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.​

Take Our One Minute Survey to help improve our Business Weekly Webinar! This survey is designed to help improve and refocus our Business Webinar series to meet the needs of our local business community. HERE'S THE LINK. Thank you. 
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NOTE: There will be no Business Weekly Webinar on Monday, July 6, as our office will be closed in observance of Independence Day.

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

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Essential and Non Essential Services Guidance

​The Governor's New York on PAUSE Executive Order has been extended until June 28, except for those that were allowed to begin reopening on May 19 in Western New York under the NY Forward plan.  For details about businesses opening see our page on Restarting Our Economy.

​Empire State Development has issued guidance on Essential Businesses that are exempt from the order.  To seek designation as an essential business first review the guidance. If you are not sure that your business qualifies as essential there is request process through ESD.

Face Coverings for Some Employees are Mandated as of 4/15/2020
Businesses are required to provide masks or face coverings to certain essential employees who interact with customers or the public. Read the Executive Order here and guidance for businesses here.  

Letter of Access for Essential Personnel
If your business is considered Essential, your employees may require authorization to travel, especially if they are crossing state lines to get to work. Here is a template that can help you provide a letter to all employees. We recommend that you issue this letter to all your employees.

Essential Service Employees Who Need Child Care
​We urge you to have your employees to fill out this survey from the Child Care Council to get help. You may be able to receive financial assistance for child care.

New York Seeks Companies that Can Help Provide PPE
New York State is offering incentives for any company with the proper equipment or personnel to begin to manufacture personal protective equipment and products including ventilators and PPEs, and is also building a reserve workforce of qualified health, mental health, and related professionals to support the efforts.  Learn more here.

Need some guidance for 3-D printing or manufacturing PPE? Here's a helpful link from the National Institute's of Health with approved production plans for masks and other equipment.