Saturday, March 12, 2022

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 12, 2022

 Clinical specimen testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Wadsworth Laboratory

Lowest 7-day Average Positivity Since July 20

Daily Statewide Positivity Has Been Under 2% for More Than Two Consecutive Weeks

18 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday


 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

“We are seeing astounding progress each day in our fight against COVID-19,” Governor Hochul said. “While this pandemic has been unpredictable at times, I’m proud of New Yorkers for continuously putting the work in to keep themselves and their communities safe. Our best weapon against this pandemic is the vaccine, and thousands of New Yorkers are continuing to get vaccinated each day. If you’re a parent and haven’t signed your child up for their shot yet, talk to your pediatrician and get them an appointment today.”

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Test Results Reported – 130,990
  • Total Positive – 1,799
  • Percent Positive – 1.37%
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive  1.39%
  • Patient Hospitalization – 1,165 (-80)
  • Patients Newly Admitted – 135
  • Patients in ICU – 189 (-10)
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation – 117 (-5)
  • Total Discharges  288,142 (+185)
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 18
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 54,938  

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

  • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC – 69,689   

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.      

  • Total vaccine doses administered – 37,211,448
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 13,966
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 102,459
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 91.8%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series – 83.2%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 95.0%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 85.8%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC)  82.1%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 72.0%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 81.3% 
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 73.5%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 89.2% 
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 75.8%
Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:  

Borough in NYC 

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 

Thursday, March 10, 2022 

Friday, March 11, 2022 

Bronx 

0.75% 

0.72% 

0.48% 

Kings 

0.93% 

0.95% 

0.92% 

New York 

1.37% 

1.35% 

1.31% 

Queens 

0.89% 

0.84% 

0.76% 

Richmond 

1.21% 

1.13% 

1.00% 

MAYOR ADAMS PUSHES FOR EQUITABLE RECOVERY BY REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO BOLSTERING NEW YORK CITY’S SOCIAL SAFETY NET

 

Mayor Adams Proposes Increasing NYC’s EITC Benefit and Match with Additional State Investment

 

Mayor Also Proposes Tax Incentives to Promote Affordable, Accessible Childcare for Working Families


 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today was joined by elected officials and community leaders at Union Settlement in East Harlem to applaud New York state’s early efforts to make significant investments in New York City’s social safety net in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 23) budget. At today’s event — which comes just days after Mayor Adams released Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” that outlines his vision for the city’s economic recovery and future — the mayor highlighted two specific policy areas being considered by his colleagues in Albany that will help put more money in the pockets of working New Yorkers and make it easier for them to rejoin the workforce: An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and a deepening of investments in childcare.

 

“As we chart our economic recovery, we cannot leave behind working people, who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Mayor Adams. “That’s why we are working in partnership with state lawmakers to expand the EITC and deepen investments in childcare as part of this year’s budget. These are concrete policies that will bolster the city’s social safety net and make a meaningful difference for working families.”

 

“Every family across our city deserves equitable access to affordable, high-quality childcare, particularly for our infants and toddlers,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “This would be an especially critical support for working women of color, who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and the economic fallout. With a significant state investment, we can deliver on Mayor Adams’ signature agenda of making New York City a better place to raise healthy children and families. Now is the time to act, and we thank our colleagues in Albany for their partnership.” 

 

“Strengthening and expanding our childcare system is an investment in the health, well-being, and future success of our youngest New Yorkers, and is a critical support for working parents,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “I look forward to working with our partners in New York state to deliver on childcare and other critical social safety net supports to our families as we focus on making our city even stronger and more equitable.” 

 

Mayor Adams has previously laid out a proposal to increase the EITC match from five percent to up to 30 percent, bringing the city’s total investment to $342 million. Additionally, he has been encouraged by early state efforts to match this effort by investing an additional $250 million in the state budget. The state and city match to the EITC has not been increased in almost 20 years. Expanding the EITC will help nearly 900,000 New Yorkers who qualify to better afford essential items like food, rent, and utilities, and will supercharge New York City’s economic recovery.

 

In addition, Mayor Adams has made deepening investments in affordable, accessible childcare for working New Yorkers a cornerstone of his administration. He hailed the state Legislature for recently proposing an allocation of more than $3 billion toward expanding childcare seats and eligibility in this year’s budget. In order to ensure this significant investment reaches those who need it most, the mayor is proposing that the state also authorize the city to provide property tax abatement for property owners who retrofit property to establish childcare centers and offer tax credits for businesses that provide free or subsidized childcare. The two proposals combined would make an estimated $50 million investment in New York City families in FY2023.

 

“For our city to move forward with an equitable recovery, we must invest in our working families by increasing the amount of the Earned Income Tax Credit to be in line with the reality of today’s cost of living,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Each year, NYC Free Tax Prep helps families file for the EITC, and we see the relief this credit brings to families as they pay bills, find childcare, and buy groceries. I thank Mayor Adams for being a champion of this effort!”

 

“The Earned Income Tax Credit has proven to be an important source of revenue for New Yorkers, especially for the low-income households to whom we provide services,” Eileen Torres, executive director, BronxWorks. “An increase to the EITC is vital to those families who qualify for the credit, especially during these challenging times. We urge our state leaders to pave the way and further invest in this proven resource to help break the cycle of poverty.”

 

“We know the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on families with a disproportionate impact on low-income households and women of color,” said Jennifer March, Phd., executive director, Citizens' Committee for Children of New York. “From federal tax credit expansions this year, we've seen clear evidence that providing direct cash to families has a significant return on investment for families, for communities, and for the economy. We applaud Mayor Adams for proposing the first increase to the Earned Income Tax Credit in 20 years and look forward to working with his administration to continue to advance efforts that lift incomes for families and alleviate poverty.”

 

“Expanding the city EITC would be a prudent way not only to expedite the city’s recovery but also to alleviate poverty, especially in communities that had to bear the brunt of the pandemic and the recession,” said David R. Jones, president and CEO, Community Service Society of New York. “It is a program that is designed to help low-income families transition into economic security by rewarding work and encouraging effort. Beyond immediate income support, EITC has been shown to improve children’s long-term education and health. Mayor Adams’ proposal to expand the city and state EITC will be immensely impactful by improving lives of millions of hard-working New Yorkers.”

 

“It’s clearer than ever that the best ways, by far, to fight poverty and hunger are to reward work and enable struggling people to obtain more cash to help them pay their bills,” said Joel Berg, CEO, Hunger Free America. “Mayor Adams is right on target in proposing for the city to expand the local Earned Income Tax Credit that accomplishes exactly that.”

 

“We wholeheartedly support Mayor Adams in his determined push for EITC relief to assist working New Yorkers in these difficult economic times,” said Louis P. Welz, CEO, Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush. “As CEO of a busy Brooklyn-based social services agency, I know firsthand the challenges confronting so many of our families, and how much they stand to benefit from the mayor's efforts on their behalf.”

 

“As a leading tech skills trainer here in New York City, I know firsthand just how many of our Per Scholas learners rely on the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Plinio Ayala, president and CEO, Per Scholas. “At a time when economic uncertainty and the continued strain of the pandemic threatens to disrupt the potential prosperity of New Yorkers, an EITC increase couldn't be more essential. I applaud Mayor Adams for his commitment to expanding the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit — It's long overdue, and can make such a difference for individuals, families, and our beloved city.”

 

Permits Filed For 3103 Sedgwick Avenue In Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 3103 Sedgwick Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. Located between Perot Street and Fort Independence Street, the lot is in walking distance of the 231st Street subway station, serviced by the 1 train. Moses Freund of The Vaja Group is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 60-foot-tall development will yield 21,611 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 32 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 675 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 37-foot-long rear yard, five open parking spaces, and 11 enclosed parking spaces.

S. Wieder Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

 

(Friday) Extra, Extra
Click here for this week's video featuring Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin, covering:


Mayor Eric Adams' Blueprint for Economic Recovery
Lisa's appointment to the NYC Districting Commission
Upcoming Chamber Education and Networking Events
and more!
Chamber Leadership News
Mayor Adams Appoints Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin
To NYC Districting Commission

On Tuesday March 8, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced seven mayoral appointees to the New York City Districting Commission, including our very own Lisa Sorin, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. The commission — comprised of seven members appointed by the mayor and eight members appointed by the City Council — will be tasked with redrawing council district boundaries in advance of the upcoming City Council elections in 2023.

The City Charter requires the City Council and the mayor to appoint an independent Districting Commission every 10 years, following the decennial census, to ensure that council districts continue to reflect population and demographic changes. Commission members will soon begin meeting to review all relevant laws, regulations, and the most recent census data. After a series of public hearings and meetings, the commission will develop a final plan, which must be submitted to the City Council by the end of the year.

Mayor's Blueprint For Economic Recovery
On Thursday March 10, President Sorin, along with the 4 Presidents of our fellow NYC Borough Chambers, attended Mayor Adams's press event at Hunts Point Produce Market to officially launch Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for Economic Recovery. The five key strategies presented in the plan are as follows:

• Restarting our city’s economic engines and reactivating the public realm
• Supporting small businesses, entrepreneurship, and a more equitable economy
• Driving inclusive sector growth and building a future-focused economy
• Connecting New Yorkers to quality jobs & in-demand skills
• Planning and building for inclusive growth now and in the future

 We encourage you to CLICK HERE to read the Mayor's complete Blueprint and
watch this week's Friday Extra video for more details
Don't Miss Our March Events!
Join the Bronx Chamber and TD Bank for a free online workshop, part of our BXCC How to Get Bankable Series:
Establishing & Fixing Business Credit

Debt vs Equity – pros and cons
Why too much money can weight heavily on the balance sheet, but with too little you can run out of capital

Tuesday, March 15 9:00 - 10:00am

Wed. March 16 6:00 - 8:00pm
St. Patrick's Day Networking Mixer

Jimmy Ryan's
3005 Middletown Road Bronx, NY 10461

Member Tickets: $20 Future Members: $25

Register HERE (Space is limited, so don't delay!)
Tues. March 29 8:30 - 10:00am
The Conference Center at 1200 Waters Place, Hutch Metro Center

Join representatives from Ponce Bank as they present an in-person workshop on Risk Management to the Bronx Chamber community, covering:

Building Your Financial Future
Assets and Assets Building
Creating A Financial Foundation
Training and Education

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!
NYC Small Business Services Webinar
Monday, March 14 from 1:00 - 3:00pm
Being M/WBE certified with the City of New York is an investment in the future of your business and gives you competitive advantages to help your business grow. If you are already certified, New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) strongly encourages you to re-certify as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business.

Recertification Process
Recertification options
SBS Connect
Accessing the system
Connecting to your records
Applying
Annual Affirmation
Contact Us/Q&A
Bronx Chamber Foundation Signature Event
Women of Distinction Scholarship Awards Luncheon
Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope

Honoring Christine Croke, RN
Montefiore Weiler Hospital, Einstein Campus

Friday, March 25, 2022
11:30am - 2:00pm at Villa Barone Manor

Click HERE for Sponsorship Packages

Many thanks to our sponsors (list to date):
Con Edison, Ponce Bank, Verizon, The Monroe Foundation, Simone Development, New York Botanical Garden, Orange Bank & Trust Co., KZA Realty, Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy, F&F Insurance, Metro Optics, & MBD Housing

For Tickets: foundation@bronxchamber.org
Chamber Members Giving Back: GrubHub
The devastating impact of the horrific fire at Twin Parks North West in January continues to reverberate in the Bronx. As survivors continue on the road to recovery, Grubhub will donate $100,000 to BronxWorks to address the long-term needs of over 120 families, working with elected and local officials who helped identify the need for funds. Click HERE for the full news release.

The Bronx Chamber salutes our Chairman's Circle member Grubhub for their extraordinarily generous donation to BronxWorks - a longtime Chamber member and cornerstone of the Bronx nonprofit community - toward their long-term fire recovery efforts. To see our members join forces in support of those who have faced such devastating loss has been a silver lining of this tragedy. This is what our Bronx business community is all about.
Grant Opportunities
Apply For The American Small Business Growth Program
With Wells Fargo’s support, 700 small business owners will get access to the complete SLAP Program – with a value of $4,000 each! While all are welcome to attend the SLAP Bootcamps, only 700 US-based small business owners will get the comprehensive 13 months of support that comes with being enrolled in SLAP.