NYS has the Lowest COVID-19 Positivity Rate in the Nation |
Governor Cuomo updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.
- Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate is 0.64%; 58 Consecutive Days of Decline
- 1,007 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since October 21
- NYS has the Lowest COVID-19 Positivity Rate in the Nation (Vermont is #2)
"Over half of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. To think that at this point last year the vaccine was a dream on the horizon is staggering. I am proud to lead the people of this state who have gotten us to where we are," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers are tough and together we have carried each other through this pandemic and we are ever closer to emerging into a better, safer, reimagined state. Those who have not yet received the vaccine should take advantage of ongoing programs and do so for the greater good of New York."
All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first-come, first-serve basis. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.
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Small Business Recovery Grant Program |
On June 10th, New York State will begin accepting applications for the Small Business Recovery Grant Program. These grants (not loans!) can be used to reimburse businesses for pandemic expenses like payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, local property or school taxes, and more that were incurred between March 1, 2010 and April 1, 2021.
Grant awards will be calculated based on a business’ annual gross receipts for 2019:
- Annual gross receipts: $25,000-$49,999: Award is $5,000/business;
- Annual gross receipts: $50,000-$99,999: Award is $10,000/business; or
- Annual gross receipts: $100,000-$500,000: Award is 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000)
Small businesses - including sole-proprietors/LLCs - and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations may be eligible to apply. To be eligible, businesses must:
- Have 2019 or 2020 gross receipts between $25,000 and $500,000
- Demonstrate positive net profit on 2019 Business Return ($1 or greater)
- Demonstrate that total expenses on 2020 Business Income Return are greater than the grant amounts.
- Demonstrate at least 25% loss in annual Gross Receipts in a year-to-year revenue comparison as of December 31, 2020 to the same period in 2019.
- Be in substantial compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and requirements.
- Not owe any federal, state, or local taxes prior to July 15, 2020, or have an approved repayment, deferral plan, or in agreement with appropriate federal, state, and local taxing authorities.
- Not have qualified for business grant assistance programs under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or any other available federal COVID-19 economic recovery or business assistance grant programs, including loans forgiven under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, or are unable to obtain sufficient business assistance from such federal programs. Eligible Applicants may have received or been awarded the following federal assistance:
- Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $100,000 or less.
- COVID-19 EIDL Advance Grant of $10,000 or less.
- COVID-19 EIDL Supplemental Targeted Advance Grant of $5,000 or less.
- SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant of $150,000 or less.
*Note: Businesses that received awards from the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant program are not eligible to apply.
Your team at the North Country Chamber of Commerce is here to help you navigate this program! Contact us today (518) 563-1000 or chamber@westelcom.com so we can answer your questions and discuss next steps!
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Montreal and Laval to Switch to Orange Status on Monday |
The days of regions of Quebec being saddled with the dreaded COVID-19 red alert status and resulting restrictions are drawing to a close.
The Legault government Tuesday announced the last two major regions tagged red, Montreal and Laval, plus some remaining sub-regions, will flip to orange alert starting Monday, June 7.
“Thanks to all your efforts, the situation continues to improve in Quebec,” Premier François Legault said Tuesday, adding the dissipating COVID-19 threat and the fact the Canadiens are headed into the second round of the playoffs are enough to make all Quebecers proud.
The switch to orange status means restaurants, which have been closed for eight months, will be able to reopen indoor dining with some restrictions. Gyms will also be allowed to reopen and high school students will return to classrooms full-time.
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Pandemic Highlights Broadband Gaps in Adirondacks |
The Adirondack broadband project has been years in the works, and when the pandemic came along it exacerbated the difference in communication — and lifestyle — between the fiber haves and have-nots.
Schools went remote, and businesses turned to videoconferencing. Some even staked their lives on the theory that it was safer living in the middle of the woods with the bears and the coyotes than in the crowded cities.
“COVID-19 has shown that broadband is not just a convenience — it is a necessity,” said Dave Wolff, a founding board member of AdkAction and a leading advocate for regional broadband. “And people will do crazy things to get it.”
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NYS Umbrella Manufacturer Contract Solicitation Announcement |
New York State has announced that it will reopen the Umbrella Manufacturer Contract to invite new vendor participants on June 15, 2021. The State Office of General Services (OGS) has worked with The Business Council of New York State and The NYS Forum to collect input from vendors that cut across the spectrum of products and services, as well as delivery models, to allow New York to craft contract language reflective of the current market state. As the final component of the partnership, and the final component of the pre-solicitation research process, OGS will share an overview of how the issues raised by the business community have been heard and addressed with an open Zoom-based webinar hosted jointly by The Business Council and The NYS Forum.
This event is scheduled for June 14, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration is open and free for all interested parties, but pre-registration is required. Please feel free to share this invitation with your internal team responsible for responding to NYS solicitations!
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Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge Funding Opportunity |
This is a funding opportunity with up to $250K available for the preservation of cultural and heritage sites, with eligible entities including:
- Federally-recognized tribes and Native American tribal organizations;
- Institutions of higher education including 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions,1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status;
- Public bodies; or
- Small private entities that meet the size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The USDA will be hosting a webinar on June 24, 2021 to introduce the program.
Webinar: Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge Funding Opportunity
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2021
Time: 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Join to learn about the funding opportunity under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC). In this webinar, USDA Rural Development will provide you with the resources necessary to understand the elements contained in the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) to build a complete application ahead of the deadline, including eligibility requirements, application protocol and scoring criteria.
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June Business After Hours |
We are excited to be hosting our June After Hours at Mike Foote - State Farm!
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Date: Thursday, June 17th
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Time: 5:30 - 7:00
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Fee: $5/person
This one will be FUN! Featuring an outdoor tent, games...think CORNHOLE, and the perfect way to kickoff the summer!
Please register in advance. We can't wait to see you!
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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.
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Today's Dose is Generously Supported By: |
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NYS Vaccination Updates: Official Site for making an appointment to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
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Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.
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NYS Travel Advisory: Stay up to date on the latest NYS Travel Advisory Updates.
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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.
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SCORE: Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side.
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Have Questions? We're here to help!
North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000
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