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

April 16th, 2021

Quote(s) of the Week

	"The pandemic has been devastating to New York's small business community, and they need our help if they're going to survive these challenging times. I'm proud to have fought to bring back over a billion dollars in grants and other assistance for our small businesses in the State budget, and as the program rolls out statewide, I encourage every small business owner to apply for the assistance they need and deserve." - NYS Senator Anna M. Kaplan, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business
	“Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. The small business, arts, entertainment and restaurant relief package we secured in this year’s state budget will provide the resources small businesses need -- not only to endure this crisis, but thrive in spite of it. I thank Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Kaplan, and my Senate colleagues for their tireless advocacy on behalf of all of our small businesses here in Long Island and throughout the state." - NYS Senator Kevin Thomas
	"I am proud to stand with Senator Kaplan to highlight this tremendous investment in small businesses. This will allow the shops in our downtowns, arts and entertainment venues and many others recover and bring back jobs. We are on the other side of this pandemic and support like this, coupled with our robust vaccine rollout will fast track us on our road to recovery. Encouraging all eligible to seize this opportunity to boost your business.” - Nassau County Executive Laura Curran
	"I am proud that Mineola has been one of the Long Island villages leading the way on re-energizing our downtowns through Smart-growth initiatives, Transit Oriented Development, and public-private partnerships. Before the pandemic hit, we started to see many of the fruits of these labors, but now many of our local businesses are barely hanging on through the pandemic and continue to survive out of sheer determination and grit. These small business grants will go a long way toward helping small business in Mineola and elsewhere not only to survive, but to begin prospering again as the pandemic begins to wane. Thank you to our federal and state officials for remaining committed to our local businesses and our downtowns, and for funding these important community partnerships for our region’s continued economic and social health.” - Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss

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NYS Budget Includes Over $1 Billion in Small Business Relief

In a move that the Main Street Alliance has been pushing for all throughout the current legislative session, direct support to local businesses who have been impacted by the Coronavirus regulations has been put in the New York State budget. 

The billion dollar aid package will come in the 2021-2022 state budget and will be distributed in the form of grants targeting small businesses.  It is hoped that this support can begin to address the lost revenue that businesses have suffered as a result of the pandemic.

Credit goes to NYS Senator Anna Kaplan, who heads the Small Business Committee in Albany, for pushing to help the smallest businesses of under 10 employees as well.

Vision and Members of the LI Main Street Alliance who were situated in her Legislative district were happy to be out in the Village of Mineola to join the Senator for the announcement this past Monday.

Here is part of the statement that Senator Kaplan’s office released on the new funding:

Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills), Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business, stood with the Long Island Main Street Alliance, Vision Long Island, Chambers of Commerce from across Nassau County, local officials, and local small business owners to celebrate the inclusion of over $1 billion in grants and relief for small businesses in the recently enacted state budget, and announced that the State is seeking to form grassroot partnerships around the state to help get these resources into the community through trusted messengers.

Senator Anna M. Kaplan, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business said "the pandemic has been devastating to New York's small business community, and they need our help if they're going to survive these challenging times. I'm proud to have fought to bring back over a billion dollars in grants and other assistance for our small businesses in the State budget, and as the program rolls out statewide, I encourage every small business owner to apply for the assistance they need and deserve."

Eric Alexander, Vision LI & Long Island Main Street Alliance said “Local businesses are working to build back from the impact of Coronavirus regulations. These grants available from NYS can begin to level the playing field as we work towards a recovery that helps our local communities. Kudos to Senator Kaplan and members of the Legislature for pulling this program together for our deeply impacted small business community.”

Small business initiatives included in the recently enacted 2021-2022 State Budget include:

• $800 Million for The COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. This new program will provide direct grants, which do not need to be repaid, to small businesses who lost revenue or suffered economic harm as a result of the pandemic. Businesses with 100 or fewer employees will qualify, and the program will be designed to ensure that microbusinesses with 10 or fewer employees are not left out of the process. Grant funding can be used to pay rent, mortgage costs, operational expenses, payroll, insurance, utilities, repayment of local property or school taxes associated with a business's location, PPE expenses, ventilation upgrades required to comply with COVID safety regulations, and any other documented COVID-19 related costs incurred over the last year.

• New York State Restaurant Resiliency Program: $25 million in grants to restaurants providing free meals to economically disadvantaged individuals in economically distressed communities to cover their operational and material costs of meal preparation, provisions, and delivery.

• Arts & Cultural Organization Recovery Grant Programs: $40 million in grants to nonprofit arts and cultural institutions for operating costs, mortgage/rent, equipment, and other related costs. This grant program will be facilitated and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.

• NYC Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit: This two-year, $100 million tax credit program will help the Broadway tourism sector to recover from COVID shutdowns.

• Restaurant Return to Work Credit: Provides $35 million in refundable tax credits for restaurants that were subject to an extended ban on indoor dining.

In addition to appropriating the financial resources for these programs, the budget also makes available a portion of these funds to help the State conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to small business owners to ensure that these funds reach the smallest of businesses in every corner of our community, not just those who are well connected and have staff dedicated to seeking such funding.

Senator Kevin Thomas said, “Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. The small business, arts, entertainment and restaurant relief package we secured in this year’s state budget will provide the resources small businesses need -- not only to endure this crisis, but thrive in spite of it. I thank Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Kaplan, and my Senate colleagues for their tireless advocacy on behalf of all of our small businesses here in Long Island and throughout the state.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said, "I am proud to stand with Senator Kaplan to highlight this tremendous investment in small businesses. This will allow the shops in our downtowns, arts and entertainment venues and many others recover and bring back jobs. We are on the other side of this pandemic and support like this, coupled with our robust vaccine rollout will fast track us on our road to recovery. Encouraging all eligible to seize this opportunity to boost your business.”

Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said, “I am proud that Mineola has been one of the Long Island villages leading the way on re-energizing our downtowns through Smart-growth initiatives, Transit Oriented Development, and public-private partnerships. Before the pandemic hit, we started to see many of the fruits of these labors, but now many of our local businesses are barely hanging on through the pandemic and continue to survive out of sheer determination and grit. These small business grants will go a long way toward helping small business in Mineola and elsewhere not only to survive, but to begin prospering again as the pandemic begins to wane. Thank you to our federal and state officials for remaining committed to our local businesses and our downtowns, and for funding these important community partnerships for our region’s continued economic and social health.”

You can read the press release here, and read more on this at Newsday and Long Island Business News.

Blank Slate Media Hosts “Saving Our Downtowns” Panel

On April 15th, Blank Slate Media presented a community forum titled “Saving Our Downtowns.” The discussion, moderated by Steven Blank, Editor and Publisher of Blank State Media, focused on how local downtowns can continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panelists included Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance; Anthony Bartone, Managing Partner of Terwilliger & Bartone Properties; Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand, Supervising Pharmacist and Principal of Moby Drugs in Farmingdale; Dennis Grossman, President and CEO of DMI Business Consulting Group and President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce; and Richard Kessel, Chairman of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).

Starting off the panel was Eric Alexander, who gave a succinct narrative as to where downtowns were pre- COVID, thirteen months ago. “January 2020, we had our Long Island Main Street Alliance meeting, with over one hundred folks participating. Twenty downtowns presented very robust plans for 2020. It was going to be an out of the park year,” Mr. Alexander recounted. “Then the pandemic hit. It wasn’t even that we lost market, the pain was caused by government regulations. This is the primary challenge - still to this day. That said, downtowns have fared better then out of town, largely because folks still gather downtown.” Mr. Alexander continued, “We did not lose the economic viability of downtown growth. Getting back to some type of normalcy will rely on government regulations easing, and government money and resources coming down the pike and getting in the hands of the people who need it.”

Dennis Grossman noted he sees new businesses coming into stores that were vacant, expressing there is a lot of pent-up financial availability out there and “the money has to get to the right places in order for them to become viable, and the IDA can help with those needs.”

“We have made some very good strides in [helping downtowns],” Richard Kessel stated, “but we have to do a lot more.” Mr. Kessel stressed, “One of the most important issues as we go into recovering funding is communicating with small businesses on how they can take advantage of things that the County and the IDA does. We have to be able to communicate. For instance, there are tens of thousands of dollars left that are available to go to restaurants and restaurants don’t even know about it.”

In terms of the future of downtowns and development, Anthony Bartone noted that his company looks for business friendly environments. “Villages typically are the places where development is most successful and easiest to get done,” Mr. Bartone informed. “To save our downtowns, what you have to do is put boots on the ground. We have to put people in the downtowns. Once we bring in vibrancy, retail will follow… and codes have to evolve to meet the needs of the times.”

Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand, who has presided over a downtown revitalization, tributes Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for its success. “The rooftops will bring retail,” the Mayor stated. “Once you have success with one TOD project, others follow.”

An average of three retail business per downtown went out of business during the pandemic, Mr. Alexander advised. “This is fairly low. The reasons for this include the exodus from the city, the incorporation of shared office space in downtowns and people shopping local, all which help maintain retail.”

Mr. Kessel summed up the sentiment of the panel and downtown recovery, “Work with the community, the residents, and local officials. Then build it and they will come.”

LICH Offers Safe Vaccines for Long Island’s Most Vulnerable

A new vaccination pod has opened in Amityville, run by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) and aimed at providing COVID-19 vaccinations to Long Island’s homeless population.

The event, organized by Northwell Health, distributed 75 doses of the Pfizer vaccine local people living in shelters or on the streets.  This effort is meant to help shield a very high-risk population that has only grown due to the recent economic distress resulting from the pandemic.  These same financial issues often create barriers between an infected person and seeking care.

"It should be a number one priority to get folks who are homeless, and others who are in congregant settings, vaccinated because of the comorbidities; because of their general lack of access to health care and because of the community settings that they're living in," said LICH executive director Greta Guarton. "They are living with a lot of other people in close quarters."

LICH has already arranged for those who received their first dose to return in three weeks for the second.  Similar vaccination pods are currently planned for Port Jefferson and Hempstead locations.

You can read more at Newsday.

SBA Announces New Restaurant Revitalization Fund

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman today announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF). The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants.

“Today, we are starting the process to help restaurants and bars across the country devastated by the pandemic, and this is our message: Help is here. With the launch of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, we’re prioritizing funding to the hardest-hit small businesses – irreplaceable gathering places in our neighborhoods and communities that need a lifeline now to get back on their feet,” said SBA Administrator Guzman. “And, thanks to clear directives from Congress, we’re rolling out this program to make sure that these businesses can meet payroll, purchase supplies, and get what they need in place to transition to today’s COVID-restricted marketplace.”

Administrator Guzman emphasized, “We’re also focused on ensuring that the RRF program’s application process is streamlined and free of burdensome, bureaucratic hurdles – while still maintaining robust oversight. Under my leadership, the SBA aims to be as entrepreneurial as the entrepreneurs we serve – and that means meeting every small business where they are, and giving them the support they need to recover, rebuild and thrive.”

Under this announcement, details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide are now available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes

Ahead of the application launch and over the next two weeks, the SBA will establish a seven-day pilot period for the RRF application portal and conduct extensive outreach and training. The pilot period will be used to address technical issues ahead of the public launch. Participants in this pilot will be randomly selected from existing PPP borrowers in priority groups for RRF and will not receive funds until the application portal is open to the public.

Following the pilot, the application portal will be opened to the public. The official application launch date will be announced at a later date. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications.

The groundwork for this announcement is the result of a comprehensive effort to reach out to diverse stakeholders in order to understand the needs and barriers restaurants face in accessing emergency relief aid.

“Local restaurants and bars are being served very good news today,” said Erika Polmar, Executive Director of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. “These guidelines were crafted by the SBA after conversations with independent restaurant and bar operators across the country. We are grateful to the SBA for their hard work to make this process as accessible as possible in a short period of time. It is clear the SBA and the Biden Administration care deeply about ensuring businesses struggling the most can quickly and effectively use this relief program, and we look forward to continued conversations and collaboration to ensure this fund works as intended for the independent restaurant and bar community.”

Community business leaders from underserved communities also welcomed RRF assistance as much-needed economic relief and are working with their broad membership bases to navigate the grant application process.

“In addition to historically having less operating liquidity and revenue than almost any other small business demographic, Black-owned restaurants received significantly less stimulus funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening challenges and leading to disproportionate closures,” said Ron Busby, Sr., president and CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. “The USBC believes this initiative and collaboration with the SBA will bring needed resources and relief to these often underserved businesses to aid in stabilization, recovery and ultimately, strengthen our economy.”

In addition to restaurant groups and leading advocacy groups for underserved business communities, the SBA has engaged national and state trade associations, and other small business stakeholders in recent weeks to understand their concerns about relief programs.

“Small and independent craft breweries are vibrant community gathering places that can be found in nearly every congressional district in the U.S. and contribute to manufacturing, hospitality, retail, tourism, and agricultural industries,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association. “We are pleased to work with the SBA to promote the Restaurant Revitalization Fund landing page and its available resources, and assist the breweries hit hardest by COVID-19 secure much needed additional relief to help them survive the pandemic and prepare for the restart of the economy.”

At all levels, the SBA will continue engaging with stakeholder communities to inform and design delivery of financial assistance programs. As the SBA builds and prepares to roll out the program, this dedicated SBA website is the best source for up-to-date information for eligible restaurants interested in the RRF.

You can download a complete guideline on Grant Application here.

New Park in Huntington Named in Honor of Resident Conservationist Joy Squires

We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day then to celebrate the opening of a park naming and trail for Joy Squires, who has spent nearly 50 years creating open spaces in the Town of Huntington.

With her leadership and collaboration, over $60 million of open space funds from varying public and private investment have helped create the public spaces people enjoy.  Chances are if you are walking on a trail somewhere in Huntington, Ms. Squires had a role in making that a preserved space.

As a teacher, community and environmental leader she is someone who believed in gentle, collaborative and bipartisan persistence.  With that approach she accomplished so much.

It was great to see Joy at the opening along with members of the Town Board and varying volunteers, environmental leaders, government staff and her family, friends and admirers share in the celebration. 

Vision Board and staff were also in attended and are grateful for all we have learned from her being on our Board!  We salute her decades of achievement Congratulations Joy!

You can read more on this story at Huntington Now.

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 LI Main Street News connected us to Steven Dubb from the Beechwood Organization.  

Mr. Dubb shared a comprehensive review of their redevelopment projects on Long Island and the state of the residential market.  We also had a robust discussion on the cost of development and the role of government as well. 

Great to hear their openness to a range of development types and ability to work with local communities in the planning projects.  

Check it out here.

The next edition of LI Main Street News connected us to Rodney McRae and Errol Williams with the Nassau County Human Rights Commission and the topic of Fair Housing.

Mr. McRae shared with us the nearly three decade record of his work in the Commission that address fair housing, bias, job fairs and a range of other services.  Mr. Williams works on the legal side of the Commission on a range of cases to limit discrimination in the County.

Both Mr. McRae and Mr. Williams are a powerful duo to help level the playing field on a number of important issues impacting lower income neighborhoods. 

Check it out here.

We were thrilled to have Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicollelo join us for this LI Main Street News interview.

The Presiding Officer shared the role of the Nassau Legislature and the range of issues that they take on in helping manage the County.   Top concerns he shared included taxes and vaccines particularly tied to seniors.  We also discussed Legislative support for bus service, clean energy programs, sewer infrastructure, safe walking biking and other Coronavirus relief.

Mr. Nicollelo is a gentleman and a no nonsense public servant for many years and we enjoyed our time in this interview and many others.  

Check it out here.

To celebrate earth day it was completely awesome that we had the opportunity to interview our good friend David Schieren from Empower Solar for LI Main Street News.

Mr. Schieren gave an update on the solar industry and the some direction on the overall green energy movement.   He connected the vision he shares on how to transform Long Island's energy grid along with his own principles for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for our region.

Not only is he a leader in the solar industry he is an employer and has invested in local downtowns and varying charities as well.  

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.

Mastic Beach Property Owners Association to Hold Sewer Rally this Saturday

The Mastic Beach Property Owners Association (MBPOA) is holding a rally this Saturday to send the message to elected officials that this important project must continue.

Threatened by rising costs after the plan was approved through a local vote, residents are now coming out to ensure that the much-needed sewer project goes ahead as planned in Mastic Beach.  This project is an important part of the revitalization efforts underway in the area.

You can lend your voice to this by attending the Save Our Sewers rally this Saturday, April 24 at 9 a.m. at the Shirley Applebee’s parking lot located on the Montauk Highway and William Floyd intersection.

Virtual Fair Housing Webinar to take place on April 27th

Next Tuesday, April 27th, at 10 AM, the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce along with Nassau County Human Rights Commission will be hosting a Virtual Fair Housing and Empowerment Webinar. 

If you’re interested in tuning into this important event, please pre-register for the event at this link.

LIHP to Host Free Virtual Training Session on Fair Housing on April 27th

The Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) will be hosting a Free Fair Housing virtual training session on Tuesday, April 27th at 11 AM.  The event will include guest speakers from the US Department of Justice and will cover a variety of topics concerning the home buying process.

You must register to join this session, which you can do here.

NYMTC Presents Brown Bag Lunch Virtual Presentation

On Wednesday, April 28, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm, NYMTC will be presenting its brown bag lunch virtual presentation that with cover Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau Suburban Mobility Studies.  Speakers will include Naomi Klein, Director of Planning for Westchester County; Ankita Rathi, Planning Consultant at Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, AICP, ENV SP; Sean E. Sallie, Deputy Commissioner, Nassau County Department of Public Works, AIC.

Please join NYMTC for three presentations on suburban mobility studies occurring in Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties:

• Naomi Klein, Director of Planning for Westchester Planning will discuss the County’s Mobility and Bus Redesign, which is looking to identify strategies to better meet the mobility needs of its residents, given trends of declining bus ridership, the increase in use of transportation network companies, changing demographics and other trends facing the region.
• Ankita Rathi, Planning Consultant at Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, AICP, ENV SP will discuss the recommendations of the Suffolk County Mobility Study completed in June 2018, and how they are being advanced through the County’s Reimagine Transit initiative and the Microtransit Pilot project in Southampton.
• Sean Sallie, Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County Department of Public Works, AICP will discuss the dynamic changes in mobility demands, preferences and services over the past few years evaluated in the upcoming Nassau County Shared-Mobility Management Plan.  

You can join this presentation virtually at this link.

INNkeepers’ Ball to Take Place on May 12th

The Annual INNkeepers’ Ball is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12.  This year, they will be honoring Elizabeth McCaul & Frank Ingrassia. The Honorary Chairs for this event are Janet & Frank J. DellaFera.

For the safety of those attending, this event will be an outdoor, tented cocktail reception at the Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove starting at 6pm on May 12. Dress is casual business attire. Following safety protocols, attendance will be limited to 200.

For those unable to attend in person, there will be a virtual ball at 7pm on May 12. This can be accessed on this page.

For questions, contact Nora White, Director of Events at nwhite@the-inn.org or 516-486-8506 x108 or Rob Kammerer at 516-732-6009.

Sponsorships and journal ads are available here.

You can find more information on this event here.

15th Annual Latina Hat Luncheon - Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Founded in 1988, the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was established to serve the needs of the Long Island minority owned small business community. Through an array of networking events, members have an opportunity to make contacts necessary to help their businesses thrive. One such event, the Latina Hat Luncheon, is one of its best attended events, where attendees can be honored based on their work for the community and professional achievements.

Last year, the LIHCC, along with other non-profit organizations, were forced to cancel all in-person events due to COVID-19. This caused many individuals, business, and nonprofit organizations, including the LIHCC, to suffer deep financial losses.

The LIHCC has continued to fulfill its mission to service the minority business community by offering informational webinars related to COVID-19 updates, such as PPP loan information and where to get personal protective equipment (PPE). The Chamber is also continuing its yearly toy drive to benefit the victims of the 2020 Hurricanes in Honduras.

With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions being eased, the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is moving ahead with planning the Latina Hat Luncheon. The Chamber is optimistic that by June 2021, it will be able to host this luncheon with limited in person capacity.

The LIHCC's biggest priority is the safety and well-being of its members, sponsors, and staff. The event will follow the guidelines provided by the CDC, federal, and local authorities.

The 15th Annual Latina Hat Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021. Contact their office at (516) 333-0105 or email at admin@lihcc.org for tickets and sponsorship packages.

Applications Are Now Open for Suffolk Legislature’s 2021 Page Program

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Rob Calarco has announced that applications are being accepted for the Suffolk Legislature’s 2021 Page Program.

Approaching its seventh year, the legislature’s Page Program is an immersive summer internship program that gives college students the opportunity to learn about county government and public service. The 2021 program will run for 12 weeks, beginning with an orientation on May 21 and culminating in a graduation ceremony on Aug. 6.

Nearly 30 students participated in last year’s program, which went fully remote as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s program will be remote as well, offering students the ability to participate virtually via Zoom.

Participants will connect with legislators, elected officials, and policymakers from throughout Suffolk County, participate in an online mock legislature, and attend weekly virtual workshops on leadership and personal development. Students will also be tasked with developing service projects that address one of the many issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Page Program was created by the Suffolk County Legislature Office of the Presiding Officer in 2015 to provide students with a rewarding and educational experience in local government. Several former Pages return to serve as “Senior Pages” who help organize activities and guide the new class.

Applications due May 7. Download the Page Program application here.

You can find details on the program 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.

NEW DEADLINE EXTENSION: SBA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNITIL MAY 31st!

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.

PPP Webinars & Workshops Offered by Asset Enhancement Solutions

To assist members of Associations, Chambers of Commerce, etc., Asset Enhancement Solutions is offering a complimentary 2 session webinar on how to apply for a PPP Loan.

Session #1   
Everything you want to know about a PPP Loan, but are afraid to ask. Participants are educated about PPP Loans and advised on the exact information and documentation they need to collect in order to apply online during the 2nd webinar, which is an Application Workshop.

Session #2 
Workshop on Zoom where applicants will be assisted in completing a PPP Loan application online, as applicants watch professionals complete the same application. Applicants will be able to obtain assistance during the application workshop.

Many are still unaware they may be eligible for a PPP Loan, which may be up to 100% forgiven.

For more information, contact Neil Seiden at (516) 767-0100 or neil.seiden@assetenhancement.com
www.assetenhancement.com

NEW DEADLINE EXTENSION: SBA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNITIL MAY 31st!

PPP Lifeline Available for 1099 Recipients

COVID-19 has created the most daunting financial challenges for businesses in our lifetime. Asset Enhancement Solutions, LLC is reaching out to fellow members of the business community with important information, such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan eligibility.

Many people who are 1099 recipients are not aware they are eligible for a PPP Loan. Individuals that receive non-employee compensation via Form 1099-NEC (or 1099-MISC) and report this income on Schedule C of their Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return are eligible.

Included in this category are Sole Proprietors, Independent Contractors, Self-Employed Individuals and Single-Member LLCs. All of these taxpayers are eligible for a PPP Loan even if they do not have employees that are paid salaries.

If Salaries are Not Paid to Employees, the amount of the PPP Loan is determined either by the amount on Line 7, Gross Income, or Line 31, Net profit or (loss) on your Schedule C. Use whichever line has the higher amount. Also, you may use either 2019 or 2020’s Schedule C—whichever is higher. If you have not submitted your taxes for 2020 yet, you can prepare a Schedule C on a stand-alone basis for purposes of applying for a PPP Loan.

The PPP Loan amount is calculated by dividing the amount on either Line 7 or Line 31 by 12, then multiplying this result by 2.5. (If your business is a restaurant or hospitality business with an SIC code of 72, and this is its 2nd PPP loan, multiple by 3.5 instead.) PPP Loans for this category of taxpayers have a Cap of $20,833, or $29,167 for businesses with SIC 72.

Contact Asset Enhancement Solutions, LLC at (516) 767-0100 or PPPsupportstaff@assetenhancement.com with any questions.

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.

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.

Suffolk County Water Quality Improvement Division Calls For Applications

The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning has issued a Call for Applications for the ¼% sales tax Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program (WQPRP) funding. 

The latest application and the instructions can be found on the Water Quality Improvement Division’s website here.

Applications are open to all Suffolk County departments, non-profit organizations, and to all local municipalities. All non-County projects will require a match of at least 50% of the total project cost which is equivalent to at least 100% of the WQPRP funding being requested.

Any potential applicants for this round of Suffolk County Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program funding have the opportunity to attend a remote Proposer’s Conference at 10 AM on April 21, 2021. Please be prepared with all questions/comments on the application at that time.

Application Available Online - April 7, 2021; Applications Due: May 28, 2021 by 4PM.

Award Amounts: Minimum $50,000/Maximum $250,000

PSEG LI is Helping the Local Economy Weather COVID

PSEG Long Island is proud to announce funding for the Outdoor Spaces program has been renewed for a limited time. More than $2 million in grants and discounts were provided last year to help more than 1,000 local businesses and organizations meet the ever-evolving challenges of COVID-19 and continue to thrive.

“PSEG Long Island knows that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our communities and our local economy,” said John Keating, manager of Economic and Community Development at PSEG Long Island. “Even before the pandemic transformed all of our lives, we were offering grants and discounts to encourage foot traffic in downtown commercial districts and bring businesses into empty storefronts. We evolved our programs to address the new realities our commercial customers are seeing, and the response has been enormous.”

PSEG continues to offer Main Street Revitalization grants and Vacant Storefront discounts to businesses. In 2020, the company also began offering “Outdoor Spaces” grants to local chambers of commerce to help transform sidewalk areas and plazas with the seating, lighting and heating needed to keep customers dining and shopping locally. Limited funding for this grant program will be renewed for 2021 on a first come, first served basis. The program will offer funding of up to $5,000 to a Chamber of Commerce or Business Improvement District. Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2021.

Here is a breakdown of PSEG Long Island’s 2020 support of local businesses:

Small Business First

•             Supplemented PSEG Long Island’s already significant energy efficiency rebates with $1.8 million in PSEG Long Island Economic Development funding, allowing most projects to be done with no customer cost.
•             More than 1,000 participating small businesses, including auto body shops, seafood stores, delis, restaurants, barbershops, clothing stores, doctor’s offices, florists, beauty salons and more.

Outdoor Spaces

•             PSEG Long Island approved 29 applications, representing a total of more than $125,000.
•             These have been awarded to chambers of commerce and business improvement districts in municipalities all across the service area, including Wantagh, Port Jefferson, Lindenhurst, Kings Park, Huntington, Amityville, Babylon, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, Port Washington, Sag Harbor, Nesconset, Smithtown, Syosset-Woodbury, Gordon Heights, Westhampton Beach, Massapequa Park and more.

Main Street Revitalization

•             More than $254,000 was provided to businesses and organizations through standard Main Street Revitalization grants in 2020, supporting upgrades and projects at restaurants, arts centers, breweries and more.
•             These projects are estimated to create close to 200 permanent jobs in the community and bring more vitality to business districts.

To learn more about all the programs PSEG Long Island offers to support local businesses, please visit this site.

New Funding from PSEG Now Available for a Limited Time

John Keating, Manager of Economic Development for PSEG Long Island, announced during a Long Island Main Street Alliance virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 23rd, that PSEG is again initiating its very successful Chamber of Commerce and BID grant program.

“These are very unusual times, and PSEG is trying to come up with programs that benefit small business,” Mr. Keating stated. “Last year PSEG was able to offer up to $5,000 grants to about 26 different Chambers and BIDs. We felt it was very worthwhile and we were able to help small businesses in downtowns to set up shopping and restaurant areas outdoors, which we saw as the lifeline for small business.”

“Since it was such a successful program, PSEG has agreed to offer it again,” Mr. Keating announced. “Even if you participated and got a grant last year, you can apply this year. This is a new round, new funding. Last year we ended up funded up to $120,000 and we anticipate being in the same ballpark this year.”

As businesses begin or continue to develop outdoor commercial spaces, they may qualify for a PSEG Long Island grant of up to $5,000 to reimburse the purchase of materials including, but not limited to:

• Barricades and/or planter style barricades
• Clothing racks
• Durable safety materials
• Limited amount of signage in support of outdoor dining/commerce, specifically to support and encourage participation in business openings. Signage funding is limited to 20% of total grant up to $1,000.
• Outdoor seating, tables, patio heaters and lighting

Funding is limited and available first come, first served. Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2021. Eligible grantees include Chambers of Commerce and Business Improvement Districts. Pre-approval is required and purchases must be made by a Chamber of Commerce or Business Improvement District. Marketing and promotional expenses and rentals of any kind of equipment do not qualify under this program. There is talk about use enhancements of this grant, check the PSEG website for any changes.

“We are happy to see the impact of actual corporate philanthropy on Long Island," stated Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance, “and we are happy to see these kinds of programs for small businesses that are most in need during these tough times. Kudos to PSEG for its commitment to Long Island’s downtowns.”

Click here to access PSEG loan application and information: https://www.psegliny.com/inthecommunity/revitalization/chambers

SBA Launches Portal to Begin Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

“Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program from the ground up to assist and address the diverse eligibility requirements of each type of applicant and we will open for applications on April 8th.” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “This vital economic aid will provide a much-needed lifeline for live venues, museums, movie theatres and many more.”

Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

The SVOG program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which appropriated $15 billion for it. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion, bringing the program funding to a total of $16.25 billion, with more than $16 billion allocated for grants.

To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. The PPP loan applications have been updated to reflect this.

For more information, click here for the dedicated SBA SVOG portal: https://www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/

Click here to register for the March 30th informational webinar: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/svog-application-informational-webinar-registration-147041437899

SBA to Increase Lending Limit for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

“More than 3.7 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide low-interest emergency working capital to help save their businesses. However, the pandemic has lasted longer than expected, and they need larger loans. Many have called on SBA to remove the $150,000 cap. We are here to help our small businesses and that is why I’m proud to more than triple the amount of funding they can access,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time.  SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date.  Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.

This new relief builds on SBA’s previous March 12, 2021 announcement that the agency would extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022 to offer more time for businesses to build back. In order to shift all EIDL payments to 2022, SBA will extend the first payment due date for disaster loans made in 2020 to 24-months from the date of the note and to 18-months from the date of the note for all loans made in the calendar year 2021.

Questions about SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be emailed toDisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing).

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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