On this page you will find helpful resources & information for your business/organization, as we adapt and work towards recovery from the impact of COVID-19. The Chamber is actively looking for additional resources to ease the pressure that businesses are facing, and will continue to advocate on behalf of legislation that would help alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on business. We will continue to post updates as they become available.
Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Safety Plan

Latest Information
January 27: Governor Cuomo Lifts Orange/Yellow Zone Restrictions in Chemung County
January 25: Chemung County Unveils New Mass Vaccination Site
January 19: New York State FY 2022 Executive Budget Briefing Book Released and the State’s Vaccine Tracker Website is Launched
January 18: Cuomo Announces Proposal to Boost Partial Unemployment Benefits as Part of the 2021 State of the State and Requests to Purchase COVID-19 Vaccines Directly from Pfizer
January 14: Chemung County Orange Zone Restaurants to Allow Dining In with Yellow Zone Restrictions and Governor and Department of Labor Take Action to Protect Businesses from Higher UI Experience Charges Related to Pandemic Layoffs
January 12: Governor Cuomo Outlines 2021 Agenda: Reimagine | Rebuild | Renew and Announces Vaccine Eligibility for Ages 65+
January 8: SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance
January 6: SBA has issued the following Interim Final Rules related to the Paycheck Protection Program: Letter from the Administrator: SBA Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns; Interim Final Rule: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as Amended by the Economic Aid Act ; and Interim Final Rule: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Second Draw Loans
January 6: Cuomo Asks Department of Homeland Security to Require COVID-19 Tests for International Airline Passengers and Proposes to Legalize and Create an Equitable Adult-use Cannabis Program as Part of the 2021 State of the State
December 30: SBA Extends COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline through Dec. 31, 2021
December 26: State Health Department Issues New Guidance Aligning with CDC Guidance, Limiting Quarantine Period for Persons Exposed to COVID-19 to Ten Days Without Testing if No Symptoms. See complete guidance here.
December 22: Key Provisions for Small Businesses and Nonprofits in the $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill and a General Overview of the Stimulus Package. For detailed information, view the US Chamber Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans.
October 27: Chemung County Launches New COVID-19 Dashboard
October 6: Cuomo Announces New Cluster Action Initiative
October 1: COVID Alert NY App Launched, Individuals Encouraged to Participate
July 17: Detailed New York State Liquor Authority Guidance for Restaurants Effective Friday, July 17, 2020
June 6: Commercial Buildings Allowed to Conduct Temperature Checks
May 28: Businesses Authorized to Deny Entry to Those Not Wearing Face Coverings
Travel Advisory
For complete information on the new COVID-19 Travel Advisory guidelines allowing travelers to New York to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine., please go to NYS Department of Health or see links below.

Financial Support For Businesses
Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (PPP) Resources and Forgiveness
At the end of 2020, Congress passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Additional changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans. Click here for a list of 7a Providers to apply for the PPP. Click here for more information on First Draw and Second Draw PPP.
Congress also made updates and changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, and SBA loan programs –that will benefit small businesses. For details on all of these financial resources, please visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
To receive PPP loan forgiveness, a borrower must complete and submit the Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508, 3508EZ, or Lender equivalent) to its Lender. A borrower may submit a Loan Forgiveness Application before the end of the 8-week or 24-week covered period, provided that the borrower has used all of the loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness and the borrower’s loan forgiveness application accounts for any salary reductions in excess of 25 percent for the full covered period. The Lender of record must review the Loan Forgiveness Application in accordance with the requirements of Part III.2.a. of IFR #15 on SBA Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower and Lender Responsibilities.
SBA has posted detailed FAQs to assist borrowers in completing their PPP loan forgiveness application. Additional information may be found here.
For Loans of $50k or Less:
PPP Forgiveness Application Form 3508S
3508S Instructions
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
For more information or to apply, click here.
Targeted EIDL Advance
The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency.
Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.
Applicants do not need to take any action at this time. The SBA will reach out directly to those who qualify. SBA will first reach out to EIDL applications that already received a partial EIDL Advance (between $1,000 – $9,000). Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA via email in the coming weeks with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation.
All communications from SBA will be sent from an official government email with an @sba.gov ending. Please do not send sensitive information via email to any address that does not end in @sba.gov.
Applicants may qualify if they:
- Are located in a low-income community. The definition of a “low-income community” is defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code. Note that the applicant must be located in a low-income community in order to qualify. Additional details on how SBA will identify low-income communities will be available soon on our Coronavirus Relief Options page; AND
- Can demonstrate more than 30% reduction in revenue during an 8-week period beginning on March 2, 2020, or later. If an applicant meets the low-income community criteria, they will be asked to provide gross monthly revenue (all forms of combined monthly earnings received, such as profits or salaries) to confirm the 30% reduction.
Next, SBA will reach out to those who applied for EIDL assistance on or before December 27, 2020, but did not receive an EIDL Advance due to lack of program funding. These applicants will receive an email from SBA with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation. Applicants may qualify for a Targeted EIDL Advance if they meet the above criteria (low-income location and reduction in revenue) AND:
- Have 300 or fewer employees. Business entities normally eligible for the EIDL program are eligible, including sole proprietors, independent contractors, and private, nonprofit organizations. Agricultural enterprises are not eligible.
All applicants may be asked to provide an IRS Form 4506-Tto allow SBA to request tax return information on the applicant’s behalf.
Please do not submit duplicate COVID-19 EIDL applications. Only prior applicants will be considered for the Targeted EIDL Advance.
SBA will reach out to you if you qualify!
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, amended and extended the Employee Retention Credit (and the availability of certain advance payments of the tax credits) under section 2301 of the CARES Act.
For the most current information on this tax credit, please click here.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
Eligible entities include:
- Live venue operators or promoters
- Theatrical producers
- Live performing arts organization operators
- Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
- Motion picture theater operators
- Talent representatives, and
- Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements
For more information or to apply, click here.
To view the webinar video on the Shuttered Venues Grant, click here.
REDEC Local Business Relief Program
Small business with at least 1 employee in addition to the owner, and up to 50 employees are eligible to apply for relief of $2,500 to $15,000 in Chemung County. Funds are to be repaid over 30 months with no interest (0%), with no payments required for the first 6 months. There is no cost to apply. Applicants must have been in business in March 2020 when the State’s PAUSE Act was implemented, demonstrate how they have been negatively impacted by the resulting economic crisis, and identify how the relief funds will be utilized to reopen their business operations and reemploy workers.
Please note, this program has been extended indefinitely beyond the original October 31, 2020 deadline.
Checklist for Emergency Fund Requirements
Chemung County Business Relief Program Guidelines
For additional information contact REDEC at (607) 962-3021 or Info@redec.us
NY Forward Loan Fund
When the NYFLF launched in May, the federal Small Business Administration had just issued rules regarding companies’ eligibility for federal assistance. The goal of the NYFLF was to help New York-based small businesses that did not receive PPP or EIDL funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs.
Effective immediately, small businesses and non-profits that received a PPP loan of $500,000 or less or EIDL loans of $150,000 or less can be eligible for a NYFLF loan:
An Eligible Small Business must:
- Employ *50* or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
- Have gross revenues of less than *$5 million* per year;
- Must not have received a U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program of greater than $500,000 or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for COVID-19 of greater than $150,000;
- Have suffered a direct economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 related social distancing policies and stay-at-home order that have materially impacts their operations;
- Been in business for at least 1 year as of the date of the application; and
- Be located in the State of New York.
For more information and to start your pre-application visit:www.nyloanfund.com.
“Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund
Empire State Development (ESD) recently announced the more than $3 million “Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund to assist restaurants in New York State during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Raising the Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund” will help eligible restaurants adjust their operations to the impacts of COVID-19 and adherence to New York State’s public health and safety measures during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited. Eligible restaurants can receive up to $5,000 to assist with COVID-19 safety measures.
“Raising the Bar” grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment that will allow the business to comply with social distancing guidelines, expand take-out/delivery operations, or accommodate outdoor dining such as plexiglass barriers/partitions, signage promoting social distancing and hygiene protocols, heaters, heat lamps, weatherization upgrades and insulated delivery bags; improvements that will allow the business to continue operating through the winter months such as filtration system upgrades and food heaters to maintain temperature for to-go orders and purchasing PPE and sanitation supplies necessitated by the pandemic; and COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology. Qualifying purchases and expenditures must be from September 1, 2020 onwards to be eligible. Initial round of grants are up to $5,000.
Applications now being accepted through the Grant Portal.
Restart Elmira Small Business Grant Program
These reimbursement grants are for COVID-19 related expense such as buying PPE, creating a new filtration system, investing in space heaters for outdoor dining, etc. The eligibility requirements are that the business must be in the City of Elmira and must have a 2020 gross sales revenue of under 1 million dollars.
Round 2 applications are due Friday, February 5, 2021.
For more information or to apply for this program, please click here.
CARES Act
SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Loan Advance
Paycheck Protection Program– Reopened in 2021.
List of Local 7(a) Lenders Who Can Help with PPP Applications
Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF)
Intuit Aid Assist Estimator for Tax Credit and Paycheck Protection Program
Grant Sources
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant Program
The Community Foundation – COVID-19 Mini-Grants for Nonprofits
The ARTS Council 2020 Emergency Arts Relief Grant Program – COVID-19 Grants for Artists
Federal Grants – General Homepage
Relief for Taxpayers

Reopening Guidance
New York Forward: Phases One, Two, Three, and Four
New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
New York Forward Statewide Guidance
Empire State Development (ESD) FAQ on New York Forward and Business Reopening
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus Resources
COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Guidance
Reopening Considerations for New York Employers

Industry Specific Guidance
Manufacturing: COVID-19 Back To Work Playbook
National Restaurant Association Reopening Guidance
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds Interim Guidance
U.S. Chamber Reopening Business Digital Resource Center
U.S. Travel Association Guidelines for Reopening Travel Businesses

Locally-Sourced Critical Supplies
Custom Reusable Masks – Rainbow Lettering
Custom Reusable Masks & PPE – Bobby K Entertainment
Face & Neck Shields – Email Scott Beecher or call 607-796-0149
Free Signage – Multi Media Services
Hand Sanitizer – Finger Lakes Distilling
Hand Sanitizer – Contact Enrique Viveros from Snap Fitness or call (607) 846-1759
PPE Items from NYS Certified Women Business Enterprise
Social Distancing Signs & Decals – JH Design
Thermal Imaging Cameras for Pandemic Response – Email Scott Beecher or call 607-796-0149

Paid Leave
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
Employer Paid Leave Requirements
Learn More About FFCRA
US Chamber Guide for Employers
US Chamber What Businesses Need to Know
Get Help with the FFCRA
DOL FAQ
DOL Resources
FFCRA Employee Rights Poster
NY COVID-19 Paid Leave Programs
NYS Paid Sick Leave Program Website
Learn More about NYS COVID-19 Paid Leave
Employee Notice on Paid Sick Leave
NYS FAQ page

Government News
New York State
ESD Intake Portal to Submit COVID-19 Related Questions & Concerns 1-888-364-3065 (NYS Coronavirus COVID-19 Hotline)
1-888-364-3065 (NYS Coronavirus COVID-19 Hotline)
Chemung County
Chemung County COVID-19 Hotline 1-607-873-1813
An interactive map of COVID-19 data
1-607-873-1813 (Chemung County COVID-19 Hotline)
U.S. Government

Webinars
Chemung Chamber Recordings
New York State Paid Sick Leave Proposed Regulations 1/12
New York State Paid Sick Leave Guidance Update 10/29
Employment Trends: What to Watch and How to Adjust 10/22
Managing Your 401(k) During COVID-19 10/7
New York State Paid Sick Leave Law – 9/30
“The Long Road to Recovery – Legal Issues Related to COVID-19”
“COVID-19 Sick Leave Abuse & Reasonable Accommodation Requirements” 9/2/20
“Workforce Solutions for the Hybrid School Year”
“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Four Things You Can Do Now!” with Judy Rowe
“Small Business & Hospitality Round-table on Reopening & Managing Your Business” – 7/21/20
“Best Practices for Maintaining Customer Relationships” – 6/10/20
“Are You Ready for Re-Entry?” with Databranch – 5/27/20
“COVID-19 and the Road to Recovery” with Bond, Schoeneck & King Attorneys – 5/14/20
“Maintaining Mental Health During a Pandemic” with Clinical Associates – 5/5/20
“Communicating in a Time of Crisis” with Long Run Communications – 4/29/20
“Q&A for the Concerned Investor” with John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc. – 4/22/20
“The Federal Cares Act” with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – 4/14/20 >>> Download Slides
“SBA Loan Resources for Small Businesses” with the SBA – 4/7/20 >>> Download Slides
“COVID-19 and the Workplace” with Barclay Damon – 3/31/20 & 4/2/20 >>> Download Slides
Additional Webinar Resources
FuzeHub (Manufacturing)
NY Manufacturing Extension Partnership
New York State Restaurant Association
The National Federation of Independent Business

Chemung Chamber COVID-19 Advocacy
December
Regional Chamber of Commerce Coalition Encourages Support for Local Businesses During COVID-19
The Chamber Advocates that Albany Stop Unemployment Tax Increases on Small Businesses.
Chamber Requests Congress Stop a Surprise PPP Tax Liability for Restaurants.
Chamber Advocates for Congress to Provide Additional COVID-19 Relief for Businesses and Non-Profits Before Year-End. See the letter to Congressman Reed here and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand here.
November
Chamber of Commerce Coalition Encourages Responsible Business Practices to Curb COVID19 Spread
October
Chamber Advocates on Behalf of RESTART Act to Fund Relief for Small to Midsized Businesses
August
Chamber Urges Senate and House of Representatives to Pass Legislation Protecting Business and Education from COVID-Related Lawsuits
July
Chamber Advocates for Southern Tier Businesses & Workforce Residing in PA See letters to Governor Cuomo and State Officials.
Chamber Urges Congress to Extend PPP and Include 501(c)(6)s
May
Chamber Joins Opposition to Proposed Occupational Disease Presumption
Chamber Supports the National Restaurant Association Blueprint for Recovery
Chamber Supports Rate Relief for Electric and Gas Customers
Chamber Joins Opposition to Proposed Legislative Changes to Workers’ Compensation Laws
Chamber Joins Opposition to Proposed Legislative Changes to Workers’ Compensation Laws
Chamber Sends Independent Venues Letter of Support
Chamber Supports Cultural Institution Provisions in CARES Act
April
ACRAC Supports Increased Funding of PPP and EIDL Programs
Chamber Supports Increased Funding of PPP and EIDL Programs
March
Chamber Signs Coalition Letter to Support Emergency Relief Legislation for All Nonprofits
Chamber Supports “Small Business Emergency Recovery Act Of 2020” + Second Letter
Chamber Signs US Travel Coalition Letter Supporting CARES Act Provisions
ACRAC Supports COVID-19 Relief Legislation Outlined by U.S. Chamber
Chamber Supports COVID-19 Relief Legislation Outlined by U.S. Chamber

Personalized Assistance
211 Helpline
211 Helpline Comprehensive Information Service: Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-346-2211
Business Mentor NY
Empire State Development Slides
Chemung County Child Care Council
Referral Service for Employee Child Care Options
Chemung-Schuyler-Steuben (CSS) Workforce
Employment Services for Individuals & Businesses
Entrepreneurial Assistance Center
Local Contact: Donna Scrivens (607) 249-6193 or dkscrivens@yahoo.com
Health Support
Arnot Health Toll-Free Helpline: 1-800-952-2662 (only if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms)
Legal Assistance
NYS Department of Labor
Local Contact: Lisa Doland (607) 733-7131 x2137 or lisa.doland@labor.ny.gov
Remote Worker Support
For Temporary Remote Workforce Free Consultation for Chamber Members – Contact Amanda
Staples Temporarily Ships to Residential Addresses with No Mins or Fees – Contact Rachael
Small Business Development Center

Guidelines & Advice
Best Practices for PPE Sanitation Poster
Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) Resources
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Databranch Cyber Security Tips
NYS Executive Order/Labor Law Violations Hotline or call (212) 416-8700
NYS Unemployment Guidance for Self-Employed Individuals
NYS Unemployment Information & Filing
New York Human Resources Library (30% off code: nyem30)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Small Business Guide
U.S. Chamber Path Forward Program
US Department of Labor Coronavirus Resources
Visions Hotels Home Office Accommodations, Contact Deirdre or call (716) 860-6190

Industry-Specific Resources
Restaurants
Federal CARES Act Summary for Restaurants
National Restaurant Association Reopening Guidance
New York State Liquor Authority Guidance
New York State Restaurant Association
OSHA Safety Alert for Restaurants & Beverage Vendors Offering Takeout or Curbside Pickup
ServSafe Free Online Trainings
Tourism
NYS Tourism Association COVID-19 Toolkit
The Road(s) to Recovery Webinar
U.S. Travel Association COVID-19 Tools & Resources
U.S. Travel COVID-19 Resources for Destinations
U.S. Travel Navigating the CARES Act Webinar
Non-Profits
Resources for 501(c)(6) nonprofits
The Community Foundation Weekly Check-in
Manufacturing
National Association of Manufacturers COVID-19 Page
NY Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (EXIM)
Agriculture
Cornell Small Farms Resiliency Resources
COVID-19 Resources for Farmers
Employment & Agricultural Workforce Questions
Financial & Mental Health Resources for Farmers
Food Production, Processing & Safety Questions
NYS Guidance for Agricultural Industry
Tom Reed Resources for Agriculture
Artists & Art/Culture Organizations
Southern Finger Lakes Arts Preparedness Network
Education
Federal Resources for Early Childhood Education

Local Initiatives
Bobby K Entertainment Small Business Trivia Night
CCLD Is Making Face Shields for Local Hospitals
Corning’s Gaffer District “Buy Now, Shop Later” Program
Elmira Downtown “Buy Now, Shop Later” Program
Finger Lakes Wine Country #MyFLXFamily
FLXcalendar Features Online Events
Food Bank of the Southern Tier Updates & Volunteer Portal
Local Restaurant Offerings – Chemung County • Add a Menu
MarkTwainCountry.com Events & Listings
Spectrum Reach FREE 30-Second Video for Any Business in Need
United Way of the Southern Tier Helps the Community
United Way of the Southern Tier Volunteer Opportunities
Wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Keep the Wine Flowing
WSKG Launches Business Unusual, Free Online Directory for Local Businesses
‘Quarantine 4 a Cause’ Campaign Supports Food Bank

Other Resource Pages
Association of Chamber Executives (ACCE) Resources
Binghamton Small Business Development Center
Chamber Alliance of New York State
Chamber Responses Across the U.S.
Corning Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Watkins Glen Chamber

Health & Recreation
Essential Plan offered through NY State of Health
Health Coverage Options For Individuals Who Have Lost Coverage During COVID-19
New Yorkers Without Health Insurance Can Apply Through May 15, 2020
NYS & Headspace Partner to Provide Meditation & Mindfulness Resources
NYS Parks & Trails for Outdoor Recreation

Cleaning Resources
A Deep Clean Queen: (607) 259-3652
Maysie May Cleaning and Lawn Care:(607) 873-4046
SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung & Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties: (607) 722-2262