presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance September 2nd, 2021
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Quote of the Week
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Greenlawn-Centerport Pickle Festival Returns
The Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association proudly announces its 41st annual Pickle Festival is returning to the John Gardiner Farm, 900 Park Avenue, Greenlawn, on September 18th from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Pickle Festival honors the legacy of Alexander Gardiner, who was known as Greenlawn’s pickle pioneer. Gardiner developed his own brand of pickle seeds, built processing plants and established a rail freight depot to advance the area’s thriving pickle industry. Donation entry is $5 and free for children under 12. You can learn more about this popular event and for information about the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association’s here. Read the Long Island Times article here. Roberto Clemente Spray Park Opens in Brentwood
The official opening of the new Roberto Clemente Spray Park brought out families to cool off this week on one of the summer’s hottest days, the Long Island Times reports. Children enjoyed free hotdogs and ice cream, games and music and played under water fountains, rain and mist sprays. Many chose to swim in the Brentwood Park’s new Olympic-sized swimming pool. The new amenities are part of ongoing renovations to Roberto Clemente Park, which has included rehabilitation of the pool that had been closed for more than 6 years the construction of a spray park and development of a skate park. Roberto Clemente Park is located at 400 Broadway Avenue, Brentwood. You can read the Long Island Times article here. |
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Local Leaders Announce Reopening of South Fork Commuter Connection
Local leaders recently gathered to announce the reopening of the South Fork Commuter Connection. The reopening of this critical line of transportation will again accommodate workers on the East End while reducing traffic congestion and harmful greenhouse gas emissions, trends that are recently on the rise due to growing Eastbound traffic since the COVID-19 pandemic. The re-establishment of this service by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) will improve the environment and make roads safer for Long Island families. With Legislator Fleming was Assemblyman Fred Thiele; LIRR President Phillip Eng; Southampton Town Councilmember Rick Martel; State Senator Anthony Palumbo; East Hampton Town Councilmember David Lys; Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman; and Southampton Town Councilmember Tommy John Schiavoni. This service also promises to enliven main streets by generating more economic activity, from Speonk, to Southampton, to Montauk. According to the American Public Transportation Association, increased investment in public transportation can lead to significant economic growth as a result of both the short-term spending and long-term economic impacts on productivity. Every $1 dollar that is invested in public transportation produces $4 in economic activity. Starting September 7th, the service will run Monday through Friday at an affordable rate of $3.25 per ride. The service offers local LIRR trips, stopping in Speonk, Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, and Montauk. Select trains will connect with last-mile shuttle bus service to nearby workplaces and employment centers. Commuters west of the canal are encouraged to park at an LIRR station west of the canal, then ride the train to their destination east of the canal. At the stations east of the canal, ‘last mile’ shuttle services will bring riders to the villages, hamlets and employment centers. Late afternoon bus and train service will return riders to their stations of origin. You can find more details here. NSLS Compiles Update on Status of Residential Evictions
Nassau Suffolk Law Services (NSLS) has recently compiled a comprehensive update on the status of residential evictions in light of a recent Supreme Court decision on the matter. Nassau Suffolk Law Services is comprised of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and support staff, and was among the first Legal Services Corporation programs in New York State and is now one of the largest providers of free civil legal assistance in New York. In reaction to the recent Supreme Court determination regarding the Hardship Declarations in Chrysafis v. Marks, Judge Lawrence K. Marks, the Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York, issued a Memorandum on August 17, 2021. This undid some of the protections afforded to tenants in the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Acts of 2020 and 2021, such as: • No automatic stay of residential eviction proceedings or stay of the commencement of residential evictions proceedings upon the filing of a Hardship Declaration by the Respondent/Tenant. Town of Brookhaven residents can meet with NSLS attorneys on any tenant related issues at the Patchogue-Medford Public Library on Mondays from 2 PM to 5 PM to answer any tenant-related legal questions. To make an appointment, call the library at 631-654-4700 ext. 152. Nassau Suffolk Law Services has identified various potential ways to stay an eviction, such as: • A tenant can still assert any financial hardship defenses under New York's Tenant Safe Harbor Act in an eviction proceeding. Although a court cannot issue a warrant of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the COVID-19 emergency, a money judgment can still be awarded to a landlord. Additionally, NSLS suggests landlords or tenants apply for rental or utility arrears related to the pandemic. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Rental and Utility Arrears accrued as a result of the pandemic is ongoing. A landlord or a tenant can apply at otda.ny.gov or call 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368). The Towns of Oyster Bay, Hempstead, and Islip are administering their own ERAP funds. Tenants and landlords in those towns should apply directly with their Town program. If a tenant only owes Utility arrears, then the tenant should apply through their local Department of Social Services. However, if the utilities are not separately metered and are "added rent," then those charges can be included as rental arrearages when applying for ERAP. You can find more information here. New York Small Business Relief Program has Millions of Untapped Funds
Rollout for New York small business relief program, the Covid-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, has been slow, leaving millions of dollars untapped. 94% of dollars are still sitting in a fund focused on helping the state’s small businesses recover months after applications opened. Just $48 million has been awarded from the Covid-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, according to New York State. In an effort to rectify this, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has made three changes to the program: • Companies can now apply that make up to $2.5 million, five times the previous threshold of $500,000. A large problem may be the fatigue with government programs and the myriad of forms and filings that are needed to apply for funds, which may not even fully cover their high costs, Karen Narefsky, the Senior Organizer for Equitable Economic Development at Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development, tells Crain’s. “Local businesses are working to build back from the impact of Coronavirus regulations. These grants available from NYS can begin to level the playing field as we work towards a recovery that helps our local communities,” explains Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. "However, there are still a lot of people who don’t know about the program because of language barriers or they’re not plugged into the networks for small businesses, such as chambers of commerce. There’s a whole swath of businesses that are quasi off-the-grid, but they are open every day. A stronger effort must be made to reach these businesses." You can find more information about the Small Business Recovery Grant Program here. The Crain’s New York Business article is available here, subscription required. |
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Closing of Huntington Village’s Book Revue Marks End of an Era
The following op-ed was written by Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol Many residents have reached out to me following the announcement of the September 30th closing of Book Revue in Huntington Village. While the news is heartbreaking, it’s been heartwarming to see the universal outpouring of support and affection for this iconic independent Huntington Village bookstore. I reached out to and spoke with both Bob Klein and Richard Klein, the brothers that have long owned and operated this store. It was at that time I learned that Bob had retired from Book Revue a year and a half earlier, leaving Richard the sole owner of the business. Like those who wrote to me, the idea of Huntington without Book Revue was unthinkable, and I was driven to help find an answer. Both Klein brothers expressed gratitude for the love and loyalty the community has shown them over their 43 years in the bookselling business. And, they are deeply touched by the overwhelming public response to the news of the store’s closing. Richard was emphatic that he was not looking to solicit funds from any sources but was nonetheless appreciative of such kind and generous gestures from so many. He explained that when the pandemic forced Book Revue to close, they lost the events that were necessary to keep the store going, events that as of even now, still have not come back. Given the deadline Richard faces, he does not have the luxury of time to recultivate the events that are the life blood of his store. That, and the fact that the current rent more than doubled from what Book Revue was paying just before the pandemic hit, left me to face the bleakness of the situation. When I offered my assistance to help Richard find an alternate location that was more manageable, he replied that the idea was too much for him to consider at his age and health. While this is certainly a story none of us want to see end, it occurred to me that our well-intentioned desires to help Book Revue make a comeback against insurmountable obstacles was also placing an emotional burden on Richard perhaps as heavy as the financial burden he carries. It is difficult enough to come to such a painful decision to close your longtime business due to factors outside of your control, and then on top of that, to witness such overwhelming sadness and disappointment of your customers. I encouraged those who reached out to me in such sadness to shift their thoughts to a place of gratitude and celebration for the Klein brothers for having created and sustained, for 43 long years, this literary oasis in Huntington. My late parents moved to Huntington in 1961 and were voracious readers and Book Revue patrons. They encouraged the same of their children. And, my husband and I encouraged our love of reading with our daughters. We learned that Book Revue was so much more than the vast array of books that lined its shelves. It was a magical place that allowed us to escape, to learn, to be inspired, and to be still. That is a rare gift. Yes, it’s impossible to imagine Huntington Village without Book Revue. Its importance as an economic multiplier to other village businesses and to our Town is incalculable. As important, it has been a go-to haven to buy books for ourselves, our loved ones, a place to endlessly browse the shelves after a wonderful dinner and to attend book signing events and discussions that brought us in contact with remarkable people we otherwise never would have met. The last event I attended, just before the pandemic, featured Hollywood icon Diane Keaton who was debuting her new book “Brother & Sister.” I was beyond thrilled to have been able enjoy a short but lovely conversation with the very gracious Diane as she signed my book. And, it was so exciting when in 2008, Book Revue hosted a book signing event for me and my co-author Ellen Schaffer to discuss the book we wrote chronicling the history of OHEKA Castle in Huntington. Indeed, Book Revue has put many unknown authors on the map while it has attracted American presidents, famous novelists, stage and screen and sports celebrities, among a host of other luminaries. And in between that, it opened its doors and supported its homegrown Huntington authors. I want to publicly thank Richard and Bob for their remarkable business achievement and wish them the best of health and happiness. It is impossible to find words adequate to thank them and their wonderful staff for everything they have done for our Town. One way to show our enduring gratitude is to continue buying books from Book Revue, as so many are doing, until the very last day. Like a favorite book, there are beloved institutions in Huntington that have had their beginnings, middles, and ends. As much as we dread it, we know that we are eventually going to have to read to the last word and close the cover for the last time. We are all fortunate for having had the beautiful human experience of being able to have enjoyed for nearly a half century this incredibly unique “mom and pop” (really brother and brother) bookstore, that like all of us, has its own natural lifespan. I am currently exploring the creation of a digital Huntington Village walk of fame to celebrate the stores we have loved, to remember the proprietors who made them possible and to share their unique stories. Book Revue is the inspiration for this effort, and I look forward to working with our Huntington merchants, residents and others to launch this initiative that I hope will also invite patronage to those businesses remaining that are still struggling as we continue to pull out of the pandemic. |
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Welcome Back to Farmingdale Village
Upcoming Summer Events: Farmers Market by Schneider's Farm Music on Main Greater Farmingdale was there to capture the kick-off night. You can view more photographs here. Stay tuned for more event updates. Bethpage Community Council Hosts Upcoming Events
Bethpage Community Council will be holding the following events: Bethpage Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade Bethpage 9/11 20th Anniversary Candlelight Ceremony S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth Art Showcase
On September 3rd, from 4 PM to 8 PM, at 599 Jerusalem Avenue, Uniondale, S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth will present What 2020 Gave Me: Youth Art Show Case. S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth is a youth, family and community development organization specializing in youth, gang, and gun violence prevention and intervention. S.T.R.O.N.G promotes positive values through youth empowerment programs and collaborative initiatives, which provide youth and their families with tools to improve their lives, their communities, and to create societal change. This Youth Art Showcase is a youth-led walk-through exhibition showcasing art pieces created by youth members to express what 2020 has given them, highlighting their incredible resilience. Pieces include canvas paintings, photography, nail and hair art, and music. Collaborating partners include Saskia Keeley Photography, Swank Beats, and Teatro Yerbabruja All proceeds benefit the following youth-selected causes: This event will be outdoors and socially distanced. You can purchase tickets for this event here. The Snapper Derby Is Back on September 4th!
The Mastic Beach Property Owners Association (MBPOA) and the Mastic Beach Yacht Club are sponsoring the annual Snapper Derby for children, ages 5 to 12 years, on Saturday September 4th, at the south end of Marina 1 on Riviera Drive. Fishing is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The MBPOA will supply bamboo poles, however participants are allowed to bring their own poles. Note, no reels are allowed. Parents can bait hooks, but cannot fish. Bait will be provided by the MBPOA. Prizes will be awarded, and hot dogs and soda will be served to the children by the Mastic Beach Yacht Club. It is always a fun day for the kids and parents. Parents, do not forget your camera! Help is needed. If you would like to volunteer for this event, call 631-399-6111 and leave a message. East End Arts to Hold Annual Street Painting Festival September 5th
East End Arts’ 25th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival will be held Sunday, September 5th, from 12 PM to 5 PM throughout downtown Riverhead and on the green at East End Arts at 133 E. Main Street, Riverhead. Since 1972, East End Arts has been enriching communities through the arts by way of creating a vibrant arts community on the East End which enhances individual and professional artistic development, stimulates community enrichment, economic development, and cultural tourism while encouraging a wide range of artistic expression through education, exhibition and performance, and collaboration across the community. Artists, musicians, and lovers of the arts, young and old, will gather along the Peconic River for this day-long celebration of the arts, centering around the Street Painting Festival, fashioned after the Italian street painters "Il Madonnari", a street chalk art form dating back to the 16th century, as well as activities and entertainment for everyone. Street painting squares sponsored by businesses, families, and individuals are used as a canvas for inspirations in chalk. Happenings include: • Street Painting For more information, contact Monique Parsons at mparsons@eastendarts.org or 631-727-0900 x303. You can find more information East End Arts here. Registration is now open for vendors, sponsors, & artist squares. Rain date is Monday, September 6th, from 2 PM to 5 PM. Concerts on Freeport's Nautical Mile Extended into September
These free concerts are held at the Esplanade on the Nautical Mile on Thursdays from 7 PM to 8:30 PM, rain or shine. Attendees need to bring their own chairs. Line-up of performers: Please check Long Island Arts Council’s website for updates, possible changes, and rain date location. The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport is committed to the idea that the power of the arts is to touch the mind and enrich the soul of the individual and community through advocacy and education. You can find more information at the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s website. Small Business Spotlight Series
National Grid’s Small Business Spotlight Series continues on Thursday, September 9th, beginning at 10:00 AM. This program’s topic is Preparing for the Small Business Recovery. Join small business and energy experts from the National Federation of Independent Businesses and National Grid to discuss the very latest federal, state and National Grid programs for small businesses. The webinar is free, but capacity is limited. All registrants will have access to a copy of the recorded event and accompanying materials. You can register here. Asbury Shorts Outdoor Film Concert Coming to Westbury on September 10th
Asbury Shorts, New York City’s longest running non-competitive short film exhibition and touring show, is returning to the founder’s hometown of Westbury on Friday, September 10th, for a free outdoor evening film show at Piazza Ernesto Strada on Post and Maple Avenues, in the middle of the Village. The show will open with live music by the Vince Scuderi Quartet at 7:15 PM, with the first film showing at approximately 8 PM. The show will feature a mix of past audience request favorites, mixed with new global festival winners and honorees. Past show guest hosts from the early years of Asbury Shorts’ Long Island days will be on hand to introduce some of the films. Reservations are not necessary. Bring a folding chair just in case seating runs out. Rain date is Saturday, September 11th. This 10th anniversary Short Film Concert of Westbury is presented by Westbury Arts and is sponsored in part by Rowan Realty. You can find more information here. Westbury Street Fair is Back!
The Westbury Improvement District’s annual Westbury Street Fair is coming back to Post Avenue in the Village of Westbury. The fair will be held on Saturday September 25th, from 10 AM to 5 PM at 250 Post Avenue. It will be fun for the entire family. There will be many vendors, a food court, live music, events, a play area with a bounce house for kids, and more. The fair is a great way to spend an early fall day while enjoying all that Post Avenue has to offer. There is plenty of local parking and for those traveling in by Long Island Railroad, the south side of the fair starts right by the Westbury train station on Post Avenue. Rain date is Sunday, September 26th. HIA-LI's 33rd Annual HIA-LI Trade Show & Conference
On Thursday, October 14, 2021, the HIA-LI is hosting its 33rd Annual HIA-LI Trade Show & Conference live at the Hilton Long Island in Melville. Industries on Long Island will be represented, including Energy/Environmental, Technology, Manufacturing, Finance, Hospitality, Health Care, Media/Advertising, Education, Government & Workforce Development. The theme of one of this years’ seminars is Why Supporting Non-Profits Is Good For Your Profit. Moderated by Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance, panelists include Lee Silberman CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, Paule Pachter CEO of Long Island Cares, and Rich Humann President/CEO of H2M. Discussion will include why Corporate Social Responsibility is more than just companies giving money to nonprofits because it is the “right thing to do” and it is more than nonprofits just having their hands out. Properly formulated partnerships between for profit and not for profit companies leads to higher employee satisfaction and retention, as well as the betterment of the communities in which we live. Details: You can find more information and register here. |
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Nassau County Re-Opens HOME Investment Program
The Nassau County Office of Community Development has announced the re-opening of its HOME Investment Partnerships Program Funding Application. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to states and localities in order to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate homes to provide decent and affordable housing, particularly housing for low- and moderate-income households for rent or homeownership. In general, under this program HUD allocates funds by formula among eligible state and local governments to strengthen public-private partnerships and to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, with primary attention to rental housing, for very low-income and low-income families. The HOME program was designed and implemented in order to increase the amount of affordable housing in the United States for its citizens. It was designed with four main objectives in mind: • Expanding the supply of decent and affordable housing in the U.S. The Nassau County Office of Community Development will be accepting applications through October 30th. Updated information on program requirements, current rent and income limits, affirmative marketing requirements, and highlighted recently completed projects is available here. Restart NY Regrant Program Now Open
Restart NY Regrant Program is a new grant awards program. Grants ranging from $1000-$3000 are available for Long Island organizations or individuals for funding of in-person (live) arts events. These funds are discrete from the Statewide Community Regrant (SCR, formerly DEC). Those who have previously received a DEC grant are eligible to receive Restart NY funding. Attendance to one of the following free workshops is mandatory in order to apply for a Restart NY Regrant. All workshops will be presented through ZOOM. Additional information and the login link will be provided after you register for the workshop. The free workshops are: You can register for a workshop here. General Guidelines for applying: Funding decisions are made by a series of panels comprised of local artists, community leaders and individuals from throughout the region. All award recommendations are required to be voted on by the Board of Directors of the Huntington Arts Council, Inc. If you have any questions, please email grants4arts@huntingtonarts.org. Town of Babylon Creates Small Business Support Program
Recently, the Town of Babylon held a zoom event to discuss the Town’s newly launched program, the Town of Babylon Direct Support Program, which provides millions in grant money to town businesses and nonprofits that are still struggling due to COVID-19. The program is being run by the town’s Direct Support Program Director, Viscel Moore. Ms. Moore provided an overview of the program. The program is open to all small businesses, including sole proprietors, and non-profits, including civic and fraternal groups. The criteria for eligibility include:
Based on the applicant’s submission, does the applicant’s business or non-profit reside in or support low moderate income communities This is a grant, not a loan and there is no cost to apply. The town offers tools to help applicants, including an overview, criteria and the application. Grant amounts will not exceed $49,500.00 and business and non-profit owners must be located in the Town of Babylon. According to Ms. Moore, a decision on the application will be made by an application committee within sixty days. There is no deadline to apply, it is on a first come first serve basis, until the money runs out. “Our goal is to get this money out into the community, with the least amount of red tape as possible,” Ms. Moore advises. You can access complete information about the Direct Support Program and view the zoom recording Town of Hempstead Extends Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, along with the entire Town Board and the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), are reminding residents they still have an opportunity to apply for the second round of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which began on August 17th. The ERAP is a program directed to tenants and landlords who are facing housing insecurity because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application phase will run from now through September 28th. The program can assist with current and prospective rent, arrears for utilities and home energy costs, and other expenses related to housing such as rental security deposits to ensure housing stability. Assistance could be provided for up to 18 months of payments and will cover arrears and costs accrued on or after March 13, 2020. There is no cap on the amount, and amounts may include the full amount of both rental and utility payments. Qualifying Criteria Eligible residents must be able to answer yes to the following questions: • Do you live in the Town of Hempstead as your primary residence? Should residents need help filling out the intake form online, there will be resources available to assist. These include satellite locations in the Town of Hempstead, such as the Family and Children's Association (FCA), where representatives are available; the LIHP’s established Call Center at (844) 260-7536; and informational videos for both tenants and landlords on the LIHP website (www.lihp.org). Intake forms, as well as the program guidelines, are available in English and Spanish. Those who fill out the intake form will be contacted after for the submission and compilation of documents. This assistance program works solely on a first-come, first-served basis; however, priority will be given to applicants that have a household member who has been unemployed for more than 90 days prior to the submission of the Intake Form; or have household incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income as established by HUD. Grants Available to Homeowners that Assist Peconic Estuary Watershed
The Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP) continues to provide a unique opportunity for those that live within the Peconic Estuary watershed. The PEP will provide financial rewards for homeowners who remove turf and pavements, and add green alternatives to their properties that benefit the environment. One project is allowed per homeowner/property address. Homeowners can earn up to $500 to offset the expense of installing green infrastructure on their properties including rain barrels, rain gardens and native plant gardens. Stormwater filtered through the soil, sand and gravel within these gardens is dramatically cleaner when it enters our groundwater, nearby bodies of water, and storm drains. Rain barrels collect rainwater from roof runoff that can be reused in gardens, reducing the amount of water flowing over paved surfaces and into storm drains and nearby bodies of water. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact for your local estuary and all its amazing bays. While improving your property, you are reducing pollution from entering local waters. Funds are limited and will be granted on a first come first served basis. For more information on the Homeowner Rewards Program. For the Homeowner Rewards Program webpage. For the interactive tool and plant database. SBA PPP Forgiveness Webinars
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has scheduled several informational webinars regarding the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness platform, which will begin accepting applications from borrowers on August 4th, 2021. The new "Direct Forgiveness" Platform will help the PPP borrowers with loan amounts of $150,000 or less (93% of the PPP borrowers) apply for PPP Forgiveness directly through SBA (not the lenders). The dates for the webinars include: Thurs. Sept. 16, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and York College SBDC) Thurs. Sept. 23, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC) Mon. Oct. 4, 2021 at 2pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce) For more information. The NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Open
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. Seven communities that received funding for emergency rental assistance directly from the federal government opted to administer their own programs. Residents of the Towns of Hempstead, Islip and Oyster Bay must apply with their local programs for emergency rental assistance and are ineligible for assistance from the state-administered Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Town of Hempstead: https://www.lihp.org/herapintake.html Eligibility: New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all of the following criteria: • Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80 percent AMI. There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program. Households eligible for rental arrears may also be eligible for help paying utility arrears at the same rental unit. Priority Applications: For the first 30 days of the program, priority will be given to households in the following order: 1.Households with income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) that also include a household member who: • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or 2. Households with income at or below 50 percent AMI 3. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI that also include a household member who: • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or 4. Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI After the first 30 days, applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available. Benefits: Households approved for ERAP may receive: • Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020. Payments will be made directly to the landlord/property owner and utility company on behalf of the tenant. Tenant applicants will be notified of the amounts paid on their behalf. If a landlord is difficult to locate or does not otherwise provide information needed to complete the application, funds will be held for up to 180 days to allow sufficient time to locate the landlord and collect required information as well as to provide tenant protections and maximize landlord participation. Please note: Once the application is started, all questions must be answered and the application signed and saved to submit the application. There currently is no way to save a partially completed application. Applicants are encouraged to gather all the information needed before starting an application including income of household members and rental amounts. NYS Coronavirus Relief Grant Program for Small Businesses
The NYS Legislature has approved $800 million in grants for small businesses across New York. Applications are now open for anyone who is eligible to apply. The following is from New York State’s website: The New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards will be calculated based on a business’s annual gross receipts for 2019 (see below for more information). Grant amounts and calculations are subject to change by Empire State Development. Annual gross receipts: $25,000 – $49,999.99: Award is $5,000 / business Eligible Businesses Include: Small businesses, Micro-businesses, and For-profit independent arts and cultural organizations (collectively, “Eligible Applicants”) must be currently viable and have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019, and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (maybe shuttered due to COVID restrictions). See the FAQ section below for definitions of business categories above. Eligible Applicants will be required to show loss of gross receipts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures. Small businesses and Micro-businesses must: 1. Have 2019 or 2020 Gross Receipts of between $25,000 and $500,000 per annum More information on the grants as well as a guide on how to apply is available here. PSEG LI Local Community and Small Business Grants Available
PSEG Long Island is proud to announce funding for the Outdoor Spaces program has been renewed for a limited time. More than $2 million in grants and discounts were provided last year to help more than 1,000 local businesses and organizations meet the ever-evolving challenges of COVID-19 and continue to thrive. “PSEG Long Island knows that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our communities and our local economy,” said John Keating, manager of Economic and Community Development at PSEG Long Island. “Even before the pandemic transformed all of our lives, we were offering grants and discounts to encourage foot traffic in downtown commercial districts and bring businesses into empty storefronts. We evolved our programs to address the new realities our commercial customers are seeing, and the response has been enormous.” PSEG continues to offer Main Street Revitalization grants and Vacant Storefront discounts to businesses. In 2020, the company also began offering “Outdoor Spaces” grants to local chambers of commerce to help transform sidewalk areas and plazas with the seating, lighting and heating needed to keep customers dining and shopping locally. Limited funding for this grant program will be renewed for 2021 on a first come, first served basis. The program will offer funding of up to $5,000 to a Chamber of Commerce or Business Improvement District. Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2021. Here is a breakdown of PSEG Long Island’s 2020 support of local businesses: Small Business First • Supplemented PSEG Long Island’s already significant energy efficiency rebates with $1.8 million in PSEG Long Island Economic Development funding, allowing most projects to be done with no customer cost. Outdoor Spaces • PSEG Long Island approved 29 applications, representing a total of more than $125,000. Main Street Revitalization • More than $254,000 was provided to businesses and organizations through standard Main Street Revitalization grants in 2020, supporting upgrades and projects at restaurants, arts centers, breweries and more. To learn more about all the programs PSEG Long Island offers to support local businesses, please visit this site. |
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"I want to publicly thank Richard and Bob for their remarkable business achievement and wish them the best of health and happiness. It is impossible to find words adequate to thank them and their wonderful staff for everything they have done for our Town. One way to show our enduring gratitude is to continue buying books from Book Revue, as so many are doing, until the very last day." - Huntington Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol
