Welcome Home Wednesday
Wednesday, January 6 | 5 - 6:15 p.m.
The Tompkins Chamber is inviting new residents to Live in Ithaca: Welcome Home Wednesdays virtual Happy Hour. New residents are encouraged to drop in anytime during the event - significant others and kids welcome!
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Start 2021 off healthily with a focus on mindfulness and staying active this winter season with a Bodyflow demo from FLX Fit Club.
- Additionally, learn about services, programs, and volunteer opportunities in the area.
- Enjoy conversation with other residents who are new to the community and BYO light refreshments.
While the event is geared towards new residents, any resident who feels they would benefit from attending or introducing themselves to new members of our Community are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there, and welcome home!
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In 2020, the Tompkins Chamber team accomplished so much with your support - and were grateful for the opportunity to serve you during such a difficult time. Click below to review our key accomplishments, and our plans to continue serving you in 2021. |
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Eight community leaders, including the Tompkins Chamber's own Jennifer Tavares, are coming together to share personal stories on the challenges and opportunities of 2020, and the spirit, intelligence, love and courage that has illuminated Tompkins County. It’s our hope that audience members will be inspired by the heart and compassion of our shared communities.
• Luvelle Brown, Ithaca City School District Superintendent
• Shirley Collado, Ithaca College President
• Greg Hartz, Tompkins Trust Company President/CEO
• Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, GIAC Director and Tompkins County Legislature Chairwoman
• Orinthia Montague, Tompkins Cortland Community College President
• Svante Myrick, City of Ithaca Mayor
• Martha Pollack, Cornell University President
• Jennifer Tavares, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
Hosted and produced by Gary Stewart, this special online production will enable community members to make a gift, or pledge, to United Way of Tompkins County’s (UWTC) Community Care Fund and help to meet community needs heightened by COVID-19. By investing in the Community Care Fund, community members are able to support 50 local human service agencies and more than 80 programs providing resources and services to our neighbors throughout Tompkins County.
Utilize the care, compassion, and cohesiveness that we have all so brilliantly refined during this pandemic and help push UWTC's Community Campaign over the top of its $1.5 million goal and make 2021 a better year for many of our neighbors!
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Tompkins County Virtual Town Hall w/
Cayuga Medical Center
Wednesday, January 6th | 4 p.m.
Join Tompkins County Officials and Cayuga Health System CEO Dr. Martin Stallone for a virtual COVID-19 Town Hall on Wednesday, January 6 at 4:00pm. The Town Hall will be streamed live to YouTube.
Learn about our community's readiness regarding COVID-19, hospital capacity, vaccine roll-out plans, and more. Members of the public can submit questions for the panelists to Dominick Recckio, Tompkins County Communications Director at drecckio@tompkins-co.org.
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SBDC Virtual Lunch & Learn:
COVID-19 Relief Package
Tuesday, January 12th | Noon - 1 p.m.
Advisor Bob Griffin will facilitate a review of the official guidance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other relevant agencies regarding the new COVID-19 relief package. Topics that will be discussed include: PPP, EIDL, Unemployment, and Grants.
Participants are strongly encouraged to submit any questions during the registration process. There will also be a question and answer portion at the end of the presentation. This date is subject to change depending on when the SBDC receives official guidance.
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Congratulations to our
Member of the Week
We were impressed with the many ways that Triphammer Wine & Spirits and Ithaca Coffee Company adjusted their business models and product offerings to respond to the health concerns and economic impacts of the pandemic. Congratulations to both businesses and their teams for making the most of a difficult year, while continuing to contribute to the community!
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Save the Date!
Fab5 Young Professional Awards
Thursday, March 4 | 6 - 7:30 p.m.
The Fab5 Awards celebrate the achievement of young professionals ages 21-40 in Tompkins County. This year, the Fab5 Committee is seeking young professionals who have been able to shine and excel despite the unprecedented challenges our community has faced.
The Fab5 Awards categories are: Entrepreneur of the Year, Not-for-Profit Leader of the Year, Businesses Leader of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Essential Worker “Hero” of the Year.
A sixth Essential Worker “Hero” award has been added this year to recognize a young professional who was considered “essential” by government officials to maintain public health and safety and keep critical infrastructure operations working when parts of the economy were shut down because of COVID-19.
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New Coronavirus Relief Package - additional details on PPP, EIDL, and Save our Stages
We are still awaiting final updates and SBA info, and will share as it arrives this week.
- Program extended through March 31.
- Clarifies that businesses expenses paid for with forgiven PPP funds remain deductible.
- Loan forgiveness process is simplified for borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less.
- Forgivable expenses are expanded to include supplier costs and investments in facility modifications and personal protective equipment to operate safely.
- Enhances borrower flexibility by allowing borrowers to select their loan forgiveness covered period between 8 weeks and 24 weeks.
- Allows forgiveness for PPP loans and EIDL emergency advance grants, preventing small business owners being left with unexpected PPP loan balances.
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Second round of PPP for businesses with 300 or fewer employees and a 25% revenue loss.
- Maximum loan of 2.5X average monthly payroll up to $2 million.
- Accommodations and Food Services (NAICS codes beginning with 72) may receive a loan up to 3.5X average monthly payroll.
- More in the attached document - click below.
Grants for Shuttered Venue Operators
The program will be administered by the Small Business Administration. Once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the SBA will make grants to;
- live venue operators or promoters,
- theatrical producers,
- live performing arts organization operators,
- museum operators,
- motion picture theatre operators, or
- talent representatives
To be eligible, the entity must have been fully operational on February 29, 2020, and must demonstrate a 25% reduction in gross revenue. During the initial 14-day period of implementation of the program, grants shall only be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 90% or greater revenue loss. In the next 14-day period, grants shall only be awarded to eligible entities that have faced 70% or greater revenue loss. After these two periods, grants shall be awarded to all other eligible entities.
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The City of Ithaca Anchor Storefront Recovery Fund Invites Additional Loan Applications
Ithaca, NY – December 14, 2020 - In August of this year, a new COVID-19 recovery loan fund launched for ‘anchor’ storefronts in the City of Ithaca. The fund has provided low-cost economic development loans of between $8,000 and $50,000 to key commercial storefront businesses in the City, including restaurants and retail businesses. In light of the ongoing pandemic and additional funding, the Ithaca Anchor Storefront Recovery Fund is currently inviting additional loan applications.
Some storefront businesses, because of the unique service that they provide, because of their longevity, because they draw people to the area, or simply because of their large footprint or critical location, carry particular importance to Ithaca’s economic recovery and positive community identity. The Ithaca Anchor Storefront Recovery Fund provides targeted loan assistance to help ensure that the recovery process proceeds successfully for “anchor” storefront businesses in the City of Ithaca, particularly as we enter a challenging post-holiday winter period amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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Healthy Workforce Network On-the-Job Training Grant
This funding is intended to support people in recovery receiving educational and training supports, new job opportunities, and maintaining a recovery friendly employer base in Tompkins County and regionally.
Under this contract, training grants with a maximum payout of $2,000 will be available to businesses that are hiring a new employee or promoting an existing employee, and providing the training needed to be successful in their new role. The training grant will be used to provide the employee with the additional training needed in order to fulfill the job responsibilities.
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Did You Miss December's Networking at Noon?
Year End Tax, Accounting, Legal, and Business Concerns Virtual Expert Panel
Our expert panel shared critical updates that will influence your year-end and early 2021 planning. Learn more about PPP provisions, succession and business entity planning, wage policy changes, sick leave, and more!
Quick Links to Key Changes for Most Employers:
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Member & Development News
We're providing a weekly roundup of member news. To have something included, email Jennifer.
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Local, Regional, and New York State COVID-19 Updates
Includes hospitalization updates
Under the Department of Health's most recent eligibility guidance, beginning January 4, all Outpatient/Ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
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Tompkins Chamber and CVB Property at East Shore Drive for Sale
Tompkins Chamber & CVB have announced that our property at East Shore Drive is listed for sale, after much consideration and decades of being headquartered at this iconic facility. We're excited to see what will come next for our organization, and for 904 E. Shore Drive. Click below for the listing information!
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Did you miss one of our L.E.A.R.N. webinars or Networking @ Noon Industry Insights events?
You can watch them all right on our YouTube channel. Consider subscribing to receive updates every time we post a new video!
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Hiring?
Tompkins County has a resource for job posting called " Workforce Redirect", intended to match job seekers with employers that are currently hiring.
Contact Workforce Development Board Executive Director Natalie Branosky to have your business added to this page. |
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January Meeting Schedule
Admin & Finance/Executive Committee
Tuesday, January 19th | 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Board of Directors
Wednesday, January 27th | 8 - 9:30 a.m.
All meetings require advance registration & will be virtual until further notice. Register with Carly Hansen at chansen@tompkinschamber.org.
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Our team is here to help.
Note: Our East Shore Drive office is staffed most weekdays from 9-5 for pick up or delivery, and our entire team is available by appointment. Please call 607-273-7080 during normal business hours if you need to visit us.
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