Monday June 8, 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!
COASTING FORWARD: An Updated Plan to Market and Promote the Adirondack Coast During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
There is no doubt that this is an unprecedented time in recent history. The community, residents, businesses, government and travelers are all navigating a “new Visitors' landscape”. At the  Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau  (ACVB), a division of the  North Country Chamber of Commerce , we understand this and have revamped our  2020 marketing plan  to ease travelers’ anxieties, welcome visitors back safely and help kick start a “support local” movement amongst those who call the Adirondack Coast home.

  • Date: Wednesday, June 10th
  • Time: 1:00pm

Panelists:  
  • Kristy Kennedy, VP, Marketing
  • Alyssa Senecal, Assistant Director of Tourism & Marketing

Join your ACVB Team, Kristy & Alyssa, as we discuss  this plan , answer questions and look to continue our partnership as we market and promote the #ADKCOAST as a top tourism destination.
*Webinar login information will be sent to you by email after registering.
Uniform Regulations for USMCA Released
With entry-into-force of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) looming on July 1, the governments of the three countries on June 3 issued the so-called “uniform regulations” needed to implement the complex new rules of origin requirements for the  automotive industry  and the  regulations  for Chapter 5 (Origin Procedures), Chapter 6 (Textiles and Apparel Goods) and Chapter 7 (Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation).

Weighing in at nearly 200 pages, the uniform regulations for the auto sector are expected to undergo only modest changes to reflect an ongoing legal scrub. They are also being translated to Spanish and French. The regulations specify steps manufacturers must take across their supply chains to comply with the agreement’s rules of origin and secure duty-free treatment within North America. Industry has long said that complying with the regulations’ rules will be costly and time consuming, leading to ongoing requests for flexibility. The uniform regulations do offer avenues for flexibility, but industry will require more time to assess them and see how they are implemented.

For more information, please contact the US Chamber's Senior Vice President of International Policy John Murphy .
Reopening Updates: Religious Services, Outdoor Graduations, Mandatory Temperature Checks & NYC Set To Reopen
Temperature Checks Permitted for Commercial Buildings
The Governor announced he will issue an Executive Order allowing commercial buildings to conduct temperature checks for anyone entering the building as office workers begin to return to the workplace.
Places of Worship Will Be Permitted to Reopen
Governor Cuomo announced places of worship in the North Country can reopen, starting Sunday June 7th (yesterday) at 25% occupancy with all social distancing protocols in place.

"The reopening of the economy is a valve - we said we were going to open the valve incrementally and then watch the metrics, and our metrics today are all very good so we're going to open the valve more than we originally anticipated," Governor Cuomo said. "We now have the lowest number of hospitalizations and deaths from coronavirus since this pandemic began - which is great news - so we are going to accelerate the opening of temples, mosques and churches and allow these places of worship to open with up to 25 percent capacity in phase two. But people still have to stay smart and follow all the necessary precautions and guidelines because if the metrics start to change, the reopening will have to be slowed down."
Outdoor Graduations Will Be Allowed
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that outdoor, socially distanced graduations of up to 150 people will be allowed beginning June 26th, subject to any outbreaks or significant changes in the metrics.

"In terms of reopening, we have been calibrating our strategy based on the data and the facts, and overall the numbers are down, the numbers are good and our plan is working," Governor Cuomo said. "Based on today's numbers we can continue to advance our reopening, and we will now allow outdoor graduations of up to 150 beginning June 26th. New Yorkers have worked together to bend this curve quickly, and if we continue on this trajectory, remain responsible and follow all social distancing protocols, we can keep accelerating our reopening strategy."
NYC Starts Phase 1 Reopening Today
As of today, all regions of the state are now in Phase 1 or 2. New York City entered phase 1 today.

You can use the Regional Dashboard to watch the metrics of each region as we continue the reopening process.

The Governor's Forward NYS website has all the guidelines and safety plans needed for a safe opening.
It Matters: Building an Inclusive Workplace Culture in Times of Crisis
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is offering a 3-part  It Matters  webinar series, which will convene industry leaders for important dialogue about why culture and inclusion are critical pillars to a productive workplace during COVID-19 and beyond. The second event of the series will focus specifically on employee engagement and morale, learning and development, and building community in a remote setting.

  • Date: Wednesday, June 10 
  • Time:  2:00pm

Featured speakers include:
  • EVERFI senior vice president, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Jesse Bridges
  • The Motley Fool director, Learning and Development Kate Herman
  • Kapor Center chief technology community officer Lili Gangas
A Message From Clinton County Public Health Office
Here is a short video from Clinton Country Public Health Office featuring Richelle Gregory, Clinton County Mental Health and Addiction Services. It addresses some of the fear and anxiety people may be feeling as they return to the workplace.
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