After a nine week pause, some businesses in the Mid-Hudson Region will reopen

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After a nine week pause, some businesses in the Mid-Hudson Region will reopen on Tuesday, including construction, manufacturing, retail (for curbside pickup only), wholesale trade and agriculture.

The seven-county region, which includes Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, has shown a significant downward trend in the spread of coronavirus and met the seven metrics the state required to enter Phase 1 of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s four-phase reopening plan.

“The counties in this region have worked hard to get to this stage. We stayed home, stayed safe and flattened the curve, and now we are eager to get back to business,” Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said. “The businesses that will reopen will make safety their first priority.  We want people working, and we also want to keep our communities safe.”

Main Street businesses will need guidance during the reopening and county officials will be there for them, Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County Executive, said.

“We were smart, we were vigilant, and, now, we begin a new chapter,” Molinaro said. “As we begin to reopen, we will keep supporting our businesses, families and farmers. As we keep making smart choices, we will protect lives while helping our community get back to life.”

All seven county executives who are part of the Mid-Hudson Regional Control Room that will monitor the metrics, welcomed the transition to Phase 1.

“While it is critical that we begin reopening the economy and getting people back to work, we will approach this first phase and each additional phase with ‘safety first, people always’ as our motto,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

The lessons learned over the past few months will now be put to good use, Steve Neuhaus, the Orange County Executive, said

“Our region is anxious to get back to work and we look forward to helping businesses as they restart our local economy,” Neuhaus said. “Practical social distancing and wearing masks will help us open all phases as soon as possible.”

A major part of the Phase 1 plan includes having contact tracers notify those who have been exposed to COVID-19.  Contact tracers throughout the region will be trained this weekend and begin work on Tuesday.  The region’s contact tracers include a mix of health department employees, other county employees, summer interns and volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps.

Phase 1 will last for two weeks while the number of COVID-19 cases in the Mid-Hudson region are closely monitored. If the downward trend reverses and the numbers increase, the state can put the region back on pause.

But if the epidemic continues to subside, the region will progress to Phase 2, which includes professional services, retail, administrative support and real estate.  Phase 3 includes restaurants and food service and the last phase, Phase 4, includes arts, entertainment, recreation and education.

The state’s seven criteria for reopening included: a 14-day decline in net hospitalizations; a decline in death; fewer than 2 new hospitalizations per 100,000 residents; at least 30 percent availability of hospital beds; 30 percent availability of ICU beds; and an aggressive testing and contact tracing program.

Businesses seeking more information on the reopening guidelines should see the Forward New York Business Opening Lookup Toolkit  at businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward)

Putnam County Prepares to Reopen Economic Development Arm Urges Residents to Stay Loyal and Shop Local

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In an effort to help small businesses reopen and recover from the economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 shutdown, the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) has formed an advisory committee of local small businesses to help provide, share and disseminate information as we accelerate toward a post-Coronavirus world.

The PCEDC’s Small Business Advisory Committee represents a broad cross section of industries and business leaders from every corner of the county.  Members include Tom Feighery, Fiddler’s Green Pub and Putnam County Project Manager;  Bryan Kelly, AON Physical Therapy;  Ed Galligan, Carmel Flower Shop;  Chris DeBellis, Contractor & Assistant Town Code Enforcement Officer;  Maria Quezada, Six Diamonds Tree Service and Landscaping;  Brian Ledley, Ledley Food Service;  Stephanie Tomlinson, Salon Uccelli;  Kimball Gell, Dolly’s Restaurant at Garrison’s Landing;  Nisim Sachakov, Limni & Mezzaluna Restaurants;  Angela Briante, Briante Realty Group; and Emily Simoness, SPACE on Ryder Farm.  PCEDC Board members on the Committee include Richard Weiss, CPA, Founder and Consultant Weiss Advisory Group, Margie Keith, retired Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director, Bob Zubrycki, Concertmaster for the American Symphony Orchestra and Walter Recher, SmallBall Marketing.

“This is a forum for small businesses to voice their concerns and share ideas that will help them to survive and prepare for a new economic reality” said Kathleen Abels, President, PCEDC.  “Since the pandemic shut down life as we once knew it, we have seen many small businesses suffer and worry about their ability to carry on.   We implore county residents to stay loyal to Putnam’s businesses by continuing to Shop Putnam now and to hold on just a little longer until more area businesses are allowed to reopen.”

“Putnam County is one community, the same community that encompasses the heroes of the pandemic, such as health care workers, first responders, delivery  people, sanitation and utility workers, grocers and other essential businesses that have continued to serve us at their own peril,” said PCEDC Board Chairman Daniel Leary, Esquire.

The PCEDC has posted on their website, putnamedc.org, ongoing COVID-19 Related Business Resources to assist businesses to stay abreast of opportunities and orders from the State and Federal Government.  NYS Industry Re-Opening Guidelines, including mandatory practices, recommended best practices and templates for business safety plans, can be found on Forward New York at https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase

The PCEDC Small Business Advisory Committee will continue to meet during the coming months to promote Shop Putnam and to develop strategies to adjust to new trends in the way we think, live, work, learn, shop, travel and entertain.

For more information, contact Kathleen Abels, President, Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (845) 242-2212

About Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC)

The mission of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) is to drive the economic vitality of Putnam County by working to attract appropriate new businesses, broaden the County’s tax base, retain and grow employment opportunities within the County and aid in the enhancement of the quality of life for residents. The PCEDC acts as a facilitator, bringing together businesses, government agencies and other stakeholders.  Recently, the PCEDC has pivoted its focus to assist existing Main Street businesses to survive and recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

For more information, please visit https://putnamedc.org/

Putnam County Economic Development Corporation Announces Response to COVID-19 Economic Crisis

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Carmel, NY – The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) today announced that it will be shifting into “response and recovery” mode to address the economic fallout wreaked by COVID-19.

The PCEDC is committed to helping county businesses survive and recover from the financial disaster incurred by business shutdowns necessitated to diminish the spread of the coronavirus.

“It’s a new world.  Our team is dedicated and we are nimble enough to address changing needs in this unprecedented time,” stated Kathleen Abels, President of the PCEDC.  “The Main Street businesses are an essential part of the fabric of our community.  We must make every effort to help them.”

The PCEDC is a non-profit organization funded by Putnam County that acts as the county’s external marketing agency for the economic and employment development.  Normally, the PCEDC works to attract appropriate new businesses, retain and grow employment opportunities and broaden the tax base in order to enhance the quality of life in Putnam County.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell joined Abels and her team on a conference call Friday to brainstorm ideas for assisting local business in this difficult time.

“Putnam County relies on our Main Street economy to offset property taxes, provide employment opportunities and foster our caring community values,” Odell said. “These businesses constantly work behind the scenes to support our non-profits, including local  sports clubs, veterans groups, cancer support events like Relay for Life and much, much more.  They have always been there for our community, now we need to be there for them.”

The PCEDC has added a COVID-19 Related Business Resources banner to the opening page of its website, www.putnamedc.org, to direct businesses and not-for-profits to the most current programs available to assist them.  These will be updated as needed and presently include:

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is administered by financial institutions and which provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits.
  • The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Debt Relief Program and Express Bridge Loans to help business owners navigate through this labyrinth of uncertainty.
  • Community Capital of New York’s Emergency Express Loan of up to $10,000 for Small Businesses in the Hudson Valley impacted by COVID-19.
  • Congress’ Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The PCEDC remains grateful for the continued support of Putnam County and urges everyone to patronize local businesses.  Below are a few suggestions:

  • Thank essential businesses and their employees for remaining open to serve us. While most of us stay at home, these dedicated individuals are working hard to perform extra cleaning and other services to keep customers and employees safe
  • Order Take-Out – many area restaurants deliver; patronize them as often you can
  • Purchase Gift Cards – for a friend or family member
  • Tip More Generously – help businesses retain their employees
  • Shop Putnam/Local Online – buy what you can and help them remain open
  • Spread the Word! – go to social media pages and post a positive comment or recommendation, and share it with others
  • Take an online class – from local gyms, health clubs and yoga studios
  • Check area businesses’ websites and social media pages for updates and services
  • Check area arts and non-profit organization’s websites and social media for additional online content

About Putnam County Economic Development Corporation

The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation is a 501(c)(6) Public-Private Corporation formed in 1996 to promote the economic vitality of Putnam County.  It acts as a facilitator, bringing together businesses, government agencies and resources.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Putnam County Economic Development Corporation

Contact Name: Kathleen Abels

(845) 808-1021
Kathleen.Abels@putnamcountyny.gov

https://putnamedc.org/

HVEDC & Choice Words partner to bring you the latest information to help your business during the Covid-19 crisis

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We realize your organization may have had to scale back or reduce workforce due to the ramifications of COVID-19. While we wait on the status of the federal stimulus package, we are committed to staying up-to-date on private and public funding relief for businesses and non-profits and will be updating the following list at:  http://choicewordspr.com/covid19

1. Facebook Small Business Grants Program:
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. Not currently open but sign up to be alerted about new opportunities.

2.Small Business Administration Loans:
Low-interest loans available in NY. Apply on website.

3. FEMA Public Assistance Program:
Eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program. FEMA will not duplicate assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or other federal agencies.

State, territorial, tribal, and local government entities and certain private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance. FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75 percent federal cost share. This assistance will require execution of a FEMA-State/Tribal/Territory Agreement, as appropriate, and execution of an applicable emergency plan. Local governments and other eligible PA applicants will apply through their respective state, tribal or territorial jurisdictions.

4. Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan COVID-19 Response Grant: 
This fund will issue grants to established nonprofit organizations that provide front-line services to our most vulnerable populations – food for our neediest families and essentials, such as prescription drug deliveries to homebound senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems. The impacts of the novel coronavirus are uncertain and continue to mount.  The COVID-19 Response Fund will be a funding resource for those in need.

5. Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Response Fund: The CDP COVID-19 Response Fund will focus on supporting nonprofit organizations working directly to respond to the pandemic among the most vulnerable populations in order to help build their capacity for response. These will include social service organizations focused on supporting hourly wage earners, workers in the gig economy, immigrant/New American populations, older adults, people with disabilities and other communities vulnerable to the physical health, mental health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

If you would like to make a donation or learn more about the Fund, please contact:
Laura Starr, Director of Development
(301) 219-7248
laura.starr@disasterphilanthropy.org

About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing, and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com.