presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance October 18th, 2021
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Quote of the Week
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Riverhead Town Square Project Underway
Supervisor Yvette Aguiar and the Riverhead Town Board have announced that the Town Square project in Downtown Riverhead will move a significant step closer to reality with the demolition of two long blighted buildings, opposite the Suffolk Theater Two buildings set to be demolished, 117 and 121 East Main Street in Riverhead, include the former Swezey’s Furniture store, which closed its doors in 2003 and remained empty ever since. After falling into a state of disrepair, that building, in particular, has been an impediment towards revitalizing the local downtown. The primary goal of this project is to reorient the pedestrian focus from the traditional Main Street to the Peconic Riverwalk. The Town intends to repurpose some existing town-owned riverfront parking as public gathering and event spaces, splash fountains and a themed children’s playground. Economic development efforts towards advancing the Town Square began in earnest in 2020, during the start of the pandemic, with the Riverhead Town Board committing to bond up to $5.5 million for the project. The Town of Riverhead closed on the three properties that will house the project in May 2021. The buildings at 117 and 121 East Main Street will be demolished, while plans for 127 East Main Street include extensive renovation, through a private sector partnership. Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said, “I want to commend the entire Town Board, as well as the Community Development Department, Engineering Department and Law Department staff, for their commitment and efforts to take significant actions since 2020 to move the redevelopment of Downtown Riverhead forward.” She also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Town to its government partners for providing necessary grant funding from New York State and Suffolk County for the Town Square. Aguiar also thanked Congressman Lee Zeldin for obtaining the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers to assist and address flood mitigation measures necessary to protect the Town Square and the entire Main Street from flooding into the next century. The Army Corps completed a Flood Plain Management Study (FPMS) in 2020 at a cost of $140,000, which was matched by $40,000 from the ESD Town Square funding. Eric Alexander, Director, Vision Long Island/Founder, LI Main Street Alliance said, “Riverhead has embarked on a creative approach enhancing public space in its downtown while opening up access to the waterfront. Support from Federal and State grants to turn long blighted buildings into a playground for children, splash park and event space add to the revitalization that is underway in the community. Kudos to the Town and all involved in the planning and execution of this innovative project.” Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “Monday’s demolition in Riverhead marks the beginning of what will be a historic revitalization of Downtown Riverhead, which will kickstart the local economy, expand opportunity and provide an overall improvement to the quality of life of Riverhead residents. I’m proud to have played a role in getting the project to this point and will continue advocating for the approval of Riverhead’s RAISE grant application to help fund the Town Square. Thank you to Supervisor Aguiar and all the local and state officials who are making this project possible.” “The redevelopment of the Riverhead Town Square is an amazing partnership between state, local and federal officials as we work together to revitalize and rejuvenate this important economic corridor for the region. Once completed, this project will greatly improve and enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses alike,” New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said. Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said, “Downtown Riverhead is ready for transformative economic redevelopment. I am confident that the development of the Riverhead Town Square will be the impetus for the change necessary to allow our downtown to become a regional destination that will make Riverhead residents proud. I am committed to helping Riverhead accomplish our mutual downtown revitalization goals any way I can.” Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele said, “I am thrilled that Riverhead is moving closer to further revitalizing its downtown area with an economic development project that will benefit its residents, visitors, schools, and adjacent businesses. The Long Island Science Center, which purchased the building next to the Town Square, and will feature a state-of-the-art planetarium, will provide an invaluable educational resource for our local schools. I applaud the Town of Riverhead for following the vision of the community and transforming Riverhead into an attractive destination for all.” Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone, said “Suffolk’s vibrant downtowns are essential to our post pandemic economic recovery and we are proud to help support this innovative project that will bring new life into one of Suffolk’s great downtowns,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “This project will help to create new jobs and economic growth, while also expanding access to Downtown Riverhead and creating new environmentally friendly, outdoor public spaces.” Big Support Voiced for Sewers in Smithtown and Kings Park
On Tuesday, October 12th, a coalition of community leaders and elected officials met on the steps of Smithtown Town Hall to sign a letter to Governor Hochul, requesting support to make recharge land available, which will advance plans for long-awaited sewer infrastructure in downtown Smithtown. Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance, was in attendance. The addition of sewer capacity to the Smithtown Business District, using a $20 million NYS grant, can move forward if part of a derelict parcel at the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center can be used to recharge clean water back into the ground. The community has asked Governor Kathy Hochul to direct State agencies to support the sewer plan, advancing efforts already underway to transfer the parcel to Suffolk County for the project. “For nearly 50 years, the goal of providing sewers for the Smithtown Business District has seemed out of reach, resulting in vacant storefronts in the downtown area and continued discharges of untreated wastewater into the environment… Now, at long last, a clear solution has been identified, and victory is in sight. This is an historic day for the Town of Smithtown,” stated Smithtown Supervisor Ed Werheim Supervisor Wehrheim hosted this press conference with fellow elected officials and representatives from various organizations throughout Kings Park and Smithtown who also support the plan. The proposal is the result of a two-year effort, by a Smithtown Sewers Working Group tasked with a mission to identify ways to overcome obstacles to connect the Smithtown Business District to sewers using a $20 million grant from the State’s Transformative Investment Program. The working group was established in 2019, and consists of environmental experts, planning officials and community members. Under the Working Group’s Plan, the derelict buildings which are a highly visible blight on the community, will be demolished and removed and a small portion of the site will be used to return cleaned water to the ground using recharge beds that will not be visible from outside the site. Mature trees and steep slopes on the property will be preserved as open space along with approximately 15 acres of land.
“Together we have provided a solution to a decades old elusive goal of sewers within the business district… The project’s value proposition for the downtown business district is just so strong. The project reduces nitrogen flowing into the Nissequogue River by 87% under current conditions. Downtown build out consistent with the draft Smithtown Master Plan reduces nitrogen by 71%. Additionally, the project fully enables revitalization and economic growth of the downtown business district. How can you not support the project?” stated Timothy Small, Smithtown United Civic Leader, & Sewer Working Group Member In 2017, Governor Cuomo announced two $20 million grants under the State’s Transformative Investment Program (TIP), one to connect the Kings Park Business District to Suffolk County Sewer District No. 6 in Kings Park, and the other to bring sewers to the Smithtown Business District. While the Kings Park Business District project has been approved and is slated to move forward in 2022, the Smithtown Business District project has been unable to move forward, until now. “Without sewer infrastructure, downtowns are frozen in time, where you literally can’t build beyond what is there already. What we see in Smithtown and Kings Park, community groups, business groups and government officials working together, is how vital downtown revitalization is achieved. This is community activism at its best,” Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance explained. “To characterize it as a ‘win-win’ for the community really doesn’t go far enough in describing the tremendous benefits that the Working Group’s new plan will have for the environment, the economy and the quality of life of our community… Not only will this plan improve water quality in the Nissequogue River and unshackle the economic development potential of the Smithtown Business District, but it will replace derelict buildings that are an attractive nuisance and liability to the State and a blight on the community with 15 acres of dedicated open space that will be a community amenity,” stated Tony Tanzi, President of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce. “It’s easy, sewers are good for the environment and for the economic health of downtowns. With fifteen acres of the property becoming a passive park, contiguous to the Nissequogue River State Park, steep slopes and mature woods being protected, and the school district being kept whole - it’s a win all around,” noted Kings Park Civic Association President, Linda Henninger “Today is a great show of unity in the efforts to protect the $40 million in state funding for Smithtown and Kings Park and I am proud to stand with all of the elected officials, chambers leaders, civic leaders and residents to show New York that we are ready to bring our region into the future... Their efforts will help protect our environment, enhance our local economy and create needed jobs for the hardworking men and women of Long Island,” State Senator Mario Mattera said. “It is poetic, the way the people of two hamlets have come together in betterment of not just our local economy, but in protection of our ecosystem, drinking water and environment. If you mentioned installing sewers in any one of our three downtowns four years ago… most people would roll their eyes with uncertainty. Today, we’ve proven the naysayers wrong. This is what real community activism looks like. I know I am inspired to get to work at the Assembly and I’m certain that our Governor will equally be motivated by this show of solidarity,” State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick explained. Under the Working Group’s plan, the $20 million TIP grant would be used to connect the Smithtown Business District to an existing state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant at Suffolk County Sewer District No. 6 in Kings Park. The facility was upgraded to comply with new more stringent nitrogen discharge limits enacted as a result of the Long Island Sound Study, and treats wastewater so effectively that the effluent is cleaner than required under its operating permit. During the upgrade process the plant was designed to allow for expansion of treatment capacity to accept additional wastewater for treatment. Congratulations to everyone involved! You can view CBS's coverage of the Smithtown press conference here. Mineola Chamber of Commerce Hosts Street Fair
The Mineola Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest chambers on Long Island, serves the businesses of Mineola and surrounding areas, hosted its annual Mineola Street Fair on October 10th, Vision staff was there to support the Mineola Community. Despite the rainy day, with Jericho Turnpike closed down for blocks, many residents came out to enjoy delicious food, unique vendors, a fun dunk tank and much more. Doing the heavy lifting for the day was not only the current Chamber president, Louis Panacciulli, but past presidents Joel Harris, Tony Lubrano, Bill Greene and director Richard Marotta. Mineola’s rich and colorful history, bringing past and present together, was on full display during this annual event. Kudos to the Mineola Chamber of Commerce for making this happen. Riverhead County Fair Held in Downtown
On October 10th, the 45th Annual Riverhead Country Fair filled historic downtown Riverhead, from Main Street to the Peconic Riverfront, with games, entertainment, demonstrations, and craft and food vendors. Although attendance was lower than normal due to rain, many residents came out to enjoy all Downtown Riverhead has to offer. Vision staff was there to support this long-time event. The Fair is made possible by the hard work of the Fair Committee and its many volunteers. Others who make this a successful event year after year include Riverhead’s government officials, police, ambulance, fire and highway departments, along with the Chamber of Commerce, multiple service groups, local merchants, Boy Scouts, advertisers and sponsors. Kudos to the Town of Riverhead and all the hard-working volunteers who make celebrating Riverhead’s rich agricultural history and unique downtown such a special event. Westbury-Carle Place Chamber and BID Cut Ribbon on New Downtown Restaurant
The Westbury-Carle Place Chamber of Commerce and the Westbury BID welcomed Monroe’s Restaurant to Post Avenue with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at its grand opening Wednesday, October 13th. Vision staff was in attendance to help welcome this new restaurant to the Westbury community. Monroe's is a family owned and operated restaurant set in the heart of Westbury Village. Inspired by the legendary career of film actress Marilyn Monroe and offering American classics and continental cuisines, Monroe’s is located at 199 Post Avenue, Westbury. “Congratulations to Monroe’s Restaurant on their Grand Opening, Westbury is lucky to have you,” the Westbury BID announced. “Westbury has done so much through the years with respect to downtown revitalization, thanks to the folks at the Westbury Business Improvement District, the Westbury-Carle Place Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Westbury. It is this partnership that not only allows new restaurants and businesses, such as Monroe’s Restaurant, to come into the Westbury downtown, but to also thrive,” states Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. Created in May of 1993, the Westbury Business Improvement District provides marketing support and other improvements to the business community in the Village of Westbury. The Westbury-Carle Place Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1949, is committed to promoting, improving and enhancing the Westbury and Carle Place areas through economic development and community involvement. Good luck to Monroe’s and kudos to all involved in promoting Westbury’s downtown. |
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County Executive Curran Signs Bill to Provide Direct Payments To Local Households
On October 6th, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed into law the “Nassau County Homeowner Assistance Program” or “HAP.” This legislation will provide direct one-time payments of $375 to up to 400,000 Nassau County homeowners and renters. Households currently receiving Enhanced STAR, Disability & Limited Income, and/or Senior property tax exemptions will receive checks by mail automatically and do not need to file an application. All other households must file an application in order to receive a HAP check. The Household Assistance Program Portal will be available to residents beginning Thursday, October 7th at 9:00 AM at NassauCountyNY.Gov/HAP. Households making below $168,900 need only verify income and residency eligibility in their applications with a 2020 tax return. Households making between $168,900 and $500,000 will be required to submit an application with documentation verifying income and a negative economic impact from the pandemic, such as unemployment (e.g., receipt of unemployment benefits during 2020), food or housing insecurity (e.g., receipt of social services benefits, missed mortgage payments, utility arrears, eviction notices), unreimbursed medical bills (e.g., behavioral health costs brought on by the pandemic), increased child-care expenses, COVID 19-related death expenses or unreimbursed remote learning/work expenses including increased internet costs. A comprehensive FAQ and additional information about obtaining payments will be available at NassauCountyNY.Gov/HAP. Those with technology issues or who need in-person support will be able to make an appointment through Nassau County’s HAP Call Center beginning Tuesday October 12th by calling 516-571-1555. HAP Support Centers will be located at the Boost Nassau Resource Center, Eisenhower Park; 60 Charles Lindberg Blvd, Uniondale; 40 Main Street, Hempstead; and 1 West Street, Mineola. Additional community outreach efforts will be initiated in the coming weeks to ensure eligible residents are aware of the program. The Household Assistance Program will be paid for by federal funds from the County’s allotment under the America Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress in March 2021. The Household Assistance Program was crafted by the Curran Administration following the Interim Final Rule published by the United States Treasury Department, which allows American Rescue Plan recipients such as Nassau County to provide assistance to households or populations facing negative economic impacts due to COVID–19, including cash assistance. In doing so, Nassau County may consider negative economic impacts to households such as those who have experienced unemployment, food insecurity, housing insecurity, or are low- to moderate-income. The County has defined low- to moderate-income for HAP purposes to be up to 130% of HUD AMI for Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This means a household income level up to $168,900 may be considered in the low-to-moderate-income bracket. Consultant HR&A, Inc. concluded this is an appropriate basis for HAP. “As County Executive, I’ve been committed to delivering relief to Nassau residents and businesses as we continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Nassau County’s finances are in the best shape they have been in decades thanks to fiscal discipline by my Administration. This has allowed us to push funding from the American Rescue Plan back to our residents and businesses. These direct payments will not only help those who continue to struggle, but also provide a meaningful boost to our local economy. I encourage residents to spend this money in our main streets and support local businesses,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. You can view the signing here, and apply here. LIBN Hosts Energy Summit
Long Island Business News (LIBN) recently held an Energy Summit at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. LIBN esplained the focus of the event was to examine "...the growing threat of increasingly destructive weather and rising sea levels caused by climate change, the need to eliminate fossil fuels from the area’s voracious energy diet is more pressing than ever. And though the transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources is already underway, there is a long way to go to meet the ambitious goals that state leaders have set towards a carbon-free future." With New York’s electric grid needing to be 100 percent free of fossil fuels by 2040 and NYS seeking an 85 percent reduction in carbon emissions throughout the entire economy, a multi-pronged effort will be necessary to achieve carbon-neutral targets and the problem won’t be solved by just one or two existing technologies. Sponsored by National Grid and moderated by Long Island Business News Editor and Associate Publisher Joe Dowd, panelists included Don Chahbazpour, director of Regulatory Strategy and Future of Heat for National Grid; Thomas Falcone, CEO of LIPA; Kevin Law, partner and executive vice president of Tritec Real Estate Company; Pat Guidice, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049; Alanna Russo, director of Strategic Engagement and Business Development for National Grid Ventures; and David Schieren, CEO of Empower Solar. The panelists discussed solutions and ongoing efforts in the renewable energy. Here are some of the highlights from the event: • Rudy Wynter, president of National Grid New York, opened the program by stressing that utilities are working on finding reasonable solutions to real problems posed by the changeover from fossil fuels to renewables. • LIPA’s Thomas Falcone noted the transition of the electric grid is already underway. Mr. Falcone suggested that Long Island businesses, homeowners and consumers can all play a vital role in the move to clean energy, by purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) and switching from oil to heat-pump-assisted electric heat. • David Schieren, CEO of Empower Solar, noted some of the biggest renewable energy additions to the region’s power grid are coming from solar and wind power. Mr. Schieren pointed out the region’s off-shore wind power capacity will be expanding over the next few years, thanks to eight leases soon to be auctioned in the New York Bight, a large triangular-shaped area of the water that stretches from Cape May, N.J. to Montauk Point. • Alanna Russo of National Grid Ventures noted that National Grid has entered a joint venture with RWE, which Russo called “a world leader” in off-shore wind, to bid on the soon-to-be-auctioned leases. • Kevin Law of Tritec, who formerly served as LIPA’s chairman and CEO, said the potential power generated from the New York Bight leases will be much more than Long Island needs. He added Long Island’s energy challenges will create great economic opportunities, adding that most of the major players getting into the burgeoning off-shore wind industry are from the fossil-fuel sector. • Pat Guidice, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049, said besides the creation of new jobs, Local 1049 and its business partners, National Grid, LIPA and PSEG Long Island, have a strong sense of duty to all electric and gas consumers. • When asked to assess the relative importance of reducing emissions versus actually removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, National Grid’s Don Chahbazpour said we need to do both. He discussed technology that actually decarbonizes electrons and molecules and carbon capture, which pulls CO2 from combustion process in manufacturing and power generation. He stressed that while some of those technologies have yet to be commercially developed, things like electrification, solar and wind are here today and need to be scaled up over the next decade. He added that the hardest sector to decarbonize is real estate. Responding to climate activists’ criticism that the carbon-free transition has been all talk and no action, the panelists disagreed. Mr. Guidice summed it up by stating that there’s a commitment here that didn’t exist 10 or 15 years ago. You can read the full LIBN article here. NJ and NYC at Odds Over New Congestion Toll Proposals
New York officials are on the precipice of imposing new tolls to cut congestion in Manhattan following decades of explosive growth, but there’s one problem: New Jersey. Congestion Pricing would require drivers to pay a surcharge to enter certain heavily trafficked Manhattan neighborhoods. Motorists could pay as much as $35 to drive into Manhattan beginning in 2023 and surcharges are estimated to raise up to $1 billion annually in fees to help the MTA pay for improvements to mass transit. Advocates expressed that congestion pricing offers environmental benefits, such as improving air quality, as well as a reduction of traffic. However, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy contends if a New Jersey commuter is paying $12.50 to cross a bridge or tunnel, then all crossing tolls should be deducted from the new MTA toll. And the Governor is ready to use the “nuclear option” to battle New York’s plan. He is threatening to use his powers to halt business at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority oversees the region’s shipping terminals, major airports, the World Trade Center, an interstate subway system and most of the vehicular bridges and tunnels that link New York and New Jersey. It is unknown how many New Jersey drivers would be affected by the new tolls. MTA officials are working on this issue during the ongoing environment review. In one 2019 report, New York City’s planning department estimated 44,000 workers came to Manhattan by car from New Jersey. In another 2019 report, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council estimated 111,000 people entered the central business district in cars, taxis, vans or trucks through New Jersey. Whatever the number, congestion pricing supporters argue the new MTA tolls would hit far more Long Island drivers who can currently cross four different bridges over the East River into Manhattan for free. There does seem to be agreement that it’s fair to deduct the cost of crossing through the Hudson tunnels, since the tunnels dump cars straight into the central business district already, but the issue of the George Washington Bridge remains contentious. You can read the Newsday article here, and the Politico one here. 2021 Long Island South Shore Estuary Management Plan Released
The New York State Department of State (DOS) and the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council recently released the draft 2021 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) update. In order to gather input from local stakeholders and the public, comments on the draft Comprehensive Management Plan update are being accepted now through December 6, 2021. The South Shore Estuary Reserve is a rich and complex ecosystem, extending across the southern portions of Nassau and Suffolk Counties and includes the City of Long Beach, portions of the Towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven and Southampton, and 28 villages. Its beaches, shallow bays, tidal marshes, tributaries, and upland areas make the estuary one of the most ecologically productive regions in the United States, while supporting Long Island’s tourism, recreation, and seafood industries. The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan guides efforts to protect and restore the estuary and its important natural, recreational, economic, and educational resources, through partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders including state, federal, and local organizations. In 2001, the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) was approved. Collectively, State, federal, and local programs have provided more than $660 million in funding for close to 460 projects since 2001 to assist implementation of the recommended actions identified in the Reserve’s CMP. While many of the recommended actions identified in the 2001 CMP have been completed, many of the priority actions still need attention including the reduction of stormwater and nutrient pollution, restoration of wetlands, improvements to seagrass and shellfish habitat, increasing open space, and public education on the value of the South Shore Estuary. This update of the CMP addresses these priority actions and captures emerging issues such as harmful algal blooms, nitrogen pollution from inadequate and outdated onsite wastewater disposal systems, climate change, and ecosystem resilience which was brought to the forefront after Superstorm Sandy. Comments can be emailed with “SSER CMP Update” in the subject line to sser@dos.ny.gov or mailed through December 6, 2021 to: Jeremy Campbell, Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Office, c/o New York State Department of State, Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. You can find more information and view the draft 2021 Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan here. |
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Upcoming Fall Events in Farmingdale Village
With fall officially here, Farmingdale Village announces several upcoming community events: • Farmingdale Halloween Parade, Family Fun, Pony Rides, and Petting Zoo on Saturday October 30th at 2 PM, Main Street You can find more details here and here Webinars to Help Small Businesses Prep for the Holiday Season
La Fuerza CDC is hosting a series of webinars to help businesses prepare for the holiday season. Don't wait until the last minute to promote your business for the holidays. La Fuerza and Jillian Weston from Jillian's Circus will give you the strategies and tips you need to plan and execute your most successful holiday season yet. The dates include: In these classes you will learn: La Fuerza CDC's mission is to promote sustainable economic growth in Long Island by providing minority and women owned enterprises access to capital, business development services and other tools which will create jobs, community wealth and long-term prosperity. You can register for this event here. LIHP to Host Seminar Discussing ERAP Progam
The Long Island Housing Partnership is holding a seminar discussing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview. The ERAP is intended to assist renters residing in the Town of Oyster Bay who are struggling to pay their rent and utilities/home energy costs during or due to the coronavirus pandemic. Eligibility Requirements include: Type of Assistance include: Eligible residents must be able to answer YES to each of the following four questions: • You or a household member is eligible to receive unemployment Assistance may be provided for up to 18 months of payments, subject to program restrictions. There is no cap on the amount and amounts may include the full amount of both rental payments and utility payments. However, the amount of prospective payments is limited to 3 months, will only be paid in monthly installments, and must be necessary to ensure housing stability. In addition, prospective payments may only be paid if existing arrears have been paid first. Intake period ends at 5:00 PM on October 28, 2021. You can find more information here. NYS Homes & Community Renewal to Host Focus Group
New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) is hosting a Focus Group session on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in order to provide feedback on the existing New York State Housing Plan and gather input on a new Housing Plan in development. Participation is important as the state craft’s the next Housing Plan. The new Plan will be based on feedback from community organizations, housing agencies, for profit and non-profit developers, and community and economic development officials. This session will cover Nassau and Suffolk counties. Participants will include the leadership and senior staff of HCR. In 2017, New York State issued an ambitious Five-Year Housing Plan that committed $20 Billion to combat homelessness and advance construction and preserve affordable housing. The Housing Plan aimed at creating and preserving over 100,000 units in 5 years including 6,000 supportive housing units. This year marks five years of implementation of this plan. Goals and objectives of this focus group include establishing the strategies of the new Housing Plan to be adopted in 2022; feedback on the first Housing Plan; identify today’s housing challenges; consider the affects of COVID on housing; and how to prioritize spending a $100 budget on housing in communities. To register, or for more information, contact Ayanna C. Wayner, Downstate Development Director, Multifamily Finance & Development at ayanna.wayner@nyshcr.org. Suffolk Department of Labor to Hold Service Industry Job Fair
Suffolk County Department of Labor is holding a Long Island Food, Beverage & Hospitality Job Fair for employers only on October 19th, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, at Island Harvest, 126 Spagnoli Road, Melville. This will be a great opportunity for employers to find local talent across Suffolk and Nassau County to help fill open positions in the Food, Beverage & Hospitality industry. Schedule: You can pre-register here. Riverhead Turns Downtown into Halloween
Downtown Riverhead will again be turned into a Halloween hometown during the month of October when streets are lined with goblins, ghouls, and businesses handing out tricks and treats. Riverhead's Halloween Fest is hosted by DowntownRiverhead.org and sponsored by Federal Credit Union. On Saturday, October 23rd, a day of special events will include: Dress the whole family in costume and come downtown for a weekend of shopping, dining and activities. Rain date is Sunday, October 24th. You can find more information and to register for the day’s events here. AARP NY to Host Discussion on Challenges Facing Rural New Yorkers
AARP New York, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York and the New York State Office for the Aging are hosting a far-reaching virtual discussion on the challenges facing rural New Yorkers. New reports will unveil policy recommendations to address the needs rural New Yorkers face in accessing Health Services, Caregiving Support, High-Speed Internet and Telehealth. Experts, policymakers and academic researchers will share stories about rural New York inequities and what can be done to help. Featured speakers include: • Brian Alexander, the author of The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town (2021), has written for many magazines and newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Science, Outside and Esquire. Details: You can register here. |
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Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) Applications Open
The CCCNSF initiative (Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund), has launched its call for applications for grants of up to $45,000 for Black, Latino and Asian-led community-based organizations throughout New York City whose budgets are between $150,000 and $2 million. Organizations that qualify are able to work with a consultant in capacity-building activities including fundraising planning, new donor development, communications and messaging, and all aspects of board governance including recruitment, leadership development, committee effectiveness and clarification of board-staff roles. We are available to consult with you on your capacity-building needs under this grant. The fundraising, governance, communications/marketing and strategic planning work falls within the 7 capacity-building areas that CCNSF has made available to nonprofit organizations this year: 1. Management information systems design and development: This includes securing and/or designing software, and building related staff skills necessary for managing work more effectively (e.g., tracking client demographic data, service utilization, and progress toward outcomes). The CCNSF application is due October 22nd, 2021 at 5 PM EST. Over the past six years this program has awarded over 300 capacity-building grants to a wide variety of organizations across the five boroughs. We can walk you through the application, and we assist with the materials you need from the consultant to ensure your application is complete and swift. Here is a link to the application guidelines. This year, unlike previous years, you must submit an interest survey to be emailed a unique application for your organization. Act now – the deadline is next month, and you should factor time for a scoping call with a consultant, application and proposal creation and submitting your full application. Suffolk County Office for the Aging Processing Applications for HEAP
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible low-income individuals meet the high costs of home heating. As outlined in Huntington Now, depending on the primary heating source, qualifying homeowners can receive a basic HEAP benefit of between $350 and $751 for oil, propane, kerosene, natural gas or electricity. Renters can receive a benefit of $45 or $50. Each year, thousands of Suffolk County households receive assistance through HEAP. Assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while available. Households that received a benefit in last year’s program should have already received their applications. Individuals who have not previously received the benefit and wish to submit a new application to the Office for the Aging must meet one of the following conditions: To request an application, call the Office for the Aging HEAP Hotline at (631) 853-8326. Applicants who do not meet the Office for the Aging guidelines may still qualify based on HEAP Tier Income Guidelines for income and household size. A family’s gross monthly household income must be at or below the poverty standards set by New York State for HEAP. For more information or maximum monthly income levels for larger households, call the Department of Social Services HEAP Unit at (631) 853-8820. For heating and utility emergencies after business hours and on weekends, call the Department of Social Services at (631) 854-9100. You can read the article at Huntington Now here, and visit Suffolk County Office for the Aging here. Empire State Development Announces $150M of Capital Grant Funding Available
The Capital grant funding is available for capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and/or increase business or economic activity in a community or region. The funding will be allocated among the ten regions, each represented by a Regional Council. Funding decisions will be based on each Regional Council’s development and implementation of a five-year strategic plan that sets out a comprehensive vision for economic development and specific strategies to implement that vision, coupled with New York State’s economic growth priorities. Funding will be allocated to projects, including priority projects identified by the Regional Councils, identified as significant, regionally supported and capable of stimulating economic investment. In addition, special consideration shall be given to projects supporting the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Strategic Community Investment, Improving Access to Child Care, and Environmental Justice. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, for-profit businesses, not-for-profit corporations, business improvement districts, local development corporations, public benefit corporations (including industrial development agencies), economic development organizations, research and academic institutions, incubators, technology parks, municipalities, counties, regional planning councils, tourist attractions and community facilities. Assistance generally falls into three categories: Grant funds may be used for: You can find more information and apply here. PSEG Long Island Adds $50,000 in Grants to Boost Local Economy
On September 13, 2021, in celebration of Small Business Week, PSEG Long Island announced an additional $50,000 has been allocated to its Main Street Chamber of Commerce program for the remainder of 2021 to help small businesses and Long Island’s local economy thrive. “We have created programs to help businesses across Long Island and the Rockaways attract customers and keep them shopping locally,” states John Keating, manager of Economic and Community Development at PSEG Long Island. “These programs provide funding for the enhancements that might not otherwise be in the budget, putting businesses in a position to succeed in these unprecedented times and into the future.” In 2020, the company began offering grants to local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts (BID) to help transform sidewalk areas and plazas with the seating, lighting, planters and protective barriers needed to keep customers safely dining and shopping locally amid new public health measures. The funding for this grant program was renewed for 2021 on a first come, first served basis. The program offers up to $5,000 to a chamber of commerce or BID. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2021. In honor of Small Business Week 2021, PSEG Long Island has added $50,000 in funding to this grant program. In addition to its Chambers of Commerce program, PSEG Long Island offers a “Beautification” grant to local chambers of commerce for decorative items such as hanging planters, flowerbeds, murals and welcome signs. This program offers funding of up to $2,000 to a chamber of commerce or business improvement district. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2021. To date, more than $2 million in grants and discounts have been provided to help thousands of local businesses and organizations continue to thrive and meet the ever-evolving challenges of COVID-19. You can find more information about all the programs PSEG Long Island offers to support local businesses here. Boost Nassau Main Street Recovery Grant Program
Nassau County’s Boost Nassau Main Street Recovery Grant Program supports small businesses located within the County that experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and that are in need of financial assistance to continue to operate or to be able to reopen as allowed by law during the crisis. Grants of $10,000 per business will be awarded for eligible businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Per Internal Revenue Service guidance, these grants are taxable. The information below provides an overview of the Grant Program. Definition of eligible business: Reduction in revenues, increases in percent of expenses, costs related to COVID compliance, staffing difficulties, etc. Type of assistance: Grant General ineligibility: Only one (1) application per Tax-ID, regardless of how many sites applicant has in Nassau County. You can apply here. SBA Announces Enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), recently announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes. “The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “We’ve retooled this critical program – increasing the borrowing limit to $2 million, offering 24 months of deferment, and expanding flexibility to allow borrowers to pay down higher-interest business debt. We have also ramped up our outreach efforts to ensure we’re connecting with our smallest businesses as well as those from low-income communities who may also be eligible for the companion COVID EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Advance grants totaling up to $15,000.” Key changes being announced by the SBA include: How to apply: Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible. For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit www.sba.gov/relief. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners here. 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. SBA Webinars
The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting the following informational virtual webinars to help small businesses during these difficult times. The webinars will be conducted by Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, District International Trade Officer, SBA New York District Office. Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and Queens Economic Development Corp) Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 at 11:00am (SBA and AARP) Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 at 7pm (SBA and Finkelstein Memorial Library) Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at 2:30pm (SBA and Tech Incubator at Queens College) Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC) Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at 11:00am (SBA and AARP) Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 2pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce) Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 at 11:00am (SBA and AARP) Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and York College SBDC) Thursday, Nov. 4 2021 at 11:00am (SBA and AARP) Thurs. Nov. 10, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and Tech Incubator at Queens College) Thurs. Nov. 18, 2021 at 9:30am (SBA and LaGuardia Community College SBDC) Thurs. Nov. 18, 2021 at 11am (SBA and Tech Incubator at Queens College) Thurs. Nov. 18, 2021 at 2pm (SBA and Manhattan Chamber of Commerce) Contact Man-Li Lin, Economic Development Specialist, District International Trade Officer, New York District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration at Man-li.lin@sba.gov 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. |
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