WEBINAR: The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant - Applications begin April 8th! |
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
Below is a recent webinar the SBA released with more information.
|
|
NY State of Health Announces Significant New Tax Credits Available to Lower the Cost of Health Coverage |
NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced, increased financial assistance is now available to current and new consumers enrolling in a health plan through NY State of Health. NY State of Health began notifying consumers today of their higher tax credit amounts and how to apply them to further lower the cost of coverage. This financial assistance is being implemented as part of the American Rescue Plan signed into law on March 11, 2021.
“We are happy to share this good news with consumers. These new tax credits significantly lower the cost of health plan coverage for New Yorkers who buy through the marketplace,” said NY State of Health Executive Director, Donna Frescatore. “Current Marketplace consumers should visit us and update their tax credit information to claim these new credits. We encourage all New Yorkers who need coverage to contact the Marketplace and see what is available.”
NY State of Health system changes will be made starting today, March 31, 2021. Consumers will receive a notice and email from NY State of Health no later than April 5, 2021 letting them know the increase in amount of tax credits they will receive, and the action needed to claim them. For example, an individual earning $35,000 will now be eligible for an additional $120 more in monthly tax credits, lowering their monthly costs from $278 to $158 for the benchmark silver plan. This translates to an annual savings of $1,200. Tax credits are also available now for New Yorkers with lower or moderate incomes who are new to the marketplace. For an individual, this is an income of up to $51,040 per year and for a family of four, this is an income of up to $104,800 per year.
Starting in June, the new tax credits will be available to higher-income New Yorkers for the first time, lowering health care costs for most New Yorkers who access health insurance through the Marketplace. NY State of Health will provide information about the tax credits available to higher-income tax individuals in the coming weeks.
To allow as many consumers as possible to access these enhanced tax credits, and in light of the ongoing public health emergency, the 2021 Open Enrollment Period has been extended through December 31, 2021. Consumers can apply for coverage through www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov by phone at 1-855-355-5777 and by connecting with a free enrollment assistor.
To read more about how NY State of Health enrollees benefit from the American Rescue Plan click the link below.
|
|
North Country Workforce Development Survey |
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), located in Saranac Lake, NY, is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York through community-informed, boots-on-the-ground strategies. ANCA's work supports the clean energy economy, local food systems, and the entrepreneurial economy of the North Country to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future across the region.
We are conducting a survey that is intended for contractors conducting work in the North Country/Adirondack region. Responses provide an opportunity to better understand the advantages and challenges associated with attaining and maintaining relevant certifications/credentials in the skilled trades and clean energy industry. Through these findings, ANCA plans to design programming and offerings to support local jobs and assist equitable access to resources and opportunities to ensure a just transition.
Your input is valuable and appreciated and through your participation, we hope to help strengthen and sustain wealth and value in our local communities. Completed surveys will be accepted through April 30th, 2021.
|
|
Ways Your Digital Marketing Can Beat the Big Guys |
|
Can digital marketing be easy to strategize and execute, without being a huge time suck? Yes!
Learning the essential framework of a digital marketing strategy, identifying key targets, and finding the tools that will save you time, will take your digital marketing tasks from To Do, to To Done. With all the time you’re saving, we’re going to show you some tips on ways to amplify your relationship with customers, laser focus your content, and how to measure your digital marketing efforts.
After leaving this session, you will have learned:
- What role digital marketing plays in business in 2021
- How to create precise, targeted digital campaigns
- Tools and tips to save time
- How to analyze the metrics for your digital marketing
Details:
-
Date: April 14th
-
Time: 5:30pm
-
Cost: FREE
SUPPORTED BY THE CLINTON-FRANKLIN-ESSEX BRANCH OF SCORE
|
|
Deferment Periods Extended for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) |
|
SBA announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note.
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.
EIDL provides economic relief to businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Loan funds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. See program eligibility & guidelines. The SBA also added information on procedures for victims of fraudulent EIDL loans to its FAQ’s, see questions 30-32 for links to applicable forms and information.
|
|
Quarantine for Domestic Travel No Longer Required |
Domestic travelers are no longer required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. state or U.S. Territory. While no longer required, the NYS Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel. Mandatory quarantine remains in effect for international travelers. All travelers must continue to fill out the Traveler Health Form.
|
|
|
|
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, The North Country Chamber of Commerce has created a comprehensive list of resources to navigate state and local requirements. Check out the home page for details. There is also a series of webinars available for businesses to help educate and provide answers to common questions.
|
|
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By: |
|
-
NYS Vaccination Updates: Official Site for making an appointment to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
-
Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.
-
NYS Travel Advisory: Stay up to date on the latest NYS Travel Advisory Updates.
-
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.
-
SCORE: Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side.
|
|
Have Questions? We're here to help!
North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
