Tompkins County has developed “Workforce ReDirect,” the local Job Board to help newly available workers connect to opportunities in essential industries serving the County at this time.

Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center

For training, recruitment, job postings, and applicant searches, call 607-272-7570

Tompkins County Workforce Development Board

For employment-related services for employers and individuals, call 607-274-7526

Unemployment Insurance

File a Claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The State of New York has announced a waiver to the 7-day waiting period for unemployment insurance for people who have been laid off due to the virus.

• FAQ’s Unemployment Insurance – Claimant
• Here is a step by step process to file a claim online.
• Businesses: Unemployment Insurance Resources
• New York State Department of Labor

NYS Paid Family Leave & COVID-19

New Paid Leave for COVID-19

Shared Work Program

Shared Work Program – As a first step for businesses considering changes to staff time, the Shared Work Program may be a viable option to keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. This program is taking calls from local businesses. Please call 518-549-0496.

Laying off employees? The NYS DOL Rapid Response Team can help

The New York State Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team is available to you at this time, both in-person and via remote communication. The Rapid Response Team is a valuable resource to you as a business and an employer. The Team will assist employees in re-gaining employment and potentially shorten the duration of their Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments, and your overall cost.

Southern Tier Region Rapid Response Coordinator:
Vikki Kaufman
vikki.kaufman@labor.ny.gov
P: 607-741-4518
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Linkedin

• Rapid Response Services for Businesses
• Rapid Response Services for Employees 

Business Services

DOL Services for Business

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (effective April 1, 2020)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers with less than 500 employees to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.

• The FFCRA poster that employers must post can be found HERE
  
• Press Release
• FFCRA FAQs

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) – To provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

United States Department of Labor

Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Recovery Loans (EIDL)

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Recovery Loans (EID) – Tompkins County, and all of New York State, has officially been approved for Economic Injury Disaster Recovery Loans from the SBA.

• NYS Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can guide applicants through the entire process of applying for the EID loans, including help with document collection, conducting the pro forma, and assisting with the application. For more information, contact SBDC Ithaca Business Advisor Lindsay Wolf or Schedule an Appointment.

Emergency Economic Injury Grants

These Emergency Economic Injury grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within three days of applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). To access the advance, you must first apply for an EIDL and then request the advance. The advance does not need to be repaid. These grants are available regardless of whether you are later approved for the EIDL.

Small Business Debt Relief Program

This program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and micro-loans. SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the President signing the bill into law. Contact your Lender to Inquire.

Business Loan Assistance in the Southern Tier (4/2/20)

Local Business Resources

REV Ithaca Startup Works – REV is a business incubator in Ithaca, NY and offers assistance  to startup companies.

Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) at Cornell University – CREA is committed to helping startups grow and thrive, especially during challenging economic times.

Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T) – AM&T is available to help you and your company address operational, supply chain, and financial issues that may be arising as a result of the crisis. We’ll share what we know and do the leg work necessary to find out if we don’t. You can reach us at 607-774-0022 or info@amt-mep.org.

Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University – COVID-19 is already changing the way we interact with and produce food. At this site you can find useful links to expert resources to help address your specific questions around COVID-19 and food production.

Federal Business Resources

Child Care

Trained referral specialists at the Child Development Council can help your employees to identify child care options. To request a child care referral, please call:
Tompkins County: 607-273-0259
Cortland County: 607-753-0106
For the most comprehensive and personalized service, please call during office hours 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Additional Information

OSHA Guidance: Getting the Workplace Ready for COVID-19 

EEOC Guidance: Pandemic Preparedness and the ADA