The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Your Friday Extra!

 

BRONX BUSINESS UPDATE

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to learn about the work your Chamber is doing on behalf of businesses across the Bronx. 

L'Shanah Tova

As we enter the season of reflection and renewal, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This special time invites all of us to think about fresh starts, gratitude, and the connections we share with one another. Rosh Hashanah is a moment to pause, set intentions for the year ahead, and embrace the beauty of community and family. As we enjoy traditions like dipping apples in honey, we can all appreciate the symbolism of sweetness and hope for the future. Whether you’re familiar with these customs or learning about them for the first time, we wish you a year filled with joy, health, and meaningful connections. May this season inspire us all to reflect and grow, together. Wishing you all a wonderful and fulfilling year ahead!

News to Know

Take the Federal Reserve 2024 Small Business Credit Survey - Closes November 1  Curbside Composting: Everything you need to know about NYC's new program  Ribbon Cutting: Playground Improvements at Sotomayor Houses in Soundview  How Prepared is New York City to Face the Next Big Storm?  NYC's latest crackdown on illegal weed shops is finally shutting them down  Bronx Chamber Member Mentions

Join BronxNet in celebrating 30 years of dedicated service and programming to the Bronx Community. BronxNet has developed thousands of hours of quality content engaging audiences, educating youth and adults in preparation for careers in media, journalism and communications, and inspiring artists and highlighting the rich and diverse talent of the Bronx.This celebration is also a leap of growth and expansion for BronxNet. BronxNet’s Media + Technology Studios in the South Bronx, hailed as the Times Square of the Bronx, opened its doors in September of 2023 for the public.

BronxNet 30th Anniversary Gala Luncheon Wednesday, October 30, 2024 12 PM - 3 PM Maestro's Caterers 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 Tickets, Journal Ads & Sponsorships Available

Register Here Legislative Updates Reminder: New Federal Reporting Requirement for Beneficial Ownership Information The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires many companies to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The CTA went into effect on January 1, 2024. Reporting companies created before 2024 must file by January 1, 2025. Learn More $24 Million Awarded for Innovation Projects in Multiple Clean Energy Sectors The awarded projects join the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) growing portfolio of more than 200 innovation projects that are advancing new technologies in the sectors of long duration energy storage, clean hydrogen production and storage, grid modernization, geothermal, and building electrification and efficiency. Learn More $10 Million Announced Through Domestic Terrorism Prevention Grant Funds allocated through this program are aimed at enhancing the State’s nation leading efforts to prevent domestic terrorism and targeted violence across the State. Learn More Penn Station Access Project Held Bronx-Westchester Community Council Briefing Throughout construction of the Penn Station Access Project, special attention is being given to community safety and quality of life. You can get the latest information and sign up for updates relating to specific areas along the project corridor.  Learn More MTA Announces Commitment to Award a Historic Amount of Work — Up to $7.5 Billion — to Historically Underutilized Businesses as Part of Next Capital Plan MTA announced its commitment to award a historic amount to historically underutilized businesses as part of its recently announced 2025-2029 Capital Plan, with $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion in contracts to be awarded to New York State Certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB), and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE).  Learn More Mark Your Calendar See below for details on these events: October 4: NYC IV Health & Wellness Grand Opening October 6: 30th Annual Tour DeBronx 2024 October 9: Women in Business Town Hall - Delta Theta Sorority, Inc. October 15: 1010 WINS Bronx Metro-North Discussion Community Event October 16: Career Fair at the University of Mount Saint Vincent October 17: Special Needs Trusts and Elder Care Planning October 22: JAG Physical Therapy Grand Opening October 24: BofA Workshop: Grow Your Small Business October 30: BronxNet 30th Anniversary Luncheon Gala November 14: Bronx Chamber Veterans Luncheon Thru November 30: NYBG Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail Tour de Bronx 2024 Sunday, October 6, 2024 The Bronx Tourism Council, in partnership with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, will host the largest FREE cycling event in New York State! Tour de Bronx attracts over 4000 riders from across NYC and beyond. Tour de Bronx will now include a 10-mile family-friendly route, a 25-mile route, and the return of the epic 40-mile route! All routes will start at 161st Street and Grand Concourse and culminate at the breathtaking New York Botanical Gardens. Registered riders will pass through the South Bronx, Wakefield, Riverdale, Orchard Beach, waterfront parks, and much more! Learn More and Register Women in Business Town Hall Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Wednesday, October 9 - 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Virtual (Zoom) Featured Speakers Cheryelle Cruickshank, Executive Director, INCLUDENYC Chanel Perez, M/WBE Specialist & Events Coordinator, Bronx Chamber of Commerce Victoria Juste-Henry, Licensed Social Worker, Hope Center Harlem Join us as we discuss how women can feel empowered while navigating the unique challenges women face in business today. Learn More & Register Here 1010WINS Bronx Metro-North Community Event Tuesday, October 15 - 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Dime Community Bank, 1931 Turnbull Ave., Bronx, NY Join Bronx Economic Development Corp. President Rob Walsh and Bronx Chamber President & MTA Board Member Lisa Sorin in a discussion on the monumental plan to add four new Metro-North stations to the East Bronx. Come celebrate the 160th anniversary of Dime Community Bank along with the five community-based organizations of the East Bronx. RSVP Here Special Needs Trusts and Elder Care Planning Thursday, October 17 - 1:00 PM Virtual (Zoom) There's still time to register for the remaining two webinars taking place as part of Bronx Chamber member Ponce Bank's new Financial Mastery Initiative - Protecting Your Legacy (PYL). This four-part webinar series is free and open to the public.  Ponce Bank specialists will host educational webinars focused on safeguarding your legacy. Learn from legal and financial professionals the steps you can take to protect your family’s assets and secure generational wealth. Learn More & Register Here Bronx Chamber of Commerce Hosts Bank of America Workshop: Growing Your Small Business Thursday, October 24 - 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Bank of America Co-Op City Branch 2136 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 Bank of America is hosting an in-person Growing Your Small Business Workshop at their Co-Op City location - learn valuable strategies for managing your finances effectively and discover common pitfalls to avoid. Register Here for Workshop BronxNet 30th Anniversary Gala Luncheon Wednesday, October 30, 2024 12:00 - 3:00 PM Maestro's Caterers 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx 10462 Tickets, Journal Ads & Sponsorships Available Here

Partner Resources & More

Survey Now Open: Help Improve What’s Known About Small Businesses

The Federal Reserve’s 2024 Small Business Credit Survey is open, and the Bronx Chamber is a partner on this effort.

Owners and key financial decision makers of for-profit businesses, please share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others.

Take The Survey Now (it will only take a few minutes!)

Bronx Economic Development Corporation Loans

BXEDC has loans programs tailor-made for small- and mid-sized businesses operating in (or moving to) the Bronx: The Bronx Micro-Loan and the Bronx Commercial Development Loan.

Click HERE to learn more and apply.

FREE WEBSITE BUILDING OR LOGO THROUGH OPEN + ONLINE

Applications are still open for Bronx businesses to sign up for the popular Open + Online program through the NYC Small Business Resource Network!

It's crucial that your small business has a strong online presence to compete in today's marketplace. The Open + Online program offers FREE website building, logo & branding design, or expert SEO (search engine optimization) consulting to help your small business put its best foot forward. APPLY HERE

NYC FUNDS FINDER

NYC's Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Next Street are offering a user-friendly platform, NYC Funds Finder, where small businesses can review funding options, including loans and grants, and request free 1-on-1 financing assistance from the SBS team. 

NYC Funds Finder is a partnership between SBS and Next Street and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Next Street Scale, the platform that powers NYC Funds Finder, was created to address the hurdles that small businesses, especially those run by women and minorities, face in accessing the resources required to grow their business and build wealth. 

M/WBE CERTIFICATION: Unlocking Opportunities

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with NYC SBS to help guide you through the application process of getting certified as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).

This certification program, offered by NYC Small Business Services, is a critical initiative aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in government contracting and procurement processes. The program seeks to create opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minority individuals and women, ensuring they have fair access to government contracts and economic opportunities, opens your business up to increased opportunities from New York City agencies, free advertising in the NYC Online Directory of Certified Businesses, mentorship programs and workshops, networking events, and more.

The City has committed to awarding $16 billion in contracts to M/WBE certified organizations over the next decade--don’t miss out!

Are you eligible? (Qualification checklist below)

• Business is legally authorized to transact business in New York City
• Business has been in operation for at least one year
• Business is more than 51% minority and/or woman owned

If you are interested in applying, or for more information on M/WBE certification, contact Chanel Perez at Programs@bronxchamber.org

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!