Tuesday June 1, 2021
Saratoga Race Course to Open at Nearly 100% for Fully Vaccinated Fans
Horse racing fans got the news they were hoping for Thursday afternoon, when the governor announced Saratoga Race Course can operate at near-full capacity this summer.

If you're vaccinated, you're in. Nearly all of the track's sections can operate as normal for those who have gotten the shots. The clubhouse, the restaurants, most of the grandstand seats, and the popular backyard where race fans fill up picnic tables or bring in their own lawn chairs, will be set aside exclusively for those who are vaccinated.

NYRA says there will be a few reserved seats for those who haven't gotten the shots.

Opening day is Thursday, July 15. Tickets go on sale June 9.
June Business After Hours!
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is excited to be hosting our June Business After Hours at Mike Foote - State Farm.

  • Date: Thursday, June 17th
  • Time: 5:30 - 7:00
  • Fee: $5/person

This one is going to be full of 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!
DiNapoli: Pension Fund has Record Annual Return
The overall investment return for New York's common retirement fund over 12 months reached a record 33.5%, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Wednesday said. 

The return, recorded over the state's fiscal year from April 1 and ending March 31, came as the financial markets swooned and rebounded during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
The pension fund is valued at $254.8 billion. During that time, the fund paid out $13.6 billion in retirement and death benefits. 

“The state pension fund rode the market rebound from the depths of the pandemic and enjoyed the largest one-year investment return in its history,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “This outsized return reinforces the Fund’s position as one of the strongest in the nation, but it comes with a caution. Markets remain volatile and as unpredictable as ever. With our talented investment staff, I will continue to manage our state’s pension fund with prudence and a focus on stable, long-term results that ensure continued retirement security for our members for generations to come.”

The fund by the end of March had invested 52.82% of its assets in publicly traded equities. The rest is in cash, bonds and mortgages. The long-term expected rate of return is 6.8%, DiNapoli said.
'Nourish New York' Program Bill Passes State Legislature Unanimously
The “Nourish New York” bill passed both the state Senate and Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support this week.

This program helps connect upstate farmers with downstate food banks.

“When's the last time we could say a bill passed both houses unanimously?” said the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey. “This is a bill and an issue that really fundamentally shows how much better we are as a state when we all work together, both through bipartisanship, regardless of party, as well as geographically.”

When schools and restaurants had to shut their doors during March of last year, the demand for milk plummeted. With nowhere to go with their products, many farmers were forced to dump hundreds of thousands of gallons of milk.

At the same time, thousands of New Yorkers lined up at food banks, many for the first time, leaving empty shelves and concerns over a possible food shortage. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the Nourish New York initiative at the end of April last year, which helped food banks purchase excess food from farmers.

The legislature just recently allocated more money for the program in the state budget this year, but by making this program permanent, lawmakers will not have to do this each year.
You Only Sell Your Business Once - Understand the Process; Know Your Options
Too many business owners don’t have a realistic plan for how to exit their business, earn a decent retirement income, and preserve the legacy they’ve built and the jobs they’ve created. They don’t understand their options and don’t have time to figure it out on their own.

The Covid-19 pandemic has only worsened an already challenging situation, forcing many Baby Boomer to accelerate their business exits. Because of this, liquidation and closure often becomes the default option. Unfortunately, this option shortchanges the owner and results in lost jobs and economic assets for our communities.

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! No matter how big or small your business, this workshop will help you understand the exit planning process and help you decide which option makes the most sense for you.

This virtual event will be presented by Rob Brown from the Cooperative Development Institute, an organization that works on developing start-up cooperative businesses or transitioning existing businesses to a cooperative model. Rob will review exit planning options and take a deeper dive into one of the least understood strategies – selling to your employees.

Ward Lumber CEO, Jay Ward will share his worker-coop transition story and answer questions. Even if selling to your employees isn't an option you've considered, this case study is a fascinating look into a growing trend in small business transitions.

To close-out the event, Dani Delaini, coordinator for the North Country Center for Businesses in Transitions and Angela Smith from the SBDC will provide information on resources available to support owners seeking to transition their companies to a new generation of owners.

  • Date: Wednesday June 16th
  • Time: 9am-11am
5 Customer Service Trends That Are Here to Stay
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold last year, business owners had to find innovative ways to serve and interact with their customers. As a result, a majority of consumers have higher customer service expectations today than before the pandemic and want fast and accessible interactions with stores.

Here are 5 customer service trends you can expect to stick around after the pandemic:
Save the Date: 2nd Annual U.S. Chamber National Summit on Equality of Opportunity
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Equality of Opportunity Initiative unites the business community around private and public sector solutions to some of the underlying challenges driving inequality of opportunity for Black Americans and other people of color in six critical areas: education, employment, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, health, and wealth.

Save the date! The U.S. Chamber will be hosting its second annual National Summit on Equality of Opportunity, Moving from Conversations to Real Action. hear leaders across the private and public sectors discuss challenges, share successes, highlight best practices, and chart paths forward to ensure equality of opportunity for all. Hear leaders across the private and public sectors discuss challenges, share successes, highlight best practices, and chart paths forward to ensure equality of opportunity for all.

  • DATE: Wednesday, June 23
  • TIME: 12:00 p.m. ET 
To help the North Country continue to operate safely and meet the state and local guidelines, 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.
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By:
QUICK LINKS:
  • 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