Important Information for Businesses Being Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Businesses with questions about the NY Forward Reopening Guidelines should contact Andrew Santillo at 518-853-8155

APPLY FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOAN PROGRAM

COVID-19 has created a rapidly changing environment for businesses in our community. News about assistance programs and other relief efforts continues to come in quickly. 

As New York State monitors and responds to developments related to COVID-19, Empire State Development is providing up-to-date guidance for businesses impacted by the virus. 

Apply for the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF), an economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. Learn more HERE.

Businesses and nonprofits can also apply for the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District’s CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund(RLF). The RLF provides low interest loans to coronavirus-impacted small businesses and nonprofits in Montgomery, Fulton, Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and Schoharie counties.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM NYS & THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Reopening Tools & Tips for Businesses:

NYS Guidance:

NY Forward – Reopening Industries by Phase

NY Forward Business Affirmation

NOTE: ALL businesses must complete the self-certification of the New York Forward reopening guidance.

GUIDANCE FOR PHASE 2 BUSINESSES
Office-Based Work 
Real Estate Services 
Commercial Building Management
Essential and Phase II Retail – In-Store Sales
Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals
Hair Salons & Barber Shops

For help determining whether or not your business is eligible to reopen, use the lookup toolkit HERE.
GUIDANCE FOR PHASE 3 BUSINESSES/INDUSTRIES*
Food Services (Indoor & Outdoor Dining) 
Personal Care Services
Higher Education Research (Phase 1)
Childcare and Day Camps 

*NOTE: This guidance has been released in anticipation of the Mohawk Valley Region moving to Phase 3. The Mohawk Valley Region currently remains in Phase 2 of reopening.

New York Forward – A Guide to ReOpening New York & Building Back Better (May 12, 2020)

COMPLETE THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PPE MASK SURVEY

COMPLETE THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY

New York State on PAUSE – Extended to May 15

UPDATED APRIL 9, 2020 – New York State on PAUSE – GUIDANCE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IS SUBJECT TO A WORKFORCE REDUCTION UNDER RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Help NYS Source COVID-19 Products

Agri-Business Resources from Cornell AgriTech

FuzeHub Launches COVID-19 Manufacturing Grants

Governor Cuomo Signs the ‘New York State on PAUSE’ Executive Order

NYS Unemployment Insurance Assistance – https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/unemployment-insurance-assistance

Business Guidance from Empire State Development

Detailed FAQ for NYS Businesses

NYS Department of Labor Shared Work Alternative – Your Layoff Alternative 

NYS Paid Family Leave Guidance

NY Attorney General COVID-19 Application For Suspension Of Debt Collection Activity

NYS Executive Order 202.7 – Temporary Closure of All Barbershops, Hair Salons, Tattoo or Piercing Parlors and related personal care services

NYS Executive Order 202.5 – Temporary Closure Guidance for Malls & Amusement Businesses

NYS Executive Order 202.6 – Updated 3.19.20 – Reduction of in-person staff by 75%

NYS Executive Order 202.6 – Guidance on Workforce Reduction to 50%

Volunteer to Help NYS Fight COVID-19 – covid19assistance@exec.ny.gov

FEDERAL Guidance:

IMPORTANT NOTE: NEW applications are now open again for the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL Loan).

IMPORTANT NOTE – NEW LINK NOW OPEN: SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application – http://: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

If you have already submitted your application for the EIDL Loan and Advance and received a confirmation number, your application is in the SBA queue.

  • There is no mechanism to review the status of the applications (EIDL Loan and EIDL Advance). You will have to wait until the SBA contacts you.

IMPORTANT NOTE – NEW LINK AS OF APRIL 24: U.S. SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

If you have already submitted a Paycheck Protection Program application with a lender:

  • If your loan has been approved with a SBA set-aside #, your loan was approved under the initial Cares Act appropriation. The funds will be dispersed in accordance with the lender’s closing process.
  • If you have submitted an application with a lender and received an internal lender approval without a SBA approval and set-aside number, check with the lender on the status of your application.
  • If you have submitted an application with a lender and have not received a communication from the lender related to the loan approval, the lender will not be able to process those loans at this time.

If you have questions related to your application, contact the lender with which you applied.

If you have not yet submitted your application with a Paycheck Protection Program lender, the program has been suspended and the lender will not be able to accept new applications under new funds are appropriated to the program.

SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION  

U.S. Department of Labor: Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers

U.S. Department of Labor: Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Employer Paid Leave Requirements

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship – Guide to the CARES Act

CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist

For updates from CDC, please see the following:

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Preventing Stigma Related to COVID-19

Share Facts about COVID-19

CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Web page

Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention, Symptoms and FAQ