Welcome new Brighton Chamber member OFC Creations Theatre Center! The new OFC Creations Theatre Center is a multi-purpose arts center that will focus on youth theater education and performances, mounting professional plays and musicals, hosting community events, presenting out-of-town entertainers, and providing much-needed performance space to local arts groups. The center will offer classes in acting, singing, and dancing; school field trips and tours; community events; and theater camps during summer and school. OFC Creations currently offers the largest summer theater camp program in upstate New York. Visit http://www.OFCCreations.com for more details.

Statement of the Brighton Chamber of Commerce: Committed to ending racism and discrimination in our community

June 10, 2020

Dear Brighton Chamber Members,

The Brighton Chamber of Commerce condemns the senseless killings and acts of violence that are repeatedly directed at the African American community and all communities of color. We grieve the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the countless others who have lost their lives.

Racism and injustice cannot be tolerated. These acts cause many in our communities to live with fear, apprehension and anxiety that have been allowed to persist for far too long. The Brighton Chamber of Commerce condemns all acts of hate, discrimination and injustice, and remains dedicated to creating and sustaining an inclusive community where people want to live, work and play.

We support those peacefully protesting to end these injustices and are committed to ending racism and discrimination in our community through our words and actions. At this critical juncture, we must stand together to collectively speak out against systemic oppression.

We ask you to join us in this effort and to take your own steps to push back against racism and injustice to help drive meaningful and lasting change that ALL of our communities deserve. We challenge business and community leaders, ourselves and each person in our community to actively work towards a better understanding of one another and commit to actions which produce a more inclusive community and economy.

Stay safe and healthy.

Nelson Lopatin, President

Kelly Bagnaschi, Vice President

Beth Sears, Secretary

Mike Tullio, Treasurer

Brighton Chamber of Commerce

Welcome new Brighton Chamber member Spectrum Business (Internet/Phone/TV/Mobile Phones)! I am a great local sales contact for small business in the Rochester area and beyond! I would love to get involved in the chamber to meet more business owners and connections. We also have a fantastic business partner program. Visit https://www.facebook.com/Peter-Gavenda-Spectrum-Business-567791663427247/ for more details.

Welcome new Brighton Chamber member Optima Benefits Group! Local Rochester company providing payroll and benefit services. Visit https://www.optimabenefitsgroup.com/ for more details.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today outlined additional guidelines for when regions can re-open. The state will monitor four core factors to determine if a region can re-open:

• New Infections: Based on guidelines from the CDC, regions must have at least 14 days of decline in total net hospitalizations and deaths on a 3-day rolling average. In regions with few COVID cases, the region cannot exceed 15 net new total hospitalizations or 5 new deaths on a 3-day rolling average. In order to monitor the potential spread of infection in a region, a region must have fewer than two new COVID patients admitted per 100,000 residents per day.
• Health Care Capacity: Every region must have the health care capacity to handle a potential surge in cases. Regions must have at least 30 percent total hospital and ICU beds available. This is coupled with the new requirement that hospitals have at least 90 days of personal protective equipment stockpiled.
• Diagnostic Testing Capacity: Each region must have the capacity to conduct 30 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month. The state is rapidly expanding capacity statewide to help all regions meet this threshold.
• Contact Tracing Capacity: Regions must have a baseline of 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents, and additional tracers based on the projected number of cases in the region. The state is currently building an army of contact tracers with Mayor Bloomberg to meet the needs of each region statewide.

Businesses and industries will open in a phased approach. Phase 1 includes construction, manufacturing and select retail (with curbside pickup). Phase 2 includes professional services, finance and insurance, retail, administrative support and real estate/rental leasing. Phase 3 includes restaurants, food services and hotels. And Phase 4 includes arts, entertainment, recreation and education. 

Upon reopening, businesses must implement new safety precautions to help lower the risk of spreading the virus. These include strict cleaning and sanitation standards, restricting nonessential travel, adapting the workplace to allow for social distancing, and requiring masks to be worn if employees are in frequent contact with the public. Read all the requirements here.

Blueprint Will Work to Control the Rate of Infection, Strengthen the Health Care System and Ramp Up Testing with Help from the Federal Government While Phasing an Economic Return to a "New Normal"

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today outlined a blueprint to un-pause New York, getting people back to work and easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread of the virus. The ultimate plan will be implemented in coordination with other states in the multi-state council.

April marks the one year anniversary for my firm joining Weichert Realtors as Lilac Properties,  after 10 years serving the Rochester/Monroe County area as an independent Real Estate Broker.  In the past year we have grown. We doubled the size of our sales team!  An advertising billboard was just erected on Winton Road at University Avenue.  Our office is located in the Town of Brighton on Elmwood Avenue.

At this time Weichert Realtors - Lilac Properties is working within the COVID-19 directives established by New York State Association of Realtors. Our attention is focused on keeping our staff and clients safe.  We will get through this together.

In the days ahead I ask that you look for our name, and please pass it along to those you know who could use our help.

Curtis "Curt" Amesbury
Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner
T: 585.613.4606 F: 877.445.4343
C: 585.733.7595 (text for fastest response)

SBA is offering disaster relief assistance loans for businesses that have significant economic impact from the COVID-19. NY is currently preparing their request to participate in the program.  Visit  www.sba.gov/coronavirus for detailed information and links to the disaster loans to begin compiling required paperwork.  The business loan program which will become available is called “Economic Injury”.  One thing to consider is that there may be a different loan amount that a business would need today compared to months from now when the economic injury is truly compiled.

March 15, 2020

Dear Brighton Chamber Members,

With the impacts of COVID-19 on our local business community already in effect, in addition to good hand hygiene and common-sense precautions with your employees and patrons, the Brighton Chamber of Commerce encourages all local businesses to consider the following:

For your business: Prepare for negative economic impacts.

• Capital: Create, confirm, or expand your line of credit.
• Staffing: Develop staffing plans for varying levels of customers and revenue (what does an 80% scenario plan look like?).
• Insurance: Check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and options.

For your customers: Make your place of business as hygienic as possible and communicate what you are doing to customers so they feel comfortable visiting.

For your employees: Check, modify, and communicate HR policies regarding remote working, sick-leave, and compensation during health crisis. Try to ensure your policies are as flexible and non-punitive as possible. Sick employees should be encouraged to stay home.

For your workflow: Cross-train employees for key functions so that daily schedules can continue relatively uninterrupted by potential employee absences. Where relevant, consider staggering start and end times to reduce large numbers of people coming together at the same time; and create and test remote employee collaboration systems (consider apps such as Slack and Zoom).

For your cashflow: Communicate with your landlord (or tenants) and lenders about expectations and request flexibility (better to have that conversation now).

For yourself: Eat well, sleep, and exercise. Taking care of yourself in this time of stress will improve your resistance to infection and resilience in managing difficult business situations. And of course, wash your hands all the dang time and don’t touch your face, or anyone else, for that matter.

We are cancelling our networking events until further notice. Please visit our website at BrightonChamber.org for updates on events, Chamber news, and resources to help your business weather this trying time.

Thank you,

Nelson Lopatin, President
Brighton Chamber of Commerce