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Supporting Downtown Businesses
Please use this page as a resource to stay up-to-date on how to engage with and support Downtown Syracuse businesses, access business resources, and find links to COVID-19 information.
WHAT'S OPEN?
Downtown's museums are open for safe, socially distanced visits. Fitness facilities also offer online classes, interactive and educational videos and more. Check back here often, as regulations and guidelines continue to evolve. If you have anything you'd like us to include, please send us a note at mail@DowntownSyracuse.com and/or tag us on social media! We will continue to share updates with you across our social media platforms. If you aren't already doing so, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Businesses: Use the hashtag, #SmartStepsSYR to share what you're doing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
BUSINESS RESOURCES:
For information on current guidelines, re-opening requirements, financial programs and free business assistance, please click on the headers below. We update this information regularly, as more resources become available.
UPDATES ON REGULATIONS
The following websites are helpful resources to stay up-to-date with the latest protocols and guidance:
New York Forward: Find the latest information on New York State's micro-cluster strategy, maps and restrictions by cluster zone, hot spot lookups, and reopening guidelines by industry.
New York State Governor's Office Pressroom: This is a resource for COVID-19 news and information.
New York State Empire State Development COVID-19 Related Resources: This includes business FAQs and updated guidance on what constitutes as "Essential Businesses."
New York State Liquor Authority: Find updated State Liquor Authority guidance, including guidance on to-go and delivery alcohol sales.
New York State Department of Health: Here, you'll find extensive information including New York State's COVID-19 tracker, testing sites, disinfecting and cleaning protocols, travel advisories and more.
New York State Department of Labor: File unemployment insurance claims.
Onondaga County: This is a resource for updates at the county level, including recent news releases, data, reports and business compliant forms.
City of Syracuse: This is a resource for policies relevant to the City of Syracuse.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Paycheck Protection Program has reopened for certain borrowers, authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021. Community financial institutions (such as CDFIs) were able to make First Draw PPP Loans, starting January 11. On Wednesday, January 13, certain existing PPP borrowers were able to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. Other lenders will be able to accept applications for new First Draw PPP Loans at a date soon to be announced.
Key PPP updates include:
- PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
- PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
- The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
- The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
- Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
- Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
For more information, visit sba.gov/ppp or treasury.gov/cares.
Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program: Small businesses with 50 (FTEs) or fewer employees in the City of Syracuse are eligible for grants between $2,500 and $10,000. Eligible purchases include: Outdoor equipment, indoor equipment to optimize social distancing, technology systems for e-commerce or online ordering, HVAC upgrades, take-out supplies, sanitizing supplies and equipment, and marketing and advertising to promote online and takeout options. Click here to apply.
Onondaga County Outdoor Dining Program: Restaurants that invest in outdoor dining equipment - such as tents or heaters - will be eligible for matching grants. Grants will reimburse up to $5,000 of qualified expenditures. Click here to apply.
New York Forward Loan Fund: The New York Forward Loan Fund provides maximum loans of $100,000, with interest rates of 2-3% and a five-year repayment term. Click here for more information about the New York Forward Loan Fund.
Small Business Adminstration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides small businesses and nonprofits with low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help overcome other financial losses due to COVID-19. Click here for more information on how to apply.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE
New York State Empire State Development: Do you have questions regarding New York State rules and regulations, including Executive Orders? Reach out by clicking here.
United States Chamber of Commerce: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has compiled strategic advice and informational resources for small businesses during the coronavirus.
Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) continues to offer services for current and new clients via phone, email and video chat.
WISE Women's Business Center: WISE is offering 1:1 Business Counseling to help you strategize as businesses rethink operations. Reach out to wisecenter@syr.edu to schedule an appointment.
SCORE Syracuse: SCORE Syracuse is offering free business mentoring from one of the organization's volunteer-experienced business owners. Click here to sign-up for the service.
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE
Inc. continues to compile a growing list of small business resources; the link is provided here.
In addition to statewide guidance for certain industries, several organizations have released industry-specific guidance for business owners to consider in developing reopening plans:
Childcare:
Construction:
- OSHA Guidance for the Construction Industry
- AIHA Guidance for Returning to Work in the Construction Environment
Dentistry:
Entertainment:
Fitness:
Hair & Nail Salons:
Museums:
- American Alliance of Museums: Resource Guide on Reopening and sample reopening plans
Offices:
- OSHA Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces
- Cushman Wakefield/Pyramid Brokerage How-To Guide for Reopening the Workplace
- AIHA Guidance for General Office Settings
- AIHA Guidance for Business Services (Banks, Notaries, Title Companies, etc.)
Restaurants and Bars:
- The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) is providing free online COVID-19 content, including webinars and reopening resources. To receive NYSRA’s weekday email update, please email info@nysra.org. Click here to print "The New York Restaurant Promise,” outlining safety expectations for employees and guests.
UPDATED: COVID-19 Safe Operating Guidance
Streetsense Toolkit for Reopening Bars & Restaurants
- ServSafe Takeout has provided free training videos
- CDC Restaurant and Bars Decision Tool
- Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association
- AIHA Reopening Guidance for the Bar Industry
- AIHA Reopening Guidance for the Restaurant Industry
- Restaurant Workers Community Foundation
Retail:
- OSHA Guidance for Retail Workers and Employers
- National Retail Federation's Operation Open Doors: Path to Reopen Retail
- AIHA Guidance for the Retail Industry
Worship:
Additional Statewide Guidance for certain commercial and recreational activities is provided here.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
We’ve been working with government leaders and industry experts to compile news and information to help Downtown Syracuse business owners with reopening.
To review previous topics, please click on the links below:
- August 26: Looking Ahead
- August 19: New York State Reopening "Cheat Sheet"
- August 12: State and Local Funding Opportunities
- August 5: Time for a Tune Up?
- July 29: Funding Alert, New Permit Process
- July 22: SLA Rules, Walton Street Retail & More
- July 14: Good News Edition
- July 8: Small Steps, Big Impacts
- July 1: Consumer Confidence
- June 24: Phase Four Preview and Last Call for PPP
- June 17: NYS Reopening Requirements
- June 10: Phase Three and PPP Updates
- June 3: Outdoor Dining, Retail, Salons and Offices Reopening
- May 27: Adapting & Preparing
- May 20: Cultivating Consumer Confidence
- May 13: Preparing to Reopen
- May 6: Get Your Business Online
- May 1: Grant Opportunity for Minority & Women-Owned Businesses
- April 29: Industry Strategies for Reopening
- April 22: Free Webinars
- April 15: What Your Peers are Saying
- April 8: Business Resources
- April 1: Financial Resources
- March 27: Resource Alert for Small Businesses
- March 25: COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 RESOURCES:
As reopening guidance continues to take shape, the New York State Governor's Office and New York State Department of Health are valuable resources to stay up-to-date.
Locally, Onondaga County is a helpful informational resource. County Executive Ryan McMahon and county leaders host live stream updates via Facebook and the Onondaga County website. The Onondaga County Health Department has compiled a list of FAQs, accessible by scrolling halfway down on this provided link. A list of vaccination sites, as well as testing sites - for asymptomatic and symptomatic neighbors - and information to schedule appointments is provided here.
If you're experiencing flu-like symptoms, please call your healthcare provider. Additional resources about COVID-19 symptoms are provided through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization.