NYSERDA and the Business Council of New York are co-hosting a webinar to discuss COVID-19 state/federal assistance programs available for businesses, including clean energy businesses. This event will include:

– An Overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Federal Relief Bill (CARES)
– Federal Small Business Administration Assistance Programs (SBA)
– Federal and State Leave Laws and Related HR Issues
– Developments in Future Federal Stimulus Programs

Join us and learn from the leading authorities in New York State about the resources available to help your business successfully weather the COVID-19 crisis.

Speakers
– Alicia Barton, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYSERDA
– Heather Briccetti, President & CEO, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
– Ken Pokalsky, Vice President, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
– Frank Kerbein, Director, Center for Human Resources, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
– David Terry, Executive Director, National Association of State Energy Officials
– Clinton Britt, Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Paul D. Tonko (NY-20)

• Additional information on NYSERDA’s COVID-19 Guidance page.

REGISTER FOR WEBINAR HERE

NYSERDA has also identified the following resources to assist you:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Guidance for you and your employees on how to protect yourself and what to do if you’re sick: Click Here 
• CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program: Authorizes up to $349 billion for small businesses to be applied towards job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible non-profit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.
  • Overview of the program: Click Here
  • If you are a borrower: Click Here
  • Top SBA Lenders in New York State: Click Here
  • Quick Preparation Guide for SBA 7(a) Loan application for CARES Act (PPP) loans: Click Here 
• New York State Resources and Information on Small Business Administration Loans, including links to New York’s statewide community of Small Business Development Centers, Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers, and Community Development Financial Institutions who are available to help guide your business through the SBA loan process: Click Here

• The Small Business Administration is offering low interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations all U.S. States and territories. Learn more here. 
• The Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act (FFCRA), signed on March 18, 2020 authorizes the U.S. Department of Labor to disburse $1 billion in grant funding to states for the administration of unemployment insurance programs.  The funding is available to states in two allocations. 23 states have applied for the first round of funding, and the U.S. Department of Labor is working with the Department of Treasury to certify the funds.

• • The U.S. Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) published additional guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which went into effect on April 1. More information here.
  • The FFCRA also authorized emergency paid sick leave and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. On April 1, 2020, U.S. DOL issued a temporary rule codifying in regulation previously issued guidance regarding the implementation of the new leave benefits.
• New York State Department of Labor Guidance on unemployment insurance and benefits: Click Here 
• The U.S. Department of Labor announced availability of up to $100 million in National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) in response to COVID-19.  The DWGs are intended to provide eligible participants with both disaster-relief employment and employment training services. These participants can include dislocated workers, workers who were laid-off as a result of the disaster, self-employed individuals who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the disaster, and long-term unemployed individuals. Learn more here.

• Empire State Development COVID-19 Business FAQ: Click here