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Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More Please click View/Allow Images so you don't miss a thing!

On August 17, people 12 and older were required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO for:   Indoor dining   Indoor fitness   Indoor entertainment This new requirement — called the Key to NYC — includes bars, fitness gyms, movie and stage theatres, museums and other indoor venues. Staff at these locations are also required to be vaccinated. The highly contagious delta variant is spreading quickly in NYC, and unvaccinated people are at the most risk for infection, hospitalization and death.   If your business is covered by this requirement, you will be required to check the vaccination status of all staff and customers 12 and older. You may not permit entry to anyone 12 and older who has not received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. You can make an exception for allowing customers to use the bathroom or for another reason that will take a small amount of time (e.g. less than 10 minutes).   The policy was in effect as of August 17, and enforcement will begin on September 13. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines. To prepare for this policy: Place the Vaccination Required Poster for Businesses (PDF) in a place that is clearly visible to people before they enter your business. Become familiar with the accepted proofs of vaccination listed above. Develop a written implementation plan that will be available for inspection. This should include how you will check the vaccination status of staff and customers before they enter — or immediately after they enter — your business. Help your staff get vaccinated! Consider hanging posters about the COVID-19 vaccines in break rooms and provide information about where to get vaccinated. If you are a small business and have questions about this policy, call NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692)

Available Growth & Recovery Grants

NYC Small Business Resource Network: Open + Online

Your business needs a great website. The Network can build it for you. Apply for a FREE new website at SMALLBIZ.NYC as part of our NYC Small Biz: Open + Online program! Congratulations to Priscilla Dominguez on her FREE website provided by the NYC Small Business Resource Network. Click HERE to view website.

Child Care Stabilization Grants Are Here!

Child care providers, the NYS Child Care Stabilization Grant application is now live! Review the eligibility requirements and complete the application today. Apply Here

Restaurant Return To Work Tax Credit

The $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program provides an incentive to COVID-impacted restaurants to bring restaurant staff back-to-work, and to increase hiring at NYS restaurants. Qualifying businesses are eligible for a tax credit of $5,000 per new worker hired, up-to $50,000 per business. The Program is open to eligible restaurants located in New York City, or in an area outside of New York City that was designated an Orange or Red Zone for at least thirty consecutive days.  To be responsive to the needs of COVID-impacted restaurants, the Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit provides a Fast Track Option, which allows a business to claim the credit before the end of the tax year.  Restaurants may claim the credit after August 31, 2021 (Fast Track Option), if the business can demonstrate a net employee increase of at least 1 full-time employee as measured from April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021. Alternatively, restaurants can choose to claim the tax credit on their 2021 NYS tax return if the business can demonstrate a net employee increase of at least 1 full-time employee as measured from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.

$800 Million Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Click Here for a helpful webinar on the $800 million small business recovery grant program, which will provide funding to small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Learn More & Apply

What You Should Know

Deadline Approaching for HERO Act Employee Notification

The HERO Act requires employers to adopt and maintain an airborne infectious disease prevention plan to be implemented when an airborne infectious disease is designated by the New York State Commissioner of Health as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health.”   The deadline for communicating the existence of your plan to your employees is Saturday, September 4, 2021.   Learn more about the HERO Act deadline and find sample language you can use to implement your plan.

Upcoming Events

Small Business Service: M/WBE Certification Webinar

The New York City Department of Small Business Services will be hosting a certification workshop for August through September 2021. Join SBS to learn about the following. Certification program overview Registering in the Payee Information Portal (PIP) Registering for product service (NIGP) codes Starting a MWBE certification application Wednesday, August 25, 2021 2:00pm - 3:30pm English: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/155685729207

Applying for Loans/Grants for NYC Small Business

This webinar will provide guidance for businesses interested in applying for loans and grants. In addition to providing an overview of available financing options, SBS will share tips to consider before taking on debt, an overview of documents commonly required to apply for a loan, and a summary of other loans and grants that are currently available for NYC businesses. Register Here

Building Your Business Operations

Many businesses fail not because of a bad business idea, but because there was no system that standardized, measured, and improved its operations.  The goal of this course is to help you translate your business concept into an efficient operation that continuously improves and raises your bottom line. During this course, you will Learn about the value and components of a business operational plan Map your business’s processes, resources, and partners using a business model canvas Identify your critical processes, and alternative processes for them Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and KPI goals for your business Register Here

Upcoming: Bronx Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala

Mark Your Calendars For Our 2021 Gala on September 30, 2021 The Bronx Is Back In Business Make sure to visit our webpage for more information.  We're going to make it a night to remember!  Honoring: Ruben Diaz Jr. - Bronx Borough President Lucy McMillan - Arnold & Porter Aurelia Greene - Former Deputy Bronx Borough President & Assemblywoman (posthumously) More to announce