MAYOR ADAMS AND GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE MAJOR ACTIONS TO KEEP SUBWAYS SAFE AND ADDRESS TRANSIT CRIME, BUILDING ON ONGOING STATE AND CITY COLLABORATION

 

NYPD and MTA Police to Surge Officer Presence on Platforms and Trains by Approximately 1,200 Overtime Shifts Each Day – Officers Will Be Present at Over 300 Stations During Peak Hours

  

New, Dedicated Units at Psychiatric Centers Will Address Street and Subway Unhoused Population with Severe Mental Illness 

  

New Training for MTA Police, NYPD, EMS/EMT on Best Practices for Engaging Unhoused Population, Authority for Transporting Individuals in Need of Psychiatric Evaluation 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul today announced expanded initiatives to keep New York City subways safe and address transit crime. The initiatives include a significant investment from the state’s public emergency fund and a commitment to work with the city on a dedicated revenue source to support additional police presence in the subway system. NYPD and MTA will surge officer presence on platforms by approximately 1,200 additional overtime officer shifts each day on the subway — equating to approximately 10,000 additional overtime patrol hours every day — as well as two new dedicated units at psychiatric centers to help provide those experiencing serious mental health illness with the assistance they need.  

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police Department and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) will specifically work together to strategically deploy more officers across the system and increase their presence on platforms and on trains, building on the progress made over the last eight months since Mayor Adams released his Subway Safety Plan.

 

The MTA Police are going to be deployed into the subway system at four major commuter railroad hubs — Penn Station, Grand Central Station, Atlantic Terminal, and Sutphin-Archer (Jamaica) Station. This action will result in freeing up roughly 100 NYPD officers for deployments at other priority transit locations on trains and in stations — allowing commuters and those attempting to commit crimes to see an omnipresence of officers in the transit system.  

 

Further, the MTA will continue to install cameras in each subway car to enhance security coverage and increase rider confidence, as well as have train conductors announce to riders when they are entering a station with police officers present.  

 

To continue to address the unhoused population sheltering in the subway system and those who are suffering from severe mental illness, as well as build on progress since Governor Hochul deployed Safe Options Support crisis intervention teams, Governor Hochul has directed the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to create two new, dedicated 25-bed units, for a total of 50 inpatient beds.

 

In addition, OMH will expand crisis intervention training for MTA Police, the NYPD, and EMS/EMT, teaching them best practices for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and ensuring they are fully informed of the statutory authority for the transport of individuals in need of a psychiatric evaluation. These expanded initiatives build on ongoing collaboration between the city and state on subway safety and outreach to the population experiencing homelessness. 

Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul also pledged to explore strengthening and improving laws providing assistance to those suffering from serious mental health illness.

 

“This effort will help with two things New Yorkers desperately want: The addition of hundreds of additional strategically deployed officers on our trains and help to those suffering from serious mental health illness so they can find a way out of the subway system,” said Mayor Adams. “We must address both the perception and reality of safety, and the expanded partnership we are announcing today with Governor Hochul will do just that, while building off the successes of our Subway Safety Plan. The bottom line is that riders will see more officers in the system, and so will those thinking of breaking the law. On behalf of all New Yorkers, we’re thankful for this state investment that will make our subways safer.” 

“My number one priority as governor is keeping New Yorkers safe in the streets, in their homes, in their schools, and on the subway, and we will do whatever it takes to make our subways safer for riders,” said Governor Hochul. “Our expanded subway safety strategy of Cops, Cameras, and Care will crack down on subway crime, help those experiencing homelessness get the support they need to get out of the system, and alleviate concerns of riders to ensure New Yorkers feel safer throughout the subway system. Building on our ongoing collaboration with the city, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the mayor and the NYPD to deliver the safety and security New Yorkers deserve.” 

 

“The NYPD and the MTA are proud partners in the ongoing work to keep all of those who use our subway trains and stations safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Utilizing seamless collaboration, police omnipresence, and proactive communications with the riding public, we will deepen our ability to ensure a safer transit system — and a safer city.”

 

“Today’s announcement is possible because of the partnership between city and state to assure the safety of our subway system,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Subway ridership has surged since Labor Day, and we remain focused on growing rider confidence through increased deployment of uniformed officers, cameras installed in every subway car, and further progress on quality-of-life issues. The MTA is grateful to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for their leadership and commitment to the subways.” 

 

“With Governor Hochul’s resolve to assist New York’s most vulnerable individuals living with mental illness, OMH is launching two critical initiatives to assist New Yorkers who are experiencing homelessness,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “The Transition to Home Inpatient Units will provide individuals with recovery-oriented, person-centered care towards the goal of obtaining an enriched life in the community. Additionally, a new Community Residential Step-Down Program will be available to those who need more structure and support in reintegrating to the community. It will consist of semi-independent, short-term housing with intensive recovery services designed to teach the life skills needed to successfully live in a more independent setting. These new programs will benefit from the Safe Options Support Teams, which have already been actively engaging homeless individuals living with mental illness."

Increased MTA Police and NYPD Officer Presence  

The MTA Police Department and the NYPD will work together to strategically deploy more officers and increase their presence on platforms and trains, with the MTA Police taking primary responsibility for policing the subway stations adjacent and linked to the four major commuter rail hubs by deploying platoons of officers — providing a constant 24/7 presence — thereby allowing the NYPD to increase coverage at additional stations across the subway system. The MTA Police Department’s coverage of 60 officers per day is the equivalent of 90 additional NYPD officers given the difference in length of shifts between the departments.  

 

With this additional NYPD presence and the additional support, the NYPD will dramatically increase police presence in the transit system by approximately 1,200 overtime shifts every single day, or approximately 10,000 overtime hours. New Yorkers will see officers cover platforms on extended tours in at least 300 stations during peak hours. This increase in officers will also allow dedicated Transit officers to ride hundreds of additional trains per day during peak hours. There will also be a substantial increase of officers at turnstiles that will enforce the law and deter fare evasion. Combined, this omnipresence of officers on the subways will help increase public safety and deter those from considering crimes.

 

MTA will also place security guards (Gate Guards) at certain subway stations in order to increase security presence, to function as “eyes and ears” for law enforcement, and to deter fare evasion.

  

New OMH Transition to Home Units 

Governor Hochul also today directed OMH to launch two new Transition to Home Units (THU), a new treatment program for street and subway patients experiencing homelessness with severe mental illnesses and poor community tenure who would benefit from recovery-oriented, person-centered care at OMH's center of excellence for psychopharmacological care. 

 

This new program will include two new 25-bed inpatient units, with the first one launching at Manhattan Psychiatric Center (MPC) by November 1. OMH is evaluating capacity at downstate psychiatric hospitals and will open a second unit by early next year. Both units will serve individuals aged 18 years or older with severe mental health illnesses who are experiencing homelessness, and MPC will partner with referring hospitals to provide acceptance for patients who need to be medically stabilized. The THUs will be accepting referrals from a limited number of New York City Hospitals and their Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Programs (CPEP) and expand the number of referring facilities. 

 

The THUs will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and other clinical and non-clinical personnel and provide recovery-focused treatment. The programmatic model for the THUs will include an intensive focus on life management skills that will help facilitate discharge to the community, assist those with gaining functional skills, and work with agencies within and outside of OMH to enhance engagement in mental health care. 

 

The transition of care planning process for THU patients to return to the community will include an individualized assessment of services needed to foster stability in the community. An array of services will be available to support successful community integration. 

 

As part of this new initiative, OMH will develop a Community Residential Step-Down Program to provide a transitional space for people who are being discharged directly from the THUs. This short-term residential program will include 15 units across four locations for a total of 60 transitional beds and provide service recipients with the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to move to a more independent housing setting. Individuals will also be supported in procuring benefits to ensure long-term success. 

 

Individuals in the step-down program will be connected to Safe Options Support, Assertive Community Treatment, and Intensive Mobile Treatment teams to support their transition back to the community and to permanent supportive housing within 120 days or less. 

  

Enhanced Training for Law Enforcement and First Responders 

OMH offers training to law enforcement and first responders in the fundamental crisis intervention skills training for law enforcement. The state will expand this training to inform MTA Police, NYPD, and EMS/EMT on the statutory authority for the transport of individuals in need of a psychiatric evaluation at hospitals and CPEPs. This training will also incorporate best practices for engaging the street population experiencing mental health illness.  

 

Conductor Announcements of Police Presence  

Onboard subway announcements are another tool the MTA and NYPD are using to collaboratively deter crime and assist customers in need of law enforcement. To increase public awareness of the availability of police — when present in stations and on platforms — officers will contact train conductors to announce their presence. 

 

Subway Camera Installation 

Cameras within the MTA system have proven invaluable in identifying the perpetrators of crimes and bring them to justice. To this end, as recently announced by Governor Hochul, the MTA is expanding camera coverage to the inside of over 6,500 subway cars, which will include installation of cameras in subway cars at a rate of 750 cameras per month, following the completion of a procurement process, until the entire subway car fleet is camera-equipped in late 2024. Ahead of that, 100 cameras currently on hand will be installed in the coming days across subway cars. The MTA and the NYPD continue to work hand-in-hand to ensure immediate access to cameras in the subway system.  

 

Safe Options Support Teams 

Earlier this year, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul announced that the OMH would launch Safe Options Support (SOS) Teams and deploy them in New York City. SOS teams are comprised of trained mental health professionals who coordinate with New York City-run outreach teams to engage with and assist individuals suffering from chronic street homelessness. The teams connect individuals to critical supportive services and help secure placement in emergency or supportive housing programs. Since beginning work in April, the teams have enrolled 410 individuals into such services.  

Permits Filed For 1827 Waterloo Place In Crotona, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 1827 Waterloo Place in Crotona, The Bronx. Located between East 175th and East 176th Streets, the lot is near the 174th Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Elena Borokhovich of Affordable Living NY is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 65-foot-tall development will yield 14,570 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 633 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard and seven enclosed parking spaces.

RSLN Architecture 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.

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS MARCELLA TILLETT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAYOR’S FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Marcella J Tillett as the executive director of the Mayor’s Fun to Advance New York City. The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working with 50 city agencies and offices, 300 institutional funders, and 100 community-based partners. Tillett will lead the Mayor’s Fund and work with its partners to advance initiatives that improve the lives of New Yorkers from all walks of life and across all five boroughs.

 

“Marcella Tillett is a dedicated public servant and philanthropic powerhouse, and I’m so excited to tap her to helm the Mayor’s Fund,” said Mayor Adams. “Marcella has the heart, vision, and expertise to take this agency to the next level by facilitating public-private partnerships to create a stronger and more just New York City. I look forward to working with her to meet all our city’s needs that lie ahead.”

 

“Marcella Tillett brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role of executive director of the Mayor’s Fund,” said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “I’m confident that under her dynamic leadership, the Mayor’s Fund will start a new chapter — evolving into a vibrant, innovative partner to achieve the administration’s bold vision and coordinating with our philanthropic and corporate partners across the city.”

 

“As the Mayor’s Fund approaches its third decade, it has established itself as a critical strategic partner, uniquely positioned to leverage the brilliance, innovation, and commitment of philanthropic partners, city agencies, community organizations, and other institutions towards creating a just and prosperous city for all New Yorkers,” said Marcella J Tillett, executive director, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “I am incredibly proud to join the Mayor’s Fund during this time of great need and opportunity in our city’s history. My professional and personal work has been rooted in a commitment to intersectional racial equity and social justice, which I am excited to bring into this new role. As a Black woman, who has called Brooklyn home for 20 years, I look forward to leading change on a broad range of health, social, and economic issues facing New Yorkers in diverse communities across our great city.”

 

About Marcella J Tillett:

 

Marcella J Tillett, LMSW is an experienced and transformative nonprofit and philanthropic leader, who recently served as the vice president of programs and partnerships at Brooklyn Community Foundation (BCF), directing strategic grantmaking, partnerships, and community leadership programs. She was responsible for developing, refining, and routinizing how BCF operationalized its values of racial equity, racial justice, and community engagement, with a focus on shifting power to directly impacted communities.

 

Tillett serves on national and regional philanthropy panels and advisory committees, including CF Leads Fund for Shared Insight Advisory Committee, Nonprofit Finance Fund's Capital Advancing Racial Equity Fund Advisory Committee, and Philanthropy New York’s Racial Equity Working Group.  

 

Prior to joining BCF, Tillett provided senior leadership at Planned Parenthood of New York City. Tillett spent well over a decade actively engaged in community planning and engagement work related to HIV prevention and access to care, substance misuse harm reduction, and sexual and reproductive health and justice issues in New York City and nationally. She has always aimed to assert community voices and priorities into the development of policies, services, and funding plans.

 

Tillett earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University and a master's degree in Social Work from Columbia University, where she is an adjunct professor.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 10/17/22-10/21/22

 

Dear Community,

I’m writing with exciting news! The application to apply for federal student loan debt relief is now open. This is a one-time debt relief program that will provide eligible borrowers with full or partial relief up to $20,000 to Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 to non-Pell Grant recipients. Those who qualify include individuals who made less than $125,000 in 2021 or 2020 and families that made less than $250,000 in 2021 or 2020. 

The application takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and does not require you to provide any documents. I strongly encourage those eligible to apply as soon as possible as this will ensure that you receive relief before payments resume and interest accrues. The application deadline is December 31st, 2023. Visit here for more information. 

Apply here. 

I would also like to remind everyone that the deadline to nominate individuals for the Liberty Medal Award and businesses for the Empire Award is this upcoming Wednesday, October 26th. These awards will be presented by my office to exceptional individuals and businesses who have made immeasurable and lasting contributions to District 34. 

Lastly, this upcoming Monday is Diwali. I’d like to wish everyone observing a happy Diwali!

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

Our community has been working together to bring awareness to several causes, particularly breast cancer and pregnancy and infant loss. As I mentioned earlier this month, October plays host to several awareness months that impact women in many ways, and as a community, it’s important to listen and be there for each other.

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women. In New York City, nearly 1,000 women die from breast cancer, and roughly 6,300 women are newly diagnosed. Women of color, particularly Black and Hispanic women, die at a higher rate, with Hispanic women diagnosed with more aggressive forms of cancer. These statistics are alarming, however, we can prevent the growing number of cases through early detection. This Saturday, the Italian-American Cancer Foundation will be providing no-cost mammograms to women over the age of 40 in front of my office. If you haven’t already, please pre-register for an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling my office today, Friday, October 21 from 9 AM to 5 PM at 718-931-1721 or emailing District13@council.nyc.gov.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss are topics that no one wants to discuss. This is disheartening, and unfortunately, 1-in-4 pregnancies will result in miscarriage or infant loss and 1-in-100 pregnancies at or later than 20 weeks results in stillbirth. We must arm ourselves with the knowledge to ensure we are advocating for ourselves and those at risk for loss. As a reminder, kindness is the best form of medicine.

This week, I ask everyone to check in with their friends, family, or a neighbor. Ask them how they are doing and how you can help support them. You never know what someone is going through; breast cancer and pregnancy loss affect multiple parties, including their spouse, partner, and family members, but are often not vocalized. Together we can end the stigma and bring hope to the forefront in our community.

If you have any questions or would like further information, you can reach out to my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all around the district and hope you have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Attorney General James and NYSERDA Announce Groundbreaking Energy Efficiency Project in Albany's South End

 

$1.2 Million Project Will Dramatically Improve Living Conditions for Steamboat Square Families

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Doreen M. Harris today announced over $1.2 million in joint funding for a model energy efficiency project at Steamboat Square, an Albany Housing Authority (AHA) residential complex in Albany’s South End neighborhood. The South End is a Disadvantaged Community, a designation created by the Climate Act and defined by the Climate Justice Working Group, which means the community is comprised of predominantly low- and moderate-income households that face disparate public health, environmental pollution, and climate change impacts.

The project is a model of the cost-saving and environmental benefits associated with retrofitting large multifamily buildings with rigorous, state-of-the-art energy-saving measures. The project also includes a “greening initiative” to bring new natural spaces to the Steamboat Square community, reducing air pollution, and mitigating extreme heat.

“Far too often, low-income communities and communities of color are unfairly burdened with higher-cost, lower-comfort homes due to a lack of investment in new energy- and cost-saving technology,” said Attorney General James. “With this groundbreaking project, we are improving conditions and quality of life for Steamboat Square families. I am grateful to our partners at NYSERDA and the Albany Housing Authority for working together with my office to protect New Yorkers’ health and wellbeing.”

“The Steamboat Square project illustrates what can be done to provide energy efficient, comfortable, and healthy homes for New York families living in historically underserved communities as we diligently work to achieve Governor Hochul’s goal of two million climate-friendly homes by 2030,” said Doreen M. Harris, CEO and President, NYSERDA. “NYSERDA is proud to partner with New York Attorney General James on this endeavor and we look forward to continuing to support efforts like this to help bolster vibrant, inclusive communities throughout New York state.” 

The project is part of revitalization efforts at Steamboat 20, an 88-unit high rise building in the Steamboat Square complex. The funding will support the purchase and installation of geothermal heat pump systems and other efficiency upgrades including exterior wall and roof insulation, air sealing, and installation of thermostats and energy recovery ventilation. This work will be overseen by NYSERDA.

These upgrades are expected to provide at least 40 percent energy savings and reduce climate change pollution. At the same time, the investments at Steamboat Square will significantly improve residents’ comfort by providing each apartment with air conditioning and giving each unit control over its own temperature settings, among other benefits.

An additional $91,000 in funding will be used for urban greening measures recommended in the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) October 2019 Albany South End Community Air Quality Study, and may include planting trees and other vegetation and establishing living walls, green roofs, and vegetative barriers. These measures will improve air quality, reduce local heat islands, and improve the natural environment and resident well-being in Steamboat Square and the larger South End neighborhood. This work will be implemented by AHA.

The funding for this project is provided by NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program, by National Grid’s New York State Clean Heat program, and by a 2005 settlement the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) obtained against the Ohio Edison Company. The OAG and NYSERDA have since successfully used these funds to implement a broader Green and Affordable Housing project statewide.

The project is expected to be completed by June of 2024.

“DEC is committed to improving environmental justice communities across the state and it is exciting to see this funding for Albany’s South End neighborhood,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The recommendations from DEC’s air quality study to coordinate improvements in community housing with air quality and greenhouse gas reduction goals were driven by science and community input, both of which will be critical in reaching our nation-leading climate justice goals. I applaud Attorney General James and NYSERDA President Harris for these investments.”

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: Autumn Soiree Gathers Business Leaders at Woodlawn Conservancy Visit Mott Haven Promotion Released Tour De Bronx Veteran's Luncheon: Honoring Your Service to Our Nation Legislative & Advocacy Updates Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission One Stop Shop NYC Portal Passes City Council Unanimously Election Day, November 8th Funding Opportunities NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses Small BID Grant Program Launched Upcoming Events Save the Date, Annual Holiday Party, December 8th Member Spotlight Housing Empowerment Series with Mable Ivory and Chase Bank

AUTUMN SOIREE BRINGS NETWORKING & TOURS TO WOODLAWN CONSERVANCY

Woodlawn Conservancy opened their iconic gates to The Bronx Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, October 20 for the Autumn Soiree bringing together business leaders and elected officials for a one of a kind tour of the renowned Woodlawn Cemetery. Guest's networked and toured this historic gem in the Bronx and learned stories of its inhabitants. With delicious drinks and food provided by Havana Cafe, guest took the inaugural trolley tour of illuminated art deco funerary art showcasing the architectural splendor of one of the nation's most famous burial sites while getting to know fellow New York City business owners and elected officials. Guests enjoyed speed networking, legislative updates, and got a sneak peak at the newly released September 2022 NYS Jobs Report. Be on the look out for November's networking event and the latest news and information from your Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

Speed Networking at Woodlawn Conservancy led by Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin Discussing the future of business and the Bronx with Ret. Col. Joan Davis, and Amy Gordon of Visions & Monroe College

MOTT HAVEN MARKETING PLAN LAUNCHED AVENUE NYC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO BE RELEASED IN WINTER 2022

In 2021, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce was award an Avenue NYC Grant from New York City Department of Small Business Services to conduct commercial revitalization work in the Mott Haven area of the South Bronx. The Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants fund community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to carry out programs targeting commercial districts in low- and moderate-income communities. The three year program includes data analysis, community revitalization projects, marketing, and community capacity building for businesses. At the end of Year 1 a Commercial District Needs Assessment was completed and provided a roadmap to address challenges and opportunities. In addition, marketing was completed to assist in positioning the area for future growth. This was completed in partnership with 394 South Bronx businesses, Story Telling Inc. and BRIC Media to capture the spirit of Mott Haven and is part of a comprehensive plan to assist this South Bronx neighborhood.

TOUR DE BRONX TAKES TO THE STREETS TOUR DE BRONX & LA CENTRAL YMCA OPENING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER

On Sunday, October 23 the annual Tour De Bronx will take to the streets as the largest independent group bike ride in New York State. Produced by the Bronx Council on Tourism, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and the Office of the Bronx Borough President the Tour De Bronx is an in-person 25-mile ride through the best of the Borough, highlighting Bronx Greenways, Residential Neighborhoods, Historical Districts, Waterfronts, and Tourist Attractions. Virtual tours of 40-miles and 10-miles will be made available on October 24th! Please register separately for the virtual tours. For more information and maps, or to volunteer, click here.

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

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce continues our tradition and our duty of honoring veterans who committed their lives to protecting our nation so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have in the United States. Please 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. 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.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION LAND USE & OUR ECONOMY HON. RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR

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. Land Use & Our Economy features Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Chair of the Land Use Committee, to discuss Bronx economic development projects including Hunts Point, and the Kingsbridge Armory, as well as zoning text amendment reforms and his thoughts on the Bronx and NYC economy. 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

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Appointed to NYC Small Business Commission Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department Of Small Business Services announced Formation Of Small Business Advisory Commission. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has been appointed to serve on the Commission, as well as on the Adams Commission for the NYC Department of Buildings. Michael Brady will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Small Business Commission, and Darry Saldana and Miguel Matos will represent the Bronx Chamber of Commerce on the Adams Commission for Department of Buildings. The Small Business Advisory Commission builds on Mayor Eric Adams’ commitment to forge strong partnerships with the City’s business community and slash through regulatory barriers to accelerate the economic recovery. Mayor Adams established the Commission in Executive Order 15 to improve the regulatory ecosystem impacting small businesses, outlined in the Mayor’s economic recovery plan, “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City Economic Recovery.“   The Commission will deliver input on new policies, laws, and regulations, as well as on existing rules, fines, fees, and violations. It will serve as a critical link between business leaders and city government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety. The Commission will serve as a critical link between business leaders and City government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety.

One Stop Shop NYC Business Portal & Vacancy Alert Signed Into Law by Mayor Eric Adams New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two bills to promote a broad-based, equitable economic recovery in New York City. One of the bills — Intro. 116 — fulfills a key commitment from the mayor’s “Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” to create an “NYC Business Portal” that will offer all required applications, permits, licenses, and other documentation needed to open and operate a business in the city on a single, user-friendly digital interface. Intro. 116 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Julie Menin — would require the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to create a “One-Stop Shop NYC Business Portal,” that would offer all applications, permits, licenses, and related documentation needed to open and operate a small business in the city in a single, easily accessible, and easy-to-navigate location. A user could submit and check on the status of applications, permits, and licenses through this portal as well as settle or pay any outstanding balances on notices of violation. The SBS commissioner also must review the effectiveness and efficiency of the portal every three years, including through a survey of participating small businesses. Intro. 383 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer — would require that supplemental registration statements for commercial properties be filed by August 15 (for the period from January 1 through June 30) and February 15 (for the period from July 1 through December 31) each year, rather than a single filing on June 30, as required under current law. Supplemental registration statements would be required for any property that is vacant at the end of a given reporting period. It would also require that the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) release this supplemental registration statement data within 60 days of the reporting deadline, compared to within six months under current law. The bill’s goal is to increase the frequency and timeliness of reported data on commercial vacancies in the city.