New York State

Statement from County Executive Ed Day

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We have seen this movie before. Again, and despite reassurances from Governor Hochul after she took office that she would not govern via press conference and would foster and welcome discussion with County Executives today we saw a return to the prior Governor’s playbook.

While other County Executives from the Mid-Hudson region and I were invited onto a call with the Governor’s staff this afternoon, the Governor’s staff was unable to provide detailed information about this newly announced requirement other than that the first week it is in effect should be used for education and not enforcement.

I told the Governor’s staff that we cannot and will not enforce this requirement as it currently stands. How do you enforce something that’s based on a press release that does not contain adequate information and explanation? The Governor has said that this program will be reevaluated on January 15, 2022, but what metrics will be used as part of this reevaluation?

All of these details and more should have been provided to counties ahead of a public announcement so that we could prepare for any actions our staff is expected to take and so that we could in turn provide this information to our local businesses and residents. Once again, we are left fielding questions from our citizens that have no answers; an incredibly frustrating situation caused solely by poor communication from New York State and Governor Hochul.

Additionally, I cannot and will not in good conscience redirect our Health Department to change their focus from the vaccination effort which entailed six clinics over the last two weeks that administered 141 vaccine doses and 1,244 booster doses. Especially with the 5–11-year-old cohort needing vaccinations and the 16–17-year-old cohort having just been approved to receive boosters. That would be utterly reckless.

Rockland residents are well on the way to protecting themselves from this disease. According to the CDC, 84.8% of our 18+ population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and even better, 95% of our 65+ population has also received at least one dose.

I recently chose to get a booster because I believe these vaccines, when partnered with commonsense hygiene precautions like hand washing and staying home when you are sick, offer the best protection available from this disease. I continue to encourage those with questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines to talk to their doctor about their safety and effectiveness.

Those interested in receiving a vaccination or booster at one of our Department of Health’s upcoming clinics can visit our COVID-19 webpage to make an appointment: https://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19/

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presents local business with Empire Award at Suffern Chamber of Commerce Gala

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SUFFERN, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented a New York State Senate Empire Award to Aurelius “Aury” Licata, owner of Licata Insurance in Suffern, recognizing his contributions to fostering a strong sense of community in Suffern and supporting small businesses over a long career. Senator Reichlin-Melnick delivered the award to Mr. Licata at the annual Suffern Chamber of Commerce gala event at Marcello’s restaurant in Suffern on Thursday night. Licata Insurance, located in downtown Suffern, has served the Suffern community for over 35 years.  

State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Mr. Licata is known as a very humble and generous business leader, who has volunteered on the Suffern Chamber of Commerce Board for many years. His hard work and participation at every event are an enormous asset for the community. His focus has always been for the well-being of his beloved village and other local businesses, always making himself available for advice, expertise, and experience for others. It was an honor to present Mr. Licata and Licata Insurance with this Empire Award from the New York State Senate.”

Mr. Aurelius Licata, owner of Licata Insurance, said “Having grown up in Suffern, I consider it an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to establish a business and work alongside many other hard working business establishments in our Suffern Village. Our downtown has grown and changed but due to the hard work and efforts of many in the business, and residential community, in conjunction with the Village of Suffern, its officials, departments, and boards; all of whom continue to work together as a whole, striving to maintain the special blend of civic-minded businesses and residents which insure that our Village climate will remain as “quaint” and compassionate as it always has been.”

Mr. Licata is an active member of the business community, and has served for more than two decades on the board of the Suffern Chamber of Commerce. 

“It was my absolute pleasure to recommend Aurelius Licata for the Empire Award. Aury has been a champion for our community, serving on the Suffern Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years,” said Suffern Chamber of Commerce President Martina Cinarli. “He is a humble individual who has been incredibly generous with his time. On a personal level, Aury has spent much of his life lending a helping hand to business owners and residents not only here in Suffern but in many other neighboring communities within Rockland and Bergen County. Aury is a real treasure!”

Skoufis to Host Stuffed Animal Giveaway in Haverstraw

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Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) will host a stuffed animal giveaway at the Haverstraw Village Hall at 40 New Main Street on Sunday, December 19 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. 

“Every child deserves to find joy and moments of delight during the holiday season,” said Senator Skoufis. “Beyond being a resource for our adult community all year round, I am proud to show our youngest residents that they can find a helping hand with me and my team.”

Stuffed animals for the event have been donated by PETSMART. 

Mid-Hudson Economic Development Updates

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News From Governor Hochul

Governor Hochul Signs Package of Legislation to Support Small Businesses

  • Legislation (S.033/A.3456) Requires Certain State Agencies Designate a Small Business Liaison
  • Legislation (S.113a/A.6508a) Requires the Secretary of State to Provide Helpful Information for New Businesses

Governor Hochul Announces Statewide Initiative to Help Connect Job Seekers to Employment

  • Community Partnerships Will Focus on Assisting New Yorkers Served by Pandemic-Related Programs including Emergency Rental Assistance Program
  • Record 220,000+ Jobs Available in New York State Job Bank
  • Upcoming Virtual Job Fairs in Every Region of the State
  • Efforts Will Build Upon the Current Campaign Focused on Helping New Yorkers Find the Job They Love
  • DOL Will Offer 1,000 Additional Virtual Career Appointments Per Week

Governor Hochul Announces First-in-the-Nation $539 Million Homeowner Assistance Fund to Assist Eligible New Yorkers at Risk of Foreclosure or Displacement

  • Funding Will Help Low- and Moderate-Income Homeowners Impacted by the Pandemic Stay in Their Homes
  • To Learn More, Residents Can Visit the HAF Website or Contact the New York State Homeowners Assistance Fund Call Center at 1-844-77-NYHAF
  • Applications Accepted Beginning Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces Federal Disaster Assistance Now Available to Orange County Residents Impacted by Hurricane Ida Following Appeal to Federal Government

  • Orange County Residents Affected by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September Are Now Eligible to Apply for Individual Assistance from FEMA
  • Major Disaster Declaration for Ida Amended Following Appeal by Governor Hochul, Securing Additional Funding and Resources for New Yorkers In Need

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Dynamic LED Lighting at Empire State Plaza

  • New Energy-Efficient Lighting System Unveiled at Holiday Tree Lighting, Illuminating Empire State Plaza in Holiday Colors

 Upcoming Events

Doing Business in China E-Commerce Webinar – December 9, 2021, 9am-11am ET

  • Global e-commerce has become even more important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Global NY’s China office and industry experts to hear the latest insights on how New York State businesses can export to and work with one of the world’s largest markets.
  • View the event flyer to learn more.
  • Register to attend HERE.

Innovating Forward 11th Annual New York State MWBE Forum – December 14-16, 2021

  • The 11th annual New York State Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Forum is the premier opportunity for MWBEs from across industries to forge new professional connections and become more competitive in an ever-changing market.
  • Hybrid Event: In-Person & Virtual Forum Experiences
    • Day 1: Laying the Foundation
    • Day 2: Roadmap to Success
    • Day 3: Boundless Opportunities
  • Register HERE to attend the MWBE Forum 

Economic Development Opportunity Highlights

NEW: The NYSCA FY2022 Capital Projects Application Portal is now open and accepting submissions!

  • Before you start your application, we encourage you to review the following resources:
  • The NYSCA team will be holding two more virtual office hour sessions in December and answer questions regarding the application process. These office hours are not recorded.  Please note that each session can accommodate 40 participants.
  • NYSCA asks that you please only register for a session that you know you will be able to attend.

NEW: Register Now for Additional Capital Projects Virtual Office Hours

  • Friday, December 10, 2021, 11AM-11:45AM: Register here!
  • Monday, December 13, 2021, 11AM-11:45AM: Register here!
  • Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 3PM-3:45PM: Register here!
  • These registration links are also available on the NYSCA FY2022 Opportunities page, here.

SBA Announces Updated Guidance Regarding Applicant Deadlines for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

  • Agency Strongly Encourages Submission of Supplemental Advance Applications by December 10; All Applications Due by December 31
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available. Since its inception, the COVID EIDL program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels, has approved nearly $300 billion in relief aid. Specifically, the following updated guidance is being provided:
  • EIDL loan and Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31 and will continue to be processed after this date until funds are exhausted.
  • Supplemental Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31; however, the SBA may be unable to process some Supplemental Targeted Advance applications submitted near the December 31 deadline due to legal requirements. The SBA cannot continue to process Supplemental Targeted Advance applications after December 31 and strongly encourages eligible small businesses to apply by December 10 to ensure adequate processing time.
  • Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.
  • The SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31 if the reconsideration/appeal is received within the timeframes in the regulation. This means six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available.

List of Economic Development Resources

Funding Opportunities:

  • Business Pandemic Recovery Initiative
  • Regional Economic Development Council Round 11
    • Funding is still available through the open enrollment programs, including the ESD Capital Grant Fund.
    • Interested parties are encouraged to apply by December 31, 2021.
    • Learn more about the funding programs at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov/mid-hudson
  • New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) FY2022 funding
  • Workforce Development Initiative
    • Second Round of Funding Makes $48 Million Available to Help New Yorkers Find Quality, Well-Paid Jobs and to Meet the Short and Long-Term Workforce Needs of Businesses
    • Find the 2021 Guidebook, Program Guidelines and Webinars HERE
  • Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program
    • The $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program provides an incentive to COVID-impacted restaurants to bring restaurant staff back-to-work, and to increase hiring at NYS restaurants.
    • Qualifying businesses are eligible for a tax credit of $5,000 per new worker hired, up-to $50,000 per business. 
    • The Program is open to eligible restaurants located in New York City, or in an area outside of New York City that was designated an Orange or Red Zone for at least thirty consecutive days.
  • Global New York
    • Global NY helps New York businesses enter or expand their presence in the global marketplace.
    • Programs connect companies with sales agents and distributors abroad and offset the costs of exporting with grants and loans.
    • By participating in our trade missions, New York businesses can create and reinforce global connections and partnerships.
  • New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) ReCharge NY Program
  • NYSERDA
  • Utility Economic Development Programs
  • Federal Grants
    • Federal Economic Development Funding – EDA American Rescue Plan Programs
      • Good Jobs Challenge: $500 million for Industry-led training programs, designed to provide skills for and connect unemployed or underemployed workers to existing and emerging job opportunities. Three project types: System Development, Program Design and Program Implementation.
        • Deadline: January 26, 2022
        • Eligibility: State & local governments, higher education institutions, not-for-profit organizations
      • Economic Adjustment Assistance: $500 million available through EDA’s most flexible program. Wide range of technical, planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and public works and infrastructure projects are eligible for funding under this program.
        • Deadline: March 15, 2022 (suggested; applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
        • Eligibility: State & local governments, higher education institutions, not-for-profit organizations
      • See all the EDA American Rescue Plan Programs HERE

Technical Assistance for Businesses:

Workforce Development Resources:

Resources for Employers:

  • NY State of Health: Shop here to see what health insurance options are available to you, your family, and your business
  • Child Care:Parents in need of free child care resources and referrals are encouraged to visit www.HVChildCare.org, where they can enter their zip code to immediately find the name and contact information of the agency that serves their location.
  • NYS DOL Shared Work Program: New York State’s DOL Shared Work Program helps businesses manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.

Data and Reports:

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