Covid-19 Information
New York State Small Business Recovery Grant
Empire State Development has announced that the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is NOW OPEN.
Grant awards will be calculated based on a business’ annual gross receipts for 2019:
- Annual gross receipts = $25,000-$49,999: $5,000/business
- Annual gross receipts = $50,000-$99,999: $10,000/business
- Annual gross receipts = $100,000-$2,500,000: 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000)
For eligibility requirements and more information regarding the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Program, click here.
Need Help Applying?
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is ready to assist you and your business with determining if you are eligible to apply and answering any questions you may have.
If you have any questions, please contact Sue Matton by email or by calling 518.563.1000.
Department of Labor: NYS Hero Act
The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act) was signed into law on May 5, 2021. The law mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the NY HERO Act is to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.
Under this law, the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL), in consultation with the NYS Department of Health, has developed an Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard, a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan, and various industry-specific model plans for the prevention of airborne infectious disease. Employers can choose to adopt the applicable policy template/plan provided by NYS DOL or establish an alternative plan that meets or exceeds the standard’s minimum requirements.
The airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans must go into effect when an airborne infectious disease is designated by the New York State Commissioner of Health as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health. When designated, employers are required to provide a copy of the adopted airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan and post the same in a visible and prominent location within each worksite. Templates and resources are available below.
On March 17, 2022, the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the HERO Act ended. Private sector employers are no longer required to implement their workforce safety plans.
Sign up for Today’s Dose:
“Today’s Dose” is the Chamber’s weekly newsletter that is sent out every Tuesday and Thursday with special editions sprinkled in whenever big news arises. This was started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to keep our members up to date and informed, but has now evolved into a great resource for all those interested in staying in touch with local, regional and cross border news.
Local COVID-19 Information:
Stay updated on local COVID-19 testing sites, vaccination clinics, quarantining rules and more with the Clinton County Health Department.
Quick Links:
A few COVID friendly links that you may find helpful:
DIVISIONS & RESOURCES OF THE NORTH COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The North Country Chamber of Commerce serves Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and northern Warren Counties in New York State, as well as the Akwesasne Territory and parts of southern Quebec. With more than 4,000 members, it is the largest business and economic development alliance in northern New York and one of the five largest chambers in the state.
Questions about the Chamber? Call Us! 518.563.1000
