Month: April 2020

BY CHRISTINE GRAF

Local chambers of commerce are scrambling to provide support to their members during this unprecedented time of financial uncertainly. They have become information clearinghouses and are disseminating updated information related to COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

According to Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Mintzer, she is receiving as many as 150 emails a day on the subject.

“The information is coming in so fast. I get information from the county, state, federal government, and governor’s office,” she said. “We are trying to keep abreast of all of that information that’s being thrown out there by government agencies to benefit those who need it the most. We are distilling that information and getting it out there through e-blasts and our social media platform.”

The unprecedented situation presented by COVID-19 has created challenging times for all, with breweries as no exception. The small businesses of the New York state craft beer industry, as with many industries, are feeling the impact of necessary restrictions on public gatherings.

The potential short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the state craft beer industry will be dependent on the actions of consumers and business owners, as well as local, state and federal policymakers, according to the New York State Craft Brewers Association (NYSBA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the industry through advocacy, education and marketing.

NYSBA is working closely with state policymakers to protect New York’s 5.4 billion-dollar craft beer industry, responsible for 20,000 jobs across the state.

BY RACHEL PHILLIPS

In an area dependent on seasonal tourism, many local business owners are left with questions about what the coming months will bring as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Saratoga Race Course, the allure of Lake George and many local conventions and events such as the Americade bring thousands of people to the area each year, and with them, business for shops, restaurants and services nearby.

Businesses around the country are suffering, some forced to close and others operating on a limited basis.

In an effort to assist small businesses during this time of economic uncertainty, EDC Warren County President Ed Bartholomew, as administrator for the Warren County Local Development Corp., announced that the agency has deferred loan payments for businesses that have existing loan with the agency, for the months of April, May and June. The three months will be added to the back end of their loans, thereby extending the terms by three months.

Some 87 percent of New Yorkers say that the coronavirus crisis is having either a somewhat or very significant impact on their daily life according to a new statewide survey of consumers released by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI).

Fourteen percent of New Yorkers say that they are under mandatory quarantine, 42 percent are self-quarantining, 39 percent are practicing social distancing while only 4 percent are going about life as usual. Seventy-seven percent are either somewhat (32 percent) or very concerned (45 percent) that the coronavirus and its impacts will cause them serious financial problems, according to the poll.

Just over half of New Yorkers, 51 percent, are concerned with being able to meet their monthly financial obligations and 37 percent of all New Yorkers, 46 percent of those 18-34 years of age and 48 percent of those 35-49 years of age, are concerned with being laid off. Nearly 60 percent are concerned with their retirement savings or investments losing value, 49 percent are concerned about having to financially help other family members and 41 percent of all New Yorkers, and over half of young people and those making under $50,000 a year, are concerned with being able to afford food, the poll figures showed.

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has furloughed roughly 85 employees due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Furloughed staff will remain employees of the network under a leave status and the network will pay the full premium cost of health, dental and life insurance benefits during this time period, officials said. Primarily non-clinical staff are affected by the furlough.

According to Hudson Headwaters CEO Dr. Tucker Slingerland, the network’s top priority is the health of the communities and patients, along with the health of the network that cares for them.

“Our top priority is to keep all health centers open, as it’s vitally important to our communities that we do everything possible to keep locations open as long as we have sufficient medical personnel available,” he said. “This is an extremely difficult decision, but a responsible one in order to protect the future of our organization and the future of every individual employee and patient we serve. When the current crisis ends, we have every intention of bringing all of our staff back.”