In This Issue:
  • WNY Region Starts Phase 1 Reopening Today
  • STEP Into Safety
  • ABC Webinar Series
  • PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Additional Guidance
  • ABC Virtual Leadership Training
  • Empire Chapter COVID-19 Resources
WNY Region Starts Phase 1 Reopening Today
During the Governor’s press briefing yesterday, he announced that the WNY region will open up starting with Phase 1 of the NY Forward plan. 
 
We are excited to see this region open and construction begin again, but we must be prepared. In our last Merit Messenger, we shared what you need to effectively operate during this first phase. We shared sample safety plans along with the guidance the Governor has released for contractors to follow. 
 
Click here to access the referenced Merit Messenger.
 
You must read the Governors guidance and affirm you understand. You must also adopt a COVID-19 safety plan. All of these things are included in the newsletter above. 
 
Now it is on our shoulders to keep moving forward with the reopening process. We need to follow the Governor’s guidance and ensure we do all we can to prevent a resurgence of this virus.
STEP into Safety
Construction is back in some regions of NY, but are you prioritizing safety? Now more than ever it is important to be leaders in safety. ABC's STEP Safety Management System is a 25-point guide to starting, updating or auditing your company-wide safety program.

What if Your Company Could Be 827% Safer Than the Industry Average? Companies that participate in our safety program highlight their safety excellence to developers, owners, contractors and employees.
 
Are you ready to get the recognition your company deserves? 
Onboarding That Works

When: May 19, 2020 12:00 PM

Join ABC Empire Chapter member, SimcoHR's Jon Spike in a webinar discussing the new concepts in orientation and onboarding while following effective onboarding practices. Learn about designing a system and the role of performance management.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Prevailing Wage: New Reporting & Record Keeping Obligations
When: May 20, 2020 10:00 AM

ABC Board Member, Tom Santa Barbara, of DirectAdvisors will outline the new prevailing wage bill passed in New York's 2020 budget which contains changes to reporting and record-keeping obligations to maintain that you’re in compliance and avoid any fines.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Maximizing Your SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness and Preparing for the Future Audit
When: May 20, 2020 1:00 PM

You scored a piece of the more than $650 billion in the SBA Paycheck Protection Program funding. Now you have eight weeks to use the funds appropriately to meet the criteria for loan forgiveness or face repayment of the loan. Learn the steps you need to know to maximize your loan forgiveness, plus hear the latest guidance issued by SBA.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Additional Guidance
The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application a nd detailed instructions for the application. While this application provides answers to some administrative questions, it leaves other issues unresolved, including flexibility for small businesses on when the eight-week loan forgiveness period should start, or extending the covered period more than eight weeks. ABC continues to push for critical additional guidance on loan forgiveness to ensure that borrowers have clear and consistent guidance on applying for PPP loan forgiveness.

A reminder that ABC also submitted comments to the U.S. Small Business Administration on Friday. In the letter, ABC highlights some concerns with the current guidance and suggested changes to the operation of the PPP loans in order to better serve construction small businesses. You may view the full letter here .

Leadership Training
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell

As we emerge from our shutdown and as new issues develop in the workforce, having a trained team of dedicated leaders is essential. This 8-hour interactive online training is designed for new supervisors and emerging leaders in your company.
ABC Empire Chapter Resources