Economic Development                                            COVID-19 Information Page  

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 Check In Daily for Washington County Business Updates  
April 1st 2020 is Census Day: ​ Respond Online or Call Toll-free 884-330-2020 nycounts_logo-20200104a_nogradient-01
Click on New York Counts for More Information About Census 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)  Information for Businesses       

Last Updated 3/26/2020   


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order PAUSE  
100% Closures of All Non-Essential Business Statewide.
Exceptions made for Essential Services.
Guidance on essential services under the executive order is available HERE​
Information & Resources For Business Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington County is committed to providing you with information regarding  resources available while COVID-19 is affecting our daily lives.

County Businesses that remain open may be found at www.washingtoncounty.fun
This list will be updated frequently. Please reach out to us if you are a business and would like to be added to the directory. Information about other resources that may be able to assist your business during these challenging times may be found below.

Although the County Municipal Center is currently closed, we will make every effort to assist. Please contact me by email, or phone. A phone call will generate an email message to me. 

Contact for Economic Development Director Laura Oswald
loswald@washingtoncountyny.gov (518)746-2291
State Resources
Empire State Development - Guidance for NYS Businesses related to COVID-19
 As New York State continually monitors and responds to developments related to COVID-19, Empire State Development (ESD) is providing up-to-date guidance for the agency’s partners and other stakeholders impacted by the virus. This is a rapidly changing situation and ESD will be updating the resources below to reflect the latest information available. ESD has created this detailed FAQ to answer immediate questions businesses may have regarding State regulations and general guidance related to the coronavirus. Submit your COVID-19 related business questions here.
New York State Department of Labor - Guidance for NYS Businesses related to COVID-19
The New York State Department of Labor website offers business services for employers related to job postings, unemployment insurance and more.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE UPDATE
NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.

If you are filing a new unemployment insurance claim, the day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. If your last name starts with A – F, file your claim on Monday. For last names starting with G – N, file your claim Tuesday. For last names starting with O – Z, file your claim on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file your claim on Thursday or Friday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed

Here is a step by step process to file a claim online.
New York Attorney General
COVID-19 Application for the Suspension of Debt Collection Activity
 This application is for persons or businesses that owe (non-medical and non-student*) debts to the State of New York that have been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for collection and litigation. Any such person or business, or their dependents, that have been financially impacted by COVID-19, or the international, national, and state responses designed to prevent its spread, may complete and submit this application to be considered for certain forms of relief, including relief from collection activity, interest accrual, and the assessment of collection fees. Click here for details. 
NEW 3/20 * New York Small Business Development Center
Online Request for Assistance
Governor's Directives
Paid Sick Leave Bill
Paid Leave for COVID-19
Guidance for Business
Federal Resources    
U.S. Small Business Administration 
Resources for  Businesses Impacted By Covid-19 
 * Low Interest Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is working directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Find more information on the SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
* Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources  here
NEW 3/20 * Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)   & FAQ Sheet
                   To Link to Resource Partners for Local Help Click Here
NEW 3/26 * SBA Forms
SBA Loan Application
SBA Loan Application -Sole Proprietor
  U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  Business Resources
Workforce Resources  
 New York State Department of Labor (NSDOL)
NYSDOL is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.

 U.S. Department of Labor 
 Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers

About Washington County


Located in New York’s Capital Region, Washington County offers an unparalleled quality of life and an excellent place to do business. We are bordered by Vermont to the east, the burgeoning Saratoga region to the west, and within easy access to Albany and on to New York City to the south and Canada to the north, affording proximity to many major markets. We invite you to explore the many benefits of doing business in Washington County; a great place to live, work, and play.
 


Workforce and Industries


Our largely rural communities boast a stable workforce of about 32,000.  Supported by the many nearby institutions of higher learning our workforce is a significant asset to our businesses. The county is home to many manufacturers of a diverse array of products such as paper and wood products, furniture, jewelry, masonry, medical devices, batteries, industrial fabrication and much, much more. Service industries are also significant; businesses serving the healthcare and agricultural industries in particular are a  powerful force. The county also boasts several strong and growing industry clusters, such as paper, machining, agriculture and stone quarrying.

 Ecop Dev Graphic 
   

Entrepreneurial Focus


We are one of the most entrepreneurial counties in the State of New York. Close to 10% of our workforce is self-employed, a rate which is more than 3.5% higher than the state average.  Businesses that start here, stay here.

.Compared Entreprenurial Rates
 
Final Broadband and Cell Existing Conditions Report (PDF)
Final Broadband Survey Report
In order for our communities to thrive, tools are needed to support and expand our business climate, maintain safe communities, support the flourishing arts and cultural resources, increase access to excellent schools, and provide ease of access to farm fresh foods and shopping experiences in our historic villages.  In today’s complex world, the tools available to make us thrive are driven by connectivity and broadband.
View Final Broadband and Cell Existing Conditions Report (PDF)

WASH_CO_HORIZONTAL-01

https://washingtoncounty.fun/