Tuesday June 14, 2021
Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide Vaccination Rate is 69.9%
Governor Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.

"We are moving forward to our reimagined, post-COVID future at an incredible pace. A year ago, it was unfathomable to think we'd be at this point today," Governor Cuomo said. "As we approach our goal of 70 percent of New Yorkers with at least one dose of their vaccine, we also reflect on all we've been through. New York is the greatest state in the nation and New Yorkers have shown that they are a true force to be reckoned with. If you haven't already, I encourage you to get your COVID-19 vaccine so that you can fully enjoy all that this beautiful state has to offer with your loved ones this summer."
$105 Million in Grant Funding for Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Artists
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today the availability of $105 million in critical arts and cultural funding through the New York State Council on the Arts, including a program to reinvigorate near-term live performances that opens for applications Wednesday. The grants will aid in the arts sector's multi-year recovery from COVID-19 and spur the revitalization of New York's creative economy, which fosters $123 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 500,000 jobs statewide. 

"We must build New York back better than it was before, and part of that process will be strengthening and reinvigorating our state's creative economy," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants will pay dividends through the economic activity generated by our creative ecosystem, which will continue to flourish and inspire us as we work together to make New York stronger than ever."

There will be four rounds of funding, with $20 million already committed to multi-year awards in the first round. Each round is designed to address the most urgent needs of organizations and artists within New York's nonprofit creative sector. 

  • Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants ($10 million): Support will directly address the area of the arts sector hardest hit by COVID-19, and reinvigorate near term, in-person performance opportunities. This funding will prioritize the recovery of New York's unparalleled performance organizations, venues, artists, and groups. This $10 million opportunity offers both direct support from NYSCA and regrant support through NYSCA's Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants program. Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 will be available for eligible performing arts organizations for planned performance programming in 2021. Support provided through the Community Regrants Program, which will focus on reviving performance on a very local level, will be administered by NYSCA partners statewide. The goal of this regrant support is to reach small, local organizations that do not receive direct grants from NYSCA. Round 1 guidelines and portal for direct NYSCA Rapid Live Performance Grants will open on June 16. Application portal will close July 1. 

  • Expanded Access to Funding ($15 million): Support will expand NYSCA's current network of valued regrant partners to reach New York's vast and diverse community of artists and organizations. Funding will be distributed through NYSCA Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants. Increased support at the local level will ensure more communities, organizations, and individuals will have access to NYSCA funding. Round 2 guidelines will be posted June 16, 2021. Application portal will open on July 19 and close August 2.

  • Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery ($40 million): Support will broaden individual artist assistance and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Round 3 guidelines will be posted on June 16. Application portal will open July 19 and close September.
  • Capital Funding for the Arts ($20 million): Support will assist organizations in making improvements to address health and safety issues in their spaces and venues among other needs. Any New York State nonprofit arts and culture organization is encouraged to apply. Round 4 guidelines and application portal will open in September. 
Business After Hours - THIS WEEK!
We are excited to be hosting our June After Hours at Mike Foote - State Farm!

  • Date: Thursday, June 17th
  • Time: 5:30 - 7:00
  • Fee: $5/person

This one will be FUN! Featuring an outdoor tent, games...think CORNHOLE, and the perfect way to kickoff the summer!

Please register in advance. We can't wait to see you!
Plattsburgh Reels in Summer Bass-Fishing Tournaments
An encouraging sign that the North Country is coming back from COVID, officials with the Chamber of Commerce, Town & City of Plattsburgh, and community business leaders all gathered recently on the lakefront to announce that 5 major bass-fishing tournaments and a national Water Cross championship will all take place this summer on Lake Champlain, events that reel-in thousands of anglers and competitors and millions of dollars for the local economy. At least one of the tournaments will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
OSHA Issues Safeguards for Health Workers, but Goals for Others
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after months of delay, released standards to protect essential workers from COVID-19 Thursday, but those policies were scaled back significantly to apply only to health care settings.

The pared-back policies bring a quiet close to a saga that began over a year ago, when employees first raised concerns about catching the highly infectious respiratory virus in cramped conditions in workplaces such as Amazon.com Inc. warehouses, correctional facilities, meat processing plants, and grocery stores.

The emergency standard for health care facilities calls for measures long understood to mitigate the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, including minimum ventilation requirements, masking, social distancing and contact tracing, and a rule prohibiting retaliating against workers who raise concerns.

President Joe Biden called for stronger federal protections for essential employees on the campaign trail last year as Americans lauded workers' courage in continuing to serve during the pandemic.
You Only Sell Your Business Once - Understand the Process; Know Your Options
Too many business owners don’t have a realistic plan for how to exit their business, earn a decent retirement income, and preserve the legacy they’ve built and the jobs they’ve created. They don’t understand their options and don’t have time to figure it out on their own.

The Covid-19 pandemic has only worsened an already challenging situation, forcing many Baby Boomer to accelerate their business exits. Because of this, liquidation and closure often becomes the default option. Unfortunately, this option shortchanges the owner and results in lost jobs and economic assets for our communities.

DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! No matter how big or small your business, this workshop will help you understand the exit planning process and help you decide which option makes the most sense for you.

This virtual event will be presented by Rob Brown from the Cooperative Development Institute, an organization that works on developing start-up cooperative businesses or transitioning existing businesses to a cooperative model. Rob will review exit planning options and take a deeper dive into one of the least understood strategies – selling to your employees.

Ward Lumber CEO, Jay Ward will share his worker-coop transition story and answer questions. Even if selling to your employees isn't an option you've considered, this case study is a fascinating look into a growing trend in small business transitions.

To close-out the event, Dani Delaini, coordinator for the North Country Center for Businesses in Transitions and Angela Smith from the SBDC will provide information on resources available to support owners seeking to transition their companies to a new generation of owners.
ETS & Ready4Real are pleased to announce the launch of their newest initiative: Ready2Create! 
ETS & Ready4Real are pleased to announce the launch of their newest initiative: Ready2Create! With the support of a NYS Department of Labor Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) grant, Ready2Create aims to train and support individuals for a career in manufacturing. The WDI supports strategic regional efforts that support the expansion of local industries and improve regional talent pipelines. By developing partnerships with local employers, Ready2Create will meet the present and future needs of both local businesses and the workforce community, benefiting the regional economy as a whole.

The 8-week training course will begin on July 6th and will run four nights per week at the brand new Strand Center for the Arts’ MakerSpace in downtown Plattsburgh. Technical skills such as hand tool safety and use, electrical assembly, precision measurement, and schematic reading will be combined with professional skills such as communication, time and money management, and workplace readiness skills to set participants up for success as they enter, or return to, the workforce. Ready2Create participants will receive OSHA training, sit for the National Work Readiness Credential assessment, take part in local manufacturer tours, and be matched with a job in a workplace that is right for them!

Ready2Create is not only free for participants but also provides revolutionary support by helping to cover things like transportation, child care, rent and more. Please refer interested participants to etsjobs.com/ready2create to learn more or register.

**This is paid content sponsored by ETS & Ready4Real**
A Message From John Bernardi - Vaccinate the North Country
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