ColumbiaComeback
Columbia Comeback is a county-wide initiative to help businesses safely and successfully reopen in alignment with New York State’s reopening guidelines.
Website: https://columbiacomeback.com
Email Us: info@columbiacomeback.com
Columbia Economic Development Corporation
Chatham Business Continuity Grant
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
(subject to funding availability).
Columbia Economic Development Corporation
Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is more committed than ever to
assisting businesses in Columbia County during these unprecedented times. We hope the resources listed on our
COVID-19 Resource Page are helpful as you navigate the challenges of getting back to business.
Questions? Please contact us at: info@columbiacomeback.com
Public Notice
Due to the COVID-19 crisis,
Columbia Economic Development
will continue to conduct meetings
via Conference Call until further notice.
The public will have an opportunity to hear the meeting live and provide
comments. Comments can also be provided via email before and
during the meeting to mtucker@columbiaedc.com.
CONFERENCE CALL-IN NUMBER: 800.245.9874
ACCESS CODE: 3180900
Live & On-Demand Webinars
Albany SBDC Social Media Webinar Series
September 9, 16, 23
Register Here
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University at Albany is pleased to announce its Social Media Webinar series. All of the events listed below will be offered as a live presentation on the corresponding dates. Recordings of each session will be available for on-demand viewing at www.gotostage.com/channel/sbdc within 2 business days of the live session and offered free of charge.
- Getting Started with YouTube – September 23 | 12PM – 1PM
Albany SBDC Webinar Series
Register Here
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University at Albany is pleased to announce its September 2020 Webinar Series. All of the events listed below will be offered as a live presentation on the corresponding dates. The webinars will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing approximately 48 hours after the live event and offered free of charge.
Futurescaping Your Business
September 21 | 8AM – 9AM
Reducing Customer Anxiety
September 22 | 8AM – 9AM
Getting Started with YouTube
September 23 | 12PM – 1PM
Preparing for a Potential Rollback in Re-Opening
September 28 | 8AM – 9AM
Pivoting Playbook
September 29 | 8AM – 9AM
MWBE Contractor Training Series
September 24, October 1 | 8AM – 9AM
Assistance for Small Landlords
View Webinar Recording
Download Slides
The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is teaming up with The Community Preservation Corporation to offer assistance to small landlords interested in accessing the NY Forward Loan Fund, a new public-private partnership to support small landlords, businesses, and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Find out whether you qualify for a low-interest loan with a new webinar presentation that walks potential borrowers through the program requirements and how to put together a successful application.
Help Define Columbia County’s Future
Germantown Laundromat & Shop
3 Church Avenue, Germantown, NY 12526
Dana and Tracy Martin are the proud owners of Germantown Laundromat & Shop, a staple in the hamlet of Germantown since 1965. The couple purchased the business in 2018, and since then they have been busy expanding their offerings and upgrading the property.
Today, the familiar little building on Chuch Avenue houses a sustainable shop, a weekly on-site seamstress, as well as a traditional laundromat. And it’s now painted a bright, cheery yellow and features a bocce court and seating in the backyard.
“Germantown Laundromat has been here over half a century,” says Tracy. “We wanted to keep the business going while adding products and services that support environmentally friendly behaviors, like a weekly seamstress for alterations and repairs. It’s a laundromat that aims to teach the community the impact our daily choices have on our bodies and the earth.”
Once Dana and Tracy purchased the property, they turned to Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) to help finance the cost of inventory and new equipment. The couple were approved for an SBA 
Microloan, which qualified them to receive free technical assistance from one of CEDC’s business consultants.
“The consultant who assisted with setting up our books was terrific,” according to Tracy. “Having one-on-one training to set up QuickBooks and payroll was extremely helpful.”
Germantown Laundromat is no ordinary laundromat. It has free Wi-Fi, indoor + outdoor seating, a water refill station and restroom. The laudromat is open 24/7. A seamstress is onsite on Fridays. The sustainable shop is open Thursday-Sunday, 11-5pm. The business can be reached by calling 518.537.7133 or emailing hello@germantownlaundromat.com. Follow along on instagram @germantown_laundromat.
Saisonnier
11 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106
Saisonnier is a family-owned beer, cheese and sundries bar and shop located in the heart of Kinderhook. Founded in 2018 by Kasey and Patrick Kenny, the business offers 150 craft beers, local artisanal cheese, select wines, choice charcuterie, and provisions for dine in or takeaway.
The majority of their products and ingredients are produced by local farmers, artisans and brewers.
Kasey and Patrick moved from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley to start a family as well as a small business. They found an ideal live/work situation in a historic building on Chatham Street in the Village of Kinderhook.
“The entire community has been supportive of our plan from the beginning,” according to Patrick. The couple and their two-year-old son live upstairs while the tavern occupies the ground floor.
Shortly after arriving, Patrick enrolled in the 8-Week MicroBusiness Seminar Series offered by Columbia Economic Development Corporation. He took advantage of the free Technical Assistance to finish his business plan and learn QuickBooks. A small business loan from CEDC helped finance the start-up costs.
“CEDC provided the gap financing that made the project come together,” said Patrick.
Saisonnier provides a comfortable space for the community while also supporting local agriculture. It is open Mondays & Thursdays 11:30am-9:00pm, Fridays & Saturdays 11:30am-10:30pm and Sundays 11:30am-7:00pm. Events and parties can be scheduled using the space by calling 518.610.8100. Follow along on instagram @ok_saisonnier.