The Peru Gazette

Source: Five people arrested following suspected kidnapping of New York couple

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C.  – Today, the China Task Force, of which Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is a member of, released their final report. After months of both classified and unclassified briefings with over 130 experts on China, national security officials, and leaders in emerging technology and business. The final report includes 82 key findings and more than 400 recommendations for a path forward in dealing with the malign activities of the Communist Party of China. Many of Congresswoman Stefanik’s submitted recommendations were incorporated directly into the final report.

You can find the report here.

“China poses the most significant national security and geopolitical threat to the United States in the 21st Century, and their intentional cover-up of the COVID-19 virus has awoken the world to the dangers they pose,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I’m proud that many of my direct recommendations are included in this final report, which will provide an important path forward in addressing the threat posed by China. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been very active in working on legislation to hold China accountable for their egregious cover-up which led to continued massive loss of life across the globe. I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure they are brought to justice.”

• Stefanik cosponsors legislation to protect covid-19 vaccine development from hackers
• Stefanik sends letter to Sec. Pompeo and AG Barr urging them to bring China to the ICJ
• Stefanik, Hawley introduce bicameral resolution to hold China accountable for coronavirus coverup
• Stefanik cosponsors legislation to move American pharmaceutical production out of China
• Stefanik, Gonzalez introduce Chinese Research Funds Accounting Act
• Stefanik cosponsors Transparency in Chinese Government Investment Act

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From the North Country Chamber of Commerce

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients are now eligible to receive low-interest loans from the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF). This conditional change will provide the Fund’s network of lenders and financial institutions with greater flexibility and enable them to provide more small businesses with working capital to cover expenses associated with reopening.

When the NYFLF launched in May, the federal Small Business Administration had just issued rules regarding companies’ eligibility for federal assistance. The goal of the NYFLF was to help New York-based small businesses that did not receive PPP funding with flexible working capital to reopen and adapt to post-COVID needs. Companies with 20 employees or less make up 90% of New York’s business community, and it was critical to provide a funding lifeline to those businesses shut out of federal assistance.

However, some NYFLF applicants who needed assistance were deemed ineligible because they had already received PPP funds. Through discussions with lenders and applicants, it became apparent that PPP loans did not go far enough to support New York-based small businesses. Legislative criteria restricted how the government assistance could be spent, and oftentimes PPP amounts were a fraction of what was needed and requested.

Starting today, NYFLF Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will contact previously ineligible applicants to determine if they are still interested in funding and begin the underwriting process. This is limited to small businesses that received $50,000 or less in PPP assistance. The fund is prepared to process the new applications from this change while also working with existing applicants. Small businesses that did not receive any federal assistance are still eligible and encouraged to apply. Additionally, the program goal of providing at least 60% of loans to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) remains, and that goal will not change due to the newly-expanded eligibility.

Eligible small businesses and small residential landlords can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan with a 3% fixed interest rate; while eligible non-profits can apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan at 2% fixed interest. The maximum loan amount is $100,000. Loan funds can be used for working capital including payroll, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities and costs associated with refitting physical space to follow social distancing guidelines. More information is available online at nyloanfund.com.

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Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

Services offered by Cancer Services of Northeastern New York, CVPH

 The Cancer Services of Northeastern New York will offer eligible women free cancer screenings at the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Family Medicine Center, 159 Margaret St. on Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. to Noon.

The Cancer Services program has teamed up with the Family Medicine Center and another CVPH program, the Women’s Imaging Center (WIC), to provide these screenings as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Manal El Daouk, MD, gynecologist, of the Family Medicine Center, will provide clinical breast, Pap, and pelvic exams. Mammograms will be done at WIC.  All will be offered at no out-of-pocket expense to women with no insurance or who are underinsured and meet other clinical requirements.

Insurance will be billed when applicable and those who are uninsured or under-insured will be enrolled in the Cancer Services Program. Funded by the New York State Department of Health, the Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings at no cost to eligible New Yorkers.

Appointments are required for the October 24 event.  Call (518) 324-7671 to make an appointment or discuss eligibility.

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