TODAY's DOSE

Tuesday September 7, 2021

$3 million in Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG) Funding Has Been Approved for Local Businesses and Nonprofits

The North Country Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report that nearly $3 million in Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG) funding has been approved for local businesses and nonprofits.

As reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, area businesses awarded funds now include:

Lake Placid Sinfonietta - $9,439
Drama & Art, Inc., Lake Placid - $228,569
Battle of Plattsburgh Association, Plattsburgh - $4,825
Cumberland 12, Plattsburgh - $758,816
Retro Live, Plattsburgh - $230,910
Strand Center for the Arts, Plattsburgh - $356,599
Pendragon Theater, Saranac Lake - $88,465
Waterhole Music Lounge, Saranac Lake - $145,348
Strand Theater, Schroon Lake - $9,114
Adirondack State Theater, Tupper Lake - $46,416
Upper Jay Art Center, Upper Jay - $1,514
Otis Mountain Media, Westport - $103,990
Depot Theatre, Westport - $45,628
North Pole Associates, Wilmington - $248,065
Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, Tupper Lake: $570,020

The SVOG program was created to provide financial assistance to museums, theatrical producers, movie theaters, and more. Awardees can be used to help cover payroll expenses, rent, utilities, and more.

The North Country Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our federal elected officials - Senators Schumer/Gillibrand and Congresswoman Stefanik - for their continued support of the SVOG program and the important relief that it will provide to so many North Country businesses.

As of August 20, 2021, the SVOG program is no longer accepting new applications, however, the SBA recently announced it will begin sending invitations to qualified businesses to apply for supplemental SVOG funding. Supplemental awards may be provided to those who received an initial grant and have illustrated a 70% loss when comparing 2021’s first-quarter revenues to the same in 2019.

If you would like assistance determining your eligibility for, or applying to, an SVOG supplemental award or any other COVID-19 related financial assistance program, we would be happy to help! Please contact Raechell Conn at (518) 563-1000 or via email.

Gov. Hochul Signs New Legislation Package to Boost State Workforce

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation to boost the state's workforce on Monday. That includes legislation for speed monitoring in work zones, legislation to protect against wage theft and legislation protecting shared work benefits.

The governor also signed a directive to the commissioner of health to make the New York Hero Act a reality.

"On Labor Day every year, we're reminded of the vital contributions of organized labor to building New York, and that's why I'm signing four pieces of legislation to help workers thrive across our state," Gov. Hochul said. "These bills will make sure workers are paid fair wages, receive good benefits and stay safe on their worksites. Our state is home to a long and proud legacy of supporting working New Yorkers, and we're working to bolster that for the future."

According to Gov. Hochul, the New York Hero Act requires workplace safety and health precautions in response to infectious disease outbreaks. Hochul says this legislation has been talked about for a long time and is needed to keep our communities safe.

"Back when this was signed, we all had this vision the pandemic would be behind us. That didn't happen,” Gov. Hochul said. “This pandemic has continued to rage. It's creating unsafe conditions in some workplaces and if we want to get people back to work and get our kids back to school, we need to have standards not just in law but enforced."

The New York Hero Act was signed into law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo back in May.

LISTEN TO OUR RECENT WEBINAR - FOR DETAILS

NY won’t cover COVID-related unemployment money when fed programs end: Hochul

New York will not pay to extend COVID-19 unemployment benefits for the 1.6 million state residents receiving them when the related federal programs expire at the end of Sunday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Speaking at an unrelated press conference in Manhattan, Hochul claimed to have her hands tied by both federal regulations and state law, which she said prohibit allocating additional funds while the state is still running a deficit.

“Our unemployment system was so overtaxed last year and a half that we now have an $11 billion deficit, and the state law does not allow us to allocate any increase in resources as long as there is a deficit,” Hochul said.

Stefanik Announces Grant to Support Broadband in the North Country

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding the Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board a $88,000 grant for a regional broadband assessment. This Rural Business Development grant will support 23 jobs and create two additional jobs in Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, and Franklin Counties.

“I am proud to announce $88,000 of taxpayer dollars will be returned to our district,” Stefanik said. “Increasing access to broadband is a key economic priority for the North Country, and I look forward to this assessment strengthening our rural communities by helping small businesses, families, and farms.”

LEARN MORE

Upcoming Safety Training

Don't forget that the North Country Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of safety trainings throughout the year.

Upcoming Classes include:

Fire Safety
Trenching and Excavating (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651)
Active Shooter Preparedness & Violence in the Workplace
Safety Inspections

To learn more click the link below or contact Alyse Buskey by email or by calling 518.563.1000.

Business After Hours - September 16th

After a great August After Hours, we are excited to announce that September's After Hours will be sponsored by Glens Falls National Bank, BUT HELD at PLATTSBURGH ONEWORKSOURCE on September 16th at 5:30pm.

Join us for great networking, food, and fun!

The North Country Chamber of Commerce and our sponsors are taking all necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment.

Be sure to bring your business cards!

Things to Know:

Date: Thursday, September 16th
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Plattsburgh One WorkSource , 194 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12903
Cost: $5/person

Pre-Registration is strongly encouraged.

Questions? Let Adriana know.

Adirondack Health Names Aaron Kramer, CEO

On Sept. 1, Acting Chief Executive Officer Aaron Kramer was confirmed as the permanent president and CEO of Adirondack Health.

Kramer was previously Adirondack Health’s chief operating officer. He succeeds Sylvia Getman, who served as president and CEO for five years until her retirement in July.

Adirondack Health Board Chair Susan Delehanty said that after a national executive search, Kramer rose to the top of the candidate list, and the input from interview groups confirmed that he was the best candidate to lead Adirondack Health into the future.

Kramer is among the leaders who have helped navigate Adirondack Health’s way during the uncertainties of the pandemic, and Delehanty said she’s confident in his ability to lead the organization as the COVID-19 virus remains a threat.