We are updating information, as we receive it from our local office and governing branches.
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Essential Businesses Open
AS OF 3/25/2020 7:00pm
Anticipating Financial Assistance?
Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, seeing a decrease in sales up to 25 percent or more will be eligible for zero interest loans up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
The City of New York is also offering eligible small businesses with fewer than five employees a grant to cover 40 percent of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.
“Our agency is prepared to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation, “ said Clarence Stanley, executive director of Small Business Development Center at Lehman College’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies, “and provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.”
The 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 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent.
Since 1987, the Bronx SBDC has worked directly with 18,183 small businesses, helping invest $169,095,506 in the area's economy, and create 6,102 jobs.
Interested business owners may call 718-960-8806
The Bronx Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Lehman College Is open and ready to help local businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) with financial aid loans and grants.
If you are interested in an SBA loan, apply here.
For additional information, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
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Essential Businesses Defined
Guidance on essential services under the executive order is as follows:
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES OR ENTITIES, including any for profit or non-profit, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure, are not subject to the in-person restriction.
(Essential Businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health).
This guidance is issued by the New York State Department of Economic Development d/b/a Empire State Development and applies to each business location individually and is intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and steps to request such designation. With respect to business or entities that operate or provide both essential and non-essential services, supplies or support, only those lines and/or business operations that are necessary to support the essential services, supplies, or support are exempt from the restrictions.
For purposes of Executive Order 202.6, "Essential Business," means:
1. Essential Health Care Operations, Including:
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research and laboratory services
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hospitals
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walk-in-care health facilities
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emergency veterinary and livestock services
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elder care
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medical wholesale and distribution
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home health care workers or aides for the elderly
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doctor and emergency dental
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nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
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medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers
2. Essential Infrastructure, Including:
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utilities including power generation, fuel supply and transmission
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public water and wastewater
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telecommunications and data centers
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airports/airlines
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transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages
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hotels, and places of accommodation
3. Essential Manufacturing, Including:
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food processing, manufacturing agents, including all foods and beverages
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chemicals
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medical equipment/instruments
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pharmaceuticals
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sanitary products
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telecommunications
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microelectronics/semi-conductor
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agriculture/farms
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household paper products
4. Essential Retail, Including:
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grocery stores including all food and beverage stores
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pharmacies
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convenience stores
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farmer's markets
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gas stations
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restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)
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hardware and building material stores
5. Essential Services, Including:
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trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal
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mail and shipping services
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laundromats
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building cleaning and maintenance
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child care services
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auto repair
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warehouse/distribution and fulfillment
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funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
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storage for essential businesses
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animal shelters
6. News Media
7. Financial Institutions, Including:
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banks
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insurance
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payroll
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accounting
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services related to financial markets
8. Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations, Including:
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homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
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food banks
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human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support
9. Construction, Including:
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skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers
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other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
10. Defense
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defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government
11. Essential Services Necessary to Maintain the Safety, Sanitation and Essential Operations of Residences or Other Essential Businesses, Including:
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law enforcement
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fire prevention and response
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building code enforcement
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security
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emergency management and response
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building cleaners or janitors
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general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
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automotive repair
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disinfection
12. Vendors that Provide Essential Services or Products, Including Logistics and Technology Support, Child Care and Services:
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logistics
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technology support for online services
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child care programs and services
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government owned or leased buildings
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essential government services
If the function of your business is not listed above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request designation as an essential business.
Houses of worship are not ordered closed however it is strongly recommended no congregate services be held and social distance maintained.
Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet.
Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function as described above, should only be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance.
To request designation as an essential business, please click here.
Restrictions on requesting designation as an essential business:
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Any business that only has a single occupant/employee (i.e. gas station) has been deemed exempt and need not submit a request to be designated as an essential business.
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Businesses ordered to close on Monday, March 15, 2020 under the restrictions on any gathering with 50 or more participants, including but not limited to, bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, casinos, auditoriums, concerts, conferences, worship services, sporting events, and physical fitness centers, are presumed to be compliant with NYS issued restrictions and must remain closed and are not eligible for designation as an essential business for purposes of this guidance.