presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance
May 22nd, 2020
Quotes of Day
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“Memorial Day is a time for us to reflect and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedoms and liberties we cherish as Americans. While it may be an uncertain and difficult time for our nation, one thing is for certain – the memory of these courageous Americans must never be forgotten.” - Hon. Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead Supervisor |
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"More businesses should be allowed to safely reopen. If you can go to Walmart, Costco, Target or your supermarket and shop why can’t you go to small businesses that have the same items and shop safely. We have to keep our businessss in business." - Hon. Kevin McCaffrey, Suffolk County Legislator |
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“Everybody is frustrated because it seems the chain stores have a leg up. Small businesses, independent retailers are in disfavor when it comes to how the regulations are interpreted. Most people were resigned to the fact that they were seen as nonessential. They didn’t challenge it, but then they saw the chain stores operating. The frustration has built week after week. People don’t understand the methodology of the essential list."- Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the LI Main Street Alliance |
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“Long Islanders wait all year long for our summer season and this year, while we will still enjoy the benefits of living where those long to vacation, it will be with a greater appreciation and a renewed sense of gratitude as we start to see our businesses and attractions begin to re-open. While tourism and hospitality was among the first and most negatively affected industries resulting from the Pandemic crisis, this industry is also historically the first to lead in economic generation and job creation in times of recovery. We have been working closely with our elected officials and industry partners on a safe and calculated strategy to open local businesses and stimulate local economic activity. We intend to see an increase of residents staying local and when appropriate drive-markets taking advantage of our region’s renowned tourism assets and vast outdoor experiences.” - Kristen Jarnagin, President & CEO of Discover Long Island |
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A message from Vision Long Island and |
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Helping Main Street through the
Coronavirus Shutdown
Day 68 of economic shutdown – Friday May 22st, 2020
The Coronavirus economic shutdown is on day 68. As families head into Memorial Day weekend that despite the hopes of most residents and business owners look a lot like the last ten weeks. Lots of discussion today about the inequities of “Essential” vs “Non Essential” businesses with rules that are tilted towards the large chain stores vs independent local retail. Local municipalities, chambers and local residents are collaborating in numerous communities across Long Island on plans for reopening.
Today’s downtown profiled is the Village of Cedarhurst. Our Communities Helping Communities segment takes us to the Cops and Kids program.
Here are some updates:
• A big focus today was the disconnect between essential and non-essential business regulations. Newsday did a feature story that put a spotlight on the rules benefitting large chain stores at the expense of small local businesses. Check out the story – the LI Main Street Alliance is quoted.
• Eight members of the Suffolk Legislature sent a letter in to the state to allow more flexible rules to allow some small businesses to safely open. They also cited the inequity between the larger businesses and the local Main Street businesses.
Here is the letter and a link to a video update from Suffolk Legislator Kevin McCaffrey.
• Memorial Day services are happening on Lpng Island virtually:
Unfortunately, due to the state’s directives during the COVID-19 pandemic, all large gatherings are prohibited, including all highly attended Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in 2020. However, Supervisor Don Clavin is partnering with the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council, which comprises of Levittown VFW Post No. 9592, American Legion Post 1711 and more, to host a special livestreamed Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park in Levittown. Adhering to the state’s COVID-19 regulations, Hempstead Town and the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council will host a virtual ceremony to continue a nearly 75-year Memorial Day tradition in the community built by veterans for veterans.
The limited attended ceremony will include the laying of the wreath by VFW Post No. 9592 Commander Peter Stasinski and American Legion Post 1711 Commander Frank Marcinek. Also in attendance will be Gold Star parents of Daniel Fuentes, a Levittown hero who gave his life while serving in Iraq.
The event can be viewed on Facebook Live (facebook.com/hempsteadtown) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th at 11:45 a.m. until noon.
• The Town of Huntington is planning virtual Memorial Day services.
• Here is a National Memorial Day Service with a concert.
• Nonprofits, small landlords and mom-and-pop outfits—especially minority- and women-owned businesses—that got jilted by the federal government will get a $100 million boost from the state with the New York Forward Loan Fund, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday.
• Yesterday the MTA and other regional trains and buses sounded their horns at 3:00 p.m. in honor of the heroic transportation employees who are continuing to provide service throughout the pandemic.
The following video of NYC Subways, Buses, LIRR and Metro-North trains and MTA Bridges and Tunnels maintenance vehicles is available at this link: https://youtu.be/3bd7OgBzilc
• The City of Long Beach is opening their boardwalk and beach.
• New York State has pushed back the deadline to file sales tax to late June. Businesses will have until June 22 to file sales tax, which were previously due May 19, Cuomo said. The move staves off a deadline already extended. Sales taxes were initially due March 20, when the Covid-19 pandemic already had begun to take hold in the state.
• The NYS Unemployment system has processed $10 billion in benefits during the Coronavirus shutdown which is 5x the number of benefits processed for the entire year of 2019. This doesn't account for the significant backlog so the numbers are likely higher. While that is not surprising considering the breadth of the economic lockdown the numbers are still astonishing.
• The Village of Farmingdale laid out a post Coronavirus outdoor seating area. Check it out.
• Eight local Long Island Art Council’s have teamed up for a LI Art Scavenger Hunt (done virtually). Check it out.
• East End Arts out in downtown Riverhead are calling artists to participate in the Frontline Heroes program. Check it out.
• Village of Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro took an extended walk around his neighborhood and took some pictures into a video. Check it out.
• The Village of Northport Farmers Market shutdown with a focus to support the local stores and shops on Main Street. Check it out.
• Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman released an analysis of the financial impact that Covid-19 may have on the county’s sales tax revenues. Under the current phased reopening, the analysis indicates a potential $156.4 million to $360.1 million drop in sales tax for 2020. Under a hypothetical scenario of a closure related to a second wave, the analysis indicated a potential $665 million to $1 billion loss in sales tax revenue over the two-year period from 2020-2021. In the context of a budget that totals approximately $3.11 billion, this is a staggering loss that would decimate the county’s finances. This projection underscores once again just how imperative it is that the federal government step in and provide direct aid to state and local governments. Read Comptroller Schnirman’s Covid-19 Financial Impact Analysis Fact Sheet by clicking here.
• The SBA released the application form for Loan Forgiveness with the Payroll Protection Program.
• There are not enough NY’ers taking Coronavirus tests. There are now over 700 locations statewide where New Yorkers can get diagnostic testing, including numerous options here in Nassau, and new online tools make it easier than ever to find testing near you. To locate a testing site near you, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you and enter your address to view a list and a map view of the nearest testing sites. The state has also partnered with Google Maps to display testing site results when you search "COVID testing near me" on Google Maps. Please remember you must always schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 diagnostic test by calling 1-888-364-3065 or your healthcare provider.
• LIBN noted that Nassau County sales tax revenue could drop 12% to 28% amid pandemic.
• The new CDC Guidelines are out for Schools, Workplace & Events.
• The CDC has a flowchart to see if a restaurant or bar are ready to open.
• NYS has set some rules for retailers.
• The US Chamber of Commerce has produced a guidebook for reopening your business. Check it out.
• The US Travel Association has a guidebook for CARES act resources.
• Long Beach businesses have been sorting out plans to reopen. Check it out.
• Village of Port Jeff Mayor Margot Garant shared the news of a brand new electric vehicle charger operating now right in front of Rocketship Park in the Salt meadow parking lot. If you have an EV car or Tesla, simply download the ChargePoint app https://www.chargepoint.com/ to track locations and initiate charges. You can even reserve an EV parking space with the app as long as you are charging your EV vehicle! For more information go to www.portjeff.com/parking
• The one common refrain we have heard over the last 60+ days of the Coronavirus shutdown is that the rules are tilted towards large chain stores shutting out independent retailers. 50 people in a CVS or 100 at a Target can shop and buy a range of items while 2 people are not allowed in a Main Street clothing, jewelry or specialty shop. No matter how many government officials we ask about this inequity there are no clear answers.
The guidelines of "essential" vs "non-essential" need a second look especially now that local communities, small businesses, municipalities and residents are taking sanitation and distancing very seriously.
Here is a story from CBS News reporter Jennifer Mclogan that speaks to the issue. Check it out.
• Here are the latest NYS directives for reopening by industry. Here is a Q & A on the NYS regulations as well.
• HEROES ACT: Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced a new coronavirus stimulus bill called the HEROES Act. This proposal calls for more than $3 trillion in aid to state and local governments, increases testing, extends unemployment insurance and provides for expansion of voting by mail. The bill also proposes to give Americans another $1,200 in direct payments and additional mortgage relief. While the bill will likely pass the House, it will have an uphill battle in the US Senate. However, it is vital that state and local governments which have been devastated by the effects of this virus be given financial assistance in order for them to continue to fund basic public services including education, police and fire departments, road maintenance and sanitation services.
• NYS Senator Monica Martinez proposed the Unsung Heroes Act of 2020 which will allow for guaranteed sick leave, coverage of medical expenses, and job protection to those individuals deemed essential employees as defined under Executive Order, who are stricken with COVID-19 as well as death benefits to the family if an individual is to succumb to the virus. For the purposes of this legislation, essential employees are those on the front line such as child protective services workers, grocery store clerks, delivery workers, postal service employees, first responders, health professionals, sanitation workers, and law enforcement officers.
• Please folks, in the sometimes cavalier discussion on reopening or not reopening our economy please take into account the fact that there are almost 2 million New Yorkers unemployed right now who weren't two months ago. That doesn't count the tens of thousands or more folks who haven't been able to navigate NYS's Unemployment system for benefits.
This crisis has not only had a devastating health impact but a massive economic impact. And yes if you are not one of those people hurt economically - say a prayer, choose a blessing or at least be humble that you are not.
• Miss going to the Movies? The Town of North Hempstead is having Drive In Movies – check it out.
• The Town of Hempstead will waive permit fees and allow outdoor dining for local restaurants – check it out.
• The Village of Freeport is distributing free masks and gloves to residents.
• The Town of Brookhaven has a microloan program for small businesses set up through the Cares Act. Deadline is approaching so check it out:
The Town of Brookhaven has received a special allocation of funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Town of Brookhaven Department of Housing and Human Services has created an Emergency Microenterprise Business Relief Grant Program to help mitigate the economic hardships experienced by small businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
A microenterprise business is a business with five or fewer employees, one or more of whom owns the business/enterprise. This will help to sustain the microenterprise business during this period of economic slow-down. The primary Community Development Block Grant objective of assistance to low-and-moderate income business owners will be through grants to assist in overhead costs of microenterprise businesses within the Town of Brookhaven. Grants provided may be up to $10,000 per business.
Attached is the Guidelines and Application Packet. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS MAY 20, 2020 at 4:30pm. Application will be processed on a first come/first served basis until such time as program grant funds are exhausted. Applications can be emailed prior to the deadline to Christine Rignola at CRignola@brookhavenny.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Christine at (631) 451-6602.
• Vision’s Director had the opportunity to be on Facebook Live with NYS Assemblywoman Taylor Darling for the launch of her Tuesday’s with Taylor show. Check it out.
• The Nassau IDA plans to help downtown small businesses.
• The Department of Labor has a Self Employment Assistance Program that allows you to collect unemployment and work. Check it out.
• The good folks at Touro College have a legal assistance hotline and are navigating people through unemployment and varying other situations. Check it out.
• Updated guidance on essential construction.
• Not a surprise but parents with young children are facing massive stress and financial insecurity. Check out the survey results here.
• We have been critical of the minimum amount of Corporate philanthropy out there but here is a link for small businesses to apply for $5,000 grants to FedEx. Check it out.
• The Suffolk Legislature is meeting Tuesday May 19th at 4pm – here is how to practice democracy virtually:
Recording Testimony Over the Phone: A new initiative, parties can now call (631) 853-3685 and leave a three-minute message about topics of concern and specific resolutions being considered by lawmakers. Residents should include their name as well as whether they are speaking about a specific resolution. Recorded voice testimony will be accepted through the close of business on May 19th.
Sending Testimony By Email: Comments may be submitted in writing by emailing Clerk.Legislature@suffolkcountyny.gov.
Sending Testimony by Regular Mail: Comments may be mailed to the attention of the Clerk’s Office at the Suffolk County Legislature, William H. Rogers Building, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787.
Testifying at a Public Hearing via Zoom: You can testify at a public hearing scheduled for the May 19th General Meeting through Zoom. Sign up to receive the meeting invitation by filling out the online form at www.scnylegislature.us/publichearing. Those wishing to speak must sign up before hearings are set to begin at 6:30 PM on May 19.
Questions about how to participate or submit testimony should be directed to the Suffolk County Legislature Clerk’s office at 631-853-6351.
• The Coronavirus crisis has necessitated school closings throughout the country. Some school systems were prepared to pivot into Distance Learning because their students have access to personal computers or District-supplied devices. This is not universally true, especially for many Central Islip and Brentwood students, where over 6,000 students have been identified as needing a computer to login and do their online school assignments. The communities of Central Islip and Brentwood have unified to help these students get the supplies they need, and deserve, to succeed in this new learning environment.
A GoFundMe page titled “Computers for Kids Campaign” has been set up with the hopes of raising $1,000,000 worth of funds in order to donate devices for the Brentwood and Central Islip students in need. If you are interested in making a financial donation towards this fundraising goal, please do so by using the GoFundMe link: gf.me/u/xx5dqc.
• Last week the Governor extended a moratorium on evictions related to the Coronavirus shutdown.
• After pressure from downtown Mayors, local chambers, small business advocates and really just about everyone the SBA is starting to fund truly small businesses. Many of the banks in charge of the applications gave loans to their biggest customers with very little going to small companies. Kudos to Congressmembers Lee Zeldin, Peter King, and Kathleen Rice who we have heard were very active in making this happen in concert with Senator Schumer and Gillibrand. Newsday did a cover story on this infuriating topic.
• Re-opening has been a major topic for everyone. The LI Main Street Alliance was out in downtown Farmingdale last week hearing from shop owners and the Mayor.
• When businesses reopen, they must implement new safety precautions to help lower the risk of spreading the virus. These measures include strict cleaning and sanitation standards, restricting nonessential travel, adapting the workplace to allow for social distancing, and requiring masks to be worn if employees are in frequent contact with the public. To read the full list of guidelines, check out Governor Cuomo’s full release on the topic: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-outlines-additional-guidelines-when-regions-can
• Suffolk County has produced a document to help guide reopening.
• A proposal to remove local zoning and hand it over to Albany has been floated in Newsday and the LI Business News and now has been formally sent to the Governor’s 100 member advisory committee which contains roughly 5 Long Islanders and guided by the McKinsey company. Sadly this effort is presented in the middle of a pandemic with real people focused on human needs. Many builders are opposed to this measure along with State & County officials, municipal leaders, chambers and community organizations. LI Business News has an initial story on this power grab in the middle of a pandemic when most regular folks are at their most anxious and stressed.
• The Federal Reserve Board announced that it is expanding the scope and eligibility for its Main Street Lending Program. The changes are designed to offer more options to a wider set of eligible small and medium-size businesses. The Fed said that the starting date for the program will be announced soon.
A webinar was held on this program with information below:
https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/mainstreetlending.htm
• The Small Business Administration resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) yesterday from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. For more information, visit the SBA’s website here.
A message from the SBA:
The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. This will ensure that SBA has properly coded the system to account for changes made by the legislation.
We encourage all approved lenders to process loan applications previously submitted by eligible borrowers and disburse funds expeditiously. All eligible borrowers who need these funds should work with an approved lender to apply. Borrowers should carefully review PPP regulations and guidance and the certifications required to obtain a loan.
For more information on the Paycheck Protection Program, visit: sba.gov/paycheckprotection
They SBA also announced that:
The EIDL application will not reopen.
The applications already received, in the queue are being processed on a first come first serve basis.
• BUT The Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance/Loan portal is temporarily open for agricultural businesses that were previously ineligible for the program. New non-agricultural business applications will not be accepted. The portal will be opened for a limited period, and it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible. The link to the portal will be: http://www.sba.gov/Disaster
• Folks have been scrambling to see where there bank is regarding the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program – here is a list of the most SBA lenders for LI and the region.
• The IRS has an Employee Retention Tax Credit. Check it out here.
• Check on the status of your IRS Economic Impact Payment.
• The Gates Foundation will work to “reimagine” our schools.
• A former partner from McKinsey & Company is looking to phase out the Post Office.
• The stories of community level philanthropy are heartwarming and we will profile at least one each day. Today's profile features a volunteer from the Town of Smithtown.
• Pink Tie has set up a Pink Tie Delivers system to bring food to local pantries across Long Island. The launch has been active multiple weeks with stops in Hempstead, Medford, Mastic Beach, Freeport, Central Islip, and Westbury. This week we headed to Huntington Station and Babylon. Check out how you can help.
• The LI Main Street Alliance’s “We’re Open” Facebook page is live sharing all of the local businesses still operating in 40 local communities. Like it and share it and most importantly support your Main Street.
• Really thorough cover story in LI Business News of the Coronavirus shutdown's economic impact on Main Streets across Long Island. Many members of the LI Main Street Alliance were involved in the feature which covered the communities of Hempstead, Farmingdale, Patchogue, East Meadow, Bethpage and Babylon. Vision and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce were interviewed as well. Check it out.
• NY Blood Center and Mt. Sinai are looking for plasma donations from patients who have successfully recovered for COVID-19 for convalescent plasma treatments, here is the information:
NY Blood Center
While COVID has no proven treatment, it is possible that plasma taken from those who have recovered (convalescent plasma), which has antibodies against the virus, could help. If you had a positive test, AND your symptoms have been gone for 14 days, AND you are willing to DONATE, please complete and submit this form.
All information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used to qualify you as a donor.
Mount Sinai COVID-19 Plasma Donation
If you had COVID-19 and have recovered you can help save a life. Your blood may contain antibodies that fight the virus and can help critically ill people. Mount Sinai is looking to screen you as a volunteer. Please fill out this form to see if you are eligible.
• It goes without saying that the front line providers in health care, police, ambulance, food services, pharmacy, child care, and many others are working round the clock and are the true heroes through this crisis.
Participate in the "Letters to Our Heroes" initiative! Families can send emails (or scan letters or artwork) to show their support for our first responders, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who are helping to control the COVID-19 outbreak and keep our communities healthy. You can email them to: LSchaefer@NassauCountyNY.gov
The SBA sites and webinars and NYS DOL unemployment websites continue to be overloaded with requests. SBA webinars have been filled to capacity. The 311 call center in Suffolk, the call lines in Nassau as well and every Town, Village and community organizations are taking enormous amount of calls to answer questions and guide residents to resources where they are available.
For the small businesses that are still open there is a movement to continue to support them and keep them operating. To their credit that is largely happening in most downtowns across Long Island.
• As we move through the 10th week of economic shutdown please think about supporting your local businesses at least once if not multiple times. We have spoken to well over 600 local businesses in nearly 50 downtown communities and they need your help.
RECENT NEWS FROM GOVERNMENT
• Governor Cuomo’s May 22nd message
• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s May 22nd message
• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s May 22nd message
• Painful news is that NYS has ordered the Schools to be shut down through the end of the year.
• Looks like without small business aid half of NYS’s breweries will close within months.
• With no school to drive to a LI bus company closes and lays off 900.
• Problems continue as small businesses seek to access the Payroll Protection Program
• The Mckinsey Company will be assisting with planning the recovery.
• Local pharmacies will play a role in Coronavirus testing.
• Sen. Schumer calls on FDA to crack down on unregulated home coronavirus test kits
• County Executive Curran announced that Nassau is expanding testing in Hempstead and Freeport, and next week will open a testing site in Elmont. Testing will be provided by appointment only, and for more information or to make an appointment, call 516-396-7500
• US Senator Kirstin Gillibrand sent out a memo outlining some cases of fraud concerning SBA applications – please review and report and suspicious activity:
1) Emails impersonating SBA to a borrower regarding PPP loan applications. SBA DOES NOT communicate with borrowers regarding specific PPP loan applications. All PPP loan correspondence should be between the lender and the borrower.
2) Emails impersonating SBA asking for borrowers to complete and sign attached documents to “complete” their disaster “Grant Application.” SBA does not process grants. All EIDL loan processing now occurs through the EIDL portal, and legitimate loan approval emails clearly reference the original confirmation #. If additional documentation is required (95% of loans do not require more documentation), it is electronically handled in the portal. EIDL Advances process with NO action required on the part of the applicant.
3) These phishing emails are sophisticated, with SBA logos and styling consistent with legitimate SBA communications. If in doubt, the borrower may contact our office.
Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online here.
• The jobless rate has tripled and is at 14.7 percent.
• Senator Schumer’s release on $2 trillion Federal rescue package with $112 billion headed to NYS
• Senator Schumer proposed a “Heroes Fund” of $25,000 for all first line responders as part of the newest Federal Stimulus package.
• NYS Senator Todd Kaminsky introduced a bill supported by US Congresswoman Kathleen Rice for mortgage relief for homeowners.
• NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has developed a Covid-19 Financial Survival Toolkit for New Yorkers with links and resources for residents, government entities, nonprofits and businesses. Check it out here.
• 10 Town Supervisors are urging NYS to push back the property tax deadline
• NYS Senator Anna Kaplan hosted a webinar on Facebook Live to help small business owners to make sense of the different relief programs that now exist to help during this difficult time. If you missed it live, you can watch it here.
• Here is the executive order from the Governor on compliance for face coverings.
• NYS is coordinating over 300 private labs to prioritize virology testing.
• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses.
• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran hosted a Coronavirus State of the County on News 12 Long Island you can watch it here.
• Long Island Towns are calling on the Governor to provide a delay in property tax payments.
• An agreement has been reached on replenishing SBA lending programs
This includes $320 billion for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program, including $60 billion which would be set aside for small lenders and community financial institutions and $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand led a webinar on the components of the agreement along with future and took many folks questions including those from Long Islanders.
• Nassau County will delay collection of licensing fees from some contractors whose licenses have expired past June.
• Lupinacci, Suffolk Town Supervisors Call for Residential Construction to Resume
• North Hempstead provides an update on their efforts against COVID-19
• The Village of Valley Stream is Supporting Small Business
• PSEG Long Island is warning you to look out for scams and fraud feeding on the pandemic
• AT&T is providing updates to their COVID-19 response along with resources.
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
• Resentment is growing on Main Street over bailout winners and losers
• For folks complaining about brick and mortar stores charging an extra dollar or two for hand sanitizer note that Amazon has been sued for price gouging with essential items spiking as high as 1,000%.
• US Senator Kristin Gillibrand has provided this thorough Q&A on the CARES Act.
• The US Senate has provided this resource guide for small businesses and the CARES act.
• A Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act.
• The Federal Reserve unveiled the details of its Main Street lending program.
Here is a direct link to the Federal Reserve and initial documents.
• The NYS Department of Labor has instituted a new system to spread out applications. Check out the PSA that explains their new guidelines to get folks their benefits.
• The SBA Paycheck Protection Program is an important program and details are coming forward.
• Also check the Suffolk Chambers and Nassau Chambers website for important news and links.
Newsday and the LIA hosted a webinar with NYS SBDC and you can check it out here
• The LI Main Street Alliances “We Are Open” Facebook page is now live sharing all of the local businesses still operating in 40 local communities. Like it and share it and most importantly support your Main Street.
• Our friends at LISTnet have a Coronavirus support page.
• NYS Sen Anna Kaplan hosted “Preparing Your Small Business for a Reopened Community,” featuring practical steps you can take right now to prepare your business for the next phase of this crisis. If you weren’t able to participate live, you can watch the replay any time on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMKaplan/videos/2929655900462446/
• Updated information regarding REVISED SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application can be found here.
• Property and casualty insurance premiums were waived for small business
• The Small Business Association announced an automatic deferment for loans from previous disasters
• All nonessential construction is shutdown
• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses
• Dining Bonds created to help local small businesses
• Facebook has grants for small businesses
• Kiva has grants for small business
• Amazon has a grant fund for small business
• Verizon has set up a small business recovery fund
• The US Chamber of Commerce has a small grant program for small businesses employing between 3-20 people is already oversubscribed after a few hours open. Check it out.
• The State established a new partnership with the New York State Court System to create a pro bono network of volunteer lawyers to provide New Yorkers in need with free legal assistance. Volunteers will begin to receive training and start offering assistance next week. Lawyers interested in volunteering can sign up at www.nysba.org/covidvolunteer
• If you are at home do you dream about going back to your office or workplace? If you are a boss or a manager here is what you should know from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration about making your workplace safe upon return.
• National Grid has created a targeted grants to help manufacturers who need assistance to develop new products or implement lean manufacturing, to produce critical items to support the pandemic response.
• Grants for Artists impacted by Coronavirus.
• Grants for Restaurant workers.
• SCORE Long Island is available to assist businesses with their SBA applications
• Here is a video with Leg. William Doc Spencer on safely supporting Main Street businesses
• Legislator Laura Schaefer has a series of videos on her Facebook page promoting takeout and delivery to independent small businesses. Here is one for West Hempstead.
• Nassau County Minority Affairs Director Lionel Chitty provides an update on small business disaster loans.
• Nassau County and Suffolk County are surveying small businesses: The Nassau County survey is here. The Suffolk County survey is here.
• RXR has set up a series of volunteer resources to help your business during the shutdown. Check it out.
• LI Business News and Newsday have done a great job reporting on the need to support local businesses. Here are a couple of recent stories spotlighting downtown businesses and the LI Main Street Alliance members:
Eating on the Run at LIBN
Survey of Downtown Businesses Shows Potential Closurees at Newsday
How to keep the money from the federal small business bailout at Crane's New York (Subscription required)
• LISTnet hosted a webinar with Vision and the LI Main Street Alliance on adapting to the technology of working at home. Here is the video link of the session.
• NYS Assemblywoman Judy Griffin hosted an event with local chambers and the LI Main Street Alliance on programs that can help small business. You can check out the call here. (Access password: 1j@44H@5)
Suffolk Legislator Dr. William Spencer and NYS Senator James Gaughran held a Virtual Town Hall to address the ongoing NYS response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recently adopted 2020-21 NYS budget, and answer your questions. You can view the tape here.
• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Executive Director of Minority affairs Lionel Chitty were on Radio Zindagi 540 AM with Harry Molhatra from the South Asian Chamber of Commerce. They answering questions and concerns, informed the community and small business owners about important information
Radio zindagi on 540 AM You can view the tape here.
• Last week, NYS Senator Anna Kaplan held her second Small Business Support webinar with experts from the SBA and ESD giving an update about programs available to small businesses, and answering questions from business owners on Facebook Live. If you weren’t able to catch it the first time, you can watch it anytime at https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMKaplan/videos/931428823960667/
RESOURCES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT / SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
• The Governor has announced a new testing protocol.
• The NYS Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has weblinks for assistance here.
• Newsday has set up a page on their website for free messages for community organizations.
• New grant resource for folks who provide meals to children from No Kid Hungry
• If you are a school providing meals during the Coronavirus crisis grants are available.
• The American Heart Association has grants for efforts to access healthy food and active living.
BILLS BILLS BILLS
• Some tips on bills you need to pay and some that you don’t as this crisis gets prolonged
• The IRS has created a Q&A page with information on what you need to do with your taxes
• Up to date information in accessing unemployment from NYS DOL
• If you filed for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, you do not need to prove you are searching for employment to make a claim. Department of Labor Commissioner Reardon has signed a new order that limits all work search activities for all unemployment claimants. No activities are required during the pandemic to receive unemployment benefits.
• Life Insurance payments deferred - For a 90-day period, New Yorkers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may defer paying life insurance premiums. Late payments will be payable over a one-year period. Additionally, consumers and small businesses experiencing Coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)
• Pharmacies will now offer free home delivery to New Yorkers. All NYS major pharmacy chains, pharmacies have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities
• Student loan borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can obtain relief for loans not covered by the CARES Act. Available relief includes 90 days of deferred monthly payments, waived late fees, no negative reporting to credit agencies and enrolling eligible borrowers in available long-term assistance programs. New York student loan borrowers should visit the Department of Financial Services' website at dfs.ny.gov for more information about available student loan relief.
• Resources for displaced bartenders.
• Resources for displaced hospitality workers.
• If you are an artist the NYS Foundation for the Arts has Emergency Grants.
• If you are a photographer there are small grants available.
• PSEG has a Coronavirus page that is updated regularly
• There is now a 90 day waiver on mortgage payments which is a relief to the thousands of Long Islanders that had those bills hanging over their head during an extended forced shutdown.
• Freddie Mac is prohibiting evictions on properties where their loans are in place
• AT&T suspends collection activities during the Coronavirus crisis
• PSEG Long Island Halts Service Shut Offs
• National Grid Halts Service Shut Offs
• Verizon Suspends Collection Activities
• Geico postponed collectons during Coronavirus shutdown
• You may be able to temporarily stop making your student loan payments.
• Got credit card debt? Here is an updated list of banks that are providing relief to customers affected by the Coronavirus.
• Got wireless bills? AT&T and Verizon have given guidance on how to handle them – here is Sprint’s
• Auto insurance bills? Many car insurance companies are providing discounts and credits to customers as a result of the dramatic reduction in driving that’s been taking place during the pandemic. Check with your provider to see if they’re offering one, and if there are any steps you need to take in order to receive the discount.
• National Grid has updated information about their billing.
• Curious about the process for Federal Coronavirus Recovery Checks? The first round of federal relief payments began going out today, so if the federal government had your direct deposit information from a recent income tax filing, you should check your bank account!
• NYS has updated its essential list of businesses again. Check out the latest.
• NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has developed a Covid-19 Financial Survival Toolkit for New Yorkers with links and resources for residents, government entities, nonprofits and businesses. Check it out.
HUMAN NEEDS
• Island Harvest provides free referrals and free assistance for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) over the phone, and you do not have to go to the Department of Social Services. Island Harvest can walk you through the online application by telephone or complete a short intake and submit the online application for you. Give them a call at 631-873-4775 for assistance.
• A new testing site is opening in Elmont.
• Umbrella is coordinating grocery delivery for adults 60+ across Long Island. Individuals can place an order online at askumbrella.com or call 516-882-4498 to get matched with a local volunteer to shop on their behalf. There is a $10 suggested contribution per order to help offset some of our overhead costs - but it is up to the individual to pay what they wish. No one is turned away. With questions about the service, please contact emma@askumbrella.com.
• New York State will provide child care scholarships to essential workers. Child care costs will be covered for essential staff whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level — or $78,600 for a family of four. Essential workers (including health care providers, law enforcement, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others) can use these scholarships to pay for their existing care arrangement.
If an essential worker needs child care, they can use the below link to begin the application process (select by language spoken)
• Folks need Food: If you are in need of food Island Harvest has their food locater and is working round the clock to continue supplies to those in need
• Domestic Violence is up 10%: Many experts in the area of domestic violence prevention have pointed out lately that Isolation and unemployment are a recipe for disaster in a household with a history of intimate partner violence. If you need help, contact the Safe Center 24/7 at 516-542-0404 or the NY Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 800-942-6906. If you are in any personal crisis, you can also call the Long Island Crisis Center 24/7 hotline at 516-679-1111.
• How is your mental health? A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it. We can't underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to help with New York's Coronavirus response. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314
• If you are pregnant? Many pregnant women and their families are facing uncertainty about what the COVID-19 outbreak means for their ability to have a safe, supported delivery in Nassau County hospitals. In response to these concerns, Nassau County has launched a hotline: 516-4UR-CARE. Pregnant patients can call this line and get answers and advice about how to have a safe childbirth under COVID-19 conditions.
• New York State has a Coronavirus hotline and website for information or to schedule a test. Please call 888-364-3065 or navigate here.
• If you lost your health care, NYS has reopened its health exchange.
• Supervisor Bosworth and the Town of North Hempstead launched a new program to provide our seniors with remote companionship during these isolating times. The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program matches volunteers with seniors in the Project Independence program, and is designed to provide a sense of reassurance and comfort. To participate or to volunteer, call 311 or 516-869-6311
• If you are a Veteran and struggling through these difficult times you can have virtual Coffee with a Veteran each day at noon until Apr 30. Email Dave-rogers1969@live.com to sign up.
• If you are a senior every Thursday AARP has a live Q and A call to help you manage the Coronavirus crisis.
• If you live in the Huntington area a very thorough Coronavirus Resource Guide is available from the Office of Legislator William Doc Spencer.
• If you are a pet owner the CDC has some guidance. The USDA reported today that two pet cats in New York have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (they’re expected to recover.) There is no evidence that domestic animals can pass the virus on to humans, but it seems apparent that the cats did contract the virus from humans they came in contact with. As a result, the CDC has issued new guidance for pet owners: don’t let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household, keep cats indoors when possible, walk dogs on a leash, staying 6 feet away from other people and animals. Avoid dog parks or places where a large number of people and dogs gather.
HELP NEEDED
• Blood donations are needed: The New York Blood Center said it is in urgent need of donors, since coronavirus concerns have resulted in "critically low blood and platelet appointments" across Long Island. The NYBC has six centers in Nassau and Suffolk and said safety protocols are in place as they urge healthy individuals, who have not been exposed to coronavirus, to donate. The NYBC said if you are unsure if you can donate, you can ask their experts at 800-688-0900 or navigate to their webpage here.
St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center is calling for people to make appointments to donate blood.
HELP WANTED
• Tens of thousands of Long Islanders are out of work. There are many service industry positions seeking temporary or permanent employment. Here are some:
7-11 (looking to add 20,000 jobs)
Aldi (5,000 open positions)
Amazon (looking to add 100,000 employees)
CVS (looking to hire 50,000 employees)
Dollar Tree/Family Dollar (25,000 full- and part-time associates)
Domino’s (looking to hire up to 10,000 employees)
Pepsi (bring another 6,000 people on board)
Pizza Hut (over 30,000 open positions)
ShopRite
Stop & Shop
Walgreens (fill roughly 9,500 full- and part-time positions)
Walmart (adding 150,000 temporary positions)
General Listings:
Indeed
Long Island's Craigslist
New York Jobs
Simply Hired
• There are nearly 2 million folks currently out of work but the good news for some is that NYS is hiring 17,000 tracers at $57,000 a year. Check it out in Patch.
• If someone is looking for a procurement opportunity with the federal government check out this source
• There are nearly 2 million folks currently out of work but the good news for some is that NYS is hiring 17,000 tracers at $57,000 a year. Check it out in Patch.
HOME & STIR CRAZY
• Pounding your head into the wall with your new job description as a home school teacher? Check out Nassau Boces and their PreK initiative for all sorts of resources to help figure it out.
• Walking is important during this shutdown and is a form of self care.
• Folks are at home with their families and children for extended periods. It’s important to know how to talk to your kids about Coronavirus so they don’t think we are living in an episode of the Walking Dead. Here is also some guidance from PBS.
• If you are trying to figure out what to do at home with your kid while they have very limited hours with their teachers online. Western Suffolk BOCES has produced an online toolkit for learning.
An added bonus to the toolkit is an activity with Mo Willems, Author of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and many other cool stories
• Turn off your Zoom call once you are done.
• Bored at home - Fifty libraries in Nassau County now offer digital cards, allowing residents to explore their hometown library's book, music and art collections online from the comfort of their couch.
• How to make your own face mask.
• If you need some info on how to make your own mask.
• Can’t find hand sanitizer and need to make your own? Here is one recipe.
• Need to boost your immune system? The Long Island Press has some ideas.
• If you like doing yoga: Girls Inc is hosting Family Virtual yoga on Friday April 17th at 5:30.
• How to make homemade disinfectant spray and wipes.
• Check out a virtual landscape art exhibit from the Westbury Arts Council
• Always wanted to learn to play guitar but never had time? Fender is giving free lessons from the next three months.
• Are you and your kids are glued to screens and losing your mind? Here are 100 non electronic things you can do to keep your kids occupied during the lockdown.
• Bored at home? East End Arts is providing virtual access to artists.
• The Staller Center for the Arts has a virtual tour of many instruments and their outreach activities
• Pet ownership is up – here is a piece on how pet ownership helps address isolation particularly for older adults.
• Do you miss Dinner and a movie? The Cinema Arts Center offers free cooking videos to pair with your favorite independent films they can virtually screen. Check out the story.
Here is the direct link.
• Need Chocolate Activity Kits for kids? Chocolate Works provides decorating kits, easter oreos and other home kits to make with you kids. For every one you buy Pink Tie donates one to local food pantries in Hempstead and Medford!
INNOVATION UNDERWAY
• Folks are answering Governor Cuomo’s call for ventilators, masks:
The Business Incubator Association has created an invitation to ventilate.
A Long Island Distillery is making hand sanitizer.
D’Addario, a Long Island musical instrument maker, pivots from making drumheads to face shields
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORTATION & SUSTAINABILITY
• AARP has announced a Livable Communities Challenge Grant for local community efforts.
• One benefit of Coronavirus: traffic is down and more folks walking, biking
• Environmental regulation impacted as EPA Suspended all Environmental Rules
• PSEG Long Island Continues to Storm-Harden the Grid
• MTA Announces Virtual Board Meeting to Be Held on April 22
• LIPA provides update on coordination plan and current projects and initiative
• NICE buses in Nassau County will switch to a reduced schedule. The service will operate on a Saturday schedule from Monday-Saturday, and Sunday service will be unchanged. This does not apply to the Elmont Flexi Shuttle, the Mercy Medical Community Shuttle, the Port Washington Shuttle, and the n19, n57, and n80 routes, which will all continue to run normally
• Good news – in a throwback that was really just 45 days ago – here is a profile on the hamlet of Bay Shore and the benefits of their two decades work of revitalization.
• More Good news - Consensus emerging on the superblock project in the City of Long Beach due to collaboration with a local developer and community organizations.
• VHB has put together a thoughtful resource guide on transportation, real estate and energy. Check it out.
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
• Nassau County Map of updates from Across the County
• Suffolk County Map of confirmed Coronavirus cases
• NYS has an established COVID tracker web site that provides data regarding the virus outbreak in the state, including a breakdown of fatalities by age, ethnicity, risk factors, etc.
• Thinking Globally? Here is a website documenting the world impact of Coronavirus.
• Inspirational op-ed from LIBN editor Joe Dowd
• Gary Labarbara from the NYS Building Trades Council speaks about safety for construction workers.
• Celebrities have time on their hands and are letting us know how they feel including Ben Stiller, Danny Devito, Cardi B, Robert Deniro and Madonna encouraging folks to stay home. Sean Penn was looking to send in the military. Arnold Schwartzeneger was telling folks to stay home while smoking a cigar in his hot tub, Neil Diamond even wrote a song called “Hands Washing Hands” sung to the tune of Sweet Caroline.
• Lots of social media chatter and online bullying regarding social distancing. According to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, NCPD received 700 calls with only 12 unfounded or easily resolved with a warning. In Huntington Inspector William Scrima, commander of the Suffolk County Police Second Precinct said “We have gotten a number of calls about people and businesses who are not following social distancing guidelines. Many of the calls are unfounded, others are at businesses that people mistakenly believe are not designated essential. We have encountered a few non-essential businesses that are open and a few gatherings of people in public areas. All have complied with the guidelines, when notified by our officers.”
• The Tourism industry has been severely impacted. Here is a video with Kevin Wood from the Village of Port Jeff interviewing a representative from Danfords hotel.
• Do you care about your grocery store worker? Check out RWDSU President Stuart Applebaum interviewed at the AFLCIO podcast on conditions for workers.
• If you are into civic freedoms and civil liberties the International Center on Not for Profit Law has a global civic freedoms tracker tied to the Coronavirus crisis
HOW CAN I HELP?
There are hundreds of thousands unemployed in NY but there are many more as folks can't or haven’t navigated the system for benefits to date.
That is not simply an eye catching statistic but real people with lives upended.
For the folks that are still working I hope you are:
1) humble, sober and aware of the fact that right now millions of americans are in pain,
2) if you have resources to help local folks - patronize open small businesses to limit further job loss,
3) donate to local food pantries,
4) donate other resources directly to real people you may know in need and
5) if you have resources to give to groups make it very local groups who are on the ground and getting them needed help in this time.
CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY
• We are starting to see some Corporate Philanthropy develop that has been missing through this crisis. Stay tuned for a more thorough report.
Locally
- The Long Island Community Foundation has set up a Coronavirus fund for community services and organizations.
- Pink Tie and the LI Nets have developed a Pink Tie delivers program.
- Trader Joe’s has been making donations to local food pantries
- The Long Island East End Group purchased 15,000 masks for distribution to front line providers.
- The Estée Lauder Companies provided 10,000 hand sanitizer bottles (8 ounces each) per week for 4-5 weeks
- Owners of Shinn Estate Vineyards donate $100,000 to Eastern Long Island Hospitals
- LI Jobs with Justice Solidarity Fund
- Long Island Ambulatory Surgery Center donated a Ventilator
- In addition the United Way, The Townwide Fund of Huntington and the 1763 Foundation are all raising money to distribute to folks that meet their guidelines.
- The Long Island Chinese American Association volunteers, donated 10,000 masks and delivered lunch to first responders.
- Jim Hagedorn from Scotts Miracle-Gro donated $110,000 worth of protective equipment for first responders.
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$250,000 New York Jets for direct worker assistance
- $250,000 Bank of America for direct worker assistance
- The Knapp Swezey Foundation has donated $500,000 to Patchogue charities.
- Sterling Bank provided $5,000 to Central Islip Food Bank
- National Grid provides support to local food pantries
• The United Way has a fund to assist low income wage earners who were either (1) laid off or (2) furloughed from their jobs due to COVID-19. People can search for assistance here.
Nationally
- JP Morgan Chase has committed $50 million
- Lowes has announced $25 million in grants and in-kind donations
- Citi Foundation has announced a $15 million fund
- Google has announced $15 million in cash grants
- Citizens Bank has announced $5 million
- Anna Wintour has set up a fund for folks in the fashion industry who are displaced.
- A number of grants for displaced local artists are starting to emerge
- Bank of America has dedicated a $100 million fund nationwide.
- Verizon has set up a small business recovery fund.
• While we have not seen much in the corporate philanthropy department one fantastic exception has been the LI Community Foundation. They have distributed $450,000 to a number of local organizations helping real people. Check it out.
There is still a dearth of real community level information and tons of questions from folks stay tuned daily for updates on the range of actions taken to get us through this public health and economic crisis.
We need you out there to tell is what is happening and what resources are available. No matter what please join the LI Main Street Alliance by emailing us at ea@visionlongisland.org or call 631-804-9128.
You can read previous editions of Long Island Main Street News here.
IMPORTANT WEBSITES TO TRACK:
Northwell Health Digital Resource Center
The US Small Business Administration
New York State Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health
AARP's Updates on the Coronavirus
Island Harvest's Food Pantry Tracker
Suffolk County Alliance of Chamber's Disaster Relief Information
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At this time of uncertainty, we are beginning to see a number of downtowns being shuttered as bars, restaurants, and any place where multiple people congregate are running up against fears of and caution at spreading the Coronavirus. While this is a socially responsible action that will help to save lives, in the short term these actions are having a number of adverse effects on our local communities.
Vision Long Island and Long Island Main Street Alliance members have collected a number of experiences from local restaurants and service businesses, but before we go into that we would like to encourage everyone reading this to find a way to responsibly patronize local establishments. Many stores are offering curbside pickup or online shopping to help them get through this difficult time. And your favorite restaurants are also currently open for business with takeout available.
We also urge you to consider gift cards in order to purchase something at a later date for yourself, or perhaps to give as a present.
Local shops are in a capable position to provide you with what you need in the short-term. Many will also be willing to accommodate you if you contact them ahead of time with requests that will minimize contact and help to lower the spread of this virus.
Vision has connected to over 600 small businesses in nearly 50 downtowns as they weather the economic storm through the Coronavirus. We encourage people to responsibly patronize these and other open establishments who need your help in this time of crisis.
Many of these businesses have been there for local organizations and philanthropy - they now need our support.
In the meantime, here is the featured downtown for today.
For a complete list of downtowns profiles, please check out our website here.
Cedarhurst
The one-mile square area now called Cedarhurst was settled before the American Revolution. Today, the Incorporated Village of Cedarhurst is a vital commercial and cultural hub of the Five Towns. It is a beautiful community which has retained the charm of years past. With summer concerts, winter festivals, car shows, parks and over 200 shops, restaurants and businesses within a six-block area, the Village is known as a great place to live, work, and play.
Today, the effects of COVID 19 are taking a toll on the downtown. Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock understands the real dilemma challenging elected leaders who will choose when and how towns will reopen in New York. In an OP-ED published in the LI Herald on May 5th, Mayor Weinstock writes, “As Mayor of Cedarhurst, I have been urging our elected county and state leaders to allow our downtown shopkeepers to open their stores with reasonable guidelines to maximize public safety.”
“Opening as safely as possible means that the small businesses in our downtown should be involved,” the Mayor points out. “I am asking for parity on behalf of our small business owners. If the big boxes are open and selling more than essential food and pharmacy items, our small businesses should have the same opportunity.”
Mayor Weinstock appositely states, “The awful truth is that if our downtown remains shuttered much longer, there may not be anything to reopen.” Below is a list of some restaurants in Cedarhurst open for takeout, delivery and/or curbside. Frequenting these restaurants now will help them survive this difficult time.
Cork & Slice
516 837-7788
Crawfords Coffee Bar & Cafe
516 612-2047
David's Famous Pizza
516 295-6925
Doma Land + Sea
516 881-7712
Graze Smokehouse
516 828-5000
Holy Schnitze
516 374-4659
Judd's Memphis Kitchen
516 654-5833
Pizza'le
516 218-2727
QCumbers
516 295-8910
Stop, Chop & Roll
516 341-7874
Streats
516 837-9684
Wok Tov
516 295-3843
Cops N' Kids Long Island
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” - Mother Theresa
Cops N' Kids Long Island is a program which teaches, molds, and mentors young people in our communities. The values of Cops N' Kids Long Island are love of community, courage, unity, and respect.
In response to COVID 19, Cops N’ Kids of LI, based in West Babylon, has momentarily changed their mission from building relationships between young people and law enforcement, to serving the needs of families with children, healthcare workers and our most vulnerable population, the elderly. This amazing group has put together a Law Enforcement Meal Response Team to provide food to those in need.
President of Cops & Kids LI, Kwani O’Pharrow, an active police detective in the Elite Intelligence Bureau of NYPD, met with his team to discussed ways to help the community in light of this recent pandemic. With the assistance of elected officials, partnering organizations and the community, Cops & Kids LI has been able to identify those in need. Kwani and his team started on their days off delivering food in the Town of Babylon hamlets, including Lindenhurst, Copiague, North Amityville, and West Babylon.
The organization has partnered with Rev. Keith Hayward, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Copiague, to help provide over 300 hot meals a week to those in need. Along with the hot meals, they provide water, groceries and essential supplies.
Kwani explains, “People in our community less fortunate don’t have the assistance or resources to feed themselves and many organizations' resources are being brutally spread thin with all the request for help.” Originally financing the endeavor through personal donations, the organization is now accepting donations from local communities.
Recently recognized by the Town of Babylon, Kwani states, “We are truly humbled by this recognition from the Town of Babylon. It is our purpose as members of the human race to help those who are not in positions to help themselves.”
Many in the Town of Babylon have generously stepped up to help neighbors. If you would like to help this cause, you can call Bethel AME at (631) 842-8463 or go to Cops N’ Kids Long Island’s website at https://www.copsnkidsli.org/donate. Cops N' Kids Long Island is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Memorial Day 2020 is a Time to Remember
Though the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic shutdown may be at the forefront of our national consciousness, it is still important to remember that all of us have been touched by those who serve in some way or another.
Whether it’s through personal service to our country or family members who have done so, we all benefit from the freedoms and rights afforded by their service. While you’re enjoying this holiday weekend, take some time to remember those who willingly gave everything so that you could.
Vision Long Island encourages everyone to enjoy their weekend in a safe and responsible manner as we start to reopen some parts of the economy. Please take a time to remember those who have fallen so that we may all stand together.
Unfortunately, due to the state’s directives during the COVID-19 pandemic, all large gatherings are prohibited, including all highly attended Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in 2020. However, Supervisor Don Clavin is partnering with the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council, which comprises of Levittown VFW Post No. 9592, American Legion Post 1711 and more, to host a special livestreamed Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park in Levittown. Adhering to the state’s COVID-19 regulations, Hempstead Town and the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council will host a virtual ceremony to continue a nearly 75-year Memorial Day tradition in the community built by veterans for veterans.
The limited attended ceremony will include the laying of the wreath by VFW Post No. 9592 Commander Peter Stasinski and American Legion Post 1711 Commander Frank Marcinek. Also in attendance will be Gold Star parents of Daniel Fuentes, a Levittown hero who gave his life while serving in Iraq.
The event can be viewed on Facebook Live (facebook.com/hempsteadtown) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th at 11:45 a.m. until noon.
The Town of Huntington is also planning virtual Memorial Day services.
And there is a National Memorial Day Service with a concert.
Discover Long Island Debuts ‘Renewed Sense of Gratitude’ Campaign
Discover Long Island, the official destination marketing and management organization for the region, encourages residents to welcome the impending summer season with a renewed sense of gratitude and offers insight to navigating a different approach to promoting the destination as it enters into peak season and takes steps toward recovery.
“Long Islanders wait all year long for our summer season and this year, while we will still enjoy the benefits of living where those long to vacation, it will be with a greater appreciation and a renewed sense of gratitude as we start to see our businesses and attractions begin to re-open,” said Kristen Jarnagin, President & CEO of Discover Long Island. “While tourism and hospitality was among the first and most negatively affected industries resulting from the Pandemic crisis, this industry is also historically the first to lead in economic generation and job creation in times of recovery. We have been working closely with our elected officials and industry partners on a safe and calculated strategy to open local businesses and stimulate local economic activity. We intend to see an increase of residents staying local and when appropriate drive-markets taking advantage of our region’s renowned tourism assets and vast outdoor experiences.”
The organization’s launch of its ‘Renewed Gratitude’ video shares a message of strength and hope with the community whose $6.1 billion tourism industry supports over 100,000 local jobs, including over 80% of small businesses across the island. Developed in-house by the Discover Long Island team, the creative asset will be gifted to local businesses and media outlets for inspirational use. Discover Long Island will be shifting its summer marketing strategy, empowering residents and when appropriate drive markets to explore the tourism gems available in their own backyard and supporting local businesses.
“Now more than ever it is important for our residents, who are staying safe and local, to support our local downtown businesses,” said Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the LI Main Street Alliance. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of Discover Long Island to encourage economic activity by guiding our residents to enjoy Long Island’s Main Streets, attractions and parks at a time when we would normally be sharing them with the rest of the world.”
For more information on openings, virtual events and more, please visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.
Governor Cuomo Launches $100 Million New York Forward Loan Fund to Help Small Businesses
The following is an update from Governor Cuomo’s website:
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of the $100 million New York Forward Loan Fund to provide flexible and affordable loans to help small businesses, focusing on minority and women owned small businesses, that did not receive federal COVID-19 assistance. The state will take a smart, targeted approach for distributing these loans, focusing on businesses with 20 or fewer employees and less than $3 million in gross revenues. Businesses interested in receiving a loan should visit esd.ny.gov/nyforwardloans.
Governor Cuomo also announced the Long Island and Mid-Hudson Valley Regions will be permitted to begin construction staging in anticipation of phase one of reopening. If the number of deaths continues to decrease and the tracing is online, both regions could reopen next week.
The Governor also announced the launch of a new pilot program with 52 independent pharmacies to conduct 7,000 tests per week. New York State now has more than 750 testing sites across the state. The Governor also encouraged eligible New Yorkers to visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov to find a nearby testing site and get tested.
The Governor also announced that the state is making its contact tracing training curriculum available at no cost to all states through the National Governors Association to speed the process of creating contact tracing programs. The state partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University to develop this comprehensive online curriculum to train potential contact tracers. Contact tracing is currently underway in seven regions of the state - the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier and Western New York.
The Governor also reminded New Yorkers to vote in the state's Wear a Mask New York Ad Contest, which was launched by the Governor on May 5th and is being overseen by his daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo. New Yorkers can vote for the winning ad until Monday May 25th at WearAMask.ny.gov, and 92,000 people have voted to date. The winning ad will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th, and that ad will be used as a public service announcement.
"Small businesses are the engine of the New York economy, but they are now facing some of the toughest challenges in this pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "Helping our small businesses is a top priority, and we are starting the New York Forward Loan Fund and making more than $100 million available to provide loans to small businesses, focusing particularly on minority and women owned businesses that have faced even greater risks and received less in federal relief throughout this pandemic."
Finally, the Governor confirmed 1,696 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 358,154 confirmed cases in New York State.
You can watch the Governor’s full press conference here.
Calendar of Events
The following is a list of upcoming and ongoing calendar events. Check back on each publication for updates:
• Virtual Walks: The Health Education Council will be holding Virtual Walks every Monday at 12:30 pm EST and Wednesday at 3 pm EST, with a Spanish language virtual walk each Friday at 3 pm EST.
If you're interested in taking a walk with friends while still practicing social distancing you can head to the the website here to sign up for a virtual walk. A Spanish speaking version is available here. You will then receive a zoom link and all you'll need is a smart phone and a good pair of shoes and you'll be in business!
• LIBN invites you to join their team every Friday at 2PM on libnow, LIBN's live end-of-week recap, where they take the pulse of the Long Island business community and chat with experts on the state of their industry.
Participate in an interactive Q&A where YOU tell them what your business needs to know to stay ahead of the curve, as Long Island inches toward going back-to-business.
You can register for the event here.
• H2M Presents: The State and Future of Senior Housing Real Estate.
Even before the pandemic hit, assisted living and senior housing facilities were evolving to adapt to more digitally engaged residents. Now, the coronavirus has taken an extraordinary human toll on the senior housing industry. With their residents at risk, owners and operators need to put specific protocols and operations in place and have the right infrastructure to make seamless changes.
The event will take place on May 27, 2020 11:30 AM
Join Bisnow and H2M architects + engineers, Hinman Straub and Engel Burman as we discuss the core challenges owners and operators in the senior housing space are battling in order to keep employees and residents safe, future of design and technology trends and what changes will outlast the pandemic for the industry.
You can register for the event here.
• Risky Business: Support and Resources for Small Businesses in Wake of COVID-19
Join the New York Urban League as we host our next Virtual Town Hall. This session will provide an open forum for business owners to hear strategies to survive this time and thrive into the future, and hear about resources to support their businesses. We will also provide information for individuals to learn how they can support small business owners and become true advocates for entrepreneurship.
The event will take place on May 28, 2020 06:00 PM.
You can register for the event here.
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a Federal Program to provide families having difficulty purchasing food and paying rent and utilities. Funding is provided to agencies that currently have a food or shelter program to distribute to families. Additional information on the program can be found at https://www.efsp.unitedway.org/efsp/website/index.cfm.
EFSP allocations for the current period of funding (Phase 37) and CARES Act funding have recently been released. Long Island has been allocated the following:
Nassau County:
Phase 37 $502,395
CARES $716,271
Suffolk County:
Phase 37 $593,110
CARES: $845, 605
This is great news for our region at a time when more and more Long Island families are struggling to put food on their tables and pay rent and utilities. This is a significant amount of money to get to families who are currently struggling.
Below is the link on the website to the application for new applicants:
https://hwcli.com/actionalert/efsp-apply/
Applications will be due on May 22nd at 6pm. If you need more time, please contact them.
CDC Guidelines on Coronavirus Prevention
As concern about the ever-expanding impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, we can minimize or prevent the spread of coronavirus by taking these steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Wash or sanitize your hands thoroughly.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or antiseptic wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.
Our Daily Sponsor
GRCH Architects
GRCH Architecture Principal Glen R. Cherveny leads a highly successful team of industry professionals with more than 30 years of experience in architecture, design, planning, engineering, and more recently LEED-sustainable architecture.
GRCH’s goal of excellence is apparent in their work starting with their high-quality practices in the initial phases of programming and continuing on through the building construction phase and project completion. Their comprehensive approach to each project- and the needs of meeting each client’s totall satisfaction- is paramont to the process.
Smart Talk
Contributors:
Eric Alexander, Director; Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director;
Christopher Kyle, Communications
Director;
Elissa Kyle, Placemaking Director; Linda Henninger, Outreach Coordinator
We strive to provide continued quality publications like this every week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.
If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.
Vision Long Island
24 Woodbine Ave., Suite Two
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-261-0242. Fax: 631-754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org
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