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COVID-19 | Coronavirus Information And Resources

This Page Was Updated On March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

More information and resources at www.supportsmAlbany.com. 

With the rapidly changing COVID-19 developments, Capitalize Albany Corporation will strive to assist local businesses and help them access resources to weather and recover from this event. 

The best way to reach our team is via email at [email protected]. Outline the specific issues you’re facing and we will do our best to connect you with available information and resources as quickly as possible and as the situation changes. Click To Read More From Our March 16 Update.

Our priority now is to serve you in whatever way we can while also doing our part in slowing and stopping spread of the virus in hopes of lowering its long-term impact. In support of effective social distancing measures as advised by the Centers for Disease Control, and Mayor Sheehan’s state of emergency declaration, Capitalize Albany is implementing virtual work procedures and other changes at its 21 Lodge St. office when possible.

Action to alleviate the economic impact on individuals and businesses is expected from the federal and state governments in the coming weeks. The Capitalize Albany Corporation team will continue to monitor these developments. We will share information on our communications channels as we collaborate with local Business Improvement Districts, lenders, the Capital Region Chamber and other partners to build local resources, advocacy and support.

Small Business Support

Friday, March 20: The Latest Updates

Updated March 20, 5PM: Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced he is signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone. It includes a new directive that all non-essential businesses statewide must close in-office personnel functions effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22. View guidance on essential vs. non-essential services here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-issues-guidance-essential-services-under-new-york-state-pause-executive-order

Updated March 20, 10AM: In the ongoing effort to try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and encourage social distancing, Governor Cuomo has, under the power vested in him by his March 7 state emergency declaration, announced that as of tomorrow (Saturday, March 21) at 8 p.m., all  barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors and related personal care services will be closed to members of the public. This also includes nail technicians, cosmetologists and estheticians, and the provision of electrolysis, laser hair removal services. This updates the list of businesses that the governor previously ordered closed, including: Restaurants and bars (now at delivery and take-out only), bowling alleys, movie theaters, and malls. “Essential” businesses – including groceries, banks, pharmacies, and medical and health care facilities – are allowed to remain open, but on-site workers must be limited to 25 percent of the over-all workforce.

Empire State Development releases guidance for determining whether a business is subject to a 75% workforce reduction: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order yesterday directing businesses that are unable to implement work from home policies to decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent. With that said, exemptions to the 75% reduction will be made for essential service industries, including shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions, and other industries critical to the supply chain.

Businesses unsure if they are included within in exempt categories but still believe they are providing essential services or functions can request a waiver from these reductions by completing the form attached, also available online:https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Request%20for%20Designation%20Form_0.pdf

Thursday, March 19: The SBA has approved a statewide disaster declaration for NY. Eligible small businesses may now apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Please review the fact sheet with important information about the declaration and EIDL requirements at this link:https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations/DeclarationDetails?declNumber=6063499&direct=false

Businesses can take advantage of free assistance offered by SBA’s network of Resource Partners for help with preparing their loan applications. They may visit www.sba.gov/local-assistance to find local help.

The NYS Small Business Development Center network recommends submitting a request for assistance online at http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html.

Click To Read More On The SBA Economic Disaster Loan Program.

 

Tuesday, March 17: The U.S. Small Business Administration issued revised and more relaxed criteria for states or territories seeking an economic injury declaration related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The relaxed criteria will have two immediate impacts including a faster easier qualifcication process for states and expanded, statewide access to SBA Disaster Assistance Loans for small businesses. Click To Read More On This.

Faster, Easier Qualification Process for States Seeking SBA Disaster Assistance. Historically, the SBA has required that any state or territory impacted by disaster provide documentation certifying that at least five small businesses have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a disaster, with at least one business located in each declared county/parish. Under the just-released, revised criteria, states or territories are only required to certify that at least five small businesses within the state/territory have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of where those businesses are located.

Expanded, Statewide Access to SBA Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses. SBA disaster assistance loans are typically only available to small businesses within counties identified as disaster areas by a Governor. Under the revised criteria issued today, disaster assistance loans will be available statewide following an economic injury declaration. This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to Coronavirus.

Thursday, March 12: The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced emergency loans up to $2 million will be made available in response to the COVID-19 crisis. These funds will become available once the state completes a declaration process for designated areas within its borders. The information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that are outstanding as a result of this public health crisis.

 

Resources For Restaurant Owners

The New York State Restaurant Association offered a Q&A style webinar on Monday, March 16 at 2 p.m. to discuss how restaurants can mitigate risk and reassure their customers at this difficult time. Find more information at www.nysra.org. 

Everyone in the community can do their part in helping businesses impacted by the virus. Restaurants and other establishments have been directed by the governor to offer take out or delivery service only, but they remain open. Another idea is to purchase a gift card where possible. More suggestions can be found in this Albany Times Union article.

Additional Coronavirus Response Resources

Here are key resources that have been issued by federal and state authorities:

Contact Us

Responding to this situation will be a collaborative effort among our many partners and stakeholders. The Capitalize Albany staff appreciates any input from businesses and residents on how we can best serve the City of Albany and our region in response to the virus outbreak.

[email protected] | (518) 434-2532 ext. 27