COVID-19 Guidance for Employers

As we all work through the COVID-19 situation, we will provide the most up to date information as it becomes available to us through New York State, the NYS Economic Development Council and Lewis County Public Health.

Do you need PPE for your small business?

Available items include gloves, masks, sanitizer, thermometers and vinyl stickers for doorways and floors.

PICK UP PPE AT OUR OFFICE

Helpful Links

Empire State Development Business Guidance
For businesses and corporations from NYSESD.
New York State Health Guidance
CDC Guidance
The CDC has provided Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, and updates the website regularly to include new information.
Lewis County Public Health
Lewis County Chamber of Commerce

Please check out the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for up to date details on what our local businesses are offering during this time!
The Lewis County Workplace

For assistance with filing for Unemployment Insurance, please call 315-376-5800 to make an appointment. Due to overload, the UI system has been crashing. Please be patient & try to apply during off hours (early mornings or late night).
Development Authority of the North Country (DANC)

For business support now, and into the future. Revolving loan funds are available through DANC.
Watertown Small Business Development Center

If you need small business guidance, please contact our Watertown Small Business Development Center
Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)

Regional economic development support organization.

Relief Funding Options

Federal

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

State

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. Apply here

Local & Regional Financing Options

Lewis County Small Business Revolving Loan Fund
North Country Alliance COVID-19 Emergency Working Capital Loan Program: Loans up to $25,000 for working capital for businesses and not-for-profits.
North Country Workforce Development Institute: Funding to cross-train employees while you convert your operations to manufacture products needed due to COVID-19 Crisis (sanitizer, face masks, etc).
Development Authority of the North Country (DANC): For business revolving loan funds
Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board COVID Relief Fund: Offering working capital micro-loans for businesses within Warren, Washington, Essex, Hamilton, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Lewis counties.
Adirondack Economic Development Corp. (AEDC): AEDC has 5 active loan funds for existing small businesses to meet short, mid-term or long-term needs. AEDC has also created a short-term Disaster Loan Fund for small, working capital microloans.

Reboot Lewis County E-Commerce Webinar

Local Foods in Lewis County

Thinking Better Together: Virtual Roundtables

Reboot Lewis County - Leading Remotely

Reopening the Economy

Preparing for Day One

Please feel free to call Lewis County Economic Development at 315-376-3014, or the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, at 315-376-2213 with any questions or concerns!

Stay safe, and healthy! We will get through this together. #naturallylewis #naturallytogether