COVID-19 Business Resources

CenterState CEO is actively identifying financial resources and tools available to employers, employees, and community partners, as well as other information of importance for businesses.

FEDERAL

USDA Rural Development - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

REAP was allocated $2 billion through the federal Inflation Reduction Act to provide grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements through 2031. Of these funds, $1.05 billion will be granted in FY 2023 and FY 2024 through six quarterly competitions, with the first deadline of June 30, 2023. Maximum grant awards have been increased to $500,000 for energy efficiency projects and $1 million for renewable energy systems, and the federal share was raised to 50% for all energy efficiency and zero-emission renewable energy projects, as well as all projects in designated energy communities and submitted by eligible tribal entities. For additional details, changes to the program, and information about how to apply, click here.

SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal - now open

While the PPP program ended on May 31, 2021, SBA has launched a streamlined application process to more easily apply for loan forgiveness. Borrowers with PPP loans of less than $!50,000 through participating lenders will be able to apply directly to SBA for forgiveness through this new portal found at https://directforgiveness.sba.gov. Lenders are required to opt-in to this program using the portal. In addition to the platform, the SBA is standing up a PPP customer service team to answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applications: (877) 552-2692, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST.

SBA Launches Supplemental Targeted Advance for Small Businesses Hardest Hit by COVID-19

1/1/22 update: Declined Targeted EIDL Advance applicants may submit one request for reevaluation. The deadline for reevaluation requests is February 15, 2022. For more information, click here.

11/19/21 update: the EIDL loan and Targeted Advanced programs now have an application deadline of December 31, 2021. Applications submitted by the deadline will be processed beyond the deadline until funds are exhausted. However, SBA cannot process Supplemental Targeted Advance applications after December 31, 2021 due to legal requirements, therefore, the agency strongly suggests submitting these applications as soon as possible or by December 10, 2021. Additional updates include:

•Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest

•SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31 if the reconsideration/appeal is received 6 months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available. 

For further information, click here.

On April 22, the SBA launched a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance – called Supplemental Targeted Advances –  that will provide $5 billion in additional assistance to 1 million small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been most severely affected by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective April 22, the SBA modified the Targeted EIDL Advance application process to determine if businesses also qualify for the additional $5,000 Supplemental Targeted Advance.  SBA will contact eligible business entities to apply and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify for the Supplemental Targeted Advance, an eligible business entity must be in a low-income community, suffered greater than 50 percent economic loss, and have 10 or fewer employees. For details click here. Eligible entities can email questions about the SBA Targeted EIDL Advance and Supplemental Targeted Advance to TargetedAdvance@sba.gov.

SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) - new program changes

Provides economic relief in the form of loans to businesses and nonprofits to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Sept. 8, 2021, changess to the program include: 

• Increasing the loan cap from $500,000 to $2 million (existing loans can be increased up to this new cap)

• Allowing for funds to be applied to payment and prepayment of commercial debt and regularly scheduled payments of federal debt

• Automatic deferment of loan payments to 24 months for new loans (existing loans will be extended to 24 months)

• Affiliation requirement simplified (an affiliate is considered a business someone controls or has at least 50% ownership)

• Adjusted the program size standards for businesses in industries most affected by the pandemic

• Created a maximum cap of $10 million on corporate groups

From Sept. 8, 2021 to Oct. 8, 2021, the above policy changes were applicable to applications for under $500,000. On Oct. 8, 2021, SBA began processing applications for over $500,000 with the policy changes.

Rates are 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits, both over a 30 year term. Loan funds can be used to cover normal operating expenses (e.g. payroll, rent, inventory, commercial and federal debt) and working capital. Program details, timeline, eligibility, and additional guidelines can be found here. An informational document about the program can be found here. Program is extended through Dec. 31, 2021.

Federal Reserve Board: Main Street Lending Program

This program is extended to January 8, 2021 only for those applications submitted by December 14, 2020; otherwise the program is closed to new applicants. The Main Street Lending Program seeks to support the flow of credit to small- and medium-size businesses, as well as nonprofits with at least 10 employees, with that were in sound financial condition before COVID-19. Businesses with up to 15,000 employees or up to $5 billion in annual revenue are eligible; minimum loan size is $500,000. Learn more about the loans available under the program here.

Employee Retention Credit (ERC) - Program Updates

Through the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the ERC is now available to employers who receive, or have received, a PPP loan and, through the American Rescue Plan Act, has been extended through the end of Q1 and Q2 of 2021. Additional program updates through both the CAA and ARP include:

• Credit has increased to 70% of qualified wages
• Maximum credit per employee for each quarter has increased to $7,000
• Definition of small employer has expanded to include businesses with 500 employees or fewer
• Extends the availability of Paid Leave Credits through September 2021 for small and midsize businesses that offer paid leave to employees who may take leave due to illness, quarantine, or caregiving. Businesses can take dollar-for-dollar tax credits equal to wages of up to $5,000 if they offer paid leave to employees who are sick or quarantining.  For guidance, click here.

SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) - new program changes

1/1/22 update: SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31 if the reconsideration/appeal is received six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available. Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest. For more information, click here.

Provides economic relief in the form of loans to businesses and nonprofits to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Sept. 8, 2021, changes to the program include: 

• Increasing the loan cap from $500,000 to $2 million (existing loans can be increased up to this new cap)

• Allowing for funds to be applied to payment and prepayment of commercial debt and regularly scheduled payments of federal debt

• Automatic deferment of loan payments to 24 months for new loans (existing loans will be extended to 24 months)

• Affiliation requirement simplified (an affiliate is considered a business someone controls or has at least 50% ownership)

• Adjusted the program size standards for businesses in industries most affected by the pandemic

• Created a maximum cap of $10 million on corporate groups

From Sept. 8, 2021 to Oct. 8, 2021, the above policy changes will be applicable to applications for under $500,000. Beginning October 8, 2021, SBA will process applications for over $500,000 with the policy changes.

Rates are 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits, both over a 30 year term. Loan funds can be used to cover normal operating expenses (e.g. payroll, rent, inventory, commercial and federal debt) and working capital. Program details, timeline, eligibility, and additional guidelines can be found here. An informational document about the program can be found here. Program is extended through Dec. 31, 2021.

STATE

NYS Surety Bond Assistance Program

The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is expanding this program with $22 million in additional funding. This program is designed to assist small or MWBE contractors gain access to surety bonds. It provides contractors with no cost guarantees of up to 30% or $600,000 (whichever is less) on a bond line or individual contract bid bonds and payment/performance bonds. Contractors will be responsible for paying surety company bond premium charges. Eligibility includes:

• Must be a New York State small business or MWBE with at least two years of business operations. 

• Maximum bond line or project size generally is $2 million. 

• Minimum average gross revenue of $400,000 in each of the last two fiscal or calendar years and maximum gross revenue generally not to exceed $5 million in the most recent calendar or fiscal year. 

• Minimum credit score of 600. 

• Previous experience completing similar work to the contract opportunity being pursued.

For additional information and how to apply, click here.

NYS Contractor Financing Program

Funded through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), this program provides $22 million for loan loss reserves to incentivize lending intermediaries to create access to capital to support New York State contractors with revenues up to $5 million and fewer than 100 employees. Loans can support working capital, improvement machinery and equipment, or other related costs required to execute those contracts. Loans are in the form of lines of credit or managed lines of credit and terms typically include loans of up to $500,000 and loan periods under 18 months. Lenders may require collateral or other guarantees from the borrower if applicable. 

For additional information and how to apply, click here.

COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program

This state program provides a tax credit to small businesses to cover a range of operational costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, from structural changes and building upgrades to health-related supplies and materials. New York State small businesses with 100 employees or less and gross receipts of less than $2.5 million are eligible to receive a tax credit covering 50% of qualifying expenses up to $50,000, for a maximum tax credit of $25,000. At least $2,000 of qualifying expenses must have occurred between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022 and all expenses must be paid for on or before March 31, 2023. This program is operated on a first-come, first-served basis and is open through March 31, 2023. For more information and to apply, click here.

NYS Tourism Return-to-Work Grant Program - opening soon

Grants available to help support employment growth among for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations that attract and support tourism and suffered economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a financial incentive and financial assistance to hire workers. Businesses and organizations will be eligible for grants of up to $5,000 per net new full-time employee increase, and up to $2,500 per net new part-time employee increase during 2022. Employment increases will be based on total employment and not specific individual employees. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2023. For more information including how to apply, click here.

Upcoming NYS Financial Relief for Small Businesses Programs

The New York State 2021–22 Executive Budget passed in March includes $1 billion in financial relief for small businesses. Aside from the $800M Small Business Recovery Grant Program, there are three additional programs that will be opening relevant to stakeholders in our region:

• $25 million for the Restaurant Resiliency Program: grants to restaurants providing free meals to  economically disadvantaged individuals in economically distressed communities to cover their operational and material costs of meal preparation, provisions, and delivery.  

• $40 million to Arts & Cultural Organizations: grants for nonprofit individual artists, arts professionals, and arts and cultural  organizations institutions for operating costs, mortgage/rent, equipment, and other related costs. To be administered by the New York State Council on the Art (NYSCA).

NY Department of Labor Shared Work Program

Designed to help businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Learn more here.

LOCAL/REGIONAL

SEDCO ARPA Small Business Lending Programs - Round 2

The Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has opened Round 2 to provide financial support to Syracuse small businesses affected by the economic challenges and hardships since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. This program has three subprograms:

• Micro-enterprise Assistance: For business with 10 or fewer employees in an industry or location that has experienced economic hardship. Offers forgivable, two-year loans of up to $5,000 at 2% interest.

• Small Business Assistance: For business with 50 or less employees that have experienced a decline in sales and/or are located in an ARPA-eligible census tract. Offers (unforgivable) five-year loans of up to $25,000 at 3%- 5% interest rate (some micro-businesses may qualify for partial loan forgiveness)

• The Community Impact Fund: For businesses or development entities making capital investment resulting in renovation or other physical real estate improvements. Offers (unforgivable), 15-year loans of up to $200,000 at 3% - 5% interest rate.

Qualifying expenses and purchases may include but are not limited to capital upgrades, equipment or machinery, technology or vendor support systems, supplies and inventory, and pre-development expenses. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more details and information about how to apply, click here.

Oswego County COVID-19 Emergency Relief Program
Eligible applicants are commercial, for-profit entities that own or manage a business with fewer than 50 employees and are located within Oswego County. Interest-free emergency loans of up to $10,000 with 180-day terms are available to support operations and employment directly impacted by COVID-19. Learn more here and here. Application located here.

Cortland County Business Development Corporation COVID-19 Business Assistance Loan
Cortland County is still offering business assistance loans from $10,000 to $25,000 for those engaged in business for profit and conducting, or proposing to conduct, business in Cortland County. Learn more here and here. Application located here.

COMMUNITY FUNDS, FOUNDATIONS, NONPROFIT & OTHER SUPPORT

United Way of Cayuga County COVID-19/Coronavirus Response Fund

The Cayuga Community Fund is partnering with United Way of Cayuga County to support organizations serving Cayuga County residents through a Cayuga County COVID-19 Fund. The mini-grant program is designed as a flexible short-term response fund to provide relief for a variety of unexpected costs. The first round of grants will support front-line community-based nonprofits that have seen increased demand for services due to the coronavirus outbreak. Learn more and apply.

Oswego County COVID-19 Fund / Cayuga County COVID-19 Fund / Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund

The CNY Community Foundation’s affiliate funds joined forces with local partners to provide assistance to organizations working with residents who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. To learn more and apply, click here. 

NATIONAL

Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator

Amazon is committing $150 million “to drive economic equity for Black entrepreneurs, providing them with resources to thrive as entrepreneurs and business leaders.” In partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency, this initiative provides financial support, business education and mentorship, and marketing and promotion of brands and products as third-party sellers in Amazon’s store. Financial assistance includes Amazon services and credits valued at $3,900. For more information, click here.

The Barstool Fund

Barstool Sports has created the Barstool Fund in support of the 30 Day Fund to help small businesses survive. Small business owners must still be paying their employees and explain what the funds would be used for, such as paying bills or employees. For more information click here. To apply click here.

Berkshire Bank ReevxLabs

A new online resource hub, ReevxLabs.com, provides resources for emerging entrepreneurs, artists and small nonprofit organizations. The Labs target support to the underbanked and feature free co-working sites and financial resources.

Radical Xchange Charitable gifts for Black Mental Health Relief (assistance for hospitality workers)

Radical Xchange and Another Round, Another Rally have partnered together to provide Mental health relief to Black hospitality workers in need. This fund is specifically to support Black Hospitality workers living in the US. Hospitality workers, for the purpose of this grant, include anyone working, front or back of the house, in a bar, restaurant, cafe, brewery, wine shop/ winery, or popup events dealing with food and beverage, food preparation, and food service. For more information and to apply click here.

Partnership for Community Development Rural Business Technology Grants

$1,000 to $10,000 grants designed to use technology to help farm- and forestry-based businesses grow. Eligible projects will incorporate new technology into your business model to assist with logistics and marketing. Open to farm- and forestry-based businesses in the towns of Hamilton, Lebanon, Eaton, Madison, and Brookfield, and the villages of Hamilton, Earlville, Madison, and Morrisville. Preference will be given to businesses within 10 miles of the Village of Hamilton. Applications due January 27, 2021 at 4pm. For more information and the application click here.

SOGAL Black Founder Startup Grants
$5,000 and $10,000 grants for Black women-owned and Black nonbinary-owned entrepreneurs. Grantees will also receive “tactical help navigating the fundraising environment at large so that they will have a more equitable opportunity at scaling the next billion-dollar idea’ and “lifetime ‘ask-me-anything’ access to the SoGal Foundation and SoGal Ventures teams.” More information here. Grantees are chosen at random each month after filling out a quick application here.

Requirements to qualify:

• self-identify as a Black woman or Black nonbinary entrepreneur (inclusive of multiracial Black women and multiracial Black nonbinary folks)
• have a legally registered business
• plan to seek investor financing to scale, now or in the future
• have a scalable, high-impact solution or idea with the ambition to be the next billion-dollar business.

Kiva
Kiva provides up to $15,000 in zero percent-interest loans for small businesses through their crowdsourcing platform. Learn more about the program here.

Open Road Alliance
Their mission is to provide one-time grants and loans to nonprofits and social enterprises experiencing unexpected external roadblocks, helping to keep their impact on track. For COVID-19 related funding, Open Road has put in place specific criteria and guidelines separate from their regular guidelines. Click here for more information.

Accion Opportunity Fund: Small Business Relief Fund
This fund provides struggling businesses with loans between $5,000 to $100,000 and technical assistance for financial, tax, marketing and legal support through partner Opportunity Fund. For more information or to fill out an application, click here.

Small Business Grants for Minorities
A listing of funding opportunities and grant applications available to minority small business owners, including grants for Indigenous People, women, and rural businesses.

Quick Links

• NYS Governor Cuomo Executive Orders
• ESD COVID-19-RELATED RESOURCES
• ESD GUIDANCE FOR DETERMINING IF A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IS SUBJECT TO A WORKFORCE REDUCTION UNDER RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDERS (Essential Business Guidance)

Operational Resources & Guidance

• OSHA Revised Enforcement Policies for Coronavirus
• NYS Dept. of Health Guidelines for Employers and Employees
• NYS Dept. of Health Protocols for Essential Personnel to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
• EEOC Guidance on Pandemic Preparedness and the ADA
• CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Information Page

Workforce & Individual Resources

• NYS Apply for unemployment insurance
• NYS Step-by-step process to file an unemployment insurance claim online
• IRS Filing and Payment Deadline Questions & Answers

Additional COVID-19 Informational Resources

• Onondaga County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Page
• NYS Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page
• Johns Hopkins - Coronavirus Disease 2019 vs. the Flu
• Johns Hopkins - Real-time COVID-19 Global Tracking & Interactive Dashboard
• CDC Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

CenterState CEO members are responding in an extraordinary ways, whether by stepping up to offer products and services most in need, adapting their business models in new and creative ways in the face of challenges, or offering products and services to support fellow local businesses and the community.*

Member Services & Resources

• Oswego Health offers patients telemedicine option for access to care.
• Pharmacies across New York state are offering free home delivery of medications during the coronavirus pandemic, including CEO members: Kinney Drugs, Inc.; Tops Markets; Walmart; and Wegmans.
• CenterState CEO member restaurants and eateries continue to offer take-out and curbside pick-up options. Please support these CenterState CEO members and other local businesses through our organizational partners: CenterState CEO Restaurant Members | Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce | Northside UP | Downtown Committee of Syracuse | Visit Syracuse
  
• Onondaga County Public Libraries offer free outdoor Wi-Fi during coronavirus pandemic.
• AECC Environmental Consulting offers COVID-19 decontamination plans, oversight and verification testing.
• Hammerback Media is offering a free marketing strategy review session to all local businesses. They will review your existing efforts and offer simple tips and advice your business can act on today to save money and increase effectiveness. You can find out more here. 
• Nationally ranked Top 50 CPA firm The Bonadio Group will be hosting a series of free webinars to assist individuals with the SBA Disaster Relief Loan Program application process and provide updates for Senate Bill 3548 (which includes expanded eligibility and loan forgiveness for amounts used to fund payroll).
• Fidelis Care can answer your questions and help you enroll in health insurance or renew your coverage by phone. You can also visit fideliscare.org and click on Get Coverage.
• Bonadio Group is assisting businesses with tax filing relief and completing SEDCO loan applications and US SBA Disaster Loan applications. 
• Delaney Worldwideoffers virtual home surveys to customers preparing to move.

• Centro offers free rides to everyone throughout its entire system, including Call-A-Bus services.

• I Heart Oswego and Step One Creative compiled a comprehensive list of restaurants with curb-side and/or delivery service in Oswego, Fulton, Hannibal and Mexico.
• Wired Telcom LLC offers free IT services.
• Courtyard & Residence Inn Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square is offering discounted rates for those who are seeking isolation quarters. For discounted rates please reach out to either hotel directly.
• The Central New York Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, the Allyn Foundation and United Way of Central New York, established a COVID-19 Community Support Fund to support nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Find volunteer opportunities to assist with the COVID-19 situation in Onondaga County by contacting the United Way of Central New York at www.volunteercny.org.
• Northland Communications offers free software-based phones, video conferencing to help local businesses implement teleworking technology plans.
• M.A. Polce is offering a free 90-day trial of Cisco Webex to existing and new customers to help them work remotely.

Member News

• SUNY Oswego creates ventilator connectors for Oswego Health.
• Pinckney Hugh Group creates inspiring “For Syracuse” video during pandemic.
• Cleanstart Systems / Xyfection is the only company in Upstate New York that has been providing electrostatic disinfection services prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport secures nearly $13 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding as the facility reports a 47% passenger traffic decline in March compared to a year ago.
• Greek Peak Mountain Resort transforms their lodge into a mini grocery store, delivers meals in dinosaur costumes (with social distancing), and provided the Guthrie Clinic with masks and gloves from the ski patrol.
• CNY Ronald McDonald House temporarily opens doors to front-line health care professionals from Upstate University Hospital.
• RAV Properties donates warehouse space to Abundant Life Church’s food boxing operations.
• Volunteers from the United Way of CNY assist Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. at a free dairy drive-through at Destiny USA.
• M&T Bank donates $150,000 to relief funds targeting nonprofits in Mohawk Valley and Central New York.
• Oswego Health sets up tent as new entrance to ER. Oswego Health assists skilled nursing facilities with their preparedness of COVID-19.
• Northland Communications offers secure, local, free alternative to Zoom.
• The Nurse Connection Staffing has staff available for employee health screenings.
• Workers at Barnes and Cone, Inc. lined Court Street Road in Syracuse with about 320 American flags to bring joy during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Local startup Eco-Baggeez donates nearly 325,000 earth-friendly alternative to plastic sandwich bags to 34 schools, The Samaritan Center and The Salvation Army amid COVID-19.
• Tessy Plastics to create 200 jobs, make 5-minute coronavirus test kits in Auburn.
• SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus offers Chenango County use of UV unit to sterilize PPE during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Secure Network Technologies pivots to attack response; develops Network Intrusion Response Vehicle to combat ransomware attacks.
• The Summit Federal Credit Union will install updated ATMs at all locations in 2020.
• Upstate Medical University sends a third group of nurses to Long Island to battle COVID-19 for a total of 55 health care workers.
• Wegmans rolls out new way to scan and bag groceries as you shop.
• M&T Bank donates $25,000 to Broome County COVID-19 Relief Fund.

• Excellus BlueCross BlueShield waives COVID-19 cost sharing.
• Museum of Science & Technology offers sensory friendly at-home learning.
• SUNY Oswego, CITI BOCES, Exelon, and Novelis partner to manufacture protective face shields.
• PREVAIL NY by JMA offers free, open-source emergency mechanical ventilation system blueprints to all manufacturers.
• Canfield & Tack offers complimentary COVID-19 signs to help educate employees and protect businesses.
• SUNY Morrisville distributes free milk, cheese and yogurt at dairy drive-through to support families and farmers.
• Mohawk Valley Community College donates ventilators and supplies for COVID-19 fight.
• Upstate University Hospital sends more than 40 nurses and supplies to Long Island hospital to help fight COVID-19.
• Home HeadQuarters offers grants for home repairs to out-of-work Onondaga County residents.
• Wegmans limits shoppers in stores, starts employee temperature checks.
• Crouse Health and St. Joseph’s Health slash coronavirus test result wait times.
• MRB Group has been selected as part of a team to advise Empire State Development Corporation on New York’s strategy to reboot the New York economy in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
• Loretto expands its telehealth program to all residents and PACE-CNY participants.
• Syracuse Crunch donate sanitation machines to help Upstate University Hospital fight coronavirus.

• Madison County manufacturer, Marquardt Switches, joins CNY companies in the fight against COVID-19 with switches for medical applications.
• Anaren/TTM Technologies coordinates with CenterState CEO to donate 5,000 masksto Crouse Health, Upstate Medical University, Oneida Health, the Onondaga County Medical Society (for primary care practices) and Loretto.
• The United Way of CNY announces its partner, Dolly Parton, is providing families a 10-week Bedtime Story series at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
• Lockheed Martin donates facilities and aircraft in COVID-19 response plan.
• Blink Fitness donates its cleaning supplies to CNY businesses on the front line, including the Salvation Army and Family Care Medical Group, among others.
• A new initiative, An Unexpected Voyage: COVID-19, works with local hospitals and several CEO member restaurants: Apizza Regionale, Kitty Hoynes, Pastabilities, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Glazed and Confused, among others, to collect donations from people who would like to help feed hospital workers.
• Syracuse University, Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College donates pallets of toilet paper to Onondaga County’s program helping seniors, emergency workers, hospital staff and others during the pandemic.
• Le Moyne College's chemistry department donates 10,000 pairs of examination gloves to St. Joseph’s Health. Blessed Sacrament School, in Syracuse, donates masks.
• Foster Funeral Homes in Fulton and Hannibal offers drive-by calling hours.
• Onondaga Community College Foundation creates Lazer Response Fund to assist students impacted by coronavirus.
• Mercy Works partners with Abundant Life Christian Center to feed Syracuse students for two weekends. Additional donations and support were provided by The Food Bank of CNY; Wegmans; Sysco; The United Way, Laci’s Tapas Bar; RAV Properties; Service Tire Truck Center; the Dunbar Center; Good Life Foundation; and many more.
• PPC Broadband, Inc. donates 5,000 surgical masks to area hospitals and medical centers.
• Hillrom more than doubles production of critical care products, including ventilators, hospital beds and vitals monitoring devices to support COVID-19 response.
• Clean All offers kits for businesses and consumers to make their own hand sanitizer.
• Wegmans is adding plexiglass shields to protect cashiers.
• Cascade Maverik Lacrosse in Liverpool has begun emergency production of plastic face shields for those on the front lines battling the virus. XTO Inc., also in Liverpool, is supplying parts needed to switch from manufacturing lacrosse helmets to the face shields. Bauer, a sister company that makes hockey equipment outside of Montreal, Canada, has also switched to making medical face shields.
• The Scholar Hotel Syracuse volunteers to take less critically ill patients from local hospitals if they get overrun with coronavirus patients.
• Help CNY Hospitals and Hospitality is a way for people to “pay it forward” by donating to local restaurants to provide meals for workers at hospitals, grocery stores and other essential businesses. Six restaurants are signed up to provide food. They include The Brine Well Eatery, Anything But Beer, Scratch Farmhouse Catering, Circa Ce Soir, Pure Catering and Events, Colonial Lodge, and Mello Velo.
• WellNow Urgent Care is providing options for safe, accessible and reliable health care by disinfecting their facilities and using protective gear per the CDC guidelines, rearranging waiting rooms to adhere to social distancing, and performing in-car triage at all locations in order to help minimize exposure to COVID-19. You can also choose to access a WellNow provider through your smart device 24/7 with WellNow Virtual Medical. For non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries visit a local facility or start a virtual visit at www.wellnow.com.
• Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Baldwinsville is producing and packaging hand sanitizer. They are working with the American Red Cross to distribute it to communities where it’s needed most.
• Pulaski-based company, HealthWay, sees demand for its air purifiers soar amid pandemic.
• Syracuse Stage costume designers create masks to support hospitals.
• Hall Island Distillery in Cicero teams up with Haun Welding Supply, Inc. to produce and package hand sanitizer.
• Beak & Skiff Apple Farms converts distillery into 100% hand sanitizer production.
• Oswego Health continues to support mental health needs during COVID-19.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co. donates $50 million to address immediate and long-terms impacts of COVID-19.
• Green Hills Farms dedicates special hours for senior citizen shopping.
• Riccelli – Northern LLC – donates masks and exam gloves to local hospitals.
• Barrett Paving donates masks to local medical facilities.
• Salt City Market creates Westcott Mutual Aid initiative with partners Rise N Shine and Beer Belly Deli to provide meals to community centers.
• Menter Ambulance / Oswego County Ambulance scour region for medical supplies.
• Central New York distillers: Life of Reilley Distilling Co. in Cazenovia; Old Home Distillers in Lebanon; Last Shot Distillery in Skaneateles; Waterman’s Distillery in Apalachin; Cornell University; Black Button Distilling in Rochester; and Lock 1 Distilling Co. in Phoenix, collaborate to produce hand sanitizer.
• Hall Island Distillery in Cicero teams up with Haun Welding Supply, Inc. to produce and package hand sanitizer.
• TOPS Friendly Markets and Price Chopper create early morning senior shopping hours.
• Hueber-Breuer Construction Company, Inc. and The Hayner Hoyt Corporation responded to an urgent call for help from major medical centers and delivered thousands of N-95 masks to doctors and nurses.
• Food Bank of Central New York volunteers pack 500 emergency boxes in 2 hours. Volunteers needed: sign up at www.volunteercny.org.
• WCNY and Syracuse-area schools plan “TV classrooms” to get through coronavirus pandemic.
• Syracuse University offers students free buses to return home.
• Loretto  and Little Luke’s Daycare devised creative childcare solutions for those working on the front lines of the coronavirus.
• Eagle Beverage Company loaned a refrigerated truck on a moment’s notice to transport 1,000 COVID-19 test kits from Albany to an area hospital.
• NBT Bank announces efforts to relieve financial hardship due to COVID-19.

CenterState CEO members in bold*