s commitment to investing in the leaders of tomorrow through professional development and mentorship opportunities.

The 30 individuals, 30 years of age and under, will have the opportunity to engage in professional development opportunities throughout 2020 and beyond. The honorees originate from a variety of destination organizations of all sizes and countries.

“The 30 Under 30 program remains critical to our organization’s vision and mission,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “Especially in these uncertain times, we are especially excited to announce these young professionals as they are the future of the travel and tourism industry."

The entire Chamber & CVB team is so proud of Ryan's work and feel he is so deserving of this recognition!
Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Application
New York State has set up an application for New Yorkers to apply for pandemic unemployment assistance without having to first apply for unemployment insurance.
Tompkins Chamber Support Fund through Chamber Foundation

The Chamber is providing critical support to our network and the community during this unprecedented crisis. Engaging with peers, receiving valuable information and updates, conducting effective advocacy, and sustaining the promotion and support of local businesses or organizations are as important as ever. We are striving to make our services universally available, regardless of ability to pay. However, if you can afford to pay your membership or fees, please do.

If you represent a business or organization that values the work our team is doing and wants to help ensure the Chamber is here to support our members and the community for the long term - our community and organization could use your support.
Still have questions?

Here's an adorable, inquisitive kitten to make you feel better.

Seriously, though...we'll do our best to help you or make referrals to those who have the answers you need.

Just call the Chamber at 607-273-7080, or email us at info@tompkinschamber.org .

* A brief reminder that we are not doctors or legal experts - just your friendly local Chamber doing our best to keep you informed.*
curious_kitten_paws.jpg