COVID-19 Resource for Business Community

Latest Information

June 15: COVID-19 Restrictions and New York Forward Industry Guidance Lifted Across Commercial Settings, including Retail, Food Services, Offices, Gyms and Fitness Centers, Amusement and Family Entertainment, Hair Salons, Barber Shops, Personal Care Services, Among Others

June 14: $105 Million in Grant Funding for Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Artists and Second Phase of $40 Million Global Campaign to Support Revival of New York State Tourism Industry Announced

June 10: Empire State Development Announces the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, Applications are Now Open and Businesses are Encouraged to Apply

June 9: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Updates International Travel Guidance

June 8: Proposed Legislation to Waive Taxes on Funding From $800 Million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program and New Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools Released

June 7: Most Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions to Be Lifted When 70% of Adult New Yorkers Have Received First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine and School Districts Can Allow Students To Remove Masks Outdoors

June 2: Launch of New $40 Million Global Campaign to Support Revival of New York State Tourism Industry

May 31: Indoor Dining Curfew Lifted

May 27: New Guidance Reminding Employers That New York’s Paid Sick Leave Law Covers Any Needed Recovery Time from COVID-19 Vaccination

May 26: STREDC Promotes NYS Business Recovery Programs

May 25: Tourism Job Page Launched on NY Hire Now Portal and Governor Cuomo Announces $3.5 Billion in Assistance for Renters and Small Businesses

May 19: Implementing CDC Guidance on Mask Use and Social Distancing Flowchart is Released and New Guidance for Health and Safety Measures at Child Care, Day Camp and Overnight Camp Programs

May 17: New York State to Adopt New CDC Guidance on Mask Use and Social Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals Effective Wednesday, May 19th and Announces Additional Guidance for County Fairs and Local Festivals

May 12: NYS Clinical Advisory Task Force Immediately Implements Expanded Use Authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for 12 to 15-Year-Olds

May 11: New Decade of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative Launched

May 10: SUNY and CUNY Boards to Require Vaccinations for All Students Attending In-Person Classes This Fall

May 6: Cuomo Signs NY Hero Act into Law

May 5: Large-Scale Outdoor Venue Capacity Increase with New Fully Vaccinated Fan Sections Starting May 19th

May 3: Chamber Members Encouraged to Oppose the Governor’s Signature on the Health and Essential Rights Act (“HERO Act”) Legislation: Although well meaning, the HERO Act stands to impose significant new obligations on employers as employees begin to more consistently return to in-person work. To sign on in opposition of this legislation, please click here.

May 2: Significant Easing Of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions on Businesses, Gatherings and Venues Announced

April 28: State Will End Food and Beverage Service Curfew and Updates Additional Items for the Industry. NY Lawmakers Vote to Rescind Order Requiring Food Purchase at a Bar or Restaurant Before Being Served Alcohol

April 27: Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Registrations Begin on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and Applications* Open on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT. Additionally, New Statewide Guidance for Mask Use.
*The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. 

April 26: Reopening Capacity Limits to Increase and the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant (SVOG) Opens

April 23: SBA Announces Shuttered Venues Operators Grant (SVOG) Portal Will Reopen Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Applicants can register today; updated documents now available through the link.

April 19: Movie Theater Capacity Will Increase to 33 Percent Beginning April 26; Museums, Aquariums, Zoos and Botanical Garden Capacity Will Increase to 50 Percent Beginning April 26; Large-Scale Arenas and Event Venue Capacity Will Increase to 25 Percent Beginning May 19

April 17: SBA Releases More Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Information

April 16: Legislation Creates Program to Provide Affordable Internet to Low-Income Families

April 14: Spectators Will Be Allowed at Horse and Auto Races at 20 Percent Capacity Beginning April 22 and Curfew for Food/Beverage Establishments Moved from 11 p.m. to Midnight; Curfew for Catered Events Moved from Midnight to 1 AM

April 9: Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools Released

April 6: $212 Billion Budget Deal Reached Among New York State Leaders in Albany*
*The Chamber is currently reviewing the $212 billion budget in terms of how it will impact the business community and our ongoing advocacy efforts. Although targeted assistance for industries impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns and state restrictions was included, additional business taxes and spending may ultimately hurt New York’s overall recovery.

April 2: Performing Arts and Entertainment Venues Can Reopen at 33 Percent Capacity Beginning Today and An Overview of the New COVID-19 Travel Advisory Also, Governors Issue Letter Asking President Biden to Support Repealing the SALT Cap.

March 31: Cuomo Signs Legislation Legalizing Adult-Use Cannabis

March 30: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Extended Through May 31, 2021

March 28: Agreement to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis Announced

March 26: Excelsior Pass Launched to Help Fast-Track Reopening of Businesses and Entertainment Venues Statewide

March 25: Revised Nursing Home Visitation Guidance Announced

March 24: SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

March 19: SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications on April 8

March 15: Wedding Receptions and Catered Events Can Now Resume Statewide. Detailed guidance for in-person and catered events can be found here. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.

March 12: Cuomo Signs Legislation Granting Employees Time off to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

March 11: Quarantine for Domestic Travel Will No Longer Be Required Starting April 1st

March 7: Restaurants Outside New York City Can Move to 75 Percent Indoor Capacity Starting March 19

March 3: Important Events, Arts and Entertainment Venues Guidance Updates and Domestic Traveler Quarantine Requirements Adjusted. Additionally, the Chemung Chamber signs-on in support of a U.S. Chamber of Commerce coalition initiative urging Congress to extend the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to December 31, 2021 to ensure that the segment of small businesses facing the greatest obstacles do not get left behind.

February 17: Chemung Chamber Signs US Chamber Coalition Letter in Support of the Build by the Fourth of July Campaign

January 27: Governor Cuomo Lifts Orange/Yellow Zone Restrictions in Chemung County and SBA to Provide One Year 8(a) Program Extension to Participants Due to COVID-19

January 19: New York State FY 2022 Executive Budget Briefing Book Released and the State’s Vaccine Tracker Website is Launched

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 

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

Travel Advisory

For complete information on the new COVID-19 Travel Advisory guidelines, please go to NYS Department of Health or see links below. Click here for Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel​ as of 3.10.21. Please note, quarantine for domestic travel will no longer be required starting April 1st.

Travel Advisory

Traveler Health Form

Financial Support For Businesses

Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs

In March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act provided additional relief for the nation’s small businesses and hard-hit industries for programs the SBA is currently administering and added new efforts as well. For a complete list of Federal COVID-19 relief programs administered by the SBA, please click here. Programs include:

• Paycheck Protection Program (This program closed on May 31, 2021)
• COVID-19 EIDL Loan and Targeted EIDL Advance
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund
• Shuttered Venues Grant
• SBA Debt Relief
• Cross Program Eligibility

For additional details on 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

New York State Business Pandemic Recovery Initiative

Grants, Tax Credits, and Technical Assistance Programs for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic available through New York State include:

• Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program: $800 million in funding for small businesses – including for-profit arts and cultural institutions that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Restaurant Resiliency Program: $25 million in grant funding to support restaurants that provide meals to distressed and under-represented communities.
• Restaurant Return-To-Work Tax Credit: For small, independently owned restaurants within New York City or any area in New York State designated by the NYS Department of Health as either an Orange or a Red zone for at least 30 consecutive days.
• New York State Biodefense Commercialization Fund: $40 million dedicated for a life science-specific initiative to capitalize on New York’s research and development assets and expertise in life sciences, biotechnology, and biodefense.
• New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF): The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is an economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords.

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. 

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

“Raising the Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund

Please note this program has closed as all funds have been utilized. If more funding becomes available, applications will be accepted through the Grant Portal.

Empire State Digital Initiative

New York State has partnered for a first-in-the-nation program with leading global e-commerce partners–Ritual ONE & PayPal, Shopify, Square, and Clearbanc–to accelerate New York State-based small businesses’ ability to grow their online presence.

The participating digital partners are offering specialized solutions such as education, free resources, marketing support and discounted pricing that are unique to the needs of New York State small business owners, restaurants and food service establishments.

For more information on this initiative, please go to the Empire State Digital site. For more information on offerings from Digital Partners, click here.

Restart Elmira Small Business Grant Program

This grant program is now closed. Round 2 applications were due Friday, February 5, 2021. For more information or to apply for this program, please click here.

Grant Sources

Southern Tier Central Regional Development & Planning Board

The Community Foundation

The ARTS Council

SBA Grants – General Homepage

Federal Grants – General Homepage

Reopening Guidance

Excelsior Pass: The reopening of key economic activities in New York State, such as arts and entertainment venues, stadiums and arenas, and weddings and catered events, will require proof of a vaccine or negative test for attendees.

Excelsior Pass is a digital ecosystem that enables individuals to store digital proof of test results and/or vaccine status and businesses and venues to verify these items without accessing personal health data.

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

Retail: Operation Open Doors

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

Employer Tax Credits

Unemployment Benefits

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

Guidance for Employers

NYS Paid Sick Leave Program Website

Learn More about NYS COVID-19 Paid Leave

Employee Notice on Paid Sick Leave

Employee Retention Tax Credit

NYS FAQ page

1-888-364-3065 (NYS Coronavirus COVID-19 Hotline)