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

September 30th, 2020

Quotes of the Day

	"Do what our national government has always done when local communities are hit with unprecedented disasters [and provide aid]. If they do that, it allows us to deal with the structural budget gaps that something like this — unprecedented since the Great Depression, the economic declines that we’ve seen — that we are then able to close those budget gaps in a responsible way." - Hon. Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive
	“The Town of Hempstead is strong and resilient and that is due to the men and women that make up America’s largest township. We will get through this pandemic together as we remain committed to providing the aid needed to reopen and restore services to our residents and businesses. The Town will continue to do what it can support our residents, our businesses and our community.” - Hon. Don Clavin, Hempstead Town Supervisor
	"The AirTrain will not be limited to just the Queens economy. A faster, reliable connection by Air Train to the LIRR or [the] number 7 will put travelers from throughout the region within a half-hour of Manhattan’s key destinations." - Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

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Long Island Regional Planning Council Issues Study on Farmingdale Revitalization

Congratulations to our friends in the Village of Farmingdale for their ongoing revitalization initiative, which has received more third party accolades.

The Village of Farmingdale has reinvented itself during the past decade and has made itself into a model downtown for others looking to do the same.  While the economic impact of the COVID-19 shutdown is effecting it like many other downtowns in our region, Farmingdale is poised for a quick recovery.  This is thanks to its reputation as a thriving downtown in the midst of people leaving larger cities in the wake of the virus.

The LI Regional Planning Council recently issued a study which continued to show the substantive benefits of the Village's Main Street Revitalization efforts.  The study documents the work that has been underway and  have resulted in:

- New businesses that have opened in the downtown.
- Capital improvements to its downtown, which has helped improve and expand parking, improve the streetscape, and create a pocket park, among other notable improvements.
-The economic output to Nassau County from investments made in Farmingdale over the past eight years for every $1.00 invested in capital improvement-related construction projects in Farmingdale, approximately $1.74 was generated throughout Nassau County.
-Six multi-family residential development projects encompass 323 units, only 21 public school age children are associated with these units – or a ratio of 6.5 children per 100 units.
- The newly constructed multi-family residential developments generated approximately $2.1 million in school property tax revenues and an estimated $803,000 in school service costs over the same period. The estimated net positive impact to the Farmingdale School District is approximately $1.4 million over the six-year period.

These trends mirror many other downtown revitalization initiatives across Long Island and credit goes to the LI Regional Planning Council for taking the time to generate this report.  

You can check out the full report at the Long Island Regional Planning Council.

Pink Tie Delivers to Huntington Station and Uniondale

The Pink Tie Delivers team was out last week in Huntington Station and Uniondale for food and financial donation to local pantries.

The first stop took the team to the Tri-CYA in Huntington Station where Director Debbie Rimler gave the team an update on the local community needs working collaboratively with Project Hope.

The next stop included Kingdom Family Ministry in the heart of Uniondale.  Pastor Williams and Dr. Williams had arranged deliveries with their volunteers that afternoon for the food donation to local Uniondale seniors.

We were happy to see the level of community energy that is part of both of these community programs that include addressing food insecurity.  

The companies that participated in this drop included 1st Equity Title, Trinity Solar, National Grid, Late Night Chauffers, Vision LI, Keller Williams and Shoprite.

This week will include stops in Glen Cove and Franklin Square

For more info on how you can take part in the doorstep donation program or join the Delivers Team  check out pinktie.org or please email us at contact@pinktie.org

Suffolk County Executive Bellone says Cuts and Layoffs Possible for Suffolk Buses

According to County Executive Steve Bellone, almost 20 bus routes, some services for the disabled, and the jobs of hundreds of employees are on the chopping block unless the federal government can provide disaster relief.

The announcement came this past Friday and was the latest warning sign that the County faces severe cuts to services without economic aid.  While the County has received $283 million in funding through the federal CARES Act, there is still an estimated $800 million deficit in 2020 and 2021.

The proposed cuts would hit 46% of Suffolk’s bus routes and mainly effect the ones with the fewest number of riders.  That number would still impact 2,300 daily riders.  The end result would be a savings of $13 million in the 2021 budgets, which should be released sometime this week.  John Corrado, president of the Suffolk Transportation Service, has described the cuts as “devastating.”

A further $5 million in cuts would target the Suffolk County Accessible Transportation system, which would impact 200 disabled riders.  However, those riders are among the most vulnerable riders.

"If these cuts are made, people with disabilities will be disproportionally affected," said Frank Krotschinsky, director of the county's Office for People with Disabilities. "Many people with disabilities don't have access to a car."

Suffolk County is responsible for $43 million in aid to the bus system’s $85 million operating costs.  The remainder is made up by state and federal government funding and fares.  While the County did receive $26.6 million in CARES Act funding for public transit earlier this year, that falls far short of the usual $257.8 million it usually receives in general assistance from the federal government.  Especially since those funds were used to offset 2020 losses.

"Do what our national government has always done when local communities are hit with unprecedented disasters," aid County Executive Bellone. "If they do that, it allows us to deal with the structural budget gaps that something like this — unprecedented since the Great Depression, the economic declines that we’ve seen — that we are then able to close those budget gaps in a responsible way."

You can read more at Newsday.

Local Voices Weigh in on LaGuardia AirTrain Project

A coalition of voices in support for the LaGuardia Airport AirTrain Project gathered Monday, September 22nd, for a press conference at the World’s Fair Marina Park in Flushing in the run-up to the Federal Aviation Administration's hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Study for this project. A diverse group of community members, business organizations and stakeholders, including Vision staff, were present.

This project stands to be a driving force for economic activity for New York City and the tri-state area as a whole, including Long Island. Equally important, the effect on the area environment will be impactful. More than 90% of LaGuardia travelers get to and from the airport by taxi or private vehicle. The AirTrain LGA is projected to serve up to 10 million riders per year. This translates to moving 28,000 cars off the road and onto public transit every single week.

The three co-chairs of A Better Way to LGA, Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of the New York Building Congress, and Angela Pinsky, Executive Director of the Association for a Better New York, expressed the importance this project will play in a post Covid world, economically, environmentally and culturally.

"But the AirTrain will not be limited to just the Queens economy," said Mr. Grech at a recent hearing. "A faster, reliable connection by Air Train to the LIRR or [the] number 7 will put travelers from throughout the region within a half-hour of Manhattan’s key destinations."

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed LaGuardia Airport Access Improvement Project is posted here. The public comment period ends October 5, 2020. In-person public workshops and hearings will not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, the FAA will hold virtual online workshops and hearings on the Draft EIS on September 22, 23, and 24, 2020.

Kudos to all involved in pushing this valuable project forward.

You can learn why nearly 100 organizations and transportation leaders support this project here.

The support for the #AirTrainLGA is diverse, strong, and growing. There are nearly 100 organizations who support this critical infrastructure project!

There is still time to show your support of the project and submit a comment to the FAA.

There is still time to submit a comment in support of this direct rail link to LaGuardia Airport:

New York Cinemas Remain on Standby with No Regulations in Sight

Cinemas in New York State remain in a state of uncertainty as Governor Cuomo once more indicated that there would be no reopening plans for movie theaters in the near future.

Approximately 10,000 theater employees have been laid off or furloughed across the state since mid-March in response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.  While other businesses have been allowed to reopen with restrictions, the theater industry is still unsure of when it can resume operations.  This comes at a time when 45 other states have allowed cinemas to reopen.

While large, national chains are weathering the storm, small, independently-owned theaters are in an increasingly desperate situation as the shutdown continues to drag on for more than half a year now.  As theaters languish movie studios have pushed back release dates of summer blockbusters that usually help to provide much-needed revenue to owners.  Even hotly anticipated movies are being released to disappointing numbers, which is causing some studios to balk.

“We’re not happy with our governor,” said Barbara Clark, owner of Palace Theatre in Lake Placid. “He’s opened gyms and churches and casinos. Hollywood’s not treating us right because our governor’s not treating us right.  We’re a nothing up here.”

While there is a need for public health, allowing an entire industry to slowly wither in the state is becoming untenable.  Smart and safe regulations are possible, and New York should move to publish those so people can get back to their livelihoods with as little pain as possible.

You can read more at NNY 360.

6,000 Free PPE Kits Made Available for Small Businesses in the Town of Hempstead

Standing with local business owners at Bellmore’s storied downtown business district along Bedford Avenue, Supervisor Don Clavin and members of the Town Board announced the launch of the Town of Hempstead’s personal protective equipment (PPE) kit initiative.

The new program makes 6,000 PPE kits available for local businesses with items needed to keep staff as well as their patrons safe. These PPE kits are available free of charge and are only available while supplies last, so businesses in need of these high-in-demand supplies are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible. This initiative has been made possible through funding from the federal CARES Act, which provided a $133 million grant to the Town of Hempstead to distribute economic relief grants to alleviate some of the adverse effects that have arisen due to the pandemic. 

“I’d like to thank Senator Schumer for his part in securing the funding for the initiatives that have now helped tens of thousands of Hempstead residents,” stated Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “The Town of Hempstead is strong and resilient and that is due to the men and women that make up America’s largest township. We will get through this pandemic together as we remain committed to providing the aid needed to reopen and restore services to our residents and businesses. The Town will continue to do what it can support our residents, our businesses and our community.”

Information regarding eligibility to apply is provided on the Town’s website.  Note, when applying for PPE kits you will be asked to enter your Employer Identification Number. The application is available in both English and Spanish languages.

Qualifying businesses will be provided with a date, time and location for pickup.  Small businesses in both incorporated villages and unincorporated communities in the Town of Hempstead are all eligible to apply for the town’s PPE program.

Each PPE kit comes fully equipped with the basic necessities needed to remain safe and follow appropriate COVID-19 protocols. The kits include:

• One contactless infrared digital thermometer
• Five face shields
• Eight boxes of 50 three-ply masks
• Two boxes of 100 pairs of powder-free and vinyl gloves
• Two gallons of hand sanitizer with a spray pump
• One canister of 1,500 sanitizing wipes

Visit hempsteadny.gov/ppe-giveaway to learn more about the program or apply for a PPE kit.

NYS Expands NY Forward Loan Program for Small Businesses

New York State has announced an expansion of the New York Forward Loan Fund program aimed at making more small businesses eligible for low-interest loans.

A small business that received $50,000 or less in funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is now eligible to participate in the program.  Before the expansion, no business that had received PPP money was eligible to participate in New York Forward.

Eligible small businesses and residential landlords can now apply for a 60-month, no-fee loan with a 3% fixed interest rate.  Eligible non-profits are able to apply for the same loan at a 2% fixed interest.  Businesses will be eligible for maximum loan fund of $100,000.

Funds acquired through the program can be used for working capital including payroll, operating and emergency maintenance, property taxes, utilities and costs associated with refitting physical space to allow for social distancing.  The program will also seek to provide at least 60% of the loans to minority- and women-owned businesses.

You can read more at litimes.org.  More information on the loan program can be found at nyloanfund.com.

RXR Realty Partners with Microsoft to Announce Launch of RxWell

RXR Realty, in partnership with Microsoft, has announced the launch of RxWell, a new suite of technology-enabled tools for buildings, businesses, restaurants, retail stores, museum operators and more, to safety and responsibility re-open their indoor space.

“Learning to safely and responsibly co-exist with public health threats like the coronavirus is essential if we are to keep moving forward,” said Scott Rechler, Chairman and CEO of RXR Realty.  “Whether it’s a workplace, a restaurant, a store, and more, RxWellTM is flexibly designed to give users the peace of mind that they can safely return to indoor environments”

The tools themselves, known as WorxWell and powered by RxWell, instills confidence for users to safely gather indoors and responsibly coexist with COVID-19.  They will provide business owners and operators with:

- Transparency: Data-driven, real-time insights for leaders, employees, and customers regarding the overall wellness of an indoor space
- Compliance: Rich tools to ensure adherence to critical safety protocols, such as capacity thresholds, mask-wearing, social distancing, air quality, and more
- Empowerment: Flexible tools delivered through an app and dashboard to help users stay ahead of public health threats like the coronavirus

These tools are important step forward in the fight to return to a normal economy in a way that is both safe and responsible.  We are happy to see companies like RXR take the lead in this regard, and these tools should help us to advance.

You can read more about the program here.

Unity 5k Strong Island Run/Fun Walk & Virtual 5k to be held on October 10th

The Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Unity 5k Run/Fun Walk along with a Virtual run on October 10th, beginning at 9 AM.  There will be three waves of in-person walkers starting at 9 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10 AM.  Free gaiters will be provided for in-person participants.

The Unity 5K Strong Island Run & Fun Walk in association with Family Health Centers Long Island FQHC, Inc. is to bring attention and to address the disproportionate number of deaths of African Americans in our communities that was caused by the underlying health factors due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. A large number of African Americans suffer from hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes as well as other illnesses such as obesity and others.

The idea is to make exercising cool again, while also promoting a good nutritional diet. So on this day, the Run & Fun Walk will aim to help save lives in our communities and to promote a Healthy Lifestyle Program.

Anyone wishing to participate will need to register in advance.  To do so, and for further information, please head to the event page here.

32nd Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference to take Place Virtually on November 18th

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is holding its 32nd Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference online this year to help bring relief to Long Island’s struggling homeless population.

This year’s event will take place on November 18th from 9 am to 3:30 virtually and will feature 14 workshop topics that address what can be done to help the most vulnerable residents in our region.  The theme for the conference is “Adapting to Changing Times: Where Do We Go From Here?”  Marc Dones, the Executive Director of National Innovation Services will be this year’s Keynote Speaker.

The Coalition is responsible for leading the region’s initiative to serve our most vulnerable and reducing barriers to housing.  With their Continuum of Care partners, they have referred more than 200 homeless households for permanent housing.  Throughout the years they have helped to guide over two hundred million dollars of US Department of Housing and Urban Development CoC funding to Long Island agencies, resulting in the development of over 2,700 units of housing for homeless persons. 

You can register to attend, become a sponsor, or exhibitor for this event here.  A full schedule of the workshops for the event is available here.

Source the Station Accepting Applications for Next Round of CBA Community Grants

As per the a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) signed between the Town of Huntington and Renaissance Downtowns, one of the requirements is a fee per development that Renaissance Downtowns is involved in.  Those funds are placed in escrow and are to be disbursed to community groups for the betterment of Huntington Station.

As per the CBA, a Committee was appointed by the Town Board in September 2018 and The CBA Committee will make a recommendation to the Town Board, after each deadline, and the Town Board will need to pass a resolution for the disbursement of the funds.

Here are the criteria for funding applications:

• The idea generally benefits and focuses on the people & community of Huntington Station
• The idea fits the triple-bottom-line mission of social, economic and environmental responsibility.
• The idea needs to be feasible and implementable within 90 days of being selected.
• The Huntington Station community is reasonably able to directly and immediately experience the benefits of what the grant is supporting.
• A detailed budget is needed for the applicant and full reporting of expenditures must be submitted in order to receive the reimbursement grant.
• To allow more Huntington Station community groups to participate ideas and applicants who haven't immediately received a prior grant will be prioritized.
• Funds may not be applied towards salaries or private/personal reasons.
• There is a maximum of $5,000 per award AND $5,000 per quarter. It is at the discretion of the Committee how the funds are to be allocated each quarter.

The next deadline is October 7th, 2020.

The grant is reimbursable at the time of completion. The selected applicant can submit requisitions at the end of the program for a full reimbursement.  If you are the receiver of award, the Committee will notify the person in charge of the application and then you will have 90 days to implement your programming and get reimbursed.  In order to be reimbursed you will have to provide (1) receipts/invoices of all expenses, (2) a picture or other proof of implementation, and (3) a brief summary of the results.

The application form is located here.  If you have questions about anything, please email contact@sourcethestation.com.

NYSERDA, Affordable Solar and Storage Predevelopment and Technical Assistance (Predevelopment Program)

The Predevelopment Program provides grants to address barriers to solar installations serving low-to-moderate income (LMI) households living in rental housing, multifamily buildings or other households not served by traditional on-site residential solar. Individual awards will not exceed $200,000. Funding to proposals through this solicitation will offset costs for predevelopment and technical assistance work needed to implement solar installations for multifamily affordable housing and/or shared solar (Community Distributed Generation) installations that benefit LMI households.

- Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by or include the documented participation of any of the following: owners, providers or managers of regulated multifamily affordable housing, community land trusts, land banks or portfolios of single-family affordable housing; local government agencies; Community Development Corporations (CDC), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) or other community organizations providing services to LMI households and/or demonstrating an LMI constituency; and prior recipients of Predevelopment Program grants seeking to replicate and expand upon the success from a prior completed Predevelopment

Program project.

- Funding: Up to $10.65 million is available with individual awards not to exceed $200,000.
- Deadline: Continuous through December 31, 2024, or until depleted
- Contact:
Email: affordablesolar@nyserda.ny.gov
Website: www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L)

This program supports projects that enhance the quality of library and archive services by advancing theory and practice. Successful proposals will generate results such as new tools, research findings, models, services, practices or collaborative approaches that can be widely used, adapted, scaled or replicated. All applications must designate one of the following project categories: Lifelong Learning, Community Catalysts or National Digital Infrastructures and Initiatives.

- Eligibility: Either a unit of state or local government or a private, nonprofit organization that has nonprofit status and be located in one of the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories. Additional criteria is listed in the website.

- Funding: 40 awards for up to three years will be made with amounts varying by category: Planning Grants up to $100,000; National Forum Grants up to $150,000; Project Grants up to $1,000,000 and Research in Service to Practice Grants up to $750,000.

- Deadline: October 2, 2020

- Contacts: Jill Connors-Joyner
Email: jconnors-joyner@imls.gov;
Sarah Fuller
Email: sfuller@imls.gov;
James Neal
Email: jneal@imls.gov;
Ashley Sands, PhD
Email: asands@imls.gov
General email: imls-librarygrants@imls.gov
Website: https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/national-leadership-grants-libraries

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize (the Prize) elevates the compelling stories of places where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing and more so better health flourishes for all. A Culture of Health recognizes that where we live—such as our access to affordable homes, quality schools, good jobs and reliable transportation—affects how long and how well we live.

Through the RWJF Culture of Health Prize application process, a community comes together to tell its inspiring stories of collaboration, action and results. Communities should understand they are applying for a prize and not a grant. The Prize recognizes work that has already been accomplished, so there is no required workplan or budget.

- Eligibility: A community must be a geographically defined jurisdiction in the U.S. that falls into one of the following categories:

- County, parish, borough, city, town, village or other municipality with a publicly elected governing body;

- Federally recognized tribe or a state-designated Indian reservation;

- Native Hawaiian organization serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians in Hawaii; or

- Region defined as geographically contiguous municipalities, counties and/or reservations.

- Awards: Up to 10 winning communities receive $25,000 and a prize package of communications materials about their community, communications guidance and help in promoting their successes.

- Deadline: Oct. 15, 2020, 3pm ET

- Contact:
Phone: (608) 890-2045
Email: info@cohprize.wisc.edu
Website: www.rwjf.org/content/rwjf/en/library/funding-opportunities/2020/2021-culture-ofhealth-prize.html

NYS Launches Rent Relief Program

The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance.

The Covid Rent Relief Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.

The rental assistance payment will cover the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent burden for the months the households is applying for assistance. Households can apply for up to four months in rental assistance.

Eligible households must meet the following criteria:

• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, household income must have been below 80% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. You can find your county’s area median income, based on your household size: www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county
• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been paying more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent.  Gross income includes wages as well as any cash grants, child support, social security, unemployment benefits, etc.)
• Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

HCR has created a dedicated call center to provide residents with help Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Call the COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center at 1-833-499-0318 or email at covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov

You can apply for assistance and check FAQ’s here.

New York State Accepting Applications for NY Forward Loan Fund

New York State has opened pre-applications for the New York Forward Loan Fund. Loans from this fund are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords in New York State. New York Forward loans must be fully repaid over a 5-year term with fixed annual interest rates of 3 percent for small businesses and landlords.

Small businesses may apply for the lesser of $100,000 or up to 100% of the average monthly revenues in any 3-month period from 2019 or the first quarter of 2020. This loan can be paid back over five years with first year being interest only.  However, if small businesses have received either a PPP loan or an EIDL loan from SBA, they would not be eligible to apply. NYS has set a goal of 18% of total funds under this Program for Long Island

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as industries and regions reopen however, priority for New York Forward Loans will be given to industries and regions that have been reopened. Resources are available to assist in preparing applications for small businesses, landlords and nonprofits in industries and regions that have not yet reopened.

To view more details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click here:

If you need technical assistance through this process, please contact an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center near you and inform the counselor that you need help for the NY Forward Loan application.  You can find your closest contact center here.

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