TODD J. TRANUM
President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the
Getting vaccinated will help keep you, your family, your community, the economy, and your country safe and healthy.
Chautauqua County is at concerning turning point in the battle against COVID-19. Just a few short weeks ago we couldn’t get enough of the vaccines to meet the demand. Now, we are seeing a new struggle in how to fill the appointment spaces available and use all of the doses allocated for our people. The data shows that there is vaccine hesitancy in many rural areas of the United States including Western New York and the Southern Tier.
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Todd J. Tranum
President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the
New York state continues to open up COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, and at the same time the vaccine supply has increased with additional clinics and pharmacies being added to calendars frequently now. This is all important work as our local businesses continue to move forward and as we continue to work towards a summer tourism season that is critically important to or our local economy.
Data from the state Health Department shows that 29.9% of Chautauqua County residents have received at least one vaccine dose. 15.7% have been fully vaccinated so far. That’s a good first step, although we still have work to do, especially as we recognize that senior citizens make up the bulk of our vaccinated population at this time.
Todd J. Tranum
President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the
Small businesses are in line for additional assistance under the new American Rescue Plan Act approved this past week and signed by President Biden. The measure contains an additional $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers forgivable loans to small businesses that have suffered economically during the pandemic. The measure also allows more nonprofits to apply.
Restaurants, which have been especially hard hit during the pandemic, will receive some direct relief to the tune of $29 billion under the new law. Restaurants and other “food and drinking establishments” can apply for grants of up to $5 million per physical location, with a maximum of 20 locations. Eligibility will be determined by subtracting 2020 sales from 2019 revenue. The grants will be channeled through the Small Business Administration.
By TODD J. TRANUM
President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
As more and more New Yorkers are being vaccinated for COVID-19, the state is loosening some restrictions on public gatherings and preparing to open arts and entertainment venues at limited capacity. However, we all must continue to follow safety protocols if we are to protect our businesses and communities as a whole.
Starting March 22, residential gatherings will be allowed at ten people indoors or 25 people outdoors. Social gatherings will be allowed at 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors.