May 18, 2020
NY Forward - Plans for Phased Reopening
A phased reopening of the Southern Tier, which includes Tompkins County, began on May 15th and will progress as follows:
  • Phase 1 – Construction, Manufacturing and wholesale supply chain, Curbside pick-up service for Retail, and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
  • Phase 2 – Professional Services, Finance and Insurance, Retail, Administrative Support and Real Estate/Rental Leasing
  • Phase 3 – Restaurants/Food services and Hotels/Accommodations
  • Phase 4 – Arts/Entertainment/Recreation, Education

It is anticipated that at least 14 days will follow each phase.

Industry Guidelines
Industry Guidelines for Phase One Reopening are now available  HERE .
The site includes a link for businesses to read and affirm detailed guidelines, and a printable business safety plan template. Business owners must read the “Detailed Guidelines” for their industries and provide their digital signature affirming they have read and understand the document. More details on the four phases and specific types of businesses can also be found at the above link.
NY Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
A new tool is now available to help companies determine whether or not a business is eligible to reopen, and the public health and safety standards with which a business must comply. This tool uses information about the company, County, and NAICS code.
Access the Reopening Lookup Tool HERE .

E ssential businesses will need to read and affirm guidance and utilize the state’s safety plan template to continue operating. They can use the lookup tool to find their template and affirmation links.
SBA and Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Guidance and Application
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans. The SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications. Click HERE  to view the application and instructions. It is also available at  www.sba.gov/ppp  in the  Loan Details and Forgiveness   section of the webpage.
Resources for Reopening
Access to COVID-19 Testing Available to ALL
Testing for COVID-19 is available to all at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site.

If you are a business and want to make arrangements for employee testing either on-site or at the mobile testing site, please contact Cayuga Health for more information.

PPE for Essential Workers
Cloth masks are available for essential workers from the Tompkins County Emergency Operations Center. Read more HERE

New Tompkins County Health Department Website
The Tompkins County Health Department launched a new  website  – Tompkins Moving Forward Toward Reopening with additional resources.
TCAD
Visit TCAD's website for more information on the Phased Reopening of the Southern Tier, including Business Reopening Plans and Resources for Reopening.
TCAD Now an Accredited Economic
Development Organization (AEDO)
TCAD is proud to announce that it is the first organization in New York State to receive accreditation by the  International Economic Development Council (IEDC) . TCAD is one of only 67 organizations in the world to receive Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) status. This accreditation recognizes the work being completed by leading-edge organizations worldwide.

Earning the AEDO accreditation informs the community and businesses/local stakeholders that the economic development organization has attained a measure of excellence – conferring credibility and assuring that trust is well-placed and local business is in good hands.

“Tompkins County Area Development displays the professionalism, commitment and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.

TCAD Emergency Relief Loan Program
In response to the profound economic damage COVID-19 has inflicted on local businesses, TCAD created the Emergency Relief Loan Program to provide loans to traded sector businesses (businesses who primarily sell products or services outside Tompkins County). The fund's purpose is to support those businesses in retaining employees, allowing business operations to continue, and to offset losses related to COVID-19. At this time, TCAD has awarded three-year loans to five local businesses, which will not require repayment for twelve months, to enable those businesses to re-establish their operations.

Contact Chuck Schwerin ( chucks@tcad.org ) for more information on the Emergency Relief Loan Program.
Small Business Resilience Fund Awards Loans to
96 Businesses in Tompkins County
TCAD was among the partners responsible for developing and funding the Ithaca Tompkins County COVID-19 Small Business Resilience Fund (SBRF), a fund created to provide forgivable loans to micro-enterprises and small businesses in Ithaca and Tompkins County experiencing hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 160 local small businesses applied for loans and 96 loans have now been awarded.

Opportunities for Local Manufacturers and Startups
Local Businesses in
the News
  • The JumpStart Program partners NYS small businesses and startups that have well-defined technical problems with Cornell materials scientists, faculty and staff, who have the expertise to help solve these problems.

Rheonix Inc. and Cayuga Health have teamed up to provide same day turnaround for COVID-19 test results. Rheonix received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA in April and can now implement its fully automated testing process. Cayuga Medical Center will be the first hospital in NY State to use this new technology. Read More
Cayuga Radio Group has introduced SAFEtones into select radio advertisements starting May 18th. SAFEtones stands for S anitized/ A rea/ F ace-protecting/ E nvironment. SAFEtones is a short two second audio tone inserted inside individual advertiser’s radio ads designating that they follow COVID related safety protocols. Read More
Tompkins County Area Development | 607.273.0005 | info@tcad.org | www.tcad.org