By Jennifer Farnsworth
As the Capital Region and North Country navigate their way through phases one and two of New York state’s reopening, phases, questions remain as to what is considered open for business and what’s not. Banks are no exception.
With decisions being made on a company-by-company basis, and sometimes even a branch-by-branch basis, local banks are working to roll out a plans that both meet customer needs while and state safety guidelines.
At NBT Bank, officials are evaluating conditions specific to each region and market. Customers are encouraged visit the company’s website to learn about branch hours and service options, before visiting any location. Crystal DeStefano, president and director of public relations for Strategic Communications LLC, which works for NBT, said they will be implementing a number of new protocols to ensure safety for customers and employees.
BNI Networking Group Replaces Face-To-Face Meetings With Weekly Online Sessions
By Andrea Harwood Palmer
Business Network International, known as BNI, has revamped its networking approach in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The group, which has chapters in Saratoga and Warren counties, refers to the transition as a “brand refresh.”
The international organization has more than 9,500 chapters worldwide. Eleven of these are in the Albany and surrounding region.
Michael Cruz, chapter director consultant for the Greater Glens Falls BNI chapter, said “there was a project already underway within BNI. We were figuring out how to turn live, face-to-face training, into online training. BNI had purchased 10 seats of Zoom to begin this training. Ironically, at the time, they thought they overbought. Then the shutdown happened, and BNI decided to re-purpose the training platforms into meeting platforms. By the third week of March, we’d launched BNI Online,” said Cruz.
“Almost immediately, we were able to do meetings online,” he said. “We produced a slide deck that mimicked the in-person meeting presentation as close as we could. For the most part, we kept the tenor of the meetings the same. Passing referrals, the one to ones that members do with each to build trust—all of this went to the Zoom platform. We tried to do everything we could to keep it flowing. And we were able to do it for all of our chapters.”
Annual Americade Motorcycle Event In Lake George Is Postponed Until July 21-25
Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce
Americade, a popular tourist attraction in the Lake George region for nearly 40 years, has been postponed during the COVID-19 crisis, but will be held in 2020.
The event is traditionally held the first full week of June, but will be pushed back until the week of July 21-25, said Americade organizer Christian Dutcher.
“The health of our community and our guests is paramount, but it is our sincere hope that by late July, it will be possible to bring Americade back to Lake George as long as there are no federal, state or local regulations that would preclude it,” Dutcher said. “We will be very sensitive to public health concerns. We will conduct Americade 2020 in a manner that is respectful of the terrible ordeal this pandemic has caused.’’
The 2020 “touchless’’ Americade will emphasize current public safety protocols including social distancing and hand washing and scenic tours rather than large group gatherings. Organizers will comply scrupulously with health and safety guidance and work closely with Warren County Public Health Services.
Hotel, Tourism Officials Are Hit With Challenges As Summer Event Season Arrives
R.J. DeLuke
By Christine Graf
Although it is too soon to know what impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the local summer tourism season, the local business community is trying to remain optimistic.
In Lake George, it will be difficult for hotels to weather any lengthy closure. Dunham’s Bay Resort on the east shore just outside the village, is typically open year-round but has closed its 40-room hotel. It’s restaurant remains open for take out only.
According to general manager Matt Taormino, the hotel furloughed about 10 percent of it staff. He credits the hotel’s New York City owner for making this possible.
“They made a commitment to us when this first started to make sure everybody would have a job that needed a job,” he said. “We’re fortunate that our owners take care of us. They really care about us and take care of the property.”
Warren County Tourism Businesses Form A Commission To Plan Economic Recovery
The Warren County Lodging Association, local Chambers of Commerce and the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with Warren County Tourism Department and government officials, have established a commission to develop specific guidelines and best practices for safely reopening businesses in the county.
Officials said the goal of the commission is to ensure the opening of businesses in the Lake George area safely, responsibly and with the health and well-being of the entire community, guests, and team members at the forefront.
Credible hotel and business experts committed to the safe operations of the region have invested significant efforts to develop an outline of communication and operational actions designed to understand guest needs and concerns and to position the tourism businesses in the Lake George region to safely welcome guests back as soon as possible, officials said.
As Cuomo Begins To Re-Open NY, Warren, Washington Counties Said To Be ‘Close’
Parts of New York’s economy in some areas of the can begin reopening in phases, but not the Capital Region, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 11.
At press time, some of the phasing-in could have started as of Friday, May 15.
Members of the group in the Capital Region leading the reopening effort include Robert Henke, Washington County board of supervisors vice chairman, and Ryan Moore, Warren County administrator.
Other members are Ruth Mahoney, Regional Economic Development Council co-chair and Albany market president for KeyBank; Mike Blue, Capital District Area Labor Federation president; Dan McCoy, Albany County executive; Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County executive; Rory Fluman, Schenectady County manager; Spencer Hellwig, Saratoga County administrator; Shaun Groden, Greene County administrator; Matt Murell, Columbia County board of supervisors chair, and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
Glens Falls Farmers Market Is Open For The Season At South Street Market Place
Courtesy Glens Falls Farmers Market
The Glens Falls Farmers Market at the South Street Community Pavilion is open, taking precautions during the coronavirus pandemic.
It opened May 2.
Officials said the Glens Falls Farmers Market is considered an essential business during this time, and “will remain open as long as we can. “
Officials said not all the usual vendors will be present at the market in the upcoming weeks.
Organizers urged people to remember these safe practices while visiting the market:
Glens Falls Hospital Gets Waiver From NYS To Resume Elective Surgeries, Procedures
Glens Falls Hospital has been granted a waiver by New York state to resume elective outpatient surgeries and procedures.
In order to qualify, the hospital had to show that it has a detailed plan in place to resume these surgeries and procedures, and that explicit measures have been taken to insure a potential surge in COVID-19 patients can be handled.
The hospital has a plan in place to “surge” as needed by 54 percent in capacity and beds, officials said.
“This is great news for the community as well as the hospital,” said hospital CEO Dianne Shugrue. “A planned procedure does not mean it is not medically urgent. These are patients who need a painful joint repaired, a diagnostic cardiac procedure, a gallbladder surgery, and many other surgeries and procedures that are important to the health of our patients.”
She said all patients scheduled for planned outpatient surgeries and procedures must be tested for COVID-19 and can only receive their planned care if the test is negative. And they must quarantine before and after their procedure.
Siena Poll: 31 Percent Of CEOS Expect The Economy To Return To Normal In 6 Months
Only 31 percent of CEOs expect the New York state economy to return to pre-virus levels of revenue and employment within the next six months according to a special Upstate New York Business Leader COVID-19 Survey from Siena College Research Institute (SCRI), sponsored by the Business Council of New York State, Inc. released in April.
Similarly, while only 5 percent have not suffered due to the virus and 35 percent think that their business will recover within six months, a quarter say by the end of 2020 and 35 percent don’t think their business will return to pre-virus levels until 2021.
“The results of this poll showed what many expected; businesses are hurting, especially smaller businesses and those in sectors whose operations have been most impacted by the reasonable state-imposed restrictions. Perhaps the most encouraging result showed employers expect their own companies and their industry sectors to recovery by early 2021,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State. “At The Business Council we will continue to work with our elected leaders to convey the needs of the business community for a successful economic restart, recognizing that this will only be done as fast as public health considerations allow.
“The good news is, there’s real opportunity for New York state to partner with the private sector, who understands what it will require to ensure a stronger economy moving forward.”
Tanya Tobias-Tomis Succeeds John Strong As Director Of The Lake George Arts Project
Tanya Tobias-Tomis is the new executive director of the Lake George Arts Project.
She replaces longtime director John Strong, who retired.
Tobias-Tomis has close to two decades of nonprofit experience, including 12 years at Saratoga Arts, most recently in her role as associate director. She worked on many projects there, projects, including Art@Work + Home program and First Night Saratoga.