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

March 5th, 2021

Quotes of the Week

	“On behalf of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, we are asking the SBA to extend the time for applications and make available the outreach necessary to complete the application process for pandemic related loans. Many of our members are self-employed and sole proprietors without employees. Many are single parent homes where they support their families and are their only means of income.  Due to the stipulations in regulations, they were omitted from many loan programs, particularly those with loan forgiveness.  It is time for the SBA to give the ‘smallest of the small businesses’ a fair chance at the capital available from the federal government. They have been severely affected by the pandemic where they were forced to be closed and consumers were in the habit of shopping on the internet and not in their local shops. The SBA regulations should be permanently changed to include loans for the self-employed and businesses under ten.” - Frank Camarano, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce
	“We are grateful for the PPP loans that can help the small minority businesses. Minimum outreach from the government agencies means increased masked door to door, emails, phone calls and webinars from the Chambers and local community organizations.”  - Elizabeth Wellington, LI African American Chamber of Commerce
	“There is not a lot of information in the community, especially for minority business owners. There are still people in minority communities that haven’t received the last PPP loans. We need more information. They need help.” - Harry Malhotra, NY South Asian Chamber of Commerce
	“It’s very important we get this information out, especially to the Hispanic and minority communities. We are probably hurt the most.” - Luis Vasquez, LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
	“I applaud the Biden Administration taking this extraordinary step to help small businesses. Small business owners need to take advantage of this before the March 9th deadline so they can receive the priority.” - Ray Thomas, Black Business Zone
	“Many Small business owners are intimidated by the PPP application process. We are here to help make it much less painful at no cost.” - Neil Seiden, Asset Enhancement Solutions
	“The survival of our small businesses will help bring our communities back.”  - Clariona Griffith, Hempstead Chamber of Commerce

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Local Chambers and Minority Small Businesses Call For Increased Outreach and Utilization of SBA Programs

On March 1st, local chamber and minority small businesses gathered at Shaheen Plaza, 225 South Broadway, in Hicksville, to call for increased outreach and utilization of critical SBA programs to provide economic relief through the spring.

“We are here today with a whole slew of chambers, organizations and government that are supporting our local small businesses, and have been throughout the pandemic,” stated Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “We are here for four reasons: First, to advise small businesses that the SBA Paycheck Protection Program is allowing small businesses, with under 20 employees, to be exclusively processed until March 9th, allowing the smallest businesses to move to the front of the line. The deadline for the entire program is March 31st; Second, we’re asking everyone to outreach to their local communities through their organizations to reach every business; Third, we’re asking everyone to outreach individually to businesses; Fourth, we are asking the SBA to answer folks’ questions.”

Those in attendance included: LI Main Street Alliance; NY South Asian Chamber of Commerce; Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce; LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; LI African American Chamber of Commerce; Town of Oyster Bay; Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs; Asset Enhancement Solutions; East Meadow Chamber of Commerce; Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce; Hempstead Chamber of Commerce; Black Business Zone; Pink Tie’s “Think Small” Initiative; Vision Long Island; and Local minority owned businesses.

Frank Camarano, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, stated, “On behalf of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, we are asking the SBA to extend the time for applications and make available the outreach necessary to complete the application process for pandemic related loans. Many of our members are self-employed and sole proprietors without employees. Many are single parent homes where they support their families and are their only means of income.  Due to the stipulations in regulations, they were omitted from many loan programs, particularly those with loan forgiveness.  It is time for the SBA to give the ‘smallest of the small businesses’ a fair chance at the capital available from the federal government. They have been severely affected by the pandemic where they were forced to be closed and consumers were in the habit of shopping on the internet and not in their local shops. The SBA regulations should be permanently changed to include loans for the self-employed and businesses under ten.” 

Elizabeth Wellington, LI African American Chamber of Commerce, advised, “We are grateful for the PPP loans that can help the small minority businesses.” Also noting, “Minimum outreach from the government agencies means increased masked door to door, emails, phone calls and webinars from the Chambers and local community organizations.” 

Harry Malhotra, NY South Asian Chamber of Commerce, stated, “There is not a lot of information in the community, especially for minority business owners. There are still people in minority communities that haven’t received the last PPP loans. We need more information. They need help.”

Rajeev Maini, Business Owner, “Our businesses have been hit hard since this pandemic. It’s hard to keep employees, come up with the rent and utilities. We are asking government to see what else can be done, especially with PPP Loans.”

Councilwoman Laura Maier, Town of Oyster Bay, “The fact that the government is focusing on smaller businesses, minority owned businesses. is extremely important. Changes to the program will help even the playing field. The changes also address racial disparities that have been seen in the earlier alliteration of the loans that left minority businesses out. Small business is the heart beat of our economy and its success is critical to our economic recovery. Please apply to the SBA.”

Lionel Chitty, Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs, stated, “Our key saying is apply, apply, apply. Do not assume you don’t qualify. Do not assume you will not get the opportunity.”

Clariona Griffith, Hempstead Chamber of Commerce advised, “The survival of our small businesses will help bring our communities back.” 

Richie Krug, East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, noted, “It’s all about information dissemination. I urge all my fellow small business owners to partner with their local organizations to help get the information they need to apply for these loans.”

Luis Vasquez, LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, stated, “It’s very important we get this information out, especially to the Hispanic and minority communities. We are probably hurt the most.”

Ray Thomas, Black Business Zone, added, “I applaud the Biden Administration taking this extraordinary step to help small businesses. Small business owners need to take advantage of this before the March 9th deadline so they can receive the priority.”

Neil Seiden, Asset Enhancement Solutions stated, “Many Small business owners are intimidated by the PPP application process. We are here to help make it much less painful at no cost.”

Eric Alexander summed it up, “We don’t have time to wait for government to take action – we must do the local business outreach ourselves. Folks should reach out to every small business they know and ask if the know about the program and encourage them to apply.”

You can view the entire press conference here.

Further news coverage of the press conference is available at Newsday and CBS.

Here are recent changes to PPP to Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief:

The 14-day Exclusivity Period for Businesses with Less Than 20 Employees

• From 9:00 am on February 24, 2021, through midnight on March 9, 2021, the SBA will only accept applications from borrowers with fewer than 20 employees.
• Applications already submitted by lenders to the SBA before the start of the exclusivity period will still be processed.
• During the exclusivity period, SBA will reject any new applications that have 20 or more employees.
• When counting employees, each employee counts as one regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, or seasonal.

The Revised Formula for Schedule C Filers

• Beginning in early March, Schedule C filers will be able to calculate their maximum PPP loan amount using the gross income on line 7 of IRS Form 1040 Schedule C rather than line 31.
• Additionally, $1 billion will be set aside for Schedule C applicants that do not have employees and that are located in low- and moderate-income (LMI) areas.

Elimination of the Exclusionary Restriction on Small Business Owners with Felony Convictions

• In March, the SBA will eliminate restrictions on businesses with owners who have prior non-fraud convictions. However, restrictions will remain in place for borrowers with an arrest or conviction for a felony fraud within the past 5 years and those who are currently incarcerated.
• Elimination of the Exclusionary Restriction on Small Business Owners with Student Loan Debt.

Delinquencies

• SBA has partnered with the Department of Treasury and Education to eliminate restrictions on businesses with 20% or more owners who have student loan debt delinquencies.
• SBA will automatically remove the hold codes for student loan debt identified through Treasury’s Do Not Pay database.

Elimination of Restrictions on Non-Citizen Business Owners

• The SBA will be issuing guidance clarifying that non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents (ie. green card and visa holders) may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to apply for relief.

The deadline for sole proprietors and small businesses with 20 employees or less runs through March 9th. The final deadline to apply for PPP protection is March 31st.

You can apply at the SBA website here.

Please see the flyer below for more information:

$71.8 Million Federal Grant Awarded to Improve Water Quality and Storm Resiliency

U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (NY-04) and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced on March 1st that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $71.8 million to help fund the Western Bays Resiliency Project, which will replenish tidal wetlands to prevent flooding, sewerage back-up and unhealthy living environments in the Reynolds Channel and the Western Bays.

“With our climate changing and sea levels rising, Long Island faces the troubling reality of stronger and more frequent storms,” said Rep. Kathleen Rice. “By repairing tidal wetlands, this project will both strengthen storm resiliency along our shores and improve water quality. I am pleased FEMA has awarded this federal grant, and I will continue to fight for federal funding in Congress to ensure we are prepared for when the next Superstorm Sandy hits.”

"Revitalization of the Western Bays will not only improve our environment, but provide greater storm resiliency,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. “This significant investment in Nassau’s environment creates jobs, spurs economic development and protects homeowners by restoring the critical marshlands that serve as vital buffers during storms. I thank Congresswoman Rice for helping secure this important grant, which will be used to improve water quality and rejuvenate our environment for generations to come.”

The goal of the Western Bays Resiliency Project is to significantly reduce the discharge of nitrogen into Reynolds Channel and Long Island’s Western Bays by eliminating Bay Park Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges into the Channel. To do this, treated water will be transferred from the treatment plant up to an already existing aqueduct and then down to the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant where it will then discharge out to the Atlantic Ocean. This will reduce the degradation and loss of natural systems that provide resiliency and protection from waves and storm surge. As the Channel and Western Bays become less hospitable for nitrogen-dependent algae, native plant species that traditionally absorb wave energy will return in their original concentrations and hardiness to provide enhanced protection. The replenished tidal wetlands will prevent flooding, sewerage back-up and unhealthy living environments.

The $71.8 million federal grant was awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments to rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities.

NYS Eases COVID Restrictions

Beginning April 2nd, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen in New York at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If all attendees present proof of negative test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors. Social distancing and face coverings will be required by all attendees, as well as strict adherence to all applicable Department of Health guidance.

Domestic travelers to New York State who have been vaccinated no longer have to quarantine or test out within 90 days of their full vaccination. 

Beginning March 22nd, residential gatherings of up to 25 people can be held outdoors. Indoor residential gatherings remain capped at 10 people to reduce the continued risk of spread. Also, non-residential social gatherings of up to 100 people can occur indoors and up to 200 people can occur outdoors.

Suffolk County Launches New Reimagine Transit Webpage

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has announced the launch of a new Reimagine Transit Initiative website as part of his Connect LI program.

The purpose of this new web page will be to provide general project information and updates on how transit is being improved in the region.  The site will also be where residents can go to find out ways to be involved with the program through surveys and public meetings.

“Our future is dependent on adapting to the needs and desires of our diverse communities,” said Executive Bellone. “The Reimagine Transit initiative does just that. This new webpage brings together all the pieces of the puzzle in a cohesive and convenient way for our residents to explore, providing updates on the project and resources for them to learn more.”

The Reimagine Initiative began this past September with a goal of restructuring transit services to have a more effective system that identifies opportunities.  This will also be a place for the County test out new tools such as on-demand transit services and other programs.  Funding for the new initiative is coming from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s Unified Planning Work Program grant.

The Reimagine Transit initiative is being led by the Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning Department and is partnering with the Department of Public Works.  It is the follow up program to the Suffolk County Mobility Study, which had previously evaluated Suffolk’s transit challenges and identified opportunities for the County to work on.

You can read more about this development at Huntington Now.  You can view the webpage here and download a one-pager with more information on the initiative here.

New York Mayors Call for More Funding to Recover from Pandemic

The New York State Conference of Mayors & Municipal Officials have released a video with a plea for more funding for frontline efforts to battle the effects of the COVID pandemic.

The video, approximately 2 minutes long, makes clear that the cities and towns across the state are pushing for economic recovery and leading efforts to fight lost revenue that’s projected to come from the pandemic.  This puts them on the frontline when it comes to the economic health of both our state and country.

The video calls for support in their fight to bring relief to those who need it most and are working to help out small businesses and local communities.

Long Island village mayors were featured in the video, including Village of Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray and Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri.

You can view the full video here.

NY Project Hope

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is a proud provider of NY Project Hope, a crisis counseling program helping our communities cope with COVID.

As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the need for mental health support and resources has increased significantly. Additionally, many individuals are experiencing housing insecurity and stress at this time. Partnering with Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, efforts are targeted to the homeless population within Suffolk County. This includes anyone who is at-risk of homelessness, living in a shelter, or living on the street/a place unfit for human habitation.

Crisis Counselors are able to work with individuals to provide support, empowerment, coping strategies, resource sharing, as well as work with individuals to get them on a path to permanent and safe housing. Using person-centered and strengths-based approaches, their goal is to empower individuals and help them gain a sense of control and agency over their lives during these unstable times

Project Hope Crisis Counselors understand what you are going through. Talking to them is free, confidential, and anonymous. Talk to someone who is trained, knowledgeable and never judges. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone you don’t know.

NY Project Hope is a program of the NYS Office of Mental Health, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

Crisis Counselors are there to listen and offer support in any way they can. They are available Sunday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays 9am-9pm, and Saturdays 4pm-9pm. Its Emotional Support Helpline is 631-464-4314 x 116.

Pink Tie Continues to Deliver Across Long Island

One of the best experiences this past year has been the weekly teamwork with our friends from Pink Tie with over 110 stops as the Delivers Team keeps going.

In recent weeks we were out in Freeport for a food and financial contribution to the Salvation Army center in the heart of the downtown.  The Centers Director Giovanny Guerrero and his team get these donations to isolated seniors and families.

Thanks to a donation from Frito Lay we were also able to deliver quality snacks to community programs in Wyandanch with Ghenya Grant, Genesis Church in Medford with Ken Carmel and the Neighbors Supporting Neighbors pantry in Babylon with Kim Skillen.   Great also to check in with each of them to see how they are holding up with their numerous initiatives. 

The Pink Tie Delivers team for this drop included Pink Tie co-founder Rich Cave, Mike Passantino, Ray Thomas, Paxton Provitera, and Asia Lee.

The team will be out in Amityville today for support for homeless families and individuals.

If you want to join or support the Pink Tie Delivers team we would love your help.  Please help us with food donations through our doorstep donation program or sponsor one of our weekly drops.  Check out pinktie.org or please email us at contact@pinktie.org

Westbury Imagined Short Stories

The Westbury Imagined short story series continues with another tale from author Arthur Dobrin.

The story is the fourth installment in the series and is part of an informative effort to bring the history and diversity of Westbury to local readers.  Published by Westbury Arts, each short story in the series is an original work of fiction meant to show readers the history of the village.  Some works are based on actual historical events and others are purely imagined.

You can read the latest installment of the series, Mrs. Hicks Meets Mr. Douglass, here.  You can also find out more about the author here.

Back and Better Than Ever – The Complete Streets Act

Smart Growth America is asking community members and organizations to support the federal Complete Streets Act of 2019, re-introduced recently by Senator Edward J. Markey (MA) and Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09). This bill’s objective is to promote safer and more accessible street design across the United States.

According to Smart Growth America, the United States is in crisis. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 35.4 percent between 2008 and 2017. In 2018 alone, 6,227 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes, the highest fatality rate since 1990. This alarming increase in the number of people killed while walking is due often to poorly designed streets. For too long, federal policy has prioritized high-speed driving at the expense of safety and thousands die each year because of it. It's long past time for a new approach, and the newly Complete Streets Act would require safer and more accessible street design across the United States.

To create safer streets, the Complete Streets Act does three basic things:

• Sets aside federal funds to support Complete Streets projects (five percent of annual federal highway funds)
• Requires states to create a program to provide technical assistance and award funding for communities to build Complete Streets projects
• Directs localities to adopt a Complete Streets policy that meets a minimum set of standards to access that dedicated funding

The Complete Streets Act requires that states set aside a portion of their federal highway funding to create a grant program that funds Complete Streets projects to make transit routes safer and more accessible. Through this program, eligible local and regional entities can apply for technical assistance and capital funding to build safe streets projects, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and bus stops.

The federal Complete Streets Act is modeled on a landmark law in Massachusetts that has catalyzed the adoption of nearly 200 local Complete Street policies and implementation plans and funded over 100 safety projects in just three years. The cumulative effect is safer roads for everyone—no matter whether they’re walking, biking, scooting, taking transit, or driving.

Unlike a state program, a federal Complete Streets law dedicates more resources to safety, has a wider impact, and helps undo some of the damage that has been done thanks to federal transportation policy that incentivizes states to prioritize high vehicle speeds above all else. After all, federal dollars and policies helped create unsafe streets in the first place, and federal funds, policies, and guidance have a significant role to play in fixing our existing streets and in designing the streets we’ll build tomorrow, explains Smart Growth America.

“Federal transportation policy incentivizes states to make every street—even a community road lined with businesses and homes—a high-speed thoroughfare. As a result, the number of people struck and killed while walking is skyrocketing,” said Scott Goldstein, policy director of Transportation for America, a program of Smart Growth America. “The Complete Streets Act is a huge step towards reversing these perverse incentives by reallocating existing funding and empowering cities and towns to design streets that keep everybody safe. We are pleased to support this important legislation again this year.”

Discussing Complete Streets during the age of COVID, Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance has said, “People are walking and biking so much more now as a result of the pandemic. It is imperative we make towns, villages, county and state roadways as pedestrian/bicycle safe as possible and make sure federal, state, county and local funds continue to stream to pedestrian and bike amenities.”

This bill is the product of more than a decade of work by the National Complete Streets Coalition and Smart Growth America.      

You can read more and support the Complete Streets Act here.

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.

This edition of the LI Main Street News interviews features our friend Andrew Saluk from the Jovia Financial Credit Union.

Mr. Saluk shared his take on the development trends and the state of the market through Coronavirus and beyond.

We appreciate his candor and down to earth approach to investing in local businesses and development across Long Island.  

Check it out here.

We were back with another edition of the LI Main Street News interviews, this time connecting on many transportation issues with Denise Carter from Greenman Pedersen Inc. one of the leading engineering firms in the region.

Ms. Carter covered the importance of planning more walking and biking safety projects, investing in our region's infrastructure and working with communities to manage the changes we all face through the pandemic.

Ms. Carter and GPI have been long time leaders in implementing multiple modes of transit and we always love checking in with what is happening in the transportation engineering world.

Check it out here.

We were back with another edition of the LI Main Street News interviews featuring our friend Randi Dresner from Island Harvest.

Ms. Dresner shared the history and current work of Island Harvest delivering food to well over 550,000 individuals this year.   We talked about food insecurity, supporting local food pantries and most importantly what folks can do to help.

Awesome interview with an organization who is really keeping Long Island's neediest fed. 

Check it out here.

This edition of Long Island Main Street News featuring Dr. Jeff Reynolds from the Family and Children's Association.

Dr. Reynolds shared not only the work of his agency but the comprehensive health needs many Long Islanders face that have been compounded by the Coronavirus shutdowns.  Mental health, drug and alcohol addictions, alienation and the challenges of caring for seniors, children and family members were all covered.

The disparities facing working class neighborhoods that do not have as much access to health care and face job losses or who have to continue to work front line jobs are also a major challenge.

On a positive note Dr. Reynolds made an excellent case for considering work in public health and not for profit services sharing not only the importance of the work but the opportunity to give back to your community.

Kudos to Dr. Reynolds for his decades of service in the area of human needs and definitely an interview to check out here.

Our next episode of LI Main Street News featuring Greta Guarton Executive Director of the LI Coalition for the Homeless.

Ms. Guarton shared the important work at the Coalition that includes direct services to the homeless, securing funds for homeless housing and additional needs, running their community service center, conferences, vigils and programs for homeless children as well.

Over two decades worth of work at the Coalition has made her organization a hub for helping families and individuals with real needs.   Ms. Guarton's review of the needs that are out there and the work being done to address it are both inspiring and instructive on how regional not for profits can help our local communities.

Check it out here.

Keep an eye on Vision Long Island's Facebook page here, where we'll be premiering a new Main Street News Interview daily! Simply follow us if you have not already and you should get alerts before a new video debuts.

Here is our upcoming schedule of interviews for the rest of the week, so be sure and tune in for any that you are interested in:

Monday, March 8th
Pastor Danilo Archibold, New Jerusalem Cathedral, Elmont

Tuesday, March 9th
Gail Bailey, Middle Island Civic Association

Wednesday, March 10th
Ken Johnson, Greenlawn Civic Association

Thursday, March 11th
Joseph Garcia & David Saul, Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce

Friday, March 12th
John Murray, Kilwins, The Hero Joint Patchogue & Babylon

NYS Vaccination Guide Now Available

The State of New York has prepared a guide to help eligible New Yorkers schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a state-operated distribution site.

· Appointments are REQUIRED. To make an appointment, you can call the hotline or go the New York State eligibility website using the links below;
· New York State Vaccination Hotline: 1-8333-NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829). The Hotline is open 7 days a week from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM;
· Check your eligibility at this site:  https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ You can also locate the site by googling “New York am I eligible.” If eligible, you will be able to move forward and search for an appointment near you at a state-operate distribution location;
· For further information, the New York State website is a great resource: www.ny.gov/vaccine.

The federal government has increased the weekly supply, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification

A reminder: Appointments are based on vaccine supply. Supply is currently limited.

Eligibility update, March 1st 2021: Vaccine eligibility has been expanded to public facing hotel worker, food banks and pantries, and home-delivered meal programs.

New York is currently vaccinating what they are referring to as Phase 1a and Phase 1b groups. Please head to the state's website here to confirm if you are eligible for vaccination.

YouOffice to Host Small Business Pop-Up on March 20th

Small business owners in Glen Cove have a variety of options when considering where to keep their office. One unique opportunity is found at YouOffice of Glen Cove. YouOffice, which sits in the heart of the Glen Cove business community, surrounded by shops and restaurants, offers boutique office suites and coworking space which cater to small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

On Saturday, March 20th, from 2 PM to 5 PM at 50 Glen Street, YouOffice is hosting a Small Business Pop-Up, featuring a diverse selection of small businesses found on Long Island. There will be businesses specializing in fashion, art, vintage, wellness, beauty, home decor, jewelry, artisanal foods, crafts, local services and more.

YouOffice is also hosting a giveaway for vendors. Each vendor will have an opportunity to win a suite in the building for 6 months free of charge. 

For more information visit hello@youoffice.com.

The INN’s Curbside Food Drive Returns on March 20th

The INN was founded in 1983 as a single soup kitchen run by a small group of concerned volunteers. Working at a church in Hempstead, the volunteers discovered that not only were there large numbers of hungry people on Long Island, but that individuals working together could make a difference in their lives.

What began as a tiny seed quickly grew as other communities discovered that hungry people existed in their community, too. As word spread of the success of the Hempstead soup kitchen, The INN became a magnet for individuals who wanted to help those who were hungry in their own communities. Soon after the Hempstead soup kitchen began operations, others opened up Long Island wide.

From this simple start and through the vision and determination of a small group of dedicated volunteers, The INN has grown to become the largest private social service agency of its kind on Long Island.

The INN’s goal is to transform lives by addressing hunger, homelessness and profound poverty through awareness, action and generosity.

Here’s one way we all can help.

The INN, at 100 Madison Avenue, Hempstead, is holding its next no-contact food drive, to collect the most needed items for guests of the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen, on March 20th, from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Most needed items include: Canned meats, Canned tuna, Canned soup, Canned stews, Canned vegetables and fruit, Dry soup, Peanut butter, Jelly (no glass), Travel-size toiletries, Hot and cold cereals, Rice, Powdered milk, Pasta, Canned beans, Baby food & cereal (glass jars accepted), Baby formula.

All donations are appreciated!

Call 516.732.6009 with question. You can find more information here.

Applying for the Second Round of PPP Loans for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been revived, with $280 billion available for a second round, for small businesses still struggling to make ends meet. Monday, January 11th, was the first day to apply for this new, potentially forgivable, federal loan.

What you need to know about PPP Loans:
PPP loans are forgivable loans, meaning the money doesn’t need to be repaid if it meets the criteria laid out by the Small Business Administration. They have an interest rate of one percent and the current batch will mature in five years. The loans require no collateral and come without fees. Borrowers must spend at least 60% of the loans on payroll, with the other 40% going to other eligible operating expenses. Forgiven PPP loans are not considered income for federal tax purposes.

Differences in Round 2:
Targeted funds are being made available for the most vulnerable businesses; restaurants can get bigger loans; the forgiveness process is simpler; the tax break for PPP loan recipients have gotten bigger; and there is an expanded use of funds.

Eligibility for PPP funding:
For round 2 of the PPP funding, both first-time and second-time qualified borrowers are eligible to apply. First-time borrowers can apply for loans up to $10 million.

PPP applicants who are seeking funding in addition to what they received earlier in the year (also known as Second Draw Loans) are eligible for loans up to $2 million provided they meet the following requirements:
-          Employ fewer than 300 people (down from 500);
-          Have used or will use the full loan amount granted to them in their first round of PPP funding;
-          Can show a 25% gross revenue decline in any 2020 quarter compared with the same quarter in 2019 (if a business was out of operation for a portion of 2019, they can use different quarters to compare gross receipts.)

How and when to apply:

SBA reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA will began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

To promote access for smaller lenders and their customers, SBA will initially only accept Second Draw PPP Loan applications from participating community financial institutions (CFIs), which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries. Paycheck Protection Program lending will reopen to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods.

Applications close on March 31, 2021.

How much can a business borrow?
Loans are capped at 2.5 times an applicant’s average monthly payroll costs in the one year prior to the loan being issued (3.5 times for restaurants and other eligible hospitality businesses).
Loans are limited to a maximum of $10 million for first time PPP borrowers and $2 million for second time borrowers.

What can the money be used for?
The loan proceeds can be used to cover a business’s payroll and certain other expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures.

What about loan forgiveness?
If a business uses at least 60% of the loan on payroll expenses and maintains its employment levels during the covered period of the loan, it can apply to have the loan forgiven. Otherwise, the loans carry a 1% interest rate and a maturity of five years.

For further information, and to apply, click here.

Nassau County Reopens Restaurant Recovery Grant Program

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran is pleased to reopen the portal below to accept more applications for the Restaurant Recovery Grant Program (RRGP).

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. Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) are encouraged to apply.

Nassau County is using funding made available through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to provide grants to restaurants. Grant funds are valued at either $5,000 or $10,000 depending on the number of employees.

The deadline to submit an application is March 15th, 2021.

If you have not already begun the application process and would like to APPLY, click here: https://zoomgrants.tools/zgf/nassaurestaurantrecovery

Eligible businesses that have been APPROVED to receive Restaurant Recovery Grant Program (RRGP) funding are shown in the list at this link. These businesses will receive a direct email from the Restaurant Recovery team this week, requesting confirmation of bank details so that the grant can be disbursed. Please watch for the email from nassaurestaurants@ndconline.org.

Restaurants that have applied to the RRGP but do NOT see their business on the list at the above link must get in touch with the Restaurant Recovery team immediately to complete their applications at nassaurestaurants@ndconline.org and 1-646-825-9617.

For any questions, please contact the Restaurant Recovery team at nassaurestaurants@ndconline.org and 1-646-825-9617.

Questions?

Please email any RRGP questions to the Restaurant Recovery team at mailto:nassaurestaurants@ndconline.org.

Check back to this webpage for any RRGP updates!

Program Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Businesses

• Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS code 722511) 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)
• Restaurant Establishment must have a current and valid Nassau County Department of Health Food Service Permit

General Eligibility

• Located in Nassau County
• In operation on or before March 1, 2019
• Must have 50 or fewer Full-Time equivalent (FTE) employees
              o Maximum $5,000 grant – 0 (sole proprietor)-10 employees
              o Maximum $10,000 grant – 11-50 employees
• Must agree to create or retain at least one low/moderate-income job at full-time status
• Must certify and demonstrate that they have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19

Eligible Expenses

• Grant funds to cover working capital and operating expenses including:
            o payroll, rent, utilities, purchase of PPE and sanitation supplies; lease or purchase of equipment like kitchen equipment or delivery vehicles; or COVID-19 related business improvements like patio heaters or contactless technology.

Ineligible Businesses

• Non-profit organizations
• Businesses with greater than 50 employees
• Businesses in violation of New York State Executive orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic or other State, County or local ordinances
               o e.g., EO 202.74 effective Friday, November 13 at 10 PM
                               ▪ SLA FAQ: https://sla.ny.gov/Guidance-COVID-Related-Closing-Times

Keep an eye on the restaurant recovery page on Nassau County’s website for more information and to apply once the grant program becomes available.

New York State Homes & Community Renewal Community Development Block Grants

The New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides financial assistance to cities, towns and villages with populations under 50,000 and counties with area populations under 200,000.

Communities may apply for grant funds to support quality affordable housing and economic opportunities. CDBG funding must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income New Yorkers through housing activities; projects that create job opportunities; prevent or eliminate blight; or address community development needs that pose a serious and imminent threat to the community’s health or welfare.

Grants are currently available to support housing projects and economic development and small business activities.

• Eligibility: Cities, towns and villages located in non-entitlement areas with a population under 50,000 and counties with an unincorporated population of under 200,000 are eligible to apply for CDBG funding. Eligible applicants must be in substantial compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, regulations and executive orders that pertain to the CDBG program.
• Housing Grants: Housing grants are available for housing rehabilitation, down payment assistance and manufactured housing replacement.
• Funding: $10 million available, with a maximum of $500,000 for cities, towns and villages and a maximum of $1 million for counties.
• Deadline:  April 9, 2021
• Economic Development Grants: Economic development grants are available to support business expansion, must create or retain jobs.
• Funding: Limits vary based on proposed activity.
• Deadline:  Open application, rolling awards.
• Contact: OCRinfo@nyshcr.org

You can find more information here.

Application period for the 2021 AARP Community Challenge Now Open

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.

The program is open to the following types of programs:

• 501(C)(3), 501(C)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits
• Government entities
• Other types of organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis

The following projects are NOT eligible for funding:

• Partisan, political or election-related activities
• Planning activities and assessments and surveys of communities without tangible engagement
• Studies with no follow-up action
• Publication of books or reports
• Acquisition of land and/or buildings or a vehicle purchase
• Sponsorships of other organizations’ events or activities
• Research and development for a nonprofit endeavor
• Research and development for a for-profit endeavor
• The promotion of a for-profit entity and/or its products and services

AARP will prioritize projects that deliver inclusive solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations, as well as those that directly engage volunteers through permanent or temporary solutions that aim to achieve one or more of the following outcome areas:

• Create vibrant Public Places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
• Deliver a range of Transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements.
• Support a range of Housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices
• Increase Civic Engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion
• Support local recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic with an emphasis on economic development, improvements to public spaces and transportation services
• Ensure a focus on Diversity and Inclusion while improving the built and social environment of a community
• Other community improvements. In addition to these areas of focus, AARP wants to hear about local needs and innovative ideas for addressing them

The following project types will be prioritized over those that support ongoing programming or events:

• Permanent physical improvements in the community
• Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change
• New, innovative programming or services

You can read more details on the grant at the AARP’s site here.  You can apply for the grant here.

Applications are due by 8pm ET on April 14th, 2021.

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.

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