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(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: 2022 Bronx Chamber Gala Thank You NYC Districting Commission Vote Asylum Seekers Housing Update Coffee & Conversation Series Legislative & Advocacy Updates One Stop Shop NYC Portal Open Dining Lawsuit Bruckner Blvd Rezoning Funding Opportunities NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses Upcoming Events Autumn Soiree Networking Event at Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy

2022 BRONX CHAMBER GALA - THANK YOU

On behalf of the Board of Directors and leadership team at The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, thank you for attending the 2022 Gala: Celebrating Our Members on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Marina Del Rey. The evening was a historic success! Not only in celebrating the stellar accomplishments and leadership of Joseph Kelleher, John Collazzi, and the New York Yankees, but also in the record setting number of attendees, top tier entertainment, and the formation of the Bronx Champions Circle.  The Bronx Champions Circle, created with support from founding investors Simone Development and The New York Yankees, provides long term, strategic, and sustainable financial support for The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. More details on the Bronx Champions Circle will be announced during the Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Chairman's Reception. We again, thank you for your generous commitment to The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and especially acknowledge, Simone Development, The New York Yankees, Metro Optics Eyewear, Third Avenue Business Improvement District, DJ Ambulette Services, Bronx Design Group, KZA Realty, Mercy College, Monroe College, Great Performances, RiteCheck Cashing, Amazon, Fresh Direct, Con Edison, The Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy, DoorDash, Lemle & Wolff, Ponce Bank, Montefiore Medical Center, and RXR. We also give our heartfelt thanks to our Board of Directors and the 2022 Gala Host Committee for their work to make the evening a great success. We appreciate the ongoing support of our members, businesses, donors, philanthropists, community leaders, and agency officials present throughout the evening. We recommit ourselves to our mission of serving Bronx businesses and charting a forward thinking economic development strategy for our borough and city. To see photos from the event, Click Here

NEW YORK CITY DISTRICTING COMMISSION UPDATE

On Thursday, the NYC Districting Commission voted to release a revised map to the New York City Council for its consideration. You may watch the public meeting vote here. The maps are available for viewing here. For additional information on the City Council redistricting process, please click here.  The New York City Districting Commission today voted to submit the 51 newly drawn City Council district maps to the City Council.   These maps were revised from the preliminary plan published by the Commission in July and a proposed revised plan in September that was not approved by the Commission. The maps represent a response to over 12,500 submissions offered by New Yorkers in person or via Zoom during more than 35 hours of public hearings; by email; and by regular mail. A new plan is drawn by the Districting Commission every ten years following the U.S. Census. The Commission is made up of 15 members appointed by the Mayor and the City Council. The Commission drew this plan following the requirements under the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), state law, and the City Charter of New York. To reflect these major new population changes and bring the new districts in line with the new 5% deviation state law, the Revised Plan has a range of 168,560 to 177,204 persons(the previous law had a 10% permissible deviation.)  Now, the population in these Council Districts cannot deviate from a range of 5% deviation from 172,882, the ideal district population. The maps were revised from the preliminary plan, creating a Staten Island-Brooklyn “cross-over” in District 50, to more balance the other 48 districts in population, and five borough district allocations throughout the city.

ASYLUM SEEKERS HOUSING UPDATE ORCHARD BEACH SITE RELOCATED TO RANDALLS ISLAND

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday evening, that the Orchard Beach relief center which was targeted to house up to a thousand asylum seekers will be moved to Randall’s Island in Manhattan. The announcement comes after a weekend of both protests and flooding at Orchard Beach, located in the Northeast Bronx, and further to the mayor’s earlier announcement on Sept. 22 of the construction of the Orchard Beach site. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has and will continue to work with elected officials and agencies to manage the economic and workforce ramifications of asylum seekers.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION LAUNCHES MENIN, CINTRON, LUSSKIN, SALAMANCA, VELASQUEZ

The Coffee and Conversation series, presented by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members. The program launched with Hon. Julie Menin, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Small Business addressing business concerns, fines, small BID grant funding delays, and NYC Small Business Service Oversight. It has since included solution oriented approaches to financing with the US Small Business Administration, access to State resources with Empire State Development, and will continue with City, State, and Federal partners bringing direct services and resources to our members. This action packed hour-long, virtual webinar is something you can do from work, the gym, your office - and addresses the very specific needs of our business community. Make sure you check out the full schedule and register!

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

One Stop Shop NYC Portal A new bill passed unanimously by the City Council could help streamline the complicated process of opening and operating a small business in the city. Introduction 116-A, sponsored by Councilmember Julie Menin, requires the Department of Small Business Services to create an online portal that would include all permit and license applications and any other related information into a “one-stop shop” in ten different languages. The online portal would also allow business owners to track the status of their permit and license applications and business owners could settle or pay outstanding balances on violations. It would also require a survey of small businesses every three years to determine how the online portal is working effectively and what improvements could be made. The portal would have to be up and running by November 2023 and every year after, the NYC Department of Small Business Services commissioner would be required to consult with the commissioners of several different agencies to review the one-stop shop’s efficiency and effectiveness in facilitating assistance to small businesses, consider other additions that may be included in it, and implement updates and modifications.

Open Dining Program Update The Appellate Division of New York State Courts unanimously dismissed a lawsuit challenging the NYC outdoor dining program.    This ruling paves the way for legislation that will create a permanent and standardized outdoor dining program with updated guidelines that will support local businesses, employees, and countless others who love dining alfresco.    While there is not a definitive timeline of when a permanent program’s rules and regulations will be finalized and the current emergency program will end, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with Mayor Adams’ Administration, the City Council and other stakeholders, hopefully now at an accelerated pace to implement a new and permanent outdoor dining program that we imagine will take effect at some point over the next year, however it is impossible to be certain of that timeline. In the meantime, businesses may continue operating under the temporary emergency Open Restaurants program for now.   We understand the uncertainty of when the current emergency program will end and a new permanent program will begin makes it difficult for your business to plan for the future, but unfortunately that is the nature of the legislative and legal process.

Bruckner Blvd Rezoning Moves Forward to Full City Council Vote Key City Council committees on Thursday moved forward a proposal for a major rezoning of Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx, a project supported by Mayor Eric Adams. The project passed the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchise and the full Land Use Committee, with unanimous votes in favor of the rezoning.  Councilwoman Marjorie Velasquez, who represents the area of the proposed rezoning, backed the plan after previously opposing it. The project would create 349 housing units, with 168 of those units set aside as affordable housing, including for seniors and veterans. The four buildings would also include a youth community center and a new supermarket.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy. Eligible Applicants must provide evidence, acceptable to New York State that the Eligible Applicant is operational and meets the Program requirements. As part of the application each micro-business, small business, or for-profit arts and cultural organization including independent arts contractors shall provide sufficient documentation in a manner prescribed by Empire State Development ("ESD") to demonstrate Program qualification. Only one grant per business EIN or SSN is allowed. Due to a limited amount of funding and the high volume of requests expected, business type, geography and industry may factor into ability to receive a grant. To apply, click here.

The $250 million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program provides financial assistance to New York State small businesses burdened with a range of operational costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, from structural changes and building upgrades to health-related supplies and materials. The Program offers qualifying businesses relief from the added economic burden by providing tax credits to help reduce the pandemic-related financial impact.    Small businesses can receive a tax credit of 50% of qualifying expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 in tax credits based on qualifying expenses of $50,000.  Click HERE for to apply