Eight things you need to know about the impact of COVID-19 on Saratoga County’s economy.
8 @ 8 is a newsletter filled with eight things you need to know on topics related to the economy in Saratoga County, New York. You can expect to see 8 @ 8 in your inbox twice a month. If you have content you’d like us to share or have a topic you’d like to see more of, let us know and we’ll work to include it in a future edition! – The Saratoga Partnership Team
Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership Spearheading Efforts to Assist Saratoga County Businesses and Employees Impacted by Coronavirus
1. Saratoga County – We Need to Collaborate Now More Than Ever
The Saratoga Partnership has been collaborating with elected officials, public agencies, community partners and local entities across Saratoga County and beyond to determine what actions we can take to help businesses and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This 8@8 is devoted to news updates related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and current resources available to the business community. If your business is experiencing disruption during this challenging time, please email Shelby.Schneider@saratogapartnership.orgor call 518.871.1887 so we can help connect you to the tools and resources you need during this challenging time.
Tune in to Saratoga’s Star Radio today, Monday, March 16, starting at 10:00 a.m. for a special live broadcast on the local impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how our community is responding. Local guests from the public, private, nonprofit, health care, and educational sectors will talk about where you can get help and what we can all do to support each other. You can listen online at www.starsaratoga.com or 93.3 FM or 1160 AM or 900 AM. We are so proud to partner with Saratoga’s Star Radio, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority, the Saratoga Downtown Business Association on this effort.
2. U.S. Small Business Administration Low Interest Loans for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. Find more information on the SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
3. Department of Labor’s Shared Work Program allows Employees to Receive Partial Unemployment Benefits While Working Reduced Hours
The Saratoga Partnership is working in partnership with the Saratoga County Employment and Training Office and New York State Department of Labor to ensure your company and employees whether the storm of COVID-19. Consider the shared work program as you manage the disruption of your business cycle do to the impact of COVID-19. Shared Work lets you 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. Click here for details or contact Jenniffer McCloskey at the Saratoga Employment + Training Office at (518)884-4170.
4. Empire State Development – Guidance for New York State 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.
6. 7 Effective Ways to Work From Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Good Housekeeping offers tips will help keep you productive and sane if your job becomes remote. As more and more companies implement work-from-home policies due to the spread of COVID-19, employees are now tasked with trying to be just as productive without their normal resources and routines. While working from home sounds like a luxury in theory, it’s certainly no vacation and being productive is easier said than done.
Every job is different and the amount you’re able to achieve will vary between career types, employers, and internal policies, but there are some key strategies to working from home when it comes to getting your tasks done efficiently. Click here to read more.
7. Why Outbreaks like Coronavirus Spread and How Social Distancing Works
The Albany Business Review reports that yesterday Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked businesses to seriously consider letting employees work from home or voluntarily closing to stop the spread of coronavirus. The governor said that if businesses do not voluntarily close physical locations, he may take mandatory measures, including limiting capacity even more or closing them all together. Although this feels sudden, extreme, and potentially devastating for your business this ounce of prevention could help contain the spread of the virus until it is contained. What does social distancing mean and how does it help contain the virus or “Flatten the Curve?” The Washington Post has offered a free simulator of how an outbreak like COVID-19 can grow and how “social distancing,” avoiding public places and social interaction, can slow down the exponential rate of growth throughout the U.S. This chart explains why slowing the spread of the infection is nearly as important as stopping it.
8. COVID-19 Information for Saratoga County Residents
The Saratoga County Department of Public Health continues to work diligently to contain and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in the county. Residents are reminded that in order to be tested for COVID-19 an order is required from a medical doctor, healthcare provider or the county Department of Public Health. If an individual believes they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 they should contact their primary care physician ahead of time to make an appointment. If an individual has questions regarding COVID-19 they should contact the state Department of Health Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 . Symptoms of COVID-19 include: cough, fever, trouble breathing and pneumonia. While there is currently no vaccine to prevent the virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
If you are over 60 years old and/or your health is compromised, avoid attending meeting in groups or large gatherings.
Visit the grocery store or pharmacy at slow hours, where the number of people are reduced.
Practice social distancing and avoid handshakes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Keep a distance of at least 6 feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership leads a host of critical economic and workforce development initiatives across the public and private sectors, driving economic success for residents, businesses and government in Saratoga County, New York. The Saratoga Partnership provides a point of contact for business retention and expansion, enabling a seamless delivery of programs and services for businesses seeking to grow, and spearheads semiconductor industry marketing and attraction, global trade assistance, community economic development, and data collection and planning. For more, visit us at saratogapartnership.org and on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn . The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is a member of the Saratoga County Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation.
The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is a member of the Saratoga County Economic Development Alliance, which includes the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation.
518.871.1887 Info@saratogapartnership.org 
