From the desk of City Manager Sarah Purdy...
COVID-19 UPDATE
March 24, 2020
Here at City Hall we have been observing how little traffic goes by on Ford Street now and how quiet it is. From my office I can see the parking lot at Phillips Diner. The emptiness of it was a sign I didn’t like to see, but there are cars pulling up there now. The ingenuity of Ogdensburg’s restaurants to provide drive-thru pick-up meals is inspiring.
Our city has a great partner that offers help for businesses. The Ogdensburg Growth Fund can be a source of economic assistance to businesses looking to start up or expand. Right now, the Growth Fund is stepping up to support the businesses it already has loaned funds to, and is seeking ways to assist other businesses too.
Last week the Growth Fund Board of Directors unanimously approved to offer a three-month moratorium on loan payments to any current loan recipient in need of assistance due to challenges from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Correspondence was sent to all current “clients” and the Board is working with each business on a case by case basis to provide tailored assistance.
The Growth Fund has updated its web presence to include links to local, State and Federal resources to help guide businesses during the current economic slowdown, and is working with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency and the New York State Empire State Development Corp. to keep these resources up to date and accurate. You can reach the Growth Fund’s website through www.ogdensburg.org/92/Ogdensburg-Growth-Fund-Development-Corporation
The Growth Fund has loan funds available to help businesses through these challenging times. Interested business owners can contact Andrea Smith at asmith@ogdensburg.org or Chairman Scott Wright at scott.wright@pepsiogs.com for information. Applications are available online at https://ogdensburg.org/DocumentCenter/View/711/Growth-Fund-Application-Form?bidId=
As with many other agencies, the Growth Fund Board also is focusing on what assistance might be needed to help businesses reopen after the pandemic subsides. Board members have started reaching out to businesses to understand the challenges they are facing or think they will face going forward. Scott, Andrea, myself and all the other Board members welcome feedback and suggestions. We want to help where we can now, and be fully prepared in the future to help Ogdensburg recover.
Meanwhile, stay safe, stay healthy and stay together yet six feet apart. Please find below several links to COVID-19 information that you may find useful.
Governor Cuomo’s Website
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders
Center for Disease Control
New York State Department of Health
Traveler Information
Protect Yourself & Stop the Spread of Germs
Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus
What You Need to Know
Please revisit this page for important updates from the City of Ogdensburg.
