Visit Buffalo Niagara: Message to Industry Partners

Visit Buffalo Niagara: A Message to Our Industry Partners

We received information this morning from Ross Levi, Executive Director and Vice President from I LOVE NY regarding Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order which ensures uniform safety of everyone and new guidelines for social distancing. It also includes language regarding the closure of non-essential businesses effective 8pm on Sunday, March 22. Information on the plan may be found at www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-new-york-state-pause-executive-order.

Hotels and places of accommodation have been specified as essential businesses and are exempt from the requirement of having 100% of their employees work from home.

For more details, please go to esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026.

NYS is currently assessing options to mitigate hardships to NYS businesses, and Empire State Development has recently created a portal with resources for businesses to submit comments and questions as well as an FAQ sheet for businesses impacted by COVID-19 to provide guidance during these uncertain times. These are available at esd.ny.gov/esd-covid-19-related-resources.

Following Governor Cuomo’s formal request to the federal government for disaster relief, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) will be issuing Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses across NYS that have been impacted by COVID-19. 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 help overcome temporary loss of revenue.

For more information on SBA assistance, visit esd.ny.gov/resource-guide-covid-19-sba-disaster-loans and www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources.

While NYS does not administer these loans or ensure eligibility, it is important that should you apply, keep clear records of losses and make sure to have prior year statements as a reference point. We are attaching a handout with more information on SBA loans and process which you may find helpful.

Know that the State is working hard on your behalf to get you through this crisis. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Patrick J. Kaler
President & CEO