presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance

January 8th, 2021

Quotes of the Day

	“The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs. This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.” - US Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin
	“New York State’s pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the fund’s long-term value.” - NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
	“This monopolized landscape places an undue financial burden on local food service providers during already challenging fiscal times and places restaurants in a vicious Catch-22. Because these apps have 81-percent of the market share, they feel the need to list their restaurants to gain exposure. However, the high fees being charge are driving down - or in many cases, eliminating - their profits. All the while, economic challenges inhibit restaurant owners from hiring their own drivers or developing their own proprietary delivery services If local government does not act, so many of Nassau County’s small, independent restaurants - the pillars of our community, the sponsors of little league teams, the hosts of PTA nights and civic fundraisers and the anchors of so many downtown business districts - will be gone forever.” - Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan

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A message from Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance...

Day 299 of the Coronavirus Shutdown & Partial Reopening
Friday January 8th 2021

Happy New Year and of course all of us personally and/or professionally are working feverishly to battle public health, economic crisis and social needs on multiple levels.   The chaos in Washington and the pending cuts in the NYS budget do nothing to help.   The good news is that folks in our local communities continue to work together to assist each other and manage through this crisis and their leadership has been heartwarming and inspiring.  The other bit of good news is that our collective “Shop Local” efforts have helped independent small businesses stay open as we have lower vacancy rates than we were projected to have.  With that said massive challenges are in front of us starting the year.

This is our first edition of LI Main Street News for 2021 that goes out to 25,000 people and we will continue to have timely information and reports of local community action on the ground to keep our downtowns open, provide access to grants and loans that provide relief for individuals, families and local businesses and stay abreast of government regulations.   

We have new editions of the LI Main Street News interviews which will air each weekday at 8pm (and Fridays at noon) featuring local chambers, mayors, civics, developers, environmentalists and other stakeholders working together during these times.   Please share these videos in your community as we seek to have open and direct conversations with the people in our communities who are tireless in assisting and investing in our downtowns.

Special thanks to the 45 members of the LI Main Street Alliance for keeping us connected to all of the activities in local communities where we have done work over the last two decades.   This partnership has keep us all ahead of the curve on NYS regulations, Federal grants and joint promotion, advocacy and mutual aid.  This crisis reminded us how to do our job better and we look forward to assisting and supporting this group even further in 2021.   

Our first virtual event will be a seminar on PPP 2 forgivable loans next Friday January 14th at 1pm.   Please contact us if you are interested in attending.

Our work with the Pink Tie Delivers team has also brought 95 deliveries of food and financial donations to over 40 communities with a delivery schedule continuing each week.   Please contact us if you are willing to assist in this area.

The LI Youth Summit continued connecting us to local High School and College students virtually and will continue in 2021.   Our LI Complete Streets Summit partnering with local governments was able to help improve the conditions of local roadways and expand public spaces through this pandemic and will continue into 2021 as well.   Our LI Lobby Coalition moved into its 12th year and stopped cuts in key programs along with the passage of new legislation protecting public health, the environment and human needs.  This group will continue also through the year.

Our downtown and transit oriented development work continued with a high demand for new projects from our existing residents and now NYC residents migrating to our communities.  Downtown projects continue to receive public support at hearings and they will assist in our economic recovery in the months and years ahead.   Over 30 communities had some form of TOD plan, project or initiative advance in 2020 so let us know if you want to assist this work in your community as well.

Special thanks to the Vison Long Island Board of Directors for their ongoing support and investment in our local communities.   Their leadership was even more distinguished by helping us pull off a multiday Virtual LI Smart Growth Summit which featured 22 workshops, two plenary sessions, over 60 elected officials and hundreds of community and development leaders with over 1100 in total attendance.   You can watch the videos from these sessions and the full write up with press links here

Please continue to send us critical news on community activities government regulations, private philanthropy and of course any and all efforts that exist to keep our Main Streets alive.   Most importantly stay healthy, support your local communities and businesses and try to keep a positive spirit amidst the chaos.    Please call on us and our Main Street network to provide support as we move into 2021.

SBA Announces Round 2 of PPP Funds

The Small Business Administration's (SBA) PPP Round 2 program is expected to open on Monday. These are forgivable loans available for small businesses to access to keep their operations afloat through the varying Coronavirus regulations, recession and sluggish recovery.

“The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.”

Key PPP updates include:

• PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
• PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
• The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
• The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
• Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
• Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
• Has no more than 300 employees; and
• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

You can read the full press release from the Treasury Secretary along with information for registration here.

The NY SBA Office is providing a PPP update this Monday January 11th at 1pm to provide us the latest news on the program. You can register for the program here.

Long Island Main Street Alliance will be holding a virtual seminar on PPP 2 forgivable loans next Friday January 14th at 1pm.   Please contact us at events@visionlongisland.org if you are interested in attending.

Check out this thorough article in Newsday by James Madore.

Nassau Considering Cap on Fees for Third-Party Food Delivery Apps

While third party delivery apps, such as Uber Eats, Grubhub and Doordash, are convenient for consumers, they are making it difficult for restaurants to survive, a recent piece on FOX 5 reports.

Rustan Lundstrum, owner of Coach Meeting House in Oyster Bay, discussing the use of delivery apps explains, “If you are buying a 10-dollar cheeseburger, you are probably paying 15 dollars. We are getting 7 of those dollars. We have to cover our food costs; we have to cover our rent.” Mr. Lundstrum, along with many other restaurant owners, have found out they are better off making their own deliveries. “Restaurants operate with a 5 to 10 percent profit margin,” Mr. Lundstrum notes, “so if the delivery fee is 30 percent, it’s hard to make any money.”

The National Restaurant Association has advised nearly 1 in 6 restaurants have closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the industry’s loss in sales for 2020 will likely reach $240 billion dollars.

To help struggling local restaurants, Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, 18th District, has sponsored legislation that seeks to limit fees charged by third party delivery service apps. The new bill is titled the ‘Nassau County Restaurant Protection Act.’

The proposed bill would be effective until 2022, giving restaurants much needed help through these difficult times. The bill would prohibit third-party food delivery services from charging a delivery fee greater than 15 percent of the purchase price of each online order, and cap other additional fees at five percent of the order price.

“This monopolized landscape places an undue financial burden on local food service providers during already challenging fiscal times and places restaurants in a vicious Catch-22,” Legislator Lafazan explains. “Because these apps have 81-percent of the market share, they feel the need to list their restaurants to gain exposure. However, the high fees being charge are driving down - or in many cases, eliminating - their profits. All the while, economic challenges inhibit restaurant owners from hiring their own drivers or developing their own proprietary delivery services,” Legislator Lafazan states. “If local government does not act, so many of Nassau County’s small, independent restaurants - the pillars of our community, the sponsors of little league teams, the hosts of PTA nights and civic fundraisers and the anchors of so many downtown business districts - will be gone forever.”

According to FOX 5, a Grubhub spokesperson stated that, while well intentioned, fee caps would cost valuable jobs, tax revenue and important economic activity in the county.

Vision Long Island director Eric Alexander states, “The challenges for small independent restaurants have been overwhelming with ongoing Coronavirus regulations. Their situation is made worse by corporate delivery services like Uber Eats and others that charge outlandish fees that remove the ability for some of these establishments to stay in business. Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan seeks to regulate these companies, which is a good start. The best thing people can do is call the restaurant directly and use their own drivers or pick up your takeout from the establishment itself.”

The proposed legislation is scheduled to be voted on in January. Click here for Fox 5's Jodi Goldberg’s story.

NYS Comptroller Announces Divestment from Fossil Fuels for Pension Fund

One item of very good news this year, in an otherwise daunting time, comes from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who has made the decision to move away from fossil fuel investments with regard to the New York State Pension fund.

New York's pension fund will divest its $226 billion pension fund from fossil fuel producing companies by the end of the next decade, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced in early December.

According to Spectrum News, “The move is meant to coincide with New York's broader transition away from carbon emitting fuel sources by the middle of the century. Divestment from fossil fuels will include a four-year review of investments in companies that are in the energy sector. Standards will be reviewed for how ready a company is for transition to non-carbon producing fuels and climate-related investment risk.”

In a statement, Mr. DiNapoli said, “New York State’s pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the fund’s long-term value.”

“This is a win for green energy,” Vision Long Island’s Director Eric Alexander stated. “Some thought this was a crazy and rash decision. We first heard this concept from the Comptroller at Vision’s Green Infrastructure Summit in 2009 where Mr. DiNapoli was the keynote. Clearly, like the well balanced and rational leader the Comptroller is, he did his research methodically and did this the right way.”

Click here for Comptroller DiNapoli’s statement.

Click here for Spectrum News article.

New York State Boosts Minimum Wage, Some Businesses Recoil

It seems Long Island small businesses are mixed on the new minimum wage regulations that came into effect this year.  

New York State is gradually raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour, and as of December 31st, employers on Long Island and in Westchester County are required to begin paying employees at least $14 an hour, up from $13.

Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island states, “What was accepted in the past is looked at a bit differently now given the inability to bring in revenue for many businesses due to the ongoing Coronavirus restrictions.”

“To be clear, many local businesses told us they are already paying more, and in most cases well more, than the minimum wage,” Mr. Alexander continues. “We hear the imbalance of bringing the lower wages up forces all employees up the chain to receive an increase which, in good times, is viable, but is much harder now in certain industries. Of course, you need well more than minimum wage to function on Long Island and we are happy to say that all employers we spoke to understand this.”

Vision Long Island supported the minimum wage legislation as part of its LI Lobby Coalition in past years. The LI Main Street Alliance does not have a formal position on this regulation, although some members were interviewed in a recent Wall Street Journal article regarding this topic. These members include Steve Wangel, Immediate Past President to the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce and Elizabeth Wellington with the LI African American Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article.

Pink Tie Delivers Toy Caravan

The Pink Tie Delivers Toy Caravan rolled out Wednesday, December 23rd, to over 16 communities during 13 drops, distributing close to 3,000 toys. Volunteers from local chambers, civics, pantries and LI Main Street Alliance members helped bring a little something extra for children during this holiday season.

Communities included Mastic, Shirley, Mastic Beach, North Bellport, Medford, Gordon Heights, Central Islip, Brentwood, Wyandanch, Westbury, Hempstead, Baldwin, Roosevelt, Freeport, Elmont, Long Beach and LI Hispanic Chambers toy drive.

The Pink Tie Toy Caravan was planned in less than 36 hours and would not have happen without Pink Tie members Darren Krantz and Darren Krantz Jr. from ReCommerce, Mike Passantino from Trinity Solar, 1st Equity Title's Ray Thomas, Toys for Tots and Pink Tie Co-Founders Rich and Mike Cave. Special thanks also to the Thompson Family at Shop Rite Uniondale, Deer Park and Riverhead, Keller Williams, Boruso Law, Vision Long Island and the Alexander family.

DELIVERY # 1 - YES center for Brentwood and Central Islip with Debbie Cavanaugh from the Central Islip Coalition of Good Neighbors;
DELIVERY #2 - Regina Hunt in North Bellport from the Greater Bellport Coalition;
DELIVERY # 3 - Genesis Church in Medford with Pastor Roger Blackmore & Ken Carmel;
DELIVERY # 4 - Cornerstone Church of God and Christ, Bishop Harrison Hale in Gordon Heights;
DELIVERY # 5 - Colonial Youth & Family Services covering Mastic, Shirley and Mastic Beach;
DELIVERY # 6 - Ghenya Grant at the Wyandanch Chamber of Commerce;
DELIVERY # 7 - Westbury Salvation Army with friends Jean & Stephanie Sainteme. This stop included hams, turkeys and shelf stable food, along with the toys;
DELIVERY # 8 - Shelters in Roosevelt & Baldwin operated by Bethany House;
DELIVERY # 9 - Giovanny Guerrero and his team at the Salvation Army in Freeport;
DELIVERY # 10 - Salvation Army Hempstead with Major Soon Kim and her team;
DELIVERY # 11 - Cuban restaurant site of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce toy drive run by Luis Vasquez and its Board;  
DELIVERY # 12 - Danilo Archibold at the New Jerusalem Cathedral in Elmont.

The day ended at DELIVERY # 13 to the MLK Community Center Long Beach’s toy drive run by James Hodge, Mack Graham and their team. NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky joined this event, along with Andrew Mulvey from the Office of NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo. Over 300 children and families made their way that evening and the next day to receive the toys.

Click here to view a video of the MLK Community Center Long Beach drop.

The total distribution for the day was roughly 3,000 toys - Just in time for Christmas.

For more info on how you can take part in the doorstep donation program or join the Delivers Team check out pinktie.org or contact@pinktie.org.

G2D Group Advances Mixed-use Projects in Two Downtowns

It is exciting to be able to report, 2020 and its myriad of challenges did not slow down the market demand and community support for downtown revitalization efforts and transit-oriented development housing.

One of the builders Vision Long Island had the opportunity to connect with this year was Greg DeRosa and his team at G2D Group. This committed group has a number of Main Street projects underway in Hicksville, Huntington Station and Riverhead.

Vision’s Sustainability Director Elissa Kyle and Vision’s Director Eric Alexander had the opportunity to tour G2D’s rental housing units and WorkSmart office share projects in both their Huntington Station and Hicksville locations.

The Hicksville WorkSmart location won a Smart Growth Award for Revitalizing Communities this past year. This Coworking Office Space allows professionals to work together in a common community. The workspace, which has transformed a vacant downtown office building, is adjacent to the LIRR allowing for a quick express train to NYC. It offers small businesses and entrepreneurs furnished office space, while eighteen apartments span the upper floors, including three studios, three one bedrooms, and twelve two bedrooms. Mr. Alexander has stated, “Hicksville is a really special community. This is a downtown that is revitalizing thanks to this project.”

Special thanks to Allison DeRosa for arranging the tours.

To view the LIBN story on these projects, click here

Mastic and Shirley Chambers Meet to Discuss Sewer District

Reflecting on 2020 and beyond, one central goal must be to maintain sewer infrastructure projects that have been placed in motion prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of these projects includes sewers for the Mastic and Shirley Business District. These plans, and its funding, have been in place for a number of years and it is critical to keep the momentum going.

Vision Long Island’s Director, Eric Alexander, was out speaking with the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastic’s and Shirley earlier this fall.

“It was heartening to see Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman provide an update on his efforts to keep the funding for sewers in place,” Mr. Alexander reflected.

Kudos also to Chamber President Beth Wahl and her fellow Board members for their ongoing work to advance wastewater treatment for their community and helping local small businesses through this pandemic.

Long Island Main Street News, Under Production, makes Extended Interviews with Local Leaders Available

Vision Long Island has been in the process of interviewing some of our community partners: local civics, small business/chamber friends, municipal officials and local food pantry and religious leaders. 

As part of these efforts, we have reached over half of the communities we work in and are starting now to connect to some of our friends not rooted in any one community from development, design and infrastructure professionals and environmental leaders as well.   These interviews will be pieced together into a future show titled "Long Island Main Street News," but, in the meantime, you can view an extended version of these interviews here.

Special thanks to our guests for sharing their experiences, to our friends at Pink Tie for providing access to their studio, and to Rob Comforto from Videomasters for the filming and production.

Melissa Connolly, Vice President, University Relations, Hofstra Hall, Hofstra University

A good friend of LI Main Street Alliance, Ms. Connolly shared a wide-ranging update detailing the journey Hofstra University has traveled during 2020, including their support of the surrounding community and her outlook for the coming year. She also discussed the good work of the Interfaith Nutrition Network and other activities she has taken on in her journey.

“It’s been such a fun place to be in the last ten years. Between the creation of the med school, the formation of the engineering school, taking some health profession programs and putting them in their own school and getting ready to launch a new undergraduate nursing program to open next year” Ms. Connelly reflected. “We grow in areas that society tells us we need growth.”

Discussing Hofstra’s emphasis on experiential learning, Ms. Connolly advised, the University provides sliding scale services for the community through its Saltzman Community Services Center, which includes four clinics and a fully licensed early childhood program, serving Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale and Westbury.

Regarding local food insecurity issues, Ms. Connolly noted the drive through food drives she is involved with through the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) have been a lot of fun and they are also great because they serve the local community. “This was the first year working with the INN or the Girl Scouts that people contacted me because they needed the support.”

The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges. To meet these challenges, the University works with Northwell Health to address testing and other safety requirements for students and faculty who attend class when they are not taking advantage of remote learning. Many activities are done virtually, including fundraising and student need.

It is so interesting to see such a large institution as Hofstra adapt to the Coronavirus regulations during these times and of course, we all look forward to when they can be back in force with their full range of activities.

Click here to view complete interview.

Neal Lewis, Executive Director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College

LI Main Street Alliance’s longtime friend Neal Lewis joined Eric Alexander to discuss a variety of energy and planning related issues effecting Long Island, including funding for clean energy; improvements to home or business; opportunities for solar energy through a new solar code; and the goal of getting expanded wind energy projects on Long Island.

In his role on the Nassau County Planning Commission, Mr. Lewis also shared ways to improve civic participation in planning local projects.

“Sustainability is a broad mandate so it gives us a lot to look at,” Mr. Lewis advised. “We are focused more on the energy realm; bringing in those involved in offshore wind projects… We have a project called Long Island Clean Energy Leadership Task Force where we bring together government on Long Island with the energy sector… We are doing our part to lift up successful projects and point to things that should be changed, such as codes.”

Mr. Lewis has a ton of great information to share that is both timely and educational and it goes without saying that we appreciate the work he has done for the environment and Long Island communities for over three decades. 

Click here to view complete interview.

David Wolkoff, Developer

David Wolkoff, principal of the 400-acre Heartland Business Center and developer of the Heartland Town Square mixed use development, shared with Long Island Main Street News an update on his 1,100 units 5Pointz project in LI City that is under construction; previewed the status of his Heartland Town Center project in Brentwood; and gave reflections on the legacy of his father, Jerry, who passed earlier this year.

In a tribute to his father, Mr. Wolkoff said, “He was a force of nature. He literally ate, drank and slept Long Island… He really cared about it.”

“I am busy finishing up a lot of projects and planning a lot of projects," Mr. Wolkoff advised. Discussing his 1,100 units 5Pointz project in LI City which he has been working on for ten year. Mr. Wolkoff stated it looks to be complete and open within the month. “It’s a nice microcosm,” he stated, “to Heartland Town Square.”

Mr. Wolkoff also discussed the Heartland project in Brentwood, the need to address the drain brain on Long Island and the need for downtown areas. “People are demanding downtown areas” he stated. “Long Island does not have as many housing choices as it needs.”

Despite the many challenges facing regional large-scale projects, Mr. Wolkoff remains positive and passionate about the importance of developments that provide jobs, workforce housing and help create walkable communities.

Click here to view complete interview.

Jean & Stephanie Sainteme, Westbury Salvation Army

LI Main Street News had the pleasure to interview Lt. Jean & Stephanie Sainteme from the Westbury Salvation Army. Both have been on the front lines providing food and rent assistance and other support for the communities of Westbury and New Cassel throughout the pandemic.

Mr. and Mrs. Sainteme shared the needs of the immediate and surrounding community of New Cassel and Westbury and the work they do meeting the demand for service that increased as much as 10x pre pandemic levels. They discussed the assistance their center provides for youth, music and religious services. They also took a moment to share their personal journey which took them from very different lives and backgrounds to a life of serving others.

Lt. Jean Sainteme stated, “We have dedicated our lives to serve, it is our passion, our love, to help the community.” Discussing the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Sainteme advised, “We are here and make ourselves available to the community. From March until now, we have served over 1.6 million meals.”

Mrs. Sainteme discussed some of their virtual programs, such as Camp in a Box, where campers are provided all they need in a box, while counselors engage them on zoom. “Instead of having children stay home and not do anything, we provide this program.”

Through Pink Tie Delivers work, LI Main Street Alliance has had the opportunity to meet this dynamic couple and our hearts warm at each visit. If you can donate food or make a financial contribution to the Westbury Salvation Army, it will make it directly to the community!  

Click here to view complete interview.

Frank Camarano, First Vice President, Nassau Council of Chambers

LI Main Street News had the pleasure of interviewing longtime friend Frank Camarano from the Nassau Council of Chambers, past president of the East Meadow Chamber and owner of Evolve Fitness in East Meadow.

Mr. Camarano discussed the challenges facing small businesses during the Coronavirus and the unique importance of local chambers of commerce to communities.

“Chambers are about business, big and small,” Mr. Camarano explained. “Primarily, chambers support small business. They are organizations where you can combine everyone’s resources and knowledge to help each other.”

“The Nassau Council of Chambers works to bond the chambers of Nassau County to work together as one unit,” Mr. Camarano described. “Chambers are a service business. They keep their eye on the ball, and not just for coronavirus.”

Mr. Camarano’s important take away, “Don’t forget about small business. They are there for a reason.”

As always, Mr. Camarano was candid and thoughtful in his observations.

Click here to view complete interview.

Luis Vasquez, President of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Luis Vasquez, President of the LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sat down with LI Main Street News’ Eric Alexander and shared the work of the Chamber, which has been active throughout the pandemic.

Mr. Vasquez presented a snapshot of the diversity and needs of the LI Hispanic business community and provided insight into his journey as well.

The LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been around since 1988. One of the goals of the Chamber, according to Mr. Vasquez, is to help Hispanic businesses expand. Regarding the challenges due to COVID-19, Mr. Vasquez said, “The idea is to keep communication open, let [members] know what’s going on, such as let them know about the PPE program.”

Speaking about growth of Latino businesses, Mr. Vasquez observed, “It is incredible that even in this difficult time, Latinos are giving it a try.” He continued, “We are trying to bridge that gap from small starters to very successful businesses.”

This was a very optimistic and spirited discussion, well worth the listen.

Click here to view complete interview.

Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund

Restaurants in New York State have been among the hardest hit by the ongoing Coronavirus regulations and have been relying on local residents and their loyal customers to rally around these establishments to help them stay open.

In an effort to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund offers ​approximately $3 million in reimbursement grants for up to $5,000 to eligible businesses. The program is intended to support full-service restaurants – the industry hit hardest by the pandemic – during the winter months when outdoor dining is limited and as restaurants adjust to New York State’s COVID-19 safety restrictions and new mandates.

The Raising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund is a partnership between New York State, Diageo Wine & Spirits, Southern Glazer Wines & Spirits and The National Development Council (NDC). Grant funding will be managed by The National Development Council (NDC).

Restaurants can apply to the Rising the NYS Bar Restaurant Recovery Fund starting Monday, January 11, 2021.  ​

To qualify for the program, an establishment must:

·         Be full-service restaurants (NAICS code 722511), or establishments engaged in providing food services and meals prepared on-premises to patrons who traditionally order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service), including on-premises food and drinking establishments licensed through the State Liquor Authority (SLA).  Establishments providing take out or grab and go food services due to COVID-19 restrictions are also eligible;
·         Franchises are not eligible;
·         Have no more than $3 million in 2019 revenue;
·         Be located in New York State;
·         Have been in operation on or before March 1, 2019;
·         Certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19
·         Agree to comply with all applicable New York State and local reopening guidance and COVID-19 health and safety policies, including the New York Forward reopening guidance and Cluster Action Initiative guidance, as well as SLA and DOH regulations.

Click here for full details.

New York Reopens Rent Relief Program

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas has announced the COVID Rent Relief Program will be reopened for application with expanded eligibility criteria in an effort to serve New Yorkers who may have not had the opportunity to initially apply and those who may have been previously ineligible. HCR will accept applications from households through Monday, February 1, 2021.

The Program’s eligibility has been changed to no longer require households to have been considered “rent burdened” prior to the pandemic in order to qualify. Rent burden is defined as paying more than 30 percent of monthly gross income towards rent.  Residents that previously applied for COVID Rent Relief will not have to reapply to be reconsidered. HCR will re-evaluate all applications that were denied according to the new criteria and issue revised determination letters to applicants.

To qualify for this one-time subsidy, low-income renters impacted by the pandemic must meet all of the following criteria:

•  Must be a renter and have a primary residence in New York State;
•  Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020;
•  Before March 7, 2020, household income must have been at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size; and
•  Households must be “rent burdened” during the months they are applying for assistance between April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

For the purposes of assessing applicant income, cash benefits and unemployment benefits are both included in the calculation.

The subsidy for eligible applicants will be calculated as: the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the household’s rent burden during the months of April, May, June and July of 2020. For applicants who were not considered rent burdened on March 1, 2020, the subsidy will be calculated to bring them to the 30 percent rent burden threshold.

Applications are available on the COVID Rent Relief Program portal on HCR’s website here.

Application Period for Suffolk County Emergency Grant Program, "Backstop," Now Open for Homes and Small Business

Suffolk County has released information on its emergency rental assistance program available through the Suffolk County CDA Consortium.  The program can cover one month’s rent (up to $2500).

There are several restrictions though, including:

- Limited to Suffolk Consortium (Brookhaven, Islip and Babylon are NOT covered)
- Must be a legal apartment
- Must show proof that arrears are due to COVID

This is a Pre-Application and is currently open until January 15, 2021 at 3:00 PM ET.

Once the Pre-Application closes, a lottery will select applicants to be placed on a waitlist. Waitlist lottery results are final and are not subject to appeal. Selected applicants will be required to complete a funding application, and both Tenant and Landlord will be required to submit documentation for final eligibility review.

Selection in the lottery is not a guarantee of funding. You can read more, including further guidelines and information, here.

As part of the program, Suffolk County is also offering an emergency grant for small businesses that can range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on size.

You can view information on eligibility for that program here, and pre-apply for it here.

The pre-applcation period for small businesses is open until January 16th.

Once the pre-application period has closed, the Application portal will then open for those whose preapplications have been approved. Opening date for the Application portal is TBD, but is anticipated to be within a week of the close of the pre-application period. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ensure your application is complete on submission – incomplete applications will not be reviewed, and will be moved to the end of the line of submissions.

New York State Accepting Applications for NY Forward Loan Fund

New York State has opened pre-applications for the New York Forward Loan Fund. Loans from this fund are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords in New York State. New York Forward loans must be fully repaid over a 5-year term with fixed annual interest rates of 3 percent for small businesses and landlords.

Small businesses may apply for the lesser of $100,000 or up to 100% of the average monthly revenues in any 3-month period from 2019 or the first quarter of 2020. This loan can be paid back over five years with first year being interest only.  However, if small businesses have received either a PPP loan or an EIDL loan from SBA, they would not be eligible to apply. NYS has set a goal of 18% of total funds under this Program for Long Island

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as industries and regions reopen however, priority for New York Forward Loans will be given to industries and regions that have been reopened. Resources are available to assist in preparing applications for small businesses, landlords and nonprofits in industries and regions that have not yet reopened.

To view more details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click here:

If you need technical assistance through this process, please contact an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center near you and inform the counselor that you need help for the NY Forward Loan application.  You can find your closest contact center here.

Today's Sponsor

Cameron Engineering

Cameron Engineering & Associates, LLP is a full service multi-disciplined consulting engineering and planning firm founded in 1985. The Firm is comprised of experienced and qualified engineers, landscape architects, planners, facility operators, and environmental scientists dedicated to providing professional, timely and responsive services to our clients.

A comprehensive knowledge of municipal codes, government regulations, and industry standards is incorporated into all of their work. This assures that they provide quality engineering and up-to-date solutions. The principals and senior level management are continuously involved in the planning, control, implementation, and quality review of each project. Their timely submissions and quality engineering are the primary reasons for their clients to request their services on a repeat basis.