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

May 14th, 2021

Quote(s) of the Week

“We need to see that people get out on the ground and roll up our sleeves for Baldwin. This is being done because of the hard work of the people in the community who made it happen.” - NYS Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul on DRI funding for Baldwin

“New York’s local governments have faced unprecedented fiscal challenges and budget shortfalls over this past year. This new influx of federal funding is on the way to support Nassau County, the Village of Hempstead and our other local governments. This funding will allow our communities to protect their residents, support their workers, and cover revenue shortages that have resulted from the public health emergency.” - US Representative Kathleen Rice

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Watch us on YouTube

Join us on LinkedIn

View us on Instagram

Visit our website

IN MEMORIAM

Michael Zangari, former Glen Cove City Councilman, Made A Difference

It is with a heavy heart we write that Michael Zangari, former Glen Cove City Council Member, past Commissioner of the Eastern Wheelchair Basketball Conference, CYO Youth Basketball coach, past President, Kiwanis Club of Glen Cove and past board member of the Glen Cove Youth Bureau, passed away on April 25th.

Mr. Zangar was diagnosed with cancer almost three years ago. His wife, Janice, told the LI Herald, he fought until the end. “Mike never gave up,” Janice said. “Mike put everything before himself,” Janice added. “He wanted more than anything to help others, and would focus on how to turn around disadvantages into advantages. His motto was to keep pushing forward, to get up and keep moving, and he wanted to set an example for what other people can do, whether you have a disability or not. He wanted to make a difference.”

Former Councilman Zangari’s family immigrated to Glen Cove from Italy when he was 5. “While America is referred to as the land of opportunity, Glen Cove has always been my city of opportunity,” he wrote in a letter announcing his candidacy for Glen Cove City Council in 2015. In the letter, he noted that Glen Cove was where he learned to fish, drive and swim, and also where he met his wife, the LI Herald reports.

Well known in the Glen Cove community, Mr. Zangar ran for Glen Cove City Council in 2017, was reelected in 2017, but stepped down in 2018 to undergo treatment for cancer. The LI Herald details, Mayor Tim Tenke led a moment of silence for Mr. Zangari at the April 27th City Council meeting, noting his accomplishments to the city. “He was very dedicated to the Glen Cove community,” Mayor Tenke said. “He will be missed.”

Donations in Mr. Zangari’s memory can be made to Melissa’s Wish Inc., P.O. Box 45, Kings Park, N.Y. 11754, or to the Wheelchair Sports Federation, 6454 82nd Street, Suite 2, Middle Village N.Y. 11379.

You can read the complete LI Herald article here.

NYS Downtown Revitalization Funding Announced in Baldwin

Vision Long Island and members of the LI Main Street Alliance were out at the Baldwin train station in support of the funding commitment from NYS through their Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) program.

Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul presented the message with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau Legislator Deborah Mule the Baldwin Civic Association and Baldwin Chamber of Commerce among others.  

A majority of the money received from this grant will be used to fund three major transit oriented projects in Baldwin.  Those projects include developments at 775 Brooklyn Ave ($3.5 million), Milburn Plaza ($2 million), and 2134 Grand Ave ($1 million).  Once completed these projects will account for almost 300 new rental apartments in Baldwin and will all be located above retail space.

$1.5 million in funding will also be used to improve pedestrian safety on Merrick Road.  A new rental assistance program along with branding and marketing endeavors will also be funded by the $10 million DRI grant.

“We need to see that people get out on the ground and roll up our sleeves for Baldwin,” said Lt. Governor Hochul at the announcement. “This is being done because of the hard work of the people in the community who made it happen.”

Baldwin is a community that has worked for years to revitalize their downtown and bring economic prosperity to their part of Long Island.  For more than a decade have have had to endure numerous false starts as projects promising to breathe new life into their downtowns failed to get off the ground.

Now they have their best chance in recent memory thanks to the Town of Hempstead adopting a new Overlay Zone aimed at attracting new developers and projects.  The injection of funding from the DRI grant will go a long way in rewarding the efforts of the local community. 

Vision Long Island was proud to be a part of the process for almost a decade now.  We have worked with local organizations and Town officials as Baldwin planned improvements to Grand Ave, Resiliency, and rezoning efforts.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with the community as the real work begins.

You can read more at Long Island Business News.

You can read the Governor's statement on this funding and a more complete breakdown here.

Hempstead Announces Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Collaborating with the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP), the Town of Hempstead has announced the allocation of more than $22 million dollars of federal funds to launch an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program is specifically designed to help more than 1,500 residents within the Town facing housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. LIHP will administer the program.

Along with Peter Elkowitz, President/CEO of Long Island Housing Partnership and James Britz, Executive VP & COO of Long Island Housing Partnership, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin announced the details of the program on Wednesday, May 12th. Also in attendance were Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Councilman Bruce Blakeman, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr., Councilman Tom Muscarella, Councilman Chris Carini, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver Jeanine Driscoll.

According to Town officials, the program will assist with current and prospective rent, arrears for utilities & home energy costs, and other expenses related to housing, such as rental security deposits, to ensure housing stability. Assistance under this program could be provided for up to 12 months of payments, with an additional 3 months, if necessary, to ensure housing stability, and will cover arrears and costs accrued on or after March 13, 2020.

Qualifying Criteria - eligible residents must be able to answer yes to the following questions:

•             Do you live in the Town of Hempstead as your primary residence?
•             Is your household income (from all sources) at or below 80% of the U.S. Department of Urban Development (“HUD”) Area Median Income (“AMI”)?
•             Are you at risk of homelessness or housing instability? (e.g., past due utility or rent notices)?
•             Has one member of the household (a) qualified for unemployment, (b) had a reduction of income, (c) incurred significant costs, or (d) experienced a financial hardship?

Residents that meet the above criteria are asked to fill out a short interest form at one of the following links:

English form: https://www.lihp.org/hempsteadERAP.html
Spanish form: https://www.lihp.org/hempsteadERAP-SP.html

Those who fill out the interest form will be contacted as soon as the application process officially launches, which is expected this month. It is important for residents to know that this assistance program will work solely on a first-come, first-served basis. The Interest and Intake forms, as well as the Program Guidelines, will be available in English and Spanish. Once the program opens, if residents need help completing the intake form, the town will provide resources to assist.

“The 1st Councilmanic District was hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I urge all residents currently experiencing financial hardship to apply for this important rental assistance program,” states Senior Councilwoman Goosby.

“It is good to see federal funds starting to get into the hands of those on the local level who can take real and impactful actions in order to aid community folks hard hit by COVID 19,” states Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance.

You can view a video of the press conference announcing the new program here.

The DETOUR Exhibition Returns at East End Arts

East End Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. (EEA) is launching its the 2nd Annual DETOUR Exhibition, DETOUR II, in Downtown Riverhead at EEA’s two gallery locations.

DETOUR is an exhibition showcasing the work of 16 of the many talented artists working on the East End of Long Island and the divergent forms, techniques, routes they take to arrive at their unique work. Each artist lives full or part-time on the East End of Long Island and is influenced in the numerous and nuanced ways by the area. Many of these artists have established careers, exhibiting for decades in New York City, as well as nationally and internationally and are in the collections of major museums, yet have been seen very little, if at all in Riverhead.

DETOUR II runs from June 5th through September 5th and features painting, sculpture, and photographs at the East End Arts Galleries at 133 E. Main Street and 11 W. Main Street, Riverhead. The exhibition is curated by Glen Hansen, with assistance from Adam Straus.

The opening gallery reception will be held on Saturday, June 5th from 4 PM to 7 PM at both 133 E. Main Street and 11 W. Main Street, Riverhead. Gallery Hours for both locations are Thursday, 12 PM to 5 PM; Friday, 4 PM to 7 PM; Saturday 12 PM to 5 PM; and Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM.

East End Arts is a multi-award winning 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization serving the five East End towns of Long Island, NY since 1972, and is committed to building and enriching community through the arts by way of creating a vibrant arts community on the East End that enhances individual and professional artistic development, stimulates community enrichment, economic development, and cultural tourism while encouraging a wide range of artistic expression through education, exhibition and performance, and collaboration across the community.

As a regional multi-arts center recognized as an “outstanding organization focused on local neighborhood priorities,” East End Arts acts as a powerful catalyst for economic and cultural revitalization in Riverhead, its home base, and for the surrounding villages and towns. Dedicated to cultural development, East End Arts is a stimulus for regional economic growth and revitalization efforts through promotion of the arts.

You can find more information here.

Relief Funding Awarded to Nassau County and Village of Hempstead

U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice has announced that Nassau County will receive $385 million dollars in federal funding and the Village of Hempstead will receive $16.79 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The relief funding is authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Additionally, New York State will be receiving $12.7 billion in direct assistance to the state government and $774.2 million for non-entitlement units. Other towns and villages within Nassau County are expected to receive recovery funds from the non-entitlement unit tranche.

“New York’s local governments have faced unprecedented fiscal challenges and budget shortfalls over this past year,” states Representative Kathleen Rice. “This new influx of federal funding is on the way to support Nassau County, the Village of Hempstead and our other local governments. This funding will allow our communities to protect their residents, support their workers, and cover revenue shortages that have resulted from the public health emergency.”

Thanking Congresswoman Rice, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran states, “Nassau County urgently needs this relief to help our residents and business community recover from the pandemic, along with ensuring our health officials and first-responders have the necessary resources to fight this pandemic to the end.”

“The importance of federal funding finally getting down to the local level cannot be overstated,” explains Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “These funds are one important piece of what is needed to help our downtowns rebound from the heaps of economic harm the COVID-19 pandemic has generated.”

Nationwide, $350 billion in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are being distributed by the U.S. Treasury Department for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency as authorized in the American Rescue Plan Act. This funding can be used to respond to pandemic-response needs, fill revenue shortfalls among state and local governments, and support the communities hardest-hit by COVID-19.

Further information on these funding totals and specific guidance on funding usage can be found here.

Clean Energy Task Force Hosts Virtual Earth Day Meetings

The L.I. Clean Energy Leadership Task Force held its virtual Earth Day meeting on April 23rd. With over sixty people in attendance, the meeting was opened by Neal Lewis, Executive Director, Sustainability Institute at Molloy College.

Mr. Lewis welcomed and acknowledged members of the Task Force in attendance, and pointed out that while Earth Day can sometimes focus on the daunting challenges facing environmental protection efforts, he wanted to remain positive and focus attention on the many encouraging news stories making headlines this year, including President Biden's announced goal of cutting carbon emissions 52% by 2030. After highlighting the many promising news and events coming out of Washington over the last few months, he turned the focus to the mission of the Task Force which is to identify, lift up, and learn from local, Long Island clean energy projects, policies, and initiatives.

The Keynote speaker was Jessica Price, PhD, from Regional Energy and Strategy Lead at The Nature Conservancy. Dr. Price’s presentation, titled "The Long Island Solar Roadmap: Advancing Low-Impact Solar for New York's Sunniest Region, outlined the Long Island Solar Roadmap's aims of advancing deployment of mid- to large-scale solar power on Long Island in a way that minimizes environmental impacts, maximizes benefits to the region, and expands access to solar energy. The Roadmap’s creation was led by The Nature Conservancy and Defenders of Wildlife and supported by a diverse group of Long Island stakeholders, including many members of the Long Island Clean Energy Leadership Task Force.

Next, Marjaneh Issapour, Director of Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center at Farmingdale State College presented, "Training the Workforce for Offshore Wind on Long Island: Initial Steps by Higher Education," outlining the varied employment opportunities related to the offshore wind industry. Ms. Issapour paid particular attention to the segment of the workforce that Farmingdale State College will educate - specifically wind energy engineers and turbine technicians.

The third presenter was Captain James Rogin, Director of Professional Mariner Training at SUNY Maritime College. His presentation titled, "Global Wind Organization and Mariner Training in Offshore Wind" was the perfect follow up and compliment to Ms. Issapour's, as the two schools are working together to train offshore wind energy professionals. Mr. Rogin's presentation cataloged Maritime College's two training tracks - the United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentials and the Global Wind Organization's (GWO) varied Basic Safety Training Certification.

Rounding out the meeting was Ramuel Maramara, CEO and Founder of Brimes Energy, who walked attendees through an overview of his startup's innovative wave energy technology in a presentation titled, "Marine Energy Opportunities: An Overview of State-of-the-Art Technologies." In his presentation, Mr. Maramara discussed the potential of the technology both for providing clean energy, and protecting shorelines.

Kudos to Neal Lewis and the Task Force for outlining clean energy goals in our local region, and bringing local stakeholders and experts together to produce concrete solutions.

Upcoming Events:
U.S. Green Building Council - L.I. WEBINAR - "Implementing LEED on Long Island"
Monday May 12th, 2021 11:00am - 12pm
Event Fees: Member/Employee of a Company Partner FREE; Non-Member $20; Emerging Professional (35 and under) $10
Email Daniel Busi for more information (dbusi@usgbc-li.org)

A video recording of this Task Force meeting can be found here.

Nassau County Reviewing New Business and Economic Development Policies

In April of 2019, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran launched a Blue-Ribbon Panel to focus on streamlining the County’s development approvals. The effort was aimed at attracting new businesses and encouraging economic development by providing recommendations on the Department of Public Works' 239-F permitting application and approval process. The committee is comprised of business leaders and elected officials, including Vision Long Island Board member Denise Carter, EVP, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.

The Panel performed an examination of the Department’s procedures, available resources, use of technology, fee structure and other considerations. The Panel explored opportunities to modernize and digitize the processes, as much of the paperwork was completed manually, slowing approvals. Utilizing the recommendations proposed by the Blue-Ribbon Panel for Streamlining Development Approvals, the Department of Public Works has begun finalizing new policies and procedures to achieve these goals.

To this point, County Executive Curran has announced that the Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) is launching electronic plan submissions and reviews for all 239-f applications. This new process utilizes the latest industry standards for electronic reviews, including Bluebeam Revu technology. DPW’s 239-f Plan Reviews webpage (www.nassaucountyny.gov/239f) has been updated with instructions on how to submit electronic applications. DPW is also collaborating with the Department of Information Technology on an electronic submission and routing tool to further streamline the administration of reviews. 

“Electronic reviews will allow DPW to meet and exceed turnaround expectations of the Blue-Ribbon Panel and the County Legislature. We plan to expand electronic reviews to other divisions and functions within DPW, including capital project design,” County Executive Curran states.

“Implementing these changes will certainly assist in achieving the vital robust post-pandemic economic recovery in Nassau County that is needed,” observes Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance.

The Nassau County Department of Public Works is seeking assistance in spreading this news throughout the industry about its new procedures and encourages all to check its webpage (www.nassaucountyny.gov/239f) periodically for updates and the latest information on the County’s process.

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.

The latest edition of LI Main Street News brought in Ken Shuckman from Schuckman Realty updating us on the local retail market.    

Mr. Shuckman shared with us how retail is changing and what users are functioning through the Coronavirus and which ones have been harder hit.  His overall message was hopeful for retail, placemaking and opening up our local economy. 

He was full of information and the dialogue was really enjoyable.  

Check it out here.

We were happy to have Ken Thompson from the Thompson Family Grocers owner of three Shoprite's in Uniondale, Deer Park and Riverhead join us for an edition of LI Main Street News.

Mr. Thompson's family business employees over 500 working folks and is heavily connected to the neighborhoods where his stores operate.  He was very charitable through the Coronavirus for many local organizations including the Pink Tie Delivers team.   He also shared his insight on the future of the grocery business which is changing due to demographics and customer preferences.   

Mr. Thompson runs a true family business with many members of his family on his team and a true believer in working with the community.   His personal values that he shared with us at the end of the interview are instructive for anyone who wants to be a good philanthropic corporate citizen. 

Check it out here.

We were back with another edition of LI Main Street News featuring Lula Lukas from Tied In Media studios where we tape our interviews.

Ms. Lukas shared with us the services that are offered at the studio from video production, web design and a range of other communications and marketing.   Her background as an artist, graphic designer and in events on Long Island help folks get the message out as digital media is even more important through the Coronavirus.   

We normally see Ms. Lukas managing the studio but it was great to hear her vision for the space and learn about her background. 

Check it out here.

This edition of the LI Main Street News interviews brought in

Marc Courtade and Kieran Johnson from the Huntington Arts Council.

Mr. Courtade and Mr. Johnson outlined the range of programs the Huntington Arts Council provides to not simply work with artists but to work with local communities to make the arts accessible.

They shared how they adapted during the Coronavirus and their plans to get back to their traditional programming.

They are both part of the Shot to Reunite Coalition to bring the arts to the Coronavirus vaccination education efforts 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.

Upcoming PPP & EIDL Workshops

The SBA will be offering several PPP & EIDL Workshops in the upcoming weeks 

Lead by SBA’s Economic Development Specialist Elaine Powell-Belnavis, these workshops will cover the following:

• Latest updates of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and PPP Forgiveness.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EDIL) and EDIL Advance, Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG), and SBA Debt Relief.
• Application process of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).
• Eligibility, Calculation Funding Amount, Eligible Uses, Time-frame, Documentation.

You can register for each of the workshops at the below links:

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Thursday, May 20, 2021 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Thursday, May 27, 2021 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Wed. May 26, 2021 at 11am (SBA and Queens Chamber of Commerce)
Marketing Strategies for Your Business
Registration link will be announced when it is available.

Thurs. May 27, 2021 at 2pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce)
Business Plan Writing, especially needed in Pandemic
Register here.

Thurs. June 3, 2021 at 2pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce)
Marketing Strategies for Your Business
Register here.

Thurs. June 10, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and York College SBDC)
How SBA can Help Your Business Succeed
Register here.

Thurs. June 17, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC)
Doing Business with the Government
Register here.

Tue. June 22, 2021 at 7:00pm (SBA and Finkelstein Memorial Library)
Business Planning in a Pandemic
Register here.

Wed. June 23, 2021 at 11am (SBA and Queens Chamber of Commerce)
Starting a Business at 50+
Registration link will be announced when it is available.

Thurs. July 1, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and Tech Incubator at Queens College)
Building a Blog for Your Business Step by Step
Register here.

Thurs. July 15, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and York College SBDC)
Business Plan Writing
Register here.

Tue. July 20, 2021 at 7:00pm (SBA and Finkelstein Memorial Library)
Starting a Business at 50+
Register here.

Environmental Workshops Present Solutions to LI Pollution Problems

The Nature Conservancy, Save the Sound and Citizens Campaign for the Environment present “Long Island Sound: Driving Local Actions to Tackle Water Pollution,” a 3-week collaborative workshop series focused on policies, technologies and projects that help tackle bacterial contamination, nitrogen pollution, and marine debris in Long Island Sound’s coastal waters.

The series kicks off on May 11th at 12:00 PM and will include an overview of project goals and results of a recent Social Network Analysis survey. A knowledgeable line up of scientists, practitioners and leaders will share their experiences combating pollution and cleaning up coastal waters around the Long Island Sound.

Dates:

Tuesday, May 11th, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM - Fecal Bacteria Pollution
Wednesday, May 19th, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM - Nitrogen Pollution
Tuesday, May 25th, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM - Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution

You can register, learn more about the series, and view recordings here.

National Grid Presents Small Business Spotlight Series

Join National Grid on May 21st at 11 AM for a free webinar discussing the latest federal and National Grid assistance programs for small business. With $59 billion in federal aid and new programs designed especially for bars, restaurants and caterers, National Grid’s small business experts will walk attendees through what is available. Even if you have never qualified before, you may be eligible for financial assistance now.

Details:

Date: Friday, May 21, 2021
Time: 11:00 AM (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time - New York
Duration: 60 minutes

Topics to be covered include:

•             What’s new for small business in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
•             Application tips and actions you should be taking right now to be prepared
•             Additional assistance available from National Grid

There is no charge to participate in this webinar. Capacity is limited. Once you have registered, an email with event details and a unique link to the session will be provided.
You can register here.

EmPower Solar to Host Training and Hiring Event on May 22nd

EmPower Solar, a solar and battery storage installation company, has partnered with the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center to host Solar Installation 101: Training and Hiring Event.

This free event will be held on Saturday, May 22nd at 11:00 AM, at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, Bay Parkway, Wantagh. Through a series of talks and interactive training, EmPower Solar will help attendees explore the opportunities available to advance their career, while supporting a future powered by clean, renewable energy. The event will focus on the solar industry, solar installation process, solar panels, and backup battery technology.

Participants are welcome to come arrive at 10:30 AM for a free tour of the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. After the educational series concludes at 1:30 PM, EmPower Solar will be hosting a series of 10–15 minute interviews for a variety of open positions. Bring a copy of your resume and any questions that you may have.

You can view available job opportunities here.

Registration is available 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.

LIBN Corporate Citizenship Awards to be Held Virtually on June 10th

Through its Corporate Citizenship Awards, Long Island Business News celebrates companies and individuals who prove that by being a good corporate citizen, we contribute to the economic and social well-being of employees, businesses and the community.

Past and present honorees consistently prove that true community stewardship evolves through building strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations and others that strive to meet the critical needs of our community.

The LIBN Corporate Citizenship Awards will be held virtually on Thursday, June 10th, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Congratulations to the 2021 Honorees:

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Peter Klein
ALINE Wealth, Hightower Advisors

HELPING HANDS AWARD
Eric Alexander, Richard Cave and Michael Cave

CORPORATE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Ørsted and Eversource

NONPROFITS OF THE YEAR
Spectrum Designs Foundation
The Nicholas Center

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
OF THE YEAR
Long Island Board of REALTORS

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE – FOR PROFIT
Michael Farrell
LDI Color Toolbox
Elizabeth Kase
Abrams Fensterman
Hossam Maksoud
Community Care RX
Anne Shybunko
GSE Dynamics
Ronald Stair
Creative Plan Designs, Ltd.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE– NONPROFIT
Yolanda Robano-Gross
Options for Community Living, Inc.

CORPORATE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – LARGE BUSINESS
Bank of America
Brookhaven National Laboratory
JPMorgan Chase
PSEG Long Island

CORPORATE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – MID-SIZED BUSINESS
American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.
Custom Computer Specialists
The Landtek Group
Riverhead Building Supply

CORPORATE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – SMALL BUSINESS
Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Alure Home Improvements
Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Terrence Flood
HUB International Northeast

You can register for this event here.

LICH Looking for Street Outreach Worker in Brookhaven Town

The position includes providing housing-focused street outreach and case management targeted for single adults experiencing long-term homelessness either living on the street or living in shelter. Street Outreach Workers will engage in community canvassing, partnered outreach, and coordination with partners to identify and engage all persons experiencing homelessness that are residing unsheltered in Nassau County. Engagements focus around direct and person-centered support.

Some essential duties include:

•             Provide direct outreach and follow up to clients
•             Document all client information and engagements in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) database
•             Ensure completion and submission of various housing applications as applicable
•             Connect clients to all available services that directly assists with obtaining and remaining in permanent housing
•             Provide transportation to clients as necessary to access housing and services
•             Assist in the coordination of housing intakes, move-ins and transition support
Qualifications include:
•             Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and two years’ experience (internships or volunteer work acceptable) or a related human services field or a minimum of three years’ related experience in human services arena preferred
•             Strong organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills
•             Working knowledge of computer database applications
•             A clean driver’s license and personal vehicle
•             Commitment to organization’s mission and goals, self-motivated, able to work effectively with diverse people and personalities and as a member of a team

Benefits after probationary period will be available. These include paid time off (vacation, holiday, sick, personal), medical insurance for the employee.

Interested parties should submit a resume and salary requirements via email to mgiuffrida@addressthehomeless.org . Please do not call the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless regarding this position. Questions should be submitted via email only.

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.

SBA Announces New Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The new Restaurant Revitalization Fund, part of the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act, provides $28.6 billion in grants to restaurants and bars in need.

The new fund, modeled on the bipartisan RESTAURANTS Act, will provide a down-payment of $28.6 billion in flexible grants through the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a lifeline for New York’s restaurant industry, one of the hardest hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Across Long Island more than 82,000 people that work in restaurants and in the hospitality industry lost their jobs due to the regional industry’s struggles. Food service or drinking establishments, including caterers, brewpubs, taprooms, and tasting rooms, that are not part of an affiliated group with more than 20 locations, will be eligible.

To provide comprehensive support to local restaurants, grants from the fund can be used alongside first and second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance, and the Employee Retention Tax Credit.

The SBA will begin registrations for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

In preparation, the SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by:

• Registering for an account in advance at sba.gov starting Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT.
• Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
• Preparing the required documentation.
• Working with a point-of-sale vendor or visiting sba.gov to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]

Additional Details

• Grant Maximum – $10 million per restaurant group, $5 million per individual restaurant, minimum award is $1,000.
• Eligible Expenses – Payroll and benefits, mortgage, rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies including protective equipment and cleaning materials, food, operational expenses, covered supplier costs as defined by the SBA under the PPP program, sick leave, and any other expenses deemed essential by the Administrator.
• Covered Period – Grants can be spent on eligible expenses from 2/15/20 through 12/31/21 and the Administrator may extend the period through two years from enactment if conditions warrant.
• Set Asides – $5 billion of the $28.6 billion total is reserved for restaurants with less than $500,000 in gross receipts in 2019 for the first 60 days of the program. During the initial 21-day period, the administrator will prioritize awarding grants to eligible entities that are owned or controlled by women or Veterans or are socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

You can find more details here.

You can apply for grants here.

Orientación disponible en español aquí.

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.

NY COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

New York renters, regardless of immigration status, who suffered a financial hardship due to COVID-19 may be eligible for rental assistance through a new program - New York's Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program of 2021. The program utilizes $2.3 billion federal stimulus funding and an additional $100 million in state funding. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will administer the program.

Renters are eligible if they meet the following requirements:

•             Have qualified for unemployment or have experienced Covid-19 related financial hardship
•             Have a demonstrated risk of experiencing housing instability and homelessness
•             Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)

OTDA will prioritize certain applications they receive for the first 30 days of the portal being open, at which point the remaining applications will be processed on a rolling basis. Applications will be prioritized in the following order:

•             Households below 50% of the AMI where a household member is in a priority group, which includes those currently unemployed and have been for 90 days, tenants of mobile homes with arrears, members of vulnerable populations including but not limited to domestic violence survivors, human trafficking survivors and veterans, households in communities disproportionately affected by Covid-19 as determined by OTDA, and households who reside in buildings with 20 or fewer units owned by a small landlord
•             Households below 50% of the AMI where no household member is in a priority group
•             Households below 80% of the AMI where a household member is in a priority group
•             Households below 80% of the AMI where no household member is in a priority group

Funds are available to cover rent and utility payments. Eligible households can receive utility relief if they have not received a corresponding benefit through the home energy assistance program. For rental assistance, funding can cover 12 months of arrears going back to March of 2020, and/or for 3 months of prospective rent going into the future. However, only households that can demonstrate rent burden (30% of income going towards rent) at the time of application are eligible for prospective rent payments.

You can find more information here.

https://otda.ny.gov/

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.

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/

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 to DisasterCustomerService@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.

Our Sponsor

The Gitto Group

The Gitto Group is a full service real estate development company located in New York City as well as on Long Island.  Their focus is in assisting real estate investors and owners through the real estate transaction process and beyond. The Gitto Group’s substantial experience in the areas of property management, financial management, commercial leasing, general construction and acquisitions allow them to provide stream-lined and cost-effective services to its clients.  With over 50 years of combined experience, The Gitto Group is know for building unique and long lasting relationships with their clients throughout the northeast region.