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: Black History Celebration Recap NYC Gets Chief Public Realm Officer NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund Paused Legislative & Advocacy Updates 52nd Annual NYS Legislative Caucus Engagement Surveys 5 Borough Jobs Coalition NYC Hospitality Alliance Upcoming Events NYS Budget Briefing with Commissioner Hope Knight, Empire State Development, 2/21/2023 Coffee & Conversation with Councilmember Amanda Farias, 2/22/2023 Member Spotlight New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show Opens for Season, 2/18/2023

BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION RECAP

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce's Black History Month Celebration and Networking event took place on Wednesday, February 15 at the Residence Inn by Marriot and highlighted the historic achievements of the Black community on our Bronx and New York City economy. Led by opening remarks from the Bronx Chamber team and our Chairperson Anthony Mormile, the evening recognized the impact of three notable Black owned businesses and leaders in our borough: Michael Eagen, CEO & Founder - Sankofa Haus   Ayanna Williams, Founder - Uptown Melody   Chef Cornel Robinson, Owner - Cornel's Catering Company Attendees enjoy delicious food and drinks and the opportunity to learn about Black history in our borough and the small business journey of entrepreneurs, start ups, and established businesses shaping the borough. The evening also allowed attendees to expand their network with Speed Networking to develop lasting business relationships. The Bronx Chamber continues to amplify the diverse voices of the Bronx and in February raises profiles of Black business owners and leaders that shape our borough and Chamber. For more information, visit our social media: @thenewbxcc In 2019, Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC) launched, a groundbreaking model for a major American city to help create equity of opportunity by advancing Black entrepreneurship. Now, BE NYC has launched the Shop Black NYC map (nyc.gov/shopblack) to find Black-owned businesses in the borough!

NYC GETS CHIEF PUBLIC REALM OFFICER

New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Ya-Ting Liu as the city’s first-ever chief public realm officer, delivering on a key promise from his State of the City address. In this newly created role, Liu will coordinate across city government, community organizations, and the private sector to create extraordinary public spaces across the entire city and continue to drive the city’s economic recovery. Mayor Adams also signed Executive Order 27, codifying the creation of the position and ensuring that New Yorkers continue to have a one-stop shop for all issues related to public space. "After years of advocacy work with our partners in the NYC BID Association and with many business and transportation advocates, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce applauds Mayor Adams on creating this crucial position for the future of our City," said Michael Brady, Senior Vice President for Economic Development and Policy. "We congratulate and welcome Ya-Ting Liu and look forward to our partnership in advancing the future of the public realm in New York City."

NYC SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FUND PAUSED

Due to robust community engagement, led by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and program partners, the NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund reached businesses in need throughout the five boroughs through door-to-door outreach, webinars, events, one-on-one application support, and many other forms of communications. These efforts have led to more than 12,500 applications to the loan program in just three weeks.   Due to high interest, the portal is temporarily closed to allow lending partners to assess completed applications.     New applicants can complete the inquiry form to be notified if the application reopens and learn about additional financing options and ways to receive free City-provided business support.      Businesses that have applied as of Sunday, February 12th at 11:59pm will receive an email from a lending partner with next steps.      Our NYC Small Business Resource Network is assisting in navigating government and working with businesses to more fully understand responses from lenders. If you have a question or challenge with your application, please email: SBRN@bronxchamber.org.      Please note, due to the high volume of requests, businesses may experience delays in their application being processed.

LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATES

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is closely monitoring NYS minimum wage legislation, proposed increases in unemployment benefits, non-compete agreements, and the definition of contractors (1099) and employees (W-2). Additional focus is being given to Criminal Justice Reform, Anti Trust legislation, Alcohol Beverage Control agency Rule Making, Racing and Gaming, as well as broader areas in E-Buildings, transportation, infrastructure, and housing. The leadership team travels to Albany, NY today for the NYSABPRHAL's 52nd Annual Legislative Conference. During our time, members of our delegation will share Bronx Chamber legislative priorities, meet with City and State representatives to discuss policy proposals, and work with relevant agencies to advocate for the economic development of the borough. Should you have any ideas or proposals you would like our team to address please email, mbrady@bronxchamber.org.

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTNUITIES

Does Your Business Receive NYS Incentives? We need to hear from you! The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is an active participant in the 5 Borough Jobs Coalition, a consortium of business organizations which advocate for business incentive programs which deeply impact New York City, notably, the Commercial Expansion Program (CEP), Energy Cost Savings Program (ECSP), Commercial Revitalization Program (CRP) / Commercial Rent Tax Special Reduction (CRT), Lower Manhattan Energy Program, and the Lower Manhattan State and Local Sales Tax Exemption. Our Legislative team has successfully advocated to have these programs included in the Governor's Executive Budget Proposal and will be working with the Legislature to ensure they are included in the NYS Budget.  Please complete this brief survey so we can learn how these programs impact your business.

Do You Own a Restaurant, Bar, Nightclub? Complete this survey. The NYC Hospitality Alliance encourages restaurant, bar, and nightclub operators to complete this short survey on factors impacting their business(es) and expectations for 2023. All submissions will be kept confidential and may be reported publicly in the aggregate to inform our advocacy and business insights. *If you operate multiple establishments that have different answers to the questions, please complete a separate survey for those establishments. For the survey, Click Here

UPCOMING EVENTS

New York State Executive Budget Presentation w. Empire State Development Commissioner Hope Knight Tuesday, February 21 from 12:00am to 1:00pm Virtual The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Bronx NYS Executive Budget Presentation by the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul. Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development will outline the Governor's budget and policy priorities and how they impact the Bronx, New York City and New York State. To Register: Click Here

 

Coffee & Conversation w. NYC Councilmember Amanda Farias Chair, New York City Council Committee on Economic Development Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00am Virtual Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin, and Legislative & Policy Chair, Michael Brady moderate a discussion with Councilmember Farias, on Bronx economic development, workforce development, women's health and wellness, and merchant organizing. To Register: Click Here