Thursday May 13, 2021
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AGREE TO AMENDMENTS TO RECENTLY ENACTED HERO ACT
In follow-up to our opposition to the Hero Act, recently passed and signed into law -- creating new and permanent mandates and liabilities for all employers related to airborne pathogens -- we have worked intensely with Upstate United and our Chamber partners in Rochester, Buffalo and Binghamton to seek early changes, armed with information on the likely impacts.

We are pleased to report that Legislative Leaders and the Governor have quickly agreed to a set of so-called Chapter Amendments to be passed before the end of the current session.

The bill containing these amendments is attached and includes the following:  
  • Amend the definition of "worksite" to limit such term to locations
  • over which an employer has the ability to exercise control.
  •  Amend the definition of "employee" to clarify that such term includes
  • individuals working for digital applications and platforms.
  •  Require the Commissioner of Labor to create a model airborne infectious
  • disease exposure prevention standard for each industry representing
  • a significant portion of the workforce, or with unique characteristics
  • requiring distinct standards, as well as a general model standard
  • to capture all other worksites.
  •  Require employers to adopt an airborne infectious disease exposure
  • prevention plan within 30 days after the Commissioner of Labor publishes
  • the model standard relevant to their industry.
  •  Clarify that an employer's airborne infectious disease exposure
  • prevention plan does not have to be posted in a vehicle, if the vehicle
  • is considered the employee's worksite.
  • Eliminate liquidated damages for civil actions for injunctive relief,
  • and add a six-month statute of limitations for such actions.
  •  Require employees to notify their employers of alleged violations,
  • and provide employers with a 30-day cure period to correct such
  • violations, during which employees would not be able to bring a civil
  • action.
  • Allow the courts to award costs and attorney's fees to employers if a
  • civil action for injunctive relief or retaliation is found by the court to be frivolous.
 
Section two of the bill would amend section 27-d of the Labor Law, as
added by Chapter 105 of the Laws of 2021, to:
  • Limit the joint labor-management workplace safety committees to one
  • committee per worksite. 
  • Provide an exemption for employers that have an existing workplace
  • safety committee that meets the minimum requirements of the law.
  • Section three of the bill would extend the effective date of section one
  • of Chapter 105 of the Laws of 2021, establishing the requirements for
  • the model airborne infectious disease exposure prevention standard, from
  • 30 days to 60 days.

The amended Hero Act will still represent an onerous and unnecessary imposition on small businesses who have also been heroes during this pandemic, committed to the health and safety of their employees and customers. But the agreed amendments are nevertheless welcome and an improvement in several of the initial provisions.

We will be offering an INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR soon on all of the provisions which employers now need to be aware of and will look to assist with compliance in all ways that we can, as we have done throughout the pandemic.
2021 ROUND OF REDC COMPETITION
Round eleven of the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) grant competition has been announced by Governor Cuomo. The NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal is now live and accepting applications. Deadline for applications to be submitted is July 30 at 4:00 p.m. To learn more about the CFA process guide, click here. 



  • To learn more about the program and the REDC Guidebook, click here. 
  • For the available CFA resource guide, click here. 
  • For FAQs, click here. 

   As in years past, this competition offers an opportunity to compete for state grant funds in a number of categories, from infrastructure to private economic development and more. We encourage all North Country localities, non-profits and businesses who may have a possible project to learn more.
Vaccine Myths Debunked by Local Doctors
The North Country Chamber of Commerce partnered up with Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce to host a COVID-19 Vaccine Safety panel discussion on May 11.

Dr. William Borgos, the chief medical officer for Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Dr. Beth Bartos, a family medical specialist at Adirondack Health, Dr. Wouter Rietsema, the vice president of population health and information services as well as being the chief medical officer of the Adirondacks Accountable Care Organization, and Dr. Geoffrey Serfilippi, a pulmonology specialist and co-director of intensive care medicine at Glens Falls Hospital made up the panelists for this event.

The discussion was aimed to address some concerns and myths revolving around the COVID-19 vaccination. One of the main topics addressed was why people are being so hesitant about getting the vaccination.
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES BEACHES AND POOLS TO OPERATE WITH SIX-FOOT SOCIAL DISTANCING
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that beaches and pools will operate with six-foot social distancing in anticipation of Memorial Day. New York State's goal is to reopen them to 100 percent capacity by July 4.
 
"All the COVID-19 numbers are trending in the right direction, and as more New Yorkers get vaccinated, it's important not to lose any of the significant progress we've gained. As the numbers go down, we can incrementally reopen the economy, and we're going to allow beaches and pools to operate with six-foot social distancing in time for Memorial Day," Governor Cuomo said. "Our hospitalization rate is below 2,000 for the first time since mid-November and our statewide 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 37 straight days. The infection and hospitalization rates are a function of our actions, and each New Yorker has shown tremendous strength and resilience to get these numbers down. As we get closer and closer to defeating COVID once and for all, everyone must continue to practice the behaviors we know work to slow the spread - washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing."
New Owners for a Local Landmark - Gus' Restaurant
Gus’ Red Hots has been a landmark in the community for the past 70 years. The restaurant shut down during the pandemic and eventually, the owners decided to sell.
“I drove by this all winter long and I kept looking at it and I got to thinking…” Rob Steele, the new owner of Gus’ Red Hots explained.

To him Gus’ is more than just a restaurant, it’s a landmark to the community and he didn’t want to see it torn down.
“We live in this community and you know it makes it that much more special for us to be able to preserve that,” Jennette Steele, the wife of Rob Steele, said on the decision to purchase Gus’.

While Gus’ may have new owners, they’re trying to preserve the memory of the restaurant. “Same name, same great taste,” Rob Steele said.

The couple was even given the Michigan sauce recipe to ensure the same “great taste” as Rob Steele put it.

“Preserving what it once was but still kind of putting our own little touches on things along the way,” said Jennette Steele on the changes that they’re making to Gus’.

The restaurant will have weekly and weekend specials along with special discount days for senior citizens, military service, and more.
A fresh homemade bakery line will be available, in a new display case by the front door, a full-service soup and salad bar with fresh bread made daily, and a kid’s menu will be available as well.

The inside of Gus’ isn’t the only thing being changed-a large deck is being added for outdoor seating. This deck will be added to the front of the building and wrap around the side.

A Snack Shack is being built as well. The Snack Shack is intended for quick service. It will feature a limited version of Gus’ menu but have full-service ice cream.

“Soft serve and a full line of flavors about 16 to 20 flavors and over 40 toppings and a lot of specials, a lot of summertime specials in the Snack Shack,” Rob Steele said.

There will be picnic tables available for customers who wish to stay and eat. The Snack Shack will also be pet friendly and offer treats such as a “Pup Cup” and other treats for dogs.

“We really look forward to bringing people to the beach area and making this area what it once was,” Rob Steele said on the reopening of Gus’.


The official reopening is slated for May 24th. Stop in and say hi!
NY SHIELD ACT
The NY SHIELD Act went into effect 1 year ago, mandating any business holding data on any NY state resident to comply with specific security requirements. Enforcement of the law is expected to increase in 2021.

Download Your Guide to NY SHIELD Compliance below.

**This is paid content sponsored by Twinstate Technologies**
To help the North Country reopen safely and meet the state and local mandates, The 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.
Today's Dose is Generously Supported By:
QUICK LINKS:
  • NYS Vaccination Updates: Official Site for making an appointment to get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
  • Forward NY: Official State Website for opening procedures and guidelines.
  • NYS Travel Advisory: Stay up to date on the latest NYS Travel Advisory Updates.
  • 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.
  • SCORE: Small business owners are resilient and can power through this challenging time, with SCORE by their side.
Have Questions? We're here to help!

North Country Chamber of Commerce
518.563.1000