Thursday June 4, 2020
Hello Chamber Members and Partners,

Here are the latest updates and resources for businesses and employees during this uncertain time.

Send us any questions or updates you may have. We are here to help provide information, connect the dots and assure those in the North Country that we will get through this together.

Onward and Be Well!
Restaurants in Phase Two Can Reopen for Outdoor Dining Beginning Today, June 4th
Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered phase two:

  • The Capital Region
  • Central New York
  • The Finger Lakes
  • The Mohawk Valley
  • The North Country
  • The Southern Tier
  • Western New York

can reopen for outdoor dining beginning TODAY, June 4th.

Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.

Craft Beverage Tasting Rooms:
The New York Wine & Grape Association also received notification from the NY State Liquor Authority (SLA) that this privilege extends to craft beverage tasting rooms. Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries are welcome to open their outdoor tasting rooms.

Guidance:
The State has also issued guidelines for "Outdoor and Takeout/Delivery Food Service". Restaurants engaging in either activity must read and affirm these guidelines and create and have available a Safety Plan.


More information can be found at forward.ny.gov/phase-two-industries.
State Liquor Authority Has Issued New Guidance on Outdoor Dining
Pursuant to the Governor’s order, effective Thursday, June 4, 2020, all licensees in regions that have entered phase 2 of reopening and which have on-premises service privileges under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABC Law) may, subject to the guidance below, resume outdoor, on-premises service of alcoholic beverages and/or food.  

This guidance shall continue until July 3, 2020 but may be extended or reduced depending upon the circumstances. 

To aid in prevention of the spread of the coronavirus and assist businesses impacted by the current state of emergency, the Governor has ordered the Chairman of the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to promulgate guidance on a streamlined process for expansion of licensed premisses for service of alcoholic beverages.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED SANITIZER?
We Can Help!
The  North Country Chamber of Commerce   recently received a supply of sanitizer from Clinton County. These supplies are to be distributed to our local Clinton County businesses in any and all phases in need and will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

Assemblyman Billy Jones also secured several gallons and is available for anyone in his district, Clinton & Franklin County.

We are also working with the United Way of the Adirondack Region , who has a supply of sanitizer for Essex and Franklin County Businesses.

If you are in need of these products, please use the below instructions to request products:

  • If you are in Clinton County (or a North Country Chamber of Commerce Member) please email Stacey at the North Country Chamber of Commerce to request sanitizer. She will contact you with more details and pick up instructions.

  • If you are a business in Clinton or Franklin County, and would like to request Sanitizer from the Assemblyman's office please call (518)562-1986.


Please note: If you have already received sanitizer from any of the above mentioned businesses we ask that you wait to request more to insure that all businesses in the North Country receieve assistance.
PHASE II: Legal Updates For Your Reopened Business
TUESDAY, JUNE 9TH - 12:00PM

Join the  North Country Chamber of Commerce  and presenter, Jaci Kelleher, Esq. of  Stafford Owens Law Firm , for a webinar that will help answer the legal questions that you may have as your business is reopening.



Topics to be covered:

  • HR related legal updates (the permanent, the temporary and the expired)
  • New requirements for preparing your workspace to bring employees back to work safely and welcome the public
  • Answers to questions submitted in advance

Date:  Tuesday, June 9th
Time:  12:00PM

Register and ask your questions today!
*Webinar login information will be sent to you by email after registering.
SCORE WEBINAR: Restaurant Survival Strategies
TUESDAY, JUNE 9TH - 10:00AM

The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest-hit industries since COVID-19 rolled into town. This pandemic has forced small business restaurateur to redefine how it functions and "pivot" is the word of the day.

Join Score and it's panelists for a talk about the considerations needed to reopen your food and beverage business.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • How to prepare and find the resources to become compliant with new sanitation and safety protocols that will affect both your costs and revenues
  • Determining realistic seating capacities while recalculating revenue projections utilizing a menu engineering approach
  • A financial model to determine your future break even sales level and customer counts

Date:  Tuesday, June 9th
Time:  10:00AM

Panelist:

  • John Parmelee, Department Coordinator for the Hospitality Management Program at SUNY Plattsburgh
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to host and support the regional chapter of SCORE as a service to small business.
*Webinar login information will be sent to you by email after registering.
Senate Passes Fix to COVID-19 Payroll Loan Program  
Following complaints from business groups about changing rules and confusing guidelines, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a fix to the popular Paycheck Protection Program program, which was created to help small businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee — tasked with overseeing trillions of taxpayer dollars provided by Congress to prop up the economy — to push for more clarity and consistency in the program. Others warned that some business owners were worried that they may not qualify under revised rules to have the loans forgiven, as originally promised.

Under the new Senate fix, which had previously been passed by the House, many of the business owners' concerns will be addressed. It will give businesses up to 24 weeks to spend the money before having to pay it back. The previous regulations written by Treasury and the Small Business Administration gave them just eight weeks to spend the money, or be required to pay the loan back.

The fix also relaxes a requirement that 75% of the loan go toward payroll, lowering the threshold to 60%.

The bill next goes to President Trump for his signature.
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, T he 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.
QUICK LINKS:
  • 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.





  • Now Hiring: Whether you are hiring or looking for work, we have a page dedicated to helping pair potential employees with employers.


  • Webinars: Did you miss one of our webinars, you can find them all here.

  • How to Help: If you are looking for a way to help the North Country, we have created an ever growing list of needs in our community. And if you are a non-profit, health care organization or a business helping those in need, email us with your needs, contact information and we will be happy to add you to our growing list.

  • SCORE: Visit Scores Coronavirus page for webinars and useful articles for small businesses.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000