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(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Bronx Metro North Groundbreaking 2022 Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive New Executive Officers Voted in by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Board Legislative & Advocacy Updates Department of Consumer Affairs & Worker Protection Updates Just Cause Bill Introduction Deliveristas Minimum Wage Bill Funding Opportunities Member Spotlight Tax Focused Collab, 2022 Tax Year Insight Session Upcoming Events Business Development Workshops

BRONX METRONORTH STATIONS GROUNDBREAKING LAUNCHES CONSTRUCTION ON THE PENN ACCESS PLAN

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressmembers Ritchie Torres and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, MTA Chair Janno, Amtrak Chairman, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson for the ground breaking of the four MTA Metro North stations long planned for the Bronx as part of the Penn Access Plan. The Governor today announced the groundbreaking for the Metro-North Penn Station Access project alongside leaders from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority during a ceremony in the Bronx this morning. With four new stations in the Bronx (Coop City, Parkchester, Morris Park, and Hunts Point), this project will bring rail service within one mile of 500,000 residents and will be the largest expansion of Metro-North Railroad since it was founded in 1983. By offering rail service to and from Manhattan, Westchester and Connecticut, this will expand access to jobs, education and entertainment for East Bronx communities. Additionally, the project will greatly reduce travel times, provide reverse commuting opportunities and offer a critical second route into Manhattan for the first time ever through Metro-North. The expansion will use Amtrak's Hell Gate Line to access Penn Station, optimizing existing infrastructure and minimizing the construction impact on surrounding communities. Metro-North trains stopping at the four new Bronx stations will serve as an extension of the New Haven Line from the New Rochelle Station, offering transit options in the East Bronx to Midtown Manhattan as well as points in Westchester, Connecticut and inversely.

Congressman Ritchie Torres addresses the audience during the groundbreaking. NYS Governor Kathy Hochul addresses the audience during the Metro North groundbreaking ceremony.

WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY PARTY GIVING BACK GIFT DRIVE FOR ASTOR FAMILY SERVICES

The Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce welcomed nearly 200 guests to the signature  Winter Wonderland Holiday Party on Thursday, December 8 at Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course. The event brought together elected officials, business owners, community partners and institutions for an evening of celebration and good work as the organization recognized Astor Family and Children's Services with the annual holiday toy and gift drive. Guests were treated to a fun night of cocktails, dinner, dancing and a special performance by C-Bank! The annual holiday party has emerged as one of the not to be missed holiday events on the Bronx social and business calendar. The Bronx Chamber team thanks the dedicated staff at Pelham Bay Split Rock, the Bronx Chamber team, our Board of Directors, sponsors, supporters, and members for their generous commitment to the Chamber and the Bronx. Be on the look out on Bronx Chamber social media for the 2022 Holiday Party photos using @thenewbxcc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECT NEW OFFICERS

During the annual meeting of the Board of Directors for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce new officers and members of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Executive Committee were elected. New Board Officers include: Anthony Mormile, Senior Vice President at Orange Bank & Trust - Chair John Bonizio, Metro Optics Eyewear - Vice Chair Jessica Gonzalez, Chief Financial Officer of American Maintenance - Treasurer Phillip Grant, Chief Executive Officer at Hunts Point Produce Markets - Secretary New members of the Executive Committee include:    Joanna Simone, Simone Development    John Bonizio, Metro Optics Eyewear    Phillip Grant, Hunts Point Produce Market    Madeline Marquez, Ponce Bank During the meeting the Bronx Chamber of Commerce also expanded the number of members to serve on the Board of Directors noting enhanced diversity and representation of the entire Bronx and business community. Beginning in January 2023 the Bronx Chamber will undergo a strategic planning process to enhance and grow existing Bronx Chamber business and economic development programs.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

Just Cause Bill, also known as the Secure Jobs Act, was introduced by Queens Councilmember Tiffany Caban on Wednesday, December 7. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is closely monitoring this bill which seeks to expand Just Cause legislation. In July 2021, NYC’s just cause laws for fast food employees went into effect. Enacted December 17, 2020, as Local Laws 1 and 2 of 2021 and sponsored by now-Comptroller Lander and now-Speaker Adams, under the laws fast food employers cannot fire or lay off non-salaried workers or reduce their hours by more than 15 percent without just cause or a legitimate economic reason. The proposed Just Cause expansion, expected to be introduced by Queen's Councilmember Tiffany Caban, would make a series of changes to the existing legislation to both expand the workers covered and tighten up the regulatory framework including:   Expand the law to cover all employees and employers within the city regardless of size or pay.   Revise the definition of bona fide economic reason to require any reduction in volume of production, sales or profit precipitating a layoff be by greater than 15.   Make both the third-party client and an employment agency employing an employee jointly and severally responsible for complying with the law and prohibited from discharge without just cause  Exempting short-term positions of six months or less pursuant to a written contract that specific sizes the position will end after a specified period of time from complying with the law provided that the employer does not hire another employee to perform similar work for 180 days after the end of the short- term contract.   Prohibit an employer from relying on worker data gathered through electronic monitoring in discharging, disciplining, or promoting an employee. An employer must disclose in advance to employees any electronic monitoring or data collection at a workplace or job site, disclose the purposes for which the data will be used, and provide employees meaningful opportunities to challenge any data collected by electronic monitoring.   Require at least 15 days to elapse between an initial warning or discipline and termination for just cause, except where termination is for an egregious failure by the employee to perform their duties, or for egregious misconduct.   Except where termination is for an egregious failure by the employee to perform their duties, or for egregious misconduct, require 14 days’ notice of any discharge and require the employer to provide a written explanation of the precise reasons for discharge within 5 days of such notice.   Require an employer to offer a newly available position to every worker discharged for a bonafide economic reason, starting with the worker with the greatest length of service with the employer, before hiring or subcontracting for a new employee.   Require an employer to pay a discharged employee severance pay within 14 days of discharge equal to one hour for every 12.5 hours worked by the employee for the first 2,080 hours worked and one hour for every 50 hours worked thereafter, except if the employee is discharged for egregious misconduct or was in a short-term position.   Allow current or former employees, non-profits or labor organizations and the comptroller to bring public enforcement actions to pursue civil penalties and injunctive or declaratory relief.

Department of Consumer Affairs & Worker Protection The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is proposing to amend rules to repeal certain violations and make other violations curable to reform small business regulations without compromising consumer and worker wellbeing. DCWP will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. The public hearing will take place at 11:00AM on Friday, December 30, 2022. The public hearing will be accessible by phone and videoconference.   To participate in the public hearing via phone, please dial 646-893-7101   Meeting ID: 280 688 571 103   Passcode: fVo8q5 Department of Consumer Affairs & Worker Protection Proposes Delivery Worker Minimum Wage Increase New York City is proposing a minimum pay rate of nearly $24 an hour for "deliveristas," delivery workers engaged in the app-delivery sector. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP” or “Department”) is proposing to add rules establishing a method for determining the minimum payments that must be made to a food delivery worker by a third-party food delivery service or third-party courier service, as required by New York City Administrative Code § 20- 1522. The proposal, billed as the first of its kind, would cover salary and expenses, as well as a payment to offset the delivery workers' lack of insurance. DCWP released a report on pay and working conditions of app-based restaurant delivery workers in New York City and the proposed effects of its proposed minimum pay rate. The report summarizes results from DCWP’s study of app-based restaurant delivery workers in New York City. The report draws from data obtained from restaurant delivery apps, surveys distributed to delivery workers and restaurants, testimony from DCWP’s public hearing, extensive discussions with stakeholders and publicly available data.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credit Program for Low-Income Families A one-time, low-income utility bill credit is now available to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. This credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit. The bill credit is expected to be applied to customers' accounts by August 1, 2022. Any eligible low-income customer that enrolls in EAP before December 31, 2022 will be included in the bill credit program. Learn more about the program here. Temporary Assistance (TA) funding may continue to be utilized to pay utility arrears when the applicant presents with an emergency or immediate need, after first exploring the availability of HEAP. A payment can be made to prevent termination if it is determined that an immediate threat of shut off is present and the applicant/recipient (A/R) is otherwise eligible. Heating and Cooling Assistance (HEAP) 2022-2023 The regular HEAP season opened on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here. The Emergency HEAP Benefit opens on January 1, 2023. The Emergency HEAP Benefit provides assistance to those who are in a heat related emergency. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.

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. Bronx Chamber of Commerce  1200 Waters Place, Suite 106, Bronx, NY 10461