SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Rhinebeck Responds’ Small Business Grants Program – Just Launched
Rhinebeck Small Business Survey Documents Pandemic-induced Pain And Need for More Financial Aid
June 15: A new economic survey documents the challenge facing small businesses in the Hudson Valley town of Rhinebeck, New York as stores slowly re-open in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
New York Forward Loan Fund
New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE.
The yellow banner at the top of SBA.gov takes you to an application page.
DutchessBNN.com, the Business Notification Network,
has pulled together a vast array of resources. We copied and linked a sample of their offerings below. Sign up for their excellent newsletter.
The local Chamber of Commerce is working actively to organize information, channel support and explore ways to help its 250 local members. Go to their website and sign up for their newsletter and other services.
Resources from DutchessBNN.com, the Business Notification Network.
Guides to COVID-19 Financial Assistance Programs
There are scores of articles and guides to help small businesses access CARES Act funds. Here are several of the ones we have found to be most useful:
This comprehensive guide, prepared by the US Senate Committee on Small Businesses Entrepreneurship, provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration.
Written by one of the senior Business Reporters at the Associated Press, this article poses key business questions and answers them with authority and clarity. It also cites financial help available through the government and other sources.
Professional Assistance for Rhinebeck Area Small Businesses
Need help?
Listed below are Rhinebeck area professionals who have generously offered to provide assistance to small businesses in legal and/or financial matters related to the Pandemic and economic depression. They are offering their services either pro bono or at deeply reduced rates. If you are interested in assistance, please contact anyone on the list directly, during the times they specify.
Willing to help?
If you or someone you know is willing to provide legal or financial counseling, please complete the following form for professional volunteers. RhinebeckResponds.org will then contact you to discuss what you are offering. For questions, contact Martha Honey: [email protected] or Tel: 845-516-4995.
Rhinebeck Area Professionals
Erin Clancy
Erin is a local financial advisor with Edward Jones focusing on serving the Rhinebeck community. She is a member of the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce and is offering financial services in the following areas:
We offer numerous investments and services to help you reach your financial goals, including smart spending and borrowing options, retirement, paying for education, estate considerations and protecting your assets. Please contact me for more information.
Address: Edward Jones, 1571 Ulster Ave, Suite 2, Lake Katrine, NY 12449
Hours available: Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Phone: (o) 845-331-6293, (c) 845-464-2369
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.edwardjones.com/erin-clancy
Linda Kagan
Linda is a commercial, corporate and litigation lawyer with offices in Rhinebeck and New York City (which is currently closed for meetings).
She is offering reduced and in certain situations barter or pro bono legal services needed by Rhinebeck business owners during the pandemic.
Her areas of expertise include:
- Lease reduction or freeze negotiations (landlord and/or tenant) to modify lease term.
- Business contract interpretation regarding obligations and the negotiation of modifications necessary given the Pandemic’s impact.
- Bank loan negotiations to reduce or freeze debt obligations (mortgage, line of credit, equipment loans)
- Non-bank Creditor obligations: reduce or freeze debt obligations (mortgage, line of credit, equipment loans)
- Trademark and copyright protection
- Employee contract modifications
- Business Planning – analyze new business opportunities and post-Pandemic new economic picture
- Managing Partner
Address: The Kagan Law Group, P.C., 108 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck, New York 12572
Hours available: Monday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm
Phone: 845-265-3300 (o), 347-452-8859 (c)
email: [email protected]
https://www.thekaganlawgroup.com
Chris Montalto
Chris is both an attorney and sole proprietor business owner. He is willing to offer pro bono legal assistance to small businesses or sole proprietors regarding the various government programs, stimulus packages, and other small business resources that are part of the government’s Pandemic and economic relief support.
Address: Law Office, Christopher A. Montalto, P.O. Box 514, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Hours available: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Phone: 845.790.0845
Fax: 845.790.1223
email: [email protected]
OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES/AGENCIES
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The closest one for Rhinebeck
Address: 94 Mary’s Ave, Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: (845) 802-9150
Website: http://www.nyssbdc.org/centers/centers.aspx?centid=94
Email: “Bouchard, Myriam” <[email protected]>
Note: Myriam Bouchard is especially helpful: She sends out regular emails with update information and answers email and phone calls promptly.
Another SBDC in NY
Address: State University of New York, 10 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12246
Phone: 800-732-SBDC
http://www.nyssbdc.org/covid19response.html
SBDCs are a national network of nearly 1,000 centers that are located at leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners. They provide counseling and training to new and existing businesses. Each state has a lead center that coordinates services specifically for that state, which you can find by clicking here. Learn more about SBDCs here.
Women’s Business Center (WBC)
WBC Webpage for Covid Support: https://www.awbc.org/page/SmallBusiness
Closest Local Office: BOC Women’s Business Center
Address: 1231 Lafayette Ave, Unit 2, Bronx, New York 10474-5367
Phone: 646-723 3339
Website: https://www.awbc.org/members/?id=62696840
This is one of 8 WBC offices in New York State. None are in Dutchess County or Albany.
WBCs are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics. In addition to women, WBCs are mandated to serve the needs of underserved entrepreneurs, including low-income entrepreneurs. They often offer flexible hours to meet the needs of their diverse clientele.
SCORE
SCORE Webpage for Covid Support: https://www.score.org/coronavirus
SCORE provides free, confidential business advice through a volunteer network of 10,000+ business experts. SCORE;s Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub Will match you with an expert mentor who will provide personalized advice remotely.
Minority Business Development Agency’s Business Centers (MBDCs)
MBDCs are a good option for minority-owned businesses of all sizes (including those owned by Black, Hispanic, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian business owners). MBDC is also receiving funding to hire staff and provide programming to help their clients respond to the Covid-19 Crisis.
RHINEBECK BANKS
The rollout of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), begun April 6 and handled by banks, did not go smoothly.
See, for instance, “Customers Fume as Wells Fargo, Bank of America Struggle With Stimulus Loan Rollout,”
Hopefully these glitches will be sorted out quickly.
The following Rhinebeck area banks are providing assistance to businesses in applying for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and other COVID-19 related funds. Your business (or NGO) must have an account at the bank to receive counseling. Please view the following websites for details of the services being provided as of Monday, April 6:
M&T BANK
The bank is accepting applications for SBA PPP loans.
See: This M&T Help page about Coronavirus
CITIZENS BANK
The bank website contains “COVID-19: 7 Ways to Protect Your Business” but it does not include processing applications for PPP funding.
KEY BANKS
KeyBank is offering eligible clients small business Paycheck Protection Program loans and other assistance. See: This page of the Key Bank website.
RHINEBECK BANK
The Rhinebeck Bank is providing help for their small businesses in applying for PPP funds and other COVID-19 disaster assistance. Here’s the Covid-19 response page from the Rhinebeck Bank website.
MID-HUDSON VALLEY CREDIT UNION
WELLS FARGO
On April 6, Wells Fargo announced it is no longer accepting new loan applications under the government’s Paycheck Protection Program.
BANK OF AMERICA
See their Small Business Resources site.
This article explains their Paycheck Protection Program what they are doing.