Business Resiliency Resources

As businesses continue to face extraordinary challenges, we are providing information here that speaks to critical issues. All of these links are designed to assist all businesses in Chautauqua County in the wake of the the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-changing nature of our business climate. The Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages all businesses, regardless of size, to first and foremost ensure the safety of employees and customers and to be prepared for alternative business models as this situation is fluid and things may change rapidly.

Join Us Online Mondays at 3:30pm
All businesses are invited to join us for a weekly conference call via web or phone. We are convening these session at 3:30pm each Monday.

You may register in advance or join the call when it begins at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2883247549711698959
Participants can use their computer audio, or call in at +1 (213) 929-4212
Audio Pin 713-239-477

Click the menu links to find resources by section:
Restarting Our Economy
Business Resiliency Resources
Marketing Resources
Employee Leave Management
Essential Services Info
Health Department and Additional Resources

Business Resiliency Resources

NY Forward Loan Fund
The New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. The NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all businesses), nonprofits and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. The NYFLF is specifically timed to support businesses and organizations as they proceed to reopen and have upfront expenses to comply with guidelines (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines) under the New York Forward Plan. Learn more here.

City of Dunkirk Back to Business Grant Program
The City of Dunkirk 2020 Community Development Block Grant program is now offering the Back to Business program on a first come first served basis to small businesses in Dunkirk. Read the guidelines and find the application here.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation Urban Core programs for City of Jamestown Businesses
JRC is offering several matching grant programs for downtown businesses. Learn more and apply here:
Urban E-Commerce Grant program - business owners may apply for matching grants for website development services, online marketing consulting, and other technologies
Urban Dining - business owners may apply for matching grants for outdoor seating furniture and equipment including tables, chairs, umbrellas and balusters as well as City permit application fees
Parklets - business owners may apply for matching grants for outdoor parklets as well as City permit application fees
The application deadline is June 12.

CCIDA Working Capital Loan Program
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency has established a Working Capital Loan Program.

CARES Act Emergency Loans for Small Business
For a summary of the provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act including the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, see the Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act from the Small Business Administration.

We also have a handy guide from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and a good slide presentation overview, along with some Emergency Loan Guidelines.

We strongly recommend that you contact the local Small Business Development Center to advise you on the best program(s) for your business. Call (716) 338-1024 or visit them online at www.sbdcjcc.org.

There are essentially two separate loan packages for small businesses that have been made available through federal Coronavirus relief legislation. The two can work in tandem with one another, or individually, depending on your business needs. They cannot cover the same expenses. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as there is a high demand for these products.

The Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan means that small business owners can apply for a loan advance of up to $10,000. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. Applications are available through the federal Small Business Administration. If you need assistance with your application or have questions, contact the local Small Business Development Center at 338-1024. For EIDL loans you can begin the process here: SBA Loan Process and Application
The Paycheck Protection Program is provides a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. Small businesses and nonprofits are eligible, as are those who are self-employed or are independent contractors. For a helpful guide to this program the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put together the Small Business Guide and Checklist. Several banks in our community are helping businesses access the Paycheck Protection Program. We encourage you to contact your bank as soon as possible to discuss this program. You can view a sample application here. Local banks accepting PPP loan applications are: Cattaraugus County Bank, Community Bank, Five Star Bank, KeyBank, Lake Shore Savings Bank, M&T Bank, and Northwest Bank. Please make an appointment with your local bank as soon as possible to apply for PPP funding. Most banks will conduct appointments by phone or online.

Paycheck Protection Program FAQ's

The US Small Business Administration, in consultation with the US Department of the Treasury, has released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instruction. These documents inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the CARES Act.
The US Treasury Department has posted an updated Question and Answer guide on PPP loan forgiveness. We caution you that this is not a final document but addresses how SBA will evaluate the food faith certification of PPP loan requests.
The safe harbor deadline for businesses to return PPP funds if they determine that they were ineligible has been extended until 5/18, pending publication of the procedures for returning the funds. If the final guidance is not ready by then, we anticipate another extension deadline. There have been many questions about the “economic uncertainty” certification for PPP borrowers.
The EIDL Advance has no reporting requirements and does not have to be repaid. It is designed to provide immediate economic relief. This is independent from the EIDL Loan and not part of the Loan’s terms and conditions. Any Advance funds will be deducted from PPP forgiveness, however.
The EIDL Loan funds may only be used for working capital expenses. Business expansion or acquiring fixed assets are not eligible uses of proceeds.

Updated PPP and EIDL Advance numbers:
In Round Two of the Paycheck Protection Program (April 27 - May 8, 2020), the SBA has guaranteed 2,571,167 loans. For more information on Round Two loan activity, click here.

Business Mentor NY
Empire State Development's Division of Small Business & Technology Development is leveraging the Business Mentor NY system to help connect small businesses in need with the growing number of professionals that have volunteered to help. This is the state's first large scale, web-based, hands-on mentoring program geared to help entrepreneurs and established small businesses overcome the challenges they face. Mentor volunteers act as pro-bono advisors or sounding boards for the small business owners that are looking for guidance; providing a potential solution to accessing needed information and expertise through a streamlined process, enabled by technology. Here's an overview.

Sales Tax Penalty & Interest Abatement
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance issued the following notice regarding the abatement of penalties and interest for sales and use tax. Here is the notice.
Click here for additional information on tax penalty and interest abatement.

Tax Extension
The federal government extended the Federal Tax Deadline which includes any type of taxpayer, such as an individual, a trust, an estate, a corporation, or any type of unincorporated business entity.
Click here to learn more about the extension of the Federal Tax deadline

Support Your Business Neighbors
Local restaurants that remain open for takeout or delivery service and essential businesses need your support. A listing can be found at chqbuylocal.com

Stay Connected and Learn From Other Businesses
Participate in the Chamber's Facebook Discussion group, CHQ Business Discussion Group and share you ideas, best practices, pose questions and seek help from your business colleagues.

Recruiting Employees Now
To address the critical hiring needs of certain businesses, the NY State Labor Department has launched a new microsite. Jobs posted through OSOS and the NYS Job Bank in critical industries (healthcare, manufacturing, food retail, transportation, and more) will be posted to this site. Here is a Job Order Form you can fill out and submit.

Company Recruiting During the Coronavirus Outbreak: Top 5 Ways to Keep Recruiting And Stay Healthy in the Wake of COVID-19 - from the Tallo blog

Think Creatively
Facebook is encouraging businesses to think creatively. They have developed some tools to help businesses stay open and engaged. Check it out here.

Manage Meetings and Events Online
Consider hosting your event or meeting virtually using the free version of:

NY State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joined us online Monday 5/18 for our Weekly Business Call to discuss issues around state finances and how that may impact our communities. You can watch the video here.

View the slides referenced in the presentation here.

​Business Resiliency Resources

Business Resiliency Resources