Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video:   Hunts Point Access Plan, Phase 1 Complete   Governor Hochul Leads South Bronx Business Tour   Veterans Day Luncheon Salutes Armed Services   Business Development Team Hit in Hunts Point & Bronx Industrial areas Legislative & Advocacy Updates   Int. 813, Amending Marketing Commission Cap for Third Party Delivery Apps   Election Day, November 8th   2022 SOMOS Conference   Reminder: New York Marathon is this Sunday - use Public Transportation to avoid traffic Funding Opportunities   NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses Upcoming Events   Save the Date, Annual Holiday Party, December 8th

HUNTS POINT ACCESS PLAN PHASE 1 COMPLETE PART OF A $1.7B INVESTMENT IN THE BRONX

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of Phase One of the State's $1.7 billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project on time and under budget. This major milestone marks the full completion of new and improved access to Edgewater Road for motorists, taking thousands of trucks off local streets every day and improving access to the Hunts Point Terminal Market. Phase One of the project provides new traffic signals for enhanced safety, community spaces for recreation, and safer access for pedestrians and bicyclists. The $460 million Phase One contract is part of an unprecedented State investment to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in the South Bronx while also improving the quality of life for residents. Phase 1 included:   Completion of New Two-Way Ramp to Edgewater Road from Sheridan Boulevard Will Take Thousands of Trucks Off Local Streets Daily, Enhance Air Quality and Reduce Noise Pollution   New Community Green Spaces and New Shared-Use Paths for Enhanced Pedestrian and Cyclist Access to the Bronx River and Recreational Opportunities   New Ramp from Eastbound Bruckner Expressway to Edgewater Road; New Ramp on Leggett Avenue from the Hunts Point Peninsula to Bruckner Expressway   Project is Part of Unprecedented State Investment To Enhance Infrastructure and Quality of Life for Residents in the South Bronx Phase 2 included the improvements noted in the diagram below:

GOVERNOR HOCHUL LEADS SOUTH BRONX BUSINESS TOUR MEETS BRONX CHAMBER MEMBERS & AVENUE NYC PROGRAM TEAM

Bringing Chamber members and NYS Leadership together. Keeping the focus on business development and empowering Bronx communities, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce in partnership with our members, leadership and community stakeholders have mobilized businesses and community leaders with elected officials to highlight business challenges and opportunities in the Bronx. This week the Bronx Chamber of Commerce with Third Avenue Business Improvement District hosted Governor Kathy Hochul for a South Bronx small business tour highlighting the organization's work in the area and business challenges and opportunities. Areas addressed include:    Public Safety & Quality of Life    Infrastructure needs & mission driven development    Access to financing and working capital    Decreasing punitive regulations    Emerging industries and business sectors  The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is grateful to our members and Board members for their input. We'd especially like to thank Great Performances, Mae, Mae Cafe, Beatstro, The Lit. Bar, Playa Gelato, and ChocoBar Cortes, as well as our Avenue NYC Program Manager for assisting with this tour.

Governor Hochul with Executive Board Member, Liz Neumark at Mae, Mae Cafe Governor Hochul with Bronx Chamber Members, Alfredo Angueria and Junior Martinez of Hoodspitality at Beatstro.

VETERAN'S LUNCHEON: HONORING OUR HEROES NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Join the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the service of 50 veterans during an annual luncheon and recognition ceremony at Pasquale Rigoletto's, 2311 Arthur Avenue on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Under the Board leadership of Anthony Mormile and John Bonizio the Chamber salutes those who sacrificed so much for our communities and our country. This year we honor five veterans from each branch of the Armed Services. We celebrate these individuals for their dedication to protecting our nation's freedoms and ideals:   Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia, U.S Army   Master Sgt. Chris Devoy, U.S Marine Corps   Seaman Michael Ramirez, U.S Navy   Senior Airman Chris Kocovic, U.S Airforce   Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich, U.S Coast Guard Veterans are encouraged to attend and receive complementary admission to this annual Bronx Chamber signature event. If you are a Veteran that would like to attend, please email: events@bronxchamber.org. If you or your firm would like to sponsor the event and sustained programming for veterans please email, admin@bronxchamber.org. This event is complementary to all Veterans, but registration is required.

DELIVERING SERVICES TO BRONX INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES

From Hunts Point and Port Morris to Bathgate and Zerega, the Bronx Chamber Business Development team and Small Business Resource Network have been assisting industrial businesses with real estate advisory services, navigating government, securing access to to capital, and working to ensure infrastructure projects are completed on time and on budget. Key focus industry areas include: distilleries and breweries, makerspaces, food distribution centers, construction and mechanical services, life sciences, and emerging technologies. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, NYC EDC, and elected officials will continue tours and planning efforts to assist the Bronx's five industrial business zones. The next tour will be in Hunts Point at the end of November.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

Election Day is Here. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Polls are open from 6am to 9pm. Early Voting Period is October 29, 2022 - November 6, 2022.   Voters must vote at their assigned Early Voting Site. Visit Poll Site locator to find your Early Voting or Election Day poll site.

INT. 813 - AMENDS CAP PLACED ON MARKETING FEES FOR 3RD PARTY DELIVERY APPS Councilmembers Holden and Velazquez introduced bill 813, an amendment to this bill which has no impact on the 15% cap on delivery, but simply allows restaurants the choice to enter contracts above the 5% marketing ceiling, if they so choose. Put simply, if a restaurant has the financial means and is interested in paying more than the 5% commission to opt into greater visibility, promotions, etc., it should have the ability to do so. Eliminating the marketing services cap will allow independent restaurants greater leverage to compete against larger, more well-established enterprises. To-date, there are 15 cosponsors of this bill, and we anticipate more joining prior to the amendment's introduction

2022 SOMOS CONFERENCE PUTS SMALL BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joins the New York City 5-Chamber Alliance, Bronx small businesses and Chamber members, the U.S Small Business Administration, and the New York City Council to lead a small business panel and reception focused on business development and recovery in New York City. Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin and Legislative Committee Chair Michael Brady as well as Chamber Board members will be on hand to discuss Bronx economic development, business challenges and opportunities. Have something on your mind that we should address? Email, communications@bronxchamber.org 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. UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, November 5 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm Mott Haven Fall Photo Session Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Avenue NYC Program in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx for a Fall Photo Session. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Enjoy beautiful Fall weather, some complementary photography, and hot chocolate by ChocoBar Cortes, or gelato, by Playa Gelato. Services are first come, first serve.