Dutchess Business Notification Network Update for Monday, April 27, 2020

Below are updates and resources for businesses, employers, and employees. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you believe would benefit from this information.

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Update for Monday, April 27, 2020:

• The Paycheck Protection Program portal was opened up earlier today for lenders to submit applications for businesses. Along with the reopening of the portal, a new FAQ document was put out by the SBA that can be found HERE.
• In today's (Monday) press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he would extend the NY PAUSE order past May 15th for some parts of the state, but not all of it.
• Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend the state would open in a regional and phased approach. It is unlikely Dutchess County will reopen with the first group. Phase One will allow construction and low risk manufacturing to open, with a two week minimum before Phase Two can take place. Phase Two will analyze a business' priority and risk level of reopening before determining if they can reopen. For more information, click HERE.
• Businesses should begin to prepare plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer, and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. This plan will be required to reopen according to Governor Cuomo.
• Businesses or attractions that may bring tourists or large numbers of people who are not from the local area will remain closed.
• Guidelines and instructions have been put out by the State regarding how essential workers can received a "scholarship" for child care. To be eligible you must be listed as an essential worked by Empire State Development, and have an income below 300% the federal poverty limit. For more information on the program, click HERE.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a one-page summary of the new CARES Act legislation that was signed into law on Friday. It can be found HERE.
• The SBA Upstate NY District Office has scheduled a webinar for 1pm on Tuesday, 4/28 to cover updates to the Paycheck Protection Program and SBA’s Covid-19 relief efforts for small businesses. To watch the webinar, click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

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