Long Island Main Street News March 23rd, 2020
Here is the LI Main Street News update for today day 8 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown. Included in this issue are new community reports with lists of open restaurants for takeout or delivery, Federal and State guidance documents and some positive signs of philanthropy that is emerging on a hyper-local level. Check it out……..
|
presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance March 23rd, 2020
|
||||
|
|
||||
Helping Main Street through theCoronavirus ShutdownDay 8 of shutdown – Monday March 23, 2020Ok so Monday, day 8 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown shows a real can-do approach from local community and small business leaders across Long Island who are helping each other by supporting local shops where possible and mutual aid all around. There is much more communication between local leaders and the larger government response with lots of conference calls and virtual meetings, which is heartening. We have now spoken to close to 225 small businesses in downtowns across Long Island and the damage is extensive. Folks were critical that our first four community updates were Nassau downtowns (Hicksville, Farmingdale, Westbury & Mineola), so we now have updates from four Suffolk ones – Kings Park, Northport, Lindenhurst and Babylon. Watch for more in the coming days. Here are some recent highlights from: • The Small Business Association announced an automatic deferment for loans from previous disasters. • The most confusing issue over the weekend was what businesses are considered essential and which ones aren’t. With rumors circulating and information changing this guidance document from NYS is very helpful. • The Federal Center for Disease Control set up a website to combat rumors on the Coronavirus. • Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is holding a virtual Town Hall on his Facebook page at 6:30 this evening. Watch it live here. • Two hospitals on Long Island are selected as temporary hospitals. • NYS has put out a call for health related emergency personnel. • Communication on the local level is happening: Nassau County held a conference call to discuss their study on the economic impact of the Coronavirus. The Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers held a conference call to coordinate with local small businesses. The Long Island Main Street Alliance is having conference calls with leaders of local downtown revitalization efforts to assess impacts. Stay tuned for updates…. • Town of Hempstead Town Hall is closed with a hotline open to answer questions and concerns. • Dining Bonds created to help local small businesses. • Folks are at home with their families and children for extended periods. It’s important to know how to talk to your kids about Coronavirus so they don’t think we are living in an episode of Walking Dead. Here is some guidance from PBS. • Celebrities have time on their hands and are letting us know how they feel including Danny Devito, Robert Deniro and Madonna encouraging folks to stay home. Sean Penn was looking to send in the military. Arnold Schwarzenegger was telling folks to stay home while smoking a cigar in his hot tub, Neil Diamond even wrote a song called “Hands Washing Hands” sung to the tune of Sweet Caroline.. • We are starting to see some Corporate Philanthropy develop that has been missing through this crisis. Stay tuned for a more thorough report. – Pink Tie and the LI Nets have developed a Pink Tie delivers program – more on that in the coming days. There is still a dearth of real community level information and tons of questions from folks. We will be getting video information out to people in the coming week so stay tuned. We need you out there to tell is what is happening and what resources are available. No matter what please join the LI Main Street Alliance by emailing us at ea@visionlongisland.org or call 631-804-9128. You can read previous messages from Vision Long Island here. RECENT NEWS AND LINKS:Governor Cuomo Announces Executive Order for all Nonessential Businesses to Close NYS has released a document with guidance on what constitutes an essential business Video with Leg. William Doc Spencer on safely supporting Main Street businesses…. Economists & small business leaders prepare to take an even bigger hit….. Nassau County Map of updates from Across the County (Courtesy of Nassau Legislator Laura Schaefer) Message from Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin calling for delay in School taxes Long Island food banks and school assistance Main Street meats provides home delivery So in a surprise to no one unemployment has spiked across all regions of NYS. Radically unofficial estimates say tens of thousands of LIrs lost their jobs this week from the shutdown. March numbers of just those seeking unemployment insurance will be sobering. Governor Cuomo and the legislature approved sick leave for employees under precautionary or mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19. The provisions of the quarantine legislation are set to take effect immediately upon passage, ensuring that New York workers will be able to take advantage of these benefits. To address the immediate need of employees affected by COVID-19 who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the department of health, local board of health, or any governmental entity duly authorized to issue such order, the Governor’s legislation will provide the following based on employee numbers as of January 1, 2020: Employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide unpaid leave and job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000. Employers with 11-99 employees and employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least 5 days of paid sick leave, job protection for the duration of the quarantine order, and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000. Employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers (regardless of number of employees), will provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order. US Representative Kathleen Rice has Released Preliminary Guidelines for SBA Disaster Loans Northwell Health Delays Payments for Patients Financially Impacted by COVID-19 Impact Mobile testing for COVID-19 is available in Suffolk County by appointment only. Pro Health offers testing in Great Neck and Jericho All police and emergency medical services will be supplied with masks and drive thru testing will commence in Long Island and Staten Island. NYS will suspend Department of Health regulations to increase hospital capacity and may soon cancel all elective surgery. Folks need to work – it’s not only a life blood economically but (in most cases) fuels your social, mental health and gives people purpose. Of the 150 independent small businesses we have spoken to almost everyone has at least temporarily laid off some employees. Hopefully the new job opportunities in cleaning, delivery services and base level medical assistance can absorb at least a small portion of this radical dislocation for real people. If you see job opportunities out there please post. We are doing daily updates and are already getting calls from individuals looking for opportunities. Here is a story in Newsday by James Madore that spotlights this issue and good to see local business owner John Murray from Kilwins in Bayshore and Patchogue and the Hero Joint interviewed about his experiences. Vision is also quoted. Hotels and Tourism comes to a halt Buses, Trains Stay Extra Clean PSEG Long Island Halts Service Shut Offs National Grid Halts Service Shut Offs Verizon Suspends Collection Activities AT&T suspends collection activities during the Coronavirus crisis Geico postponed collectons during Coronavirus shutdown New York to Halt All Evictions US to Advance Funds for Paid Sick Leave Men on the Move Offers Free Storage for College Students Huntington NOW Op-Ed Supporting Local Businesses How to Clean the Germs on your phone EPA Guidelines on Disinfectants to use combatting Coronavirus How to talk to children about the Coronavirus Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce Local Business Resource Every Restaurant on Long Island Offering Take Out and Delivery Tips for Small Businesses trying to Survive Coronavirus Shutdown Half of the New York Workforce Needs to Stay Home Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens Assist IMPORTANT WEBSITES TO TRACK:Northwell Health Digital Resource Center Occupational Safety and Health AARP’s Updates on the Coronavirus |
||||
|
||||
Reports from Local DowntownsAt this time of uncertainty, we are beginning to see a number of downtowns being shuttered as bars, restaurants, and any place where multiple people congregate are running up against fears of and caution at spreading the Coronavirus. While this is a socially responsible action that will help to save lives, in the short term these actions are having a number of adverse effects on our local communities. Vision Long Island has collected a number of experiences from local restaurants and service businesses, but before we go into that we would like to encourage everyone reading this to find a way to responsibly patronize local establishments. Many stores are offering curbside pickup or online shopping to help them get through this difficult time. And your favorite restaurants are also currently open for business with takeout available. We also urge you to consider gift cards in order to purchase something at a later date for yourself, or perhaps to give as a present. Local shops are in a capable position to provide you with what you need in the short-term. Many will also be willing to accommodate you if you contact them ahead of time with requests that will minimize contact and help to lower the spread of this virus. Vision has connected to over 215 small businesses in over 25 downtowns as they weather the economic storm through the Coronavirus. We hope folks patronize these and other open establishments. Many of them have been there for local organizations and philanthropy – they now need our support. In the meantime, here is a selection of updates from Long Island downtowns, more to follow… Babylon Village
Day 8 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown brought us to Suffolk County and the Village of Babylon. The Village of Babylon has been working on redevelopment projects, including a downtown theatre, and maintains a robust business district. The Village understands that money spent on brick and mortar stores in its downtown stays in the community, helps pay local taxes, and keeps jobs and resources in the neighborhood. The advent of the Coronavirus and the steps that towns, villages, counties, and states are necessarily taking to protect the health of residents, may ultimately injure downtown businesses. Kelly Peckholdt, President of the Babylon Village Chamber of Commerce, sees the importance of focusing on the economic impact of this crisis. “Our businesses here in the village are already significantly impacted,” said Ms. Peckholdt. “At this point, pretty much all of the businesses are closing or have modified their hours significantly. A few retailers are still open but are only doing virtual shopping or private shopping appointments. We’re essentially waiting on and expecting the announcement to come that all non-essential businesses must close. There are a lot of business owners and employees of those businesses who are already concerned for their livelihoods considering the government has not provided a timeline on these shut downs. On the other hand, we are already seeing a wave of support from the community. “As a Chamber, we have been working really hard this week at constantly sharing businesses who are offering takeout, virtual shopping, etc, on our social media pages, and have also been trying to share as much information from local governments as possible for business owners to reference. We also have some larger marketing projects in the works, too, as we are trying to help our fellow business owners as much as possible. Another upside, though, is that this situation has forced many businesses to become really creative in what and how they are marketing – only time will tell if these strategies will also work in a post-coronavirus world, but I think these innovative strategies will be what will hopefully allow these businesses to survive for the time being.” Richard Kahn, Bar Manager at The Brixton, sums it up. “We are all in this together. We are trying to restore some sense of normalcy, which is so important right now. We need to take care of each other.” Here is a sampling of local Babylon restaurants making it work: Del Fuego is open for takeout, curbside service and delivery through Uber Eats & Doordash Horace & Sylvia’s Publick House Jack Jack’s Coffee House is open for takeout Lily Flanagan’s Pub is open for takeout and delivery Mary Carroll’s is open for takeout Mulberry Street Babylon Ohayo Japanese Cuisine is open for takeout and delivery Post Office Café is open for takeout and delivery through Uber Eats & Door Dash & Grubhub The Brixton is open for pickup (delivery coming soon) Kudos to Babylon Mayor Ralph Scordino who is managing the Village through this crisis. Kings Park
We recently had a chance to talk to our friends, small businesses, and government leaders in Kings Park to see how they are coping amidst the shutdown. Kings Park has been making slow but steady strides towards revitalizing its aging downtown. With business, community and government working together, the prospects for positive growth has become a reality. The current restrictions associated with combatting the Coronavirus threatens to derail this progress. Like every local Main Street, the businesses, especially restaurants, are struggling to survive. Anthony Tanzi, President of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, predicts “Main Street and small business will weather this storm! However, it’s going to take a commitment from our local communities to help them though if we want them there when it’s over.” Kevin Denis, owner of Professor’s Café agrees, “We’ve been taking care of the community for 33 years, we hope the community will be there for us.” Denis explains, “It’s hard to know what the right thing to do is, close for a few weeks or stay open. We are doing everything we can to hang in there and survive.” Michael Grimaudo, owner of Gino’s Kings Park concurs, businesses are hurting, but we are working to stay positive. The Town of Smithtown government understands the immediate challenges of balancing personal health and economic health of communities. “This pandemic has hit our Main Street businesses in a way that has many of them wondering how they will survive. Many are coming up with ways of conducting business without compromising the public. Bakeries are making DIY cookie kits to take home, restaurants are amping up takeout, realtors are filming available homes… they’re each finding their own recipe to make lemonade. And while the public must remain vigilant in social distancing, we can all find a way to safely support our local shops, be it sharing their social media posts or making a donation to those forced to close… the way through this is together,” Supervisor Ed Wehrheim. Linda Henninger, President if the Kings Park Civic encourages residents to support the local businesses downtown as well. We had the chance to also see the Park Bake Shop set up an order window. Owner Lucy Shtanko offered delicious kronuts to go. Here is sampling of Kings Park restaurants making it work: Café Red is open from 12 pm to 8 pm for order and pickup. Ciro’s Kings Park is open from 2 pm to 8 pm for deliveries, takeout and curbside pickup. Gino’s Kings Park is open from 10 am to 9 pm for takeout and delivery. Long River Restaurant is open from 11 am to 6 pm for takeout and delivery. Professor’s Café is open M,T,W from 8 am to 7 pm, Th, F from 8 am to 8 pm, Sat 8 am to 7 pm, Sun from 8 am to 3 pm for takeout and delivery. Relish is open from 11 am to 7 pm for takeout and delivery. Simply Greek is open 11 am to 9 pm for takeout and delivery. Park Bake Shop, 5:00am-6:00pm, Takeout through order window. Park Lounge, 4:00pm-7:00pm, doing takeout of family meals. Kings Park Shipping has been mandated as an essential business by the Governor’s order to remain open as a vessel into the shipping channel for UPS,FEDEX,DHL and USPS. They can also handle printing as needed. Please email any inquiries to: john@kingsparkshipping.com Northport
Vision Long Island was in downtown Northport recently, where a number of small businesses are still open for takeout during the day and the night. Some of the businesses that are open for takeout include: Northport Harbor Delicatessen Rob Breudenbach from the Northport Harbor Delicatessen, both of which have been mainstays in town for decades, has great egg sandwiches, soups and lunches. Martoni’s, a much newer operation, has great coffee, homemade soups, and other entrees and products. They also have pasta for sale for folks that are stocking up and find their local supermarket bare. The Wine Bar is open for takeout and serving up their eclectic menu, which includes other open restaurants in town. It is literally a one stop takeout shop along with wine, of course. Lastly, Maroni’s is open with lots of their award winning meatballs hot and ready to go. Maria Maroni is working long days and nights to keep that operation ready to go for local patrons. Folks can grab their takeout and eat at the waterfront while still remaining good distance apart, or just safely walk around town while avoiding close contact with others. Many of the retail shops voluntarily closed even before the forced shutdown the came last night and the one last Monday. Northport is a village that relies heavily on tourism revenue, so summers are when most restaurants, bars, and retailers benefit and January & February are the slowest months of the month. The shutdown occurring in March, when most of these businesses are beginning to ramp back up, may actually be worse than the winter and is debilitating for many. Sadly, our friend Gene from Oscar’s barbershop was forced to close last week in anticipation of shutdown orders. We hope to see him back. We hope folks can find a responsible way to patronize these small businesses or others in your own downtown. It’s the only way these folks will make it through what will be a rough economic time for all of us. Farmingdale
No single downtown has brought housing, jobs, economic activity and great adaptive reuse with transit-oriented development as the Village of Farmingdale, but as this pandemic begins to cause significant economic distress, very few places or industries will emerge unscathed, and none are more vulnerable than our local Main Street businesses. Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand and the Village Board of Trustees are not only working to keep their community safe; they are visiting merchants throughout the Village to address the current economic crisis. Mayor Ekstrand tells us, “We have been doing take out every night from a different place. We put out on the Village website, and to all residents on our constant contact, a list of restaurant’s names and phone numbers which are doing delivery and take out. We have given all merchants the SBA information to file for money. We are trying our best to keep Farmingdale a Village to be proud of.” The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce asks that Farmingdale come together to support the businesses that support the community. “Every day, small business owners and organizations are being asked to make public safety judgement calls, putting themselves, their staff, and their future at risk,” President Joseph Garcia states. “Our restaurants, brewery, and many others have been forced to change business models overnight to comply with State Rules and Guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. The vast majority of our members are still operating. Food and beverage establishments have made provisions for takeout, curbside pick-up, free delivery, discounts, and Alcohol to-go and even delivered. Please continue to support our businesses here in Farmingdale. Order in, have some beer or wine. Continue doing business over the phone. Consider purchasing gift cards for future use, as well. We want to make sure Farmingdale continues to be a strong and vibrant business community.” Here is a sampling of local restaurants making it work: 317 Main Street is open for curbside & delivery Bagel Hut is open for takeout & delivery Caracara Mexican Grill is open for curbside & delivery Charlotte’s Desserts is open for takeout, curbside & delivery Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks is open for pick up & delivery Croxley Ales is open for takeout, curbside & delivery Dominican Restaurant 4 is open for takeout & delivery Flux Coffee is open for takeout Frankie’s Pizzeria is open for takeout & delivery Grecian Grill is open for takeout & delivery High Tide Taco is open for takeout & delivery Library Café is open for takeout, curbside & delivery Lithology is open for curbside & delivery Main Street Pizza is open for takeout, curbside & delivery Palmer’s American Grille is open for curbside & delivery Sobol is open for takeout Stuff-A-Bagel is open for takeout & delivery That Meetball Place is open for curbside & delivery The Republic Pub is open for takeout & delivery Thyme on Your Side (Le Petit Café) is open for takeout, curbside & delivery Tiny Thai is open for takeout TOA is open for takeout & delivery Tre Scalini is open for takeout & delivery Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar is open for takeout & delivery Wings Over Farmingdale is open for takeout Farmingdale has also released a list of local businesses that are still open and what services they are offering to customers, which you can access here. Mineola
Vision was out in downtown Mineola for day 4 of the forced shutdown of most activities. Restaurants we were able to speak with or observed open included: PS Burgers (It is worth noting that the line for one of the local gun shops was out the door at 8:30 at night.) We had takeout from Taglio Roman Style Pizza, which tasted great. We also stopped in to see Avelino and Elizabeth from Heart of Portugal. Their Grilled Octupus with Vegetables special was particularly delicious! Unfortunately, businesses reported of being 90% down on average, even with takeout orders still being available. Most have had to lay off 50 to 80% of their staff, and are operating under skeleton crews. But it is still worth noting that takeout food delivery is still allowed under the forced measures to be enacted on Sunday. Vision has now spoken to over 160 independent small businesses who have been decimated by the forced shutdowns of most Main Street activities. East Meadow
East Meadow businesses were the latest group to be stunned by a sudden closure of businesses on Monday as they worked to keep their establishments extra clean in hopes of staying open. After the order toc lose came, owners began to work in earnest to figure out how to make up for the loss of revenue. “Up until five minutes ago, we were sanitizing and planning to stay open,” Frank Camarano, the manager of World Gym in East Meadow, said on Monday afternoon. “Now everyone is just stunned, just like I am. The members are heartbroken, and now they don’t know what to do.” Mr. Camarano is also the board chairman of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and the vice president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. Working in those positions have placed him in the position of contacting numerous local businesses so as to calm nerves, but a number of local owners feel as though they have nowhere to go. Right now he is working to gather resources to and information on relief plans at different levels of government that can possibly help. “I think what people have to hear is that ‘You’re not alone,’” said Mr. Camarano. “I know it sounds kind of hokey, but it’s true.” Frank Borrelli, owner of Borrelli’s Italian Restaurant in East Meadow, is hoping to keep his doors open with a takeout menu, but had to fire his entire wait staff in the wake of Cuomo’s order, though it pained him to do so. He made the promise to hire them once the ban on gatherings is lifted, but for the moment he has to make do the best he can. “I guess we could deliver a pizza with ‘quarantini’ to go,” Borrelli said, referencing the loosening of liquor laws to allow alcohol to be sold off premises. Mr. Borrelli also talked about how his business made it through Hurricane Sandy, but could at least look forward to the nearby Nassau Colosseum to help bring in customers. But this time is different as the ban on public gatherings means at least a month without such relief. Local businesses focused on fitness are working to continue providing services on a virtual level for their customers. Anthony Bevilacqua, who owns AB Fitness in East Meadow, will have his staff stream three half-hour sessions in the morning and three at night for members, as well as nutritional seminars each evening. “One of the best ways to fight the coronavirus is to keep staying healthy,” said Mr. Bevilacqua. “Everyone’s definitely more stressed during this time. But the only thing you could control is yourself and the actions you take.” You can read more at the Long Island Herald. Franklin Square and Elmont
This past Tuesday was supposed to see an influx of business for local restaurants and bars in Franklin Square and Elmont. Instead, there has been mostly silence in the wake of Governor Cuomo’s order to for bars and restaurants to switch to takeout and delivery instead of dine-in establishments. This turn of events has left local owners worried during what should be one of their busiest times of year. “It might shut down my restaurant,” said Ann Angelino, owner of Murph’s Restaurant in Franklin Square. Ms. Angelino recently invested $10,000 into her business in preparation of St. Patrick’s Day and is afraid that she will be unable to recoup the cost with the ongoing shutdown order. Additionally, she is unable to apply to unemployment insurance as the owner of her own business. This is a problem being seen across the region as owner after owner faces plummeting sales and patronage as local residents stay home for fear of spreading the Coronavirus. This has left local chambers scrambling as they look to help out their businesses. “In the next week or two, everyone’s really going to be hurting,” said Elmont Chamber of Commerce President Paul Sapienza, who also owns Sapienza Bake Shop in downtown Elmont. “If they don’t have any money, they’ll have to close up.” Mr. Sapienza stated that some businesses might be able to take out loans or use money in reserve, but that the shutdown could still lead to a large number of employees being laid off. Part-time employees will probably be the first, a majority of whom are students or people looking for extra disposable income, but the longer this crisis drags on the more difficult it will be for local business to pay even a skeleton staff. That is the primary concern of Mario Testani, owner of Filomena’s Restaurant, who feels as though he has enough money to weather the crisis, but is concerned for his employees. He is trying to figure out the best way to remain open and still paying them while also being conscientious of the safety of others. But on top of that, the main concern is how businesses will be paying their ongoing expenses. “I’ll have to pay my landlord no matter what,” said Anthony Capogna, owner of Olivetto Pizzaria and Ristorante, which is still open for takeout. But the future is suddenly very uncertain for him and a lot of local business on Long Island. You can read more about Franklin Square and Elmont at the Long Island Herald. Rockville Centre |
||||
Long Islanders Begin to feel Economic Pain of Shutdown
As the mandatory shutdown of nonessential businesses takes hold of our region, many people are facing a grim and uncertain future. The feeling of having the rug pulled out from under them as lives as thousands of workers and business owners see their income dry up is becoming prevalent within local communities. Two weeks ago it seemed as though a number of people had no concerns when it came to their future. Since then local workers have been battered as businesses deemed nonessential have been forced to close down, many of which have in turn layed off employees that they can no longer afford. Those employees are feeling the squeeze as they scramble to pay bills that still come in spite of a nationwide shutdown. This is all happening against a backdrop of nationwide unemployment as this same scenario is repeated all across the US. Labor Departments are working to fulfill a rapid influx of unemployment claims, but in the meantime a number of Long Islanders continue to feel the pain of lost income as social distancing goes into full effect. While there is a small percentage of Long Islanders who do not live paycheck to paycheck, the vast majority do. Newsday talked to some of those people to collect their stories. While this only represents a very small number of people who are being hit hard, their thoughts and sentiments are being repeated all across our region. “Things got completely ripped out from under us,” said Danielle Tinnirello in the story, who is a personal trainer at Babylon Fitness along with her husband Erik Borenstein. “Our whole routines, our whole schedule is now blank. We went from having 100-plus appointments a week to nothing in a couple of seconds.” “It’s not just the mortgage,” said Elizabeth Florentino, a union cleaner at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum. “You have to pay for water, electricity, taxes. You have to pay everything. I’ll have to find another job. But how fast can you find another job?” These are just two of the people Newsday spoke with on the ongoing crisis. You can read more of their stories and that of others who are facing uncertainty at Newsday. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone to Host Virtual Town Hall with COVID-19 Information
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone will host a virtual Town Hall tonight at 6:30 pm tonight to provide an update on the County’s ongoing response to COVID-19. You’ll be able to view the meeting on the Suffolk County Executive’s Facebook here once it goes live. Governor Cuomo Announces Executive Order for all Nonessential Businesses to Close
In the latest escalation to the ongoing health crisis surrounding the Coronavirus, Governor Cuomo has issued a new executive order to close non-essential businesses and mandate New Yorkers stay in their homes. While restaurants and bars will be allowed to continue selling takeout and delivery, most other businesses that don’t perform a vital function will be required to stay closed until the order is lifted. Businesses found to be in violation will be fined or forced to close. “This is not life as usual,” said Governor Cuomo. While people will be required to stay home, they will still be allowed to leave their homes for exercise purposes and to protect their physical and mental health. The new rules include: – Non-essential gatherings of any size are banned Guidelines for the order were also released earlier today. Essential businesses are categorized into number of subcategories and include the following: 1. Essential health care operations including
2. Essential infrastructure including
3. Essential manufacturing including
4. Essential retail including
5. Essential services including
6. News media 7. Financial Institutions including
8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including
9. Construction including
10. Defense
11. Essential services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses including
12. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including
Businesses not covered by these guidelines but feel like they are essential can request a designation to stay open. You can do so here, but there are two restriction on requesting designation as an essentiual business:
You can read the full document on guidance here. You can watch the full announcement by Governor Cuomo here. SBA Disaster Relief Loans Become Available
Just about every Main Street business we have been talking with has requested information on SBA Disaster Loans and the potential for grants. THE SBA DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN. In addition to small businesses non profits are also eligible. With all that said there are things small business can do now to prepare themselves for the application. There is a fair amount of paperwork involved to document the loss your business has faced but essential nonetheless. Qualified entities can receive up to $2 million. Special thanks to Congresswoman Kathleen Rice who has put this FACT SHEET together to help prepare once the application process is open and that may be soon. Information is also being distributed by SUNY Farmingdale College Small Business Development Center in preperation for the SBA Disaster Relief Loans. You can download them here, and they include a disaster business loan application, a disaster home / sole proprietor loan applicaton, a monthly sales figure form to accompany loan applications, a personal financial statement, a request for transcript of tax return, and a schedule of liabilities. Please check back for updates from the LI Main Street Alliance for resources in the coming days |
||||
|
NYS Asking for Qualified Health Professionals to Recertify
In the event that the novel coronavirus crisis worsens, we need the help of qualified health professionals and related professionals to supplement our hospital capacity on a temporary basis to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients including those that may need to be intubated. The NYS Dept. of Health will recertify you for the purpose. If you are interested and able to help out, please fill out the Health Professional Survey here. Amazon Hiring Thousands of New Workers During Coronavirus Outbreak
As a number of workers are being let go from their positions, Amazon is looking to hire 100,000 new workers as delivery drivers and warehouse workers. To help incentivize this initiative they are offering an additional $2 per hour to anyone who applies before April. If you are interested in one of these positions you can read more about the initative and apply for a job here. |
||||
CDC Guidelines on Coronavirus Prevention
As concern about the ever-expanding impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, we can minimize or prevent the spread of coronavirus by taking these steps:
These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers. For more information see the CDC website or call the NY State Coronavirus hotline to speak with a representative 888-364-3065
|
||||
Smart TalkContributors: We strive to provide continued quality publications like this every week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. Vision Long Island Home | Contact Us | Donate | About Us |
||||
“As you’re identifying people who have had the virus and have resolved, can they go back to work? Can younger people go back to work? You turned off the engine quickly. How do you now start, or begin to restart, or plan the restart of that economic engine?” – NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo
“This is very difficult time for everyone, our affiliates and their families. We are all in this together – we will get through this together. I am proud of our members, the nurses, health care workers who are testing patients, fire fighters, law enforcement officers, retail workers, service workers, and construction workers. These are men and women that are risking themselves each day who are there each day to make sure we get through this.” – Mario Cilento, President, NYS AFL CIO
“Our businesses here in the village are already significantly impacted. At this point, pretty much all of the businesses are closing or have modified their hours significantly. A few retailers are still open but are only doing virtual shopping or private shopping appointments. We’re essentially waiting on and expecting the announcement to come that all non-essential businesses must close. There are a lot of business owners and employees of those businesses who are already concerned for their livelihoods considering the government has not provided a timeline on these shut downs. On the other hand, we are already seeing a wave of support from the community.” – Kelly Peckholdt, President of the Babylon Village Chamber of Commerce
