Dear NPW Community:

We offer the following information with sincere thanks to our partners at Westchester County Government as we continue to work together to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Best regards,
Jan

Jan Fisher
Executive Director

PHASE 4

As Westchester approaches Phase 4, New York State has circulated notice of which businesses should anticipate reopening. As part of Phase 4, outdoor gatherings of up to 50 persons will be permitted, and indoor religious ceremonies of up to 33% of the building’s capacity will be permitted. Guidance for higher education, low risk outdoor entertainment, low risk indoor arts and entertainment and media production, can be reviewed here: https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries.

Helpful Materials for Reopening

• NY FORWARD SAFETY PLAN TEMPLATE (FILLABLE)
• OFFICE SUMMARY GUIDELINES – WHAT IS MANDATORY AND WHAT IS BEST-PRACTICES

NEW IDA GRANT/LOAN PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Westchester County has announced a new financial assistance program for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Qualifying businesses may receive grants of up to $10,000 for PPE or other internal modifications which would protect customers from COVID-19. Other benefits include no-interest loans of up to $25 million.

To qualify for this new Westchester Industrial Development Agency (IDA) grant program, an eligible entity must establish that it was a financially viable prior to March 7, 2020, must conduct business in the area served by the IDA and been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The IDA will consider the following factors in determining whether to award a grant or loan:

• Creditworthiness prior to March 7, 2020;
• Negative impact the shutdown has had on its operations and finances;
• Planned use of funds;
• Community ties in Westchester County;
• Assurance that efforts will be made to retain jobs during the time at which Executive Order 202 of 2020 remains in effect;
• Other sources of funding available.

The IDA is administering the program with a partner lending organization. Further details on the no fee application process will be forthcoming.  Interested businesses should contact Bridget Gibbons at 914-995-2952 or BGibbons@westchestergov.com.

GRANTS FOR FOOD PANTRIES, NONPROFITS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS HELPING WITH FOOD INSECURITY

The Westchester County Department of Planning (WCDP) is offering three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for entities dealing with food insecurity.  Appropriate applicants include food pantries and soup kitchens, and non-profit agencies and chambers of commerce involved in food distribution, including a program specific for those entities working with restaurants. More details for each program are below.

Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens Assistance Grants - The County will use Coronavirus Relief Funds/CARES Act (CRF) funding for the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen program, which requires that the funds pay for operations and programs that have been impacted by COVID-19. The County recognizes that there has been an increased burden on food pantries and soup kitchens trying to keep up with the increased demand for food during COVID-19, as well as responding to the changes in food distribution from buffet/sit down service to take-out and pre-packaged food for safe and easy distribution. Due Date: Jul 15, 2020 4:00 PM.  More information, including the RFP, is available here.

Emergency Food Distribution Assistance Grants- The Westchester County Department of Planning (WCDP) is offering this Request for Proposals (RFP) to enable non-profit agencies (501(c)(3) organizations) impacted by COVID-19 to apply for grants to provide emergency food distribution to low and moderate income residents in the municipalities with the highest percentages of low and moderate income households within the 27 Consortium communities. (Consortium communities include Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem and Mount Kisco.)  Due Date: Jul 15, 2020 4:00 PM. More information, including the RFP, is available here.

Community Table Partnership Grants -  The County has established a program to help local restaurants who have been adversely affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. The restaurant industry is not only a significant economic driver in their respective municipalities but also has the ability to address hunger locally. This program looks to help improve the outcomes for the restaurant industry and employees while helping to feed local residents who have been adversely impacted due to COVID-19. Westchester County is offering this Request for Proposals (RFP) to enable local Chambers of Commerce and/or non-profit agencies to apply for a Community Table Partnership grants to provide assistance to address food insecurity for individual households, while supporting the local restaurant industry.  Due Date: Jul 8, 2020 4:00:00 PM. More information, including the RFP, is available here.

For additional information on these programs, email Deputy Director of Operations Emily Saltzman here: ESaltzman@westchestergov.com