On Reopening the Cortland County Economy

As the economy continues to reopen please know that we are closely monitoring developments and impacts on the Cortland County business community. Working with our local, regional, state, and national partners we will do our best to provide information you can count on in positioning your business for success.

Meanwhile, we want to underscore the importance of following guidelines about how you can best protect yourselves and your employees in the days and weeks ahead — this is crucial as the lockdowns unwind and we return to a sense of normalcy. These practices include good personal hygiene (wash your hands), a commitment to social distancing, cleaning public surfaces when possible, and monitoring staff and visitors for any signs of sickness.

• For more information, visit:
  – New York State Reopening Guidance
  – Cortland County Health Department
  – New York State Department of Health
  – Empire State Development Corporation
  – National Center for Disease Control
  – Small Business Administration
  – Cortland Standard (Facebook)
  – Cortland County Chamber of Commerce
  – NYS Business Council
  – Cortland County Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus 2019
  – Take Steps to Prevent the spread of COVID
  
  Please remain diligent, informed, and ready to support one another as we work through these difficult times.

Garry VanGorder
Executive Director

Cortland County Launches “Cortland County Comeback” Campaign

The campaign aims to promote supporting local businesses
and encouraging unity throughout the county.

Cortland, NY—The coronavirus pandemic has affected businesses of all sizes all across the country, but small, local businesses are feeling the economic effects of the quarantine more dramatically. In an effort to rally the greater Cortland County area to support each other as well as local businesses, Cortland County is partnering with the Cortland County Business Development Corporation, the Cortland County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Cortland, the Village of Homer and the Town of Cortlandville to launch a campaign entitled “Cortland County Comeback.”

The Cortland County Comeback campaign will also serve as a centralized hub for information about reopening phase progression, including safety protocols enacted by local businesses and any changes to business operations. All local businesses are required to adhere with social distancing and sanitizing guidelines, and the Cortland County Comeback campaign will serve as a source for any and all updates or changes regarding guidelines and protocols.

The following initiatives will kick off the campaign, and new information and initiatives will be announced as it progresses:

• CORTLAND COUNTY COMEBACK ART CONTEST: Kids of all ages are encouraged to participate in Cortland County’s first art contest! Coloring sheets designed in the shape of the county will be distributed to local businesses across Cortland County, and families are encouraged to stop in to their favorite small business to pick up a coloring sheet. The theme of the contest is “My County Landmarks,” and young artists are invited to fill out the county outline with the places in their hometown that mean the most to them. One winner will be chosen from each municipality in the county, and their art will be turned into a decal sticker to be displayed in restaurants and shop windows. Local businesses who wish to participate in the contest should reach out to cortland@sdamktg.com to receive coloring sheets and more information about the contest.
• CORTLAND COUNTY BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: As part of the goal of connecting the community and encouraging residents to begin shopping local again, the Cortland County Comeback campaign will be highlighting local business owners, their products or services and their stories about why they do business in Cortland County. To be considered for a Business Spotlight story, which will be promoted through all Cortland County social media pages, please email cortland@sdamktg.com.

ABOUT CORTLAND COUNTY COMEBACK:
Cortland County Comeback is a community-focused campaign developed with the goal of promoting local business in the municipalities that comprise Cortland County. Cortland County Comeback is an initiative led by Cortland County along with the Cortland County Business Development Corporation, the Cortland County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Cortland County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Cortland, the Village of Homer and the Town of Cortlandville.

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BDC Assists In Facemask Distribution Efforts

Cortland, NY – The Cortland County BDC assisted with the distribution of thousands of facemasks across Cortland County at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.

The BDC, Cortland County, the county’s Tavern and Restaurant Association and the Cayuga-Cortland Workforce Development board funded and distributed the face coverings over a two-day period in early April as the result of an executive order by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The initiative began with the county’s acquisition of a mask supply through Homer’s Welder’s Warehouse, making some of them available for distribution to local businesses and others who need them. The BDC later helped underwrite the restaurant association’s mask distribution to its members, as well. 

“We’re happy that we can support both of these efforts,” said BDC executive director Garry VanGorder. “Restaurant groups, in particular, are interacting with people every day, and it’s fantastic that their association is stepping up to help protect their employees. The masks are difficult to find.”

Cortland County BDC Offers COVID-19 Business Assistance Loans

March 30, 2020

The Cortland County Business Development Corporation is now offering low-interest loans to micro and small businesses facing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approved by the BDC board of Directors today, loans from $10,000 to $25,000 will be offered to qualified companies needing immediate cash to support operations. The loans, offered at low interest with all fees waived, are not intended to replace federal or traditional banking assistance but to offer another alternative for local small businesses as they evaluate their best path forward.

“We are working every day to provide information to our businesses that can help them through this, and this one more thing that we can do,” said BDC Executive Director Garry L. VanGorder. “Our traditional loan program has been a great resource over the years, and we are hopeful that this modification of it will be valuable in these difficult times, as well. The challenges to our small businesses are unprecedented.”

Cortland County Legislature Chairman Paul Heider commended the BDC for taking action. “Small business is the backbone of our economy and no place is that concept more important than right here in Cortland County,” he said. “The Cortland County Legislature stands with the BDC and supports these steps in order to make sure our small businesses are ready to rebound as soon as the all clear sign is given.”

Click here for Information and click here for Loan Application