A Message from the Chairwoman – “Let’s all do our part”

We must do what we can

If ever my least favorite saying “it is what it is” was applicable, it’s now. There is so much happening in our world and our country that we cannot control or even fathom yet we need to come to a level of acceptance in order to persevere. We hopefully are in the 11th hour of this Pandemic.

While it is uncertain whether things will ever resemble what life was like before March 2020, I do believe after this winter things will begin to head in that direction.

That  said, it’s crucial that we keep our focus on what we can do and what we can control. Toward that end, at the Business Council, we have been doing just that. We rolled out a hospitality campaign to support the food and dining establishments in the county. We were blown away by local businesses and owners stepping up to sponsor restaurants, cafes and delis! Downey Energy of Cold Spring and Christoper X. Maher Esq, LLC. of Mahopac sponsored seven restaurants each. Schech’s pool and Spa in Brewster sponsored two eateries, and Patti Byrne of J. Philip Real Estate felt compelled to sponsor Florrie Kaye’s Tea Room, her favorite go-to place in Carmel. Of course, without the help of our major contributors, Tompkins Mahopac Bank and Titan Concrete of Carmel, none of this would be possible.

We spent the day filming a dozen restaurant owners and I learned a lot.  Listening to the struggles and triumphs of these COVID superheroes was a bonding moment for all of us. These establishments have been truly heroic in their efforts to adapt their business model and address health and safety guidelines amid COVID-induced shutdowns. Truly, takeout became the only luxury we could indulge in. Behind the scenes, owners grappled with monumental changes in order to keep their business moving. With strict guidelines, public scrutiny, plus scared and even sick employees, their efforts to keep going are a lesson we should all observe and applaud.

Our focus is now shifting to retail. We will be producing a similar campaign for local retailers. As part of our membership drive, the Holiday Showcase will feature  Putnam County retail establishments that sign up for Business Council membership before Tuesday, Nov. 24th. Set to be filmed on and before Small Business Saturday, November 28th, to capture footage for the promotion. Any retailer that joins or is sponsored as a base member of the Putnam County Business Council will be included in the winter promotion, as well as our mid-year campaign in 2021.

We hope you will join us in doing your part to help our local businesses this holiday season. Please share your ideas, comments and suggestions on how we can  help our businesses in need by emailing us at info@putnamcountybusinesscouncil.com.p

Jennifer Maher 
Chairwoman Putnam County Business Council

Bars and Restaurants Must Close From 10pm to 5am — Gatherings Limited to 10 People

Unfortunately, COVID is raging nationally, setting record numbers of cases and hospitalizations each day. Yesterday, there were 148,302 new COVID cases in the United States—nearly doubling the number from November 1st. The fall surge is here.
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Yesterday, we announced new actions to slow the spread. Starting Friday, November 13th, any establishment with a state liquor license, including bars and restaurants, must close in-person service daily from 10pm to 5am (this excludes takeout and delivery). Gyms and fitness centers must also close at 10pm. Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people, also starting tomorrow evening. We have seen that small, indoor gatherings are a major source of spread.
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Once again, it’s up to what we do. What happens next is a pure consequence of our actions now. I know it has been a long hard time, but these next weeks are going to be crucial and we need people to buckle down to fend off the worst. If there is a time to show that we are New York Tough, it’s now.

Putnam’s positivity rates on COVID-19 tests rise above 5%

Putnam County saw positivity rates on COVID-19 tests above 5% Monday and Tuesday, the first time since May 21 and 22 the county reached that mark on back-to-back days.
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The positivity rate was 5.13% Monday and 5.41% Tuesday, according to the state tracker. Between Sunday and Tuesday, the county recorded 82 new cases. Sunday’s positivity rate was slightly lower at 4.51%.
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In a statement, Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Nesheiwat said health department officials are “concerned, but not surprised” to see the numbers rising post-Halloween and as colder weather moves in. County officials have pointed to social gatherings as a main cause for the significant uptick of cases.
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Read the full article HERE

The Hudson Valley needs 5G digital infrastructure to support its future success

With the coronavirus pandemic shining a bright light on the importance of online access, one fact has been made clear: the digital divide is painfully real.
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Online access is essential. It is the key to success in our increasingly virtual world. But it is out of reach for more than 160 million Americans — including many here in our own community — who lack access to high-speed internet access, curtailing their ability to participate in remote learning and telehealth, or to work and socialize from the safety of their homes.
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New York policymakers must recognize this new reality and work to deliver affordable, accessible, high-speed connectivity across the state, especially among the Hudson Valley’s minority, low-income, and rural regions to ensure we are connected, competitive, and, most of all, secure.
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Read the full article HERE

SBA director offers advice for small businesses considering PPP forgiveness

The Paycheck Protection Program’s application period ended in August, but it is far from over. Months of processing forgiveness applications still lie ahead for the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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The SBA has never had a year like 2020. (Who has?) It moved quickly to help businesses during the pandemic. It approved more than 5.2 million PPP loans totaling $525 billion. As of Oct. 19, the SBA had approved more than 3.6 million Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling nearly $192 billion.
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There were about 129,300 PPP loans, totaling $12.29 billion, approved in North Carolina. More than 90,000 EIDLs, totaling $4.25 billion, have been approved in this state.
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Read the full article HERE

Ticketmaster exploring negative COVID-19 test or vaccination to attend concerts

Wallet? Check. Water? Check. COVID-19 test?
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The pre-concert checklist for music fans is about to get more complicated, as Ticketmaster is planning to check the coronavirus vaccination status of concert-goers prior to shows once a treatment is approved, Billboard reported Wednesday.
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The ticketing giant plans to have customers use their cellphones to verify their inoculation or whether they’ve tested negative for the virus within a 24- to 72-hour window, according to the exclusive report.
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Read the full article HERE

COVID-19 News & Updates

The statewide positivity rate is just below 3 percent. 
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In the micro-cluster focus areas, the positivity rate was 4.86 percent. Excluding these areas, it was 2.53 percent. Of the 162,627 tests reported yesterday, 4,797, or 2.95 percent, were positive. Total hospitalizations were at 1,677. Sadly, we lost 29 New Yorkers to the virus.
corona virusNew York continues to take action to address the micro-cluster across the state.
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Based on data metrics, Port Chester’s yellow zone will transition to an orange warning zone. We also announced new yellow precautionary zones in Staten Island and Tioga County. The yellow precautionary zone in Steuben County has been removed.
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Maps of the existing cluster zones are available here. 
In just one week, New York has conducted an additional one million tests. 
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To date, New York has conducted over 16 million tests and we continue to lead the nation in testing.
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Find a testing site near you.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade announced the performers for its virtual celebration. 
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The celebration will be broadcast nationwide this year on Thanksgiving morning but due to the pandemic, there will be no audience. The parade will also forgo the annual procession to avoid large crowds but will feature performances from Dolly Parton, the Muppets, the cast of Hamilton and more.