THE NEW BXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

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

This week's Friday Extra comes from Darry Saldana & Lisa Sorin. Topics are: Small Business Resource Network COVID Resilience Grant Key to NYC extension

What You Should Know

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PPP Forgiveness

If you received a PPP you are required to apply for forgiveness. There is a 5-minute application that has to be completed in order to have this money completely forgiven, otherwise it becomes a loan in which the SBA and IRS will require to be repaid. We urge everyone who received a PPP loan to apply for forgiveness to avoid having to repay whatever money they received. Click Here for More Information

Guidance Issued for Mayor de Blasio's Expanded Vaccine Mandate

Starting December 27, Mayor Bill de Blasio is expanding the vaccine mandate to include private businesses. Earlier today, the City has finally shared the guidance regarding the expanded mandate. The full details can be found here, but here are some highlights: Beginning December 27, workers in New York City who perform in-person work or interact with the public in the course of business must show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Workers will then have 45 days to show proof of their second dose (for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines). Businesses may not allow any unvaccinated workers to come to their workplace. A workplace is considered any location — including a vehicle — where you work in the presence of at least one other person. Businesses must verify and keep a record of each worker’s proof of vaccination by December 27. There are three potential methods to accomplish this, all of which can be found here.  By December 27, businesses must complete a certificate affirming they are in compliance with this requirement and post it in a public place.

Information Related to Governor Hochul's Mask and Vaccine Protocols

The Governor’s office has released useful information as it relates to implementing the new statewide mask and vaccine requirements.   Specifically: FAQs regarding the new requirements can be accessed Here Mask and Vaccine Posters for businesses are available Here and Here The NYS Health Commissioner's Determination can be found Here The measures are effective until Jan. 15, 2022 at which time the State will re-evaluate the data and assess appropriate next steps. The Governor’s full press release also includes information on vaccines and boosters as well as the Excelsior Pass.

Grants of up to $50,000 now available for small businesses in New York State

The New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant is administered by Empire State Development (ESD) and powered by Lendistry. The $800 million 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.  Who is Eligible?  Small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations with fewer than 100 employees that are currently viable and have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019, and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (may be shuttered due to Covid-19 restrictions).  Small businesses and micro-businesses must:  Have 2019 or 2020 Gross Receipts of between $25,000 and $2,500,000 per annum as reflected on Applicant’s filed federal tax returns;  Demonstrate positive net profit on 2019 Business Return ($1 or greater); and,  Demonstrate at least a twenty-five (25%) loss in annual gross receipts in a year-to-year revenue comparison as of December 31, 2020, to the same period in 2019, in each case, as reflected on Applicant’s 2019 and 2020 filed federal tax returns, including any 2020 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and/or Lost Wage Assistance Programs as verified by NYS Department of Labor.  Grants must be used for Covid-19 related expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021. Please visit www.nysmallbusinessrecovery.com for more information or to apply. For language assistance, guidance on eligibility requirements or any additional questions, please contact the program's call center at 1-877-721-0097. APPLICATIONS DUE BY JANUARY 6,2022

FYI: Payments on Vaccine Mandate for Human Service Contracts

The City has announced that eligible vaccine-related expenses ($500 vaccine incentive for employees and up to 4 hours of paid leave to employees to accompany their children, 5 to 11 years old, to each COVID-19 vaccination) can be reimbursed on DYCD contracts for DYCD funded contracted staff. If you have made these expenses, below is the process to ensure you are reimbursed:  When you have identified the applicable staff, please mod the amount needed to the incentive line in your budget and submit the “Budget Modification Justification Form” detailing the number of staff who received the $500 vaccine mandate incentive and the staff whose hours will be charged for up to 4 hours. The “Budget Modification Justification Form” can be found here. For reimbursement, please submit a separate invoice for funds on the indirect line labeled “vaccine mandate” and attach the enclosed DYCD provider attestation form with the requested information. For audit purposes, we strongly recommend that staff hours charged are reflected in your organization’s timesheets and payroll records. Additionally, there should be record-keeping of all staff who were given a gift card. As we are in the second quarter of the fiscal year and all funds have not been exhausted, any requests for additional funds can be submitted to your program manager in April. Upon review, DYCD will add the supplemental funds. If you have any questions, please send them to cafdhelp@dycd.nyc.gov

Business Spotlight

CRAB DU JOUR CELEBRATES PELHAM MANOR LOCATION

Crab Du Jour Cajun Seafood Boil & Bar is thrilled to announce its long-awaited grand opening celebration in Pelham Manor, NY. The restaurant is located at 810 Pelham Parkway in Pelham Manor with a lease that was signed pre-COVID, marks the 74th location for the burgeoning hospitality and restaurant group. Pelham Manor is the nineteenth restaurant in the greater New York City area, with other locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and Coney Island. Nine additional Crab Du Jour locations are slated to open in 2022 in Brooklyn, Bronx and White Plains.