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

June 3rd, 2020

Quotes of Day

	“In contrast to what we have seen in communities across the country and in New York City, the protests, the demonstrations that occurred here yesterday and in the days before that have been peaceful,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Tuesday. “You have not seen the kind of violence or property damage, looting, that we have seen in other places around our country.” - Hon. Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive
	“Although demonstrations on Long Island have remained peaceful, there are rumors circulating online threatening violence or looting in Nassau County. We take these threats very seriously. We want to assure residents that Nassau County PD is taking every precaution necessary to keep residents safe.” - Hon. Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive
The following are an ongoing collection of quotes in opposition to a proposal to remove local zoning in the middle of this pandemic.
	“I strongly oppose the effort by ABLI to suspend local zoning control in an effort to restart the Long Island economy. Town and Village Boards, Planning and Zoning Boards of Appeal fully understand the need for alacrity In moving many projects forward that are critical to downtown redevelopment and regional economic growth. While I support these projects in the strongest possible terms, suspension of local zoning control is, simply, asking too much. I trust our municipalities to make the correct decisions and to do it at a pace that is as fast as possible. At the conclusion of this pandemic we will see that some mistakes were made in how challenges were handled. I believe suspension of local zoning control will be one of them if enacted.” - Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, NYS Assemblyman
	"The voice of our residents is most important when deciding the future of their community. Local control over zoning means residents can control their own destiny, rather than it being managed from hundreds of miles away by bureaucrats that know nothing of a community's needs and have no stake in the outcome. I will oppose all efforts that circumvent our citizens voices and always put our residents first." - Hon. Lou Imbroto, Oyster Bay Town Councilman

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

Helping Main Street through the
Coronavirus Shutdown

Day 80 of Coronavirus Economic Shutdown –
Monday June 3st, 2020

The Coronavirus economic shutdown is on day 80.   Thankfully peaceful protests continue in multiple local communities on Long Island with the support of local community, business and government leaders.   Big victory today for local small businesses in the approval of outdoor dining in NYS’s Phase 2 of the reopening.  Kudos to the efforts of local officials and chamber leaders who rallied for this cause.  Crowds continue to cram into Big Box stores while local Main Street shops remain shuttered or under minimal operation.  Local municipalities, chambers and residents are collaborating in numerous communities across Long Island on plans for reopening. 

Here are some updates:

•  So a little lifeline to local Main Street businesses was given today from NYS.
Looks like after pretty thorough advocacy from just about every local County, Town and Village elected official and most chambers outdoor dining will be permitted in Phase 2 of the reopening. The regulations clearly allow it and hopefully Phase 2 starts next Wednesday (or sooner)

•  The Town of Babylon sets aside a $2.5 million fund for its local small businesses.

•  The $1.5 billion budget deficit created by the Coronavirus economic shutdown was alarming to Suffolk County officials.  The push to maintain services will include the call for bailout from the Federal government.

•  The Town of Huntington is looking to its small business community to assist in reopening plans.

•  At least a third of society are identified as clinically depressed, which is not a surprise

•  Franklin Square and Elmont begin the process of reopening.

•  Summer day camps can open statewide on June 29th, and folks are expecting that specific rules and guidance will be released soon, potentially as early as this Wednesday. A decision on sleep-away camps has not yet been made, but will be announced in the coming weeks. 

•  The Nassau Inter-County Express, or NICE Bus, announced that, starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, it was suspending all service to Queens each day while the New York City curfew remains in effect. The agency had announced Monday the temporary closure of its busiest hub, the Rosa Parks Hempstead Transit Center.

•  The MTA is planning to ramp up service as New York City enters its first phase of reopening on Monday, with subways and buses returning to full, regular service after operating on a reduced plan since late March.There was no word Tuesday on when the LIRR, which has been running at about 70% of its usual weekday schedule, would return to full service.

• Please see the below update from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles about the department's reopening plan. DMV will resume limited remote services starting June 1st. The release also includes additional opening information, such as: "As regions enter phase 3 of reopening, DMV will offer limited in-person transactions in state-run DMV offices by reservation only, prioritizing critical services, and will resume road tests for all drivers at that time."

If you cannot see the release below, you can access it at this link: https://dmv.ny.gov/press-release/press-release-05-30-2020.

• Please find attached the flyer that can be shared on the New York Forward Loan Fund. The NYFLF is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. 
The application for NYFLF is available at this link: nyloanfund.com
Additional resources, such as PowerPoint presentation and FAQ can be found at: https://esd.ny.gov/nyforwardloans-info

• Phase 2 guidance has been posted on the NY Forward website here. Phase 2 includes all office-based jobs, real-estate services, retail in-store shopping, vehicle sales, and limited barbershop and hair salon services.

• The Governor has signed a new executive order that will allow business owners to refuse entry to customers not wearing a mask or face covering.

• In a surprise to no one LI’s unemployment has soared in April to 16% with 16.4% in Suffolk and 15.6% in Nassau.  This is higher than NYC, Westchester and higher than any time during the 1989-92 recession which were the highest in recent decades.  For those saying this shutdown is an inconvenience maybe speak with someone out of work.

• Governor Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.32 which extends the period for paying property taxes​ 21 days, without interest or penalty, for the certain municipalities. This EO includes Suffolk County. The order is attached and can also be found here.

• The Governor signed an Executive Order allowing businesses to deny entry to customers without masks.

• The state has launched the New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF), a $100 million fund to provide flexible and affordable loans to help our small businesses, especially MWBEs (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) that did not receive federal Covid-19 assistance. The program will take a smart, targeted approach for distributing these loans, focusing on truly small businesses, with 20 or fewer employees and less than $3 million in gross revenues. If you’re a small business who didn’t get federal assistance, check out esd.ny.gov/nyforwardloans for more information and to pre-apply

• The Nassau County BAR Association is accepting emails for COVID-19 related legal inquiries. Emails should be sent to Covidhelp@nassaubar.org.  Member volunteers are helping residents with a variety of issues, especially landlord/tenant and employment.  They can also help answer questions about Federal Small Business Administration loans. 

• There is an enormous amount of confusion out there. There is no comprehensive reopening as there are first steps taken to reopen. NYS will allow Long Island communities to have select categories of businesses reopen in addition to the industries already allowed to work if they are an "essential" businesses.

Industries that are eligible for Phase 1 reopening include:
- Construction
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
- Retail - (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale Trade
All businesses eligible to operate in Phase 1 should read the guidelines for their industry and submit an affirmation. In addition, they should print and complete the safety plan and display in their business.

Phase Two
- Professional Services
- Retail
- Administrative Support
- Real Estate / Rental & Leasing

Phase Three
- Restaurants / Food Services

Phase Four
- Arts / Entertainment / Recreation
- Education
Read https://forward.ny.gov/ to review the regulations and affirm their industries safety guidelines.
Check out this initial article in Huntington Now. Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci is quoted along with the Huntington Chamber and Vision.

• A new bill led by Rep. Carolyn Maloney would create a federally backed business interruption insurance fund to cover losses from a pandemic.

• Lots of folks were talking about this Washington Post article about NYC residents contemplating moving. 

• The NYS Legislature returned to Albany to debate a number of Coronavirus related bills with looming $13 billion deficit as a backdrop

• As we begin to slowly reopen our communities, its important that no New Yorker feel unsafe at work or be put into harms way unnecessarily. If your employer doesn’t make appropriate accommodations for your safety, for the safety of the public, or fails to provide you with PPE to do your job safely, you’re urged to call the state coronavirus hotline at 888-364-3065

• If you are outside more with your kid here are some resources to get you child more appreciative of the natural world courtesy of Nassau BOCES and the LI PreK Initiative

RECENT NEWS FROM GOVERNMENT

• Governor Cuomo’s June 3rd message

• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s June 3rd message

• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s June 3rd message

• New York State Senator Monica Martinez announces the passage of her property tax deferment bill in both Senate and Assembly.

• 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.

• 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.

• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses.

• Towns and local governments have individualized resource pages for coronavirus updates:

New York City

Nassau County

Suffolk County

Town of Hempstead

Town of North Hempstead

Town of Oyster Bay

Town of Babylon

Town of Brookhaven

Town of East Hampton

Town of Huntington

Town of Islip

Town of Riverhead

Town of Shelter Island

Town of Smithtown

Town of Southampton

Town of Southold

City of Glen Cove

City of Long Beach

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

• 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.

• Here is a direct link to the Federal Reserve and initial documents for its Main Street lending program.

• 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 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/

• National Federation of Independent Businesses is holding webinars on small business loans and has videos of past ones on their site.

• If you are in the construction industry here is a very thoughtful webinar from the KOW consulting group on changes underway.

• Updated information regarding REVISED SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application can be found here.

• SBA's Coronavirus landing page has been updated and has important information including on the SBA Bridge Loan Program

• NYS has developed a Shared Work program for folks to apply for partial unemployment to supplement a reduced work schedule

• Dining Bonds created to help local small businesses

• The free New York State business advisement services of the Small Business Centers at Stony Brook University and Farmingdale are also available to assist

• Facebook has grants for small businesses

• Kiva has grants 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.

• 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.

• 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)

• 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 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.   

• If you are a school providing meals during the Coronavirus crisis grants are available.

• The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has grants for nonprofit organizations serving low-income individuals, families and communities in New York State.

• The American Heart Association has grants for efforts to access healthy food and active living.

• VHB has put together a thoughtful resource guide on transportation, real estate and energy.   Check it out.

BILLS BILLS BILLS

• 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.)

• 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.

• 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.

• PSEG has a Coronavirus page that is updated regularly

• All NYS Department of Motor Vehicles licenses, ID’s and registrations are extended.   All offices closed and transactions are shifted to online service.

• If you are struggling with various bills to pay and worry about automatic payments from your bank account here is guidance on how to stop them.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• Salvation Army has a Coronavirus hotline for their services of food, counseling and other emergency services

• Stay Clean - NYS is supplying their hand sanitizer to front line providers on an as need basis.   Here is the request form.

• 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.

• If you are a Senior check out the AARP Thursday conference call with info on social security, tax deadlines and other services.

• 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 live in the Huntington area a very thorough Coronavirus Resource Guide is available from the Office of Legislator William Doc Spencer.

• The CDC has issued 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.

• New York is calling for qualified health professionals and related professionals to supplement hospital capacity on a temporary basis to help treat seriously ill coronavirus patients.

HELP WANTED

• Tens of thousands of Long Islanders are out of work.   There are many service industry positions seeking temporary or permanent employment.   Please check Here are some 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 through the state you can fill out this form here.

• If someone is looking for a procurement opportunity with the federal government check out this source

• NYS is hiring 17,000 tracers at $57,000 a year. Apply online here.

HOME & STIR CRAZY

• Having trouble 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.  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

• If you are home and desperately trying to figure out what to do with your child that is remotely productive here are 16 simple things that count as learning.

• 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.

• 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.

• How to make homemade disinfectant spray and wipes.

• 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 their YouTube page for all the videos.

• Need Chocolate Activity Kits for kids?  Chocolate Works provides decorating kits 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!

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• 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.

• 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. 
- $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.

• Nationwide Sales and Service Inc, a Long Island based manufacturer and distributor of janitorial products, donated $800,000 worth of PPE equipment to Long Island Police Officers

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

NYS Department of Health

CDC Website

Occupational Safety and Health

MTA Information

School Closings

AARP's Updates on the Coronavirus

Island Harvest's Food Pantry Tracker

Suffolk County Alliance of Chamber's Disaster Relief Information

Global Dashboard of Infection Data

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Join us on LinkedIn

View us on Instagram

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Thousands of People Peacefully Protest on Long Island

Thousands of people have peacefully taken to the streets of Long Island over the last several days to raise their voices in solidarity in calling for an end to institutional racism in America, sparked by the shocking video revealing the killing of 46-year-old George Floyd, an unarmed black man, after a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for almost nine minutes while taking him into custody in Minneapolis on May 25th.

Demonstrations have taken place from Riverhead to Manhasset, with chants and signs with messages such as “Black Lives Matter”, “Say Their Names”, “I Can't Breathe”, “Not One More” and “White Silence is Violence.”

On Saturday May 30th, hundreds of people in Brentwood peacefully lined Crooked Hill Road, outside Brentwood State Park and Suffolk County Community College, to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. The Facebook page that organized the protest is called "Say Their Names A Protest for George Floyd." Their goal was to get across to others what was seen in Minneapolis is not an isolated incident.

In Riverhead on Sunday May 31st, hundreds of peaceful protesters gathered at Stotzky Park and marched from the park by the Peconic riverfront, to the Riverside traffic circle, and then down Main Street to the Riverhead police station, where they gathered peacefully at the gazebo and spoke about the need for change without violence. Participants were as diverse as Long Island itself - black, white, brown, old and young. Included were members of the Riverhead town board, Catherine Kent, Jodi Giglio, and Frank Beyrodt.

On Tuesday June 2nd, from early in the day and into the evening, hundreds peaceably protested in Long Beach to voice opposition to the death of George Floyd and police brutality. Long Beach City Police said in a statement, “Long Beach is a diverse and tightly-knit community. We are confident in our resident’s ability to peacefully assemble and express their views.” The crowd was made up of largely young people, but longtime Long Beach residents Steve and Anita Jacobson told News 12 Long Island they were excited to see people standing up for justice and demanding equal rights. "It absolutely means change. They don't see race. They go to school with black and white and every other color. And they don't care," said Anita Jacobson.

On Tuesday, protesters also marched in Freeport down Merrick Road and up Ocean Avenue to the village hall. The demonstration was peaceful, with protesters such as Martha Malabe of Freeport telling local press they wanted to show a contrast with the more violent gatherings in Manhattan in recent days. Michael Smith, deputy chief of the Freeport Police Department, told Newsday his officers provided masks to marchers and helped make sure they were safe from oncoming vehicles. “We let them know we are out here for them and support them,” Smith said. “Most of them are supportive of the work we do and realize that not all police officers are bad. But they recognize that there needs to be some change done in the conduct of some police officers and it hurts all of us across the country.”

Hundreds of protesters have also taken peaceably to the streets of Plainview and Commack calling for change. The protest along South Oyster Bay Road was called “Plainview Protest for George Floyd: Black Lives Matter-Say Their Names!” In Commack, hundreds have been gathering daily for the past several days in the same location along Jericho Turnpike as the recent protests centering around the quarantine. People who spoke with News 12 said it was important to have a peaceful protest and they hope their pleas are heard. Inspector Mike Romagnoli with the Suffolk Police Department said protestors have been gathering at the location since Saturday. "It's been very peaceful. They've been very respectful and compliant with the police.”

In Merrick, dozens of 20-somethings and teenagers took to the street Tuesday evening, some holding Black Lives Matter signs and chanting "Hands up! Don't Shoot," and urged onlookers and participants to "Say their names" while calling out the names of recent victims of police brutality, such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Although initially there were some tense moments between protesters and police based on safety concerns, the group was allowed to walk down Merrick Road about four blocks, then were turned around by Nassau Police to head back to where they started. At one point, marchers urged the crowd to take a knee in solidarity, with one police officer participating. No violence or arrests occurred and some marchers thanked the officers for their assistance.

Earlier in the evening on June 2nd in Bridgehampton, a large diverse crowd, including fashion designer Donna Karan, took to Main Street and peaceably walked from Candy Kitchen restaurant to the monument at the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike. According to Newsday, hundreds knelt in the street for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the amount of time police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck - chanting “I can’t breathe.”

On Tuesday a peaceful demonstration ended with two people arrested in Shirley. Around 100 protesters gathered on Montauk Highway at William Floyd Parkway. The protesters marched down Montauk Highway chanting and holding signs. Two protesters ignored Suffolk Police’s warnings and broke through skirmish lines. They were charged with obstructing governmental administration. No injuries were reported to protesters or police. News 12 spoke to one protester who said violence is not the focus, and said the Suffolk Police were "with them" and helped protect them by closing roads.

Other peaceful protests have popped up all throughout Long Island, including in Babylon, Garden City, Huntington Station, Mineola, Moriches, West Islip, and Port Jefferson Station.

“In contrast to what we have seen in communities across the country and in New York City, the protests, the demonstrations that occurred here yesterday and in the days before that have been peaceful,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said Tuesday. “You have not seen the kind of violence or property damage, looting, that we have seen in other places around our country.”

Bellone credits both protesters and police for these peaceful demonstrations across the county.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said Tuesday in a joint statement, “Although demonstrations on Long Island have remained peaceful, there are rumors circulating online threatening violence or looting in Nassau County. We take these threats very seriously. We want to assure residents that Nassau County PD is taking every precaution necessary to keep residents safe.”

Kudos to the residents of Nassau and Suffolk County who are peacefully lending their voice to denounce injustice and to all local police who are working hard during this extremely difficult time to keep the peace and protect Long Islanders’ rights to have their voices heard.

NY First Bill Introduced in State Legislature to Help Support Main Street Businesses

Vision was out today in support of legislation that would provide marketing and promotion for downtown business districts in support of local stores.

As part of the bill, dubbed NY First, Micro grants of $10,000 would be taken from existing economic development marketing dollars in the budget and spent on Main Street promotional efforts.  The press conference announcing this important new initiative featured the support of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Holbrook Chamber, Ronkonkoma Chamber and the LI Main Street Alliance.

The NY First Bill is sponsored by NYS Assemblymembers Ed Ra, Andrew Garbarino, Doug Smith and John Mikulin.  

Press coverage is forthcoming from News 12, Newsday and the Herald.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

Governor Cuomo Announces Outdoor Dining at Restaurants Will Be Permitted in Phase Two Of Reopening

The following is an update from Governor Cuomo’s website:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered phase two - the Capital Region, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier and Western New York - can reopen for outdoor dining beginning tomorrow, June 4th. Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated.

Governor Cuomo also announced that Erie County is now eligible to resume elective surgeries and ambulatory care. The Governor previously announced that the state will allow elective outpatient treatments to resume in counties and hospitals without significant risk of COVID-19 surge in the near term, and a total of 52 counties can now resume elective surgeries (4 counties do not have hospitals).

"COVID-19 is still a real threat and we're still battling it. I know it's not on the front pages today, but it is still in people and in society," Governor Cuomo said. "But thanks to the people of New York and the nurses, doctors and essential workers, today we have the lowest number of hospitalizations ever and we have the lowest death toll ever. We are continuously evaluating activities that can be safely reopened, and today we are adding outdoor seating at restaurants to phase two."

The Governor also confirmed 1,045 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 374,085 confirmed cases in New York State.

You can watch the Governor’s full press conference here.

Local governments are in trouble; Washington needs to act

The following op-ed was written by Hon. Rob Calarco, Presiding Officer, Suffolk County Legislature, and originally appeared in Long Island Business News

Across the country, people from all walks of life are feeling the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis. More than 33 million Americans have filed for unemployment and millions more will in the coming weeks.

Businesses on Main Street have closed and some will never open again. Middle class families have seen their 401(k)s and retirement plans shattered by the turmoil on Wall Street. Times are tough for the economy and that means that times are tough for families.

State and local governments are feeling that pain as well. The federal government has made some effort to help our families and businesses, but local governments have been left to fend for themselves. If municipalities don’t get relief, communities across the country will be severally hampered as they try to recover, because it is municipalities that have the most involvement in residents’ daily lives.

Suffolk County has been on the frontline in battling the coronavirus on Long Island. Our Department of Health Services has been coordinating the medical response and working every day to ensure that we have adequate hospital beds so everyone who needs treatment can get it. Our Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) has been coordinating the distribution of personal protective equipment that is keeping frontline workers safe. Our Department of Social Services is responding to the unprecedented needs of our residents, many of whom will rely on government assistance for the first time in their lives. Suffolk County workers are doing extraordinary work, but this has come at real financial cost.

The response to this emergency has placed an incredible cost burden on the County, and assistance from the federal government does not meet the need.

The CARES act passed by Congress provided some assistance for state and local government, but it has come with severe restrictions that do not account for the budgetary impacts to state and local governments resulting from shut down of the economy. At most, Suffolk County can receive $259 million, but the funds can only be spent on expenses directly tied to the pandemic response. This is helpful in alleviating the cost of the response, but the true cost to Suffolk County will be the lost sales tax revenue due to the economic shutdown. The federal government has failed to address this looming crisis.

Suffolk County’s annual revenue is substantially composed of sales tax. While the County also brings in money from property taxes, fees, and other taxes, sales tax is the main driving force that keeps our local government funded. In crafting our 2020 budget, which was adopted before the coronavirus pandemic, we estimated that we would receive $1.58 billion this year from sales tax, but with stores and restaurants closed and shopping and discretionary spending on the decline, we are already seeing sales tax revenues begin to evaporate. As of May, we have seen a $13-million decline as compared to the previous year, and the trend line is getting worse. This is an historic drop in sales tax revenue.

A recent analysis from the Suffolk County Legislature’s Budget Review Office estimated that we could be facing a shortfall of at least $100 million dollars this year. According to a recent report by the New York State Association of Counties the shortfall will range between $130 million and $300 million depending on the severity and length of the recession the national economy has already entered.

Suffolk County has resisted raising property taxes for more than a decade.

Local government is the engine that will restart our economy. During the Great Recession a decade ago, when private industry grinded to a halt, it was government spending that kept the economy moving. We put men and women to work with municipal infrastructure projects that our community desperately needed.

Suffolk County helped drive a decade of growth in our economy, and we will do it again as we dig ourselves out of this crisis.

But we cannot do it alone. We need help from the federal government to make up for the catastrophic budget shortfall that we are facing this year. If they fail to act, Suffolk County will have to consider deep cuts to programs and services when they are most needed — and that is a future that our residents cannot afford.

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.

This Thursday we'll chat with John Rizzo, Chief Economist at the Long Island Association, and Martin R. Cantor, Director of the Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy.

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.

• Please join the Queens Chamber of Commerce for a complimentary webinar to learn about:

• What is forgivable and what is not forgivable in the PPP loan and the EIDL grants
• Tax implications of the loans from an income and an expense perspective
• Documentation needed to get these loans forgiven

This webinar will take place on Tuesday, June 9th at 2 pm. You can register for the event here.

• Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Long Island Advancement of Small Business presents  ZOOM Video Conference “Office 365 Unleashed for Small & Medium-sized Businesses” 8:00AM to 10:00AM RSVP at www.liasb.com or call 516-473-7202.  Registration is Free, but you must register for this event.

New York State Launches NY Forward Loan Fund

Yesterday, New York State 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 that did not receive a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for COVID-19 in 2020. 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.

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.

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:

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

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St. Joseph’s College

Since 1916, St. Joseph’s College has provided an affordable liberal arts education to a diverse group of students. Independent and coeducational, St. Joseph’s prepares students for lives of integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service; lives that are worthy of the College’s motto, Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem.”

St. Joseph’s Long Island Campus challenges its approximately 3,300 students to develop their full potential and a joy of learning. With more than 400 faculty members, the College enjoys a student-to-faculty ratio that provides individual attention in an open, supportive atmosphere.

St. Joseph’s remains dedicated to maintaining low costs while upholding a strict standard of excellence. While retention rates at most colleges are slipping, St. Joseph’s remains above the national average. Its academic strength hasn’t gone unnoticed. The College is consistently recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue.