THE NEW BXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More Please click View/Allow Images so you don't miss a thing!

This week's Friday Extra comes from Sara Bonizio. Topics are: Bronx Chamber Annual Holiday Party and Annual Board Meeting (12/9/21): bronxchamber.org/events A Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Secretos CEO television launch The upcoming opening of the Bronx Children's Museum in 2022 Queens Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala For business resources visit www.smallbiz.nyc

Upcoming Events

Bronx Chamber Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive

The holiday season is finally here — which means it's time to deck the halls, bring out the holiday cookies and embrace all things merry and bright. Join the Bronx Chamber for our annual Holiday Party at Villa Barone Manor on Thursday, December 9th. Wear your best ugly sweater for our #uglysweatercontest and bring a toy for our #TOYDRIVE. This years Toy Drive recipient is New Settlement. The New Settlement Community Center serves students from three schools, their families and members of the surrounding community with a range of programs in health and nutrition, education, youth development and the arts. Purchase your tickets HERE.

What You Should Know

Chamber in the News

Check out Francisco and Sara on BronxNet's OPEN BxRX with Rhina Valentin, discussing the ways the Bronx Chamber is supporting small businesses throughout the holiday season (and all year 'round)!

Struggling Bronx small businesses get a boost from Fidelis Care

In partnership with Fidelis Care, a health plan serving more than 2.3 million members across New York State, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce recently announced that the following Bronx small businesses each received a one-year complimentary membership as part of the chamber’s inaugural 2021 Adopt-a-Member initiative: The Bronx Collab Space, Eppsolutely Clean Maintenance, YVP Media Services, Angela Beauty Lounge, The Bharati Foundation, Bronx Bangladeshi Society, Mexican Coalition and Riverbay Corporation.  “So many Bronx businesses that have survived the pandemic thus far are still struggling,” said Bronx Chamber President Lisa Sorin.  Read More

Our gift to you – get a brand new website for free!

Tis the season to get your business online and grow your customer base! The Small Business Resource Network is offering website builds and SEO consultation completely free for eligible businesses. As more and more customers shop online, there is no better time to sign up than now. Apply here and a support specialist will reach out to you to get you started.   Check out the directory of completed projects!   Tis’ the season to #shopsmall   The Small Business Resource Network has been working around the clock providing small businesses free digital tools to help expand their customer base. This week we launched a catalogue of 100 businesses who have received a free new website through our “Open + Online” program. Whether you are shopping for gifts or looking to order takeout, please support one of our local businesses this holiday season!

The Small Business Growth Fund

Hello Alice is awarding 50 small business owners with $5,000 grants to help them make their next big move in 2022. To be eligible, a business must have less than $1M in annual revenue, a commitment to diversity and community, and a clear plan to use the grant funds. Applications for Round 1 are open now through December 10, 2021 at 6PM ET. For a full list of eligibility criteria, please see the Terms and Conditions.

Crain's Business Forum

With New York's legalization of adult-use marijuana expected to be up and running by late 2022, the industry is expected to generate north of $4 billion in overall sales. This translates to $350 million in tax revenue. How can state offices ensure communities that historically had been criminalized by marijuana laws have an opportunity to do business in the emerging industry? Join us on December 15th to learn more! Register Here

The NYS Restaurant Resiliency Program

Administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, the Restaurant Resiliency Program provides grants to restaurants that offer meals and other food-related items to New Yorkers within distressed or underrepresented communities. The program will provide New York's regional food banks with the funding to purchase prepared meals from New York restaurants and deliver them to families in need. Check out the Program Rules, Terms and Conditions for more information and click here to apply to be one of the restaurants participating.

FYI: Payments on Vaccine Mandate for Human Service Contracts

The City has announced that eligible vaccine-related expenses ($500 vaccine incentive for employees and up to 4 hours of paid leave to employees to accompany their children, 5 to 11 years old, to each COVID-19 vaccination) can be reimbursed on DYCD contracts for DYCD funded contracted staff. If you have made these expenses, below is the process to ensure you are reimbursed:  When you have identified the applicable staff, please mod the amount needed to the incentive line in your budget and submit the “Budget Modification Justification Form” detailing the number of staff who received the $500 vaccine mandate incentive and the staff whose hours will be charged for up to 4 hours. The “Budget Modification Justification Form” can be found here. For reimbursement, please submit a separate invoice for funds on the indirect line labeled “vaccine mandate” and attach the enclosed DYCD provider attestation form with the requested information. For audit purposes, we strongly recommend that staff hours charged are reflected in your organization’s timesheets and payroll records. Additionally, there should be record-keeping of all staff who were given a gift card. As we are in the second quarter of the fiscal year and all funds have not been exhausted, any requests for additional funds can be submitted to your program manager in April. Upon review, DYCD will add the supplemental funds. If you have any questions, please send them to cafdhelp@dycd.nyc.gov

Bronx Chamber Member Event Spotlight

Let It Shine with GLOW & Holiday Train Show

Experience the magic of New York City’s longest outdoor illuminated color spectacle at the Botanical Garden.   Select Evenings through January 22; 5–10 p.m.   The holiday season has begun and GLOW is a hit! Discover an outdoor wonderland featuring thousands of dazzling lights—enjoy a bite to eat from fellow Bronx Chamber member The Bronx Night Market, take in music from Steel Pan Holiday, and marvel at artistic ice sculpting. Round out your visit with an evening viewing of the Holiday Train Show® by purchasing a combination ticket.   Get Tickets   Please note: valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination and ID will be required for entry to indoor exhibition spaces and facilities, and all dining areas.

Governor Hochul Announces New Pilot Program to Improve Public Access along Western New York's Lake Ontario Tributaries Receiving Water from the Erie Canal

 

Access and Conservation Easement Program through the Reimagine the Canals Initiative Will Expand Angling Access to Streams While Preserving the Local Environment

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new pilot program to improve public access along Western New York's Lake Ontario tributaries receiving water from the Erie Canal in Monroe, Orleans, and Niagara counties. Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Canal Corporation, and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), have entered into a partnership to implement the "Access and Conservation Easement" program has been created to provide one-time payments to waterfront property owners to secure public fishing access and other conservation rights. The eligible properties are along north flowing Lake Ontario tributaries which are currently and proposed to become part of the Reimagine the Canals Fall Fishing Program.

"Fishing during the fall season is a cornerstone of recreation in Western New York, and I am delighted to announce the expansion of our efforts to maintain optimal conditions and improve opportunities for anglers," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "Through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, this partnership between the state and local landowners in key fishing areas will connect community and conservation along the Lake Ontario tributaries and will provide New Yorkers with additional areas to cast a line while increasing tourism and bolstering local businesses."

A Request for Expressions of Interest is being developed and will be issued to allow landowners in the designated areas to provide property and contact information to be considered for inclusion in the Program.  The ACE program will be piloted on several waterfront properties in Monroe, Orleans, and Niagara counties selected through the RFEI and will follow a transparent process by which an easement price will be determined, with an option for landowners to opt-out at any point prior to reaching an agreement.

The easements will provide public fishing access and convey to the rights to maintain easement areas to improve water quality, enhance habitat, and reduce erosion. Easements or rights-of-way will reside with DEC ensuring public access and water quality improvements into the future. 

KZA Realty Secures 10-Year Lease for OWL Early Intervention Program, LLC In the Bronx

 

KZA Realty Group has successfully closed the leasing rights for the ground floor community facility space located in the Bronx’s residential neighborhood of Morrisania. The location will be home to OWL Early Intervention, LLC, an extension of the Brooklyn-based company that provides a range of therapy services for young children diagnosed with neurologic or orthopedic disabilities.

KZA Realty’s Kathy Zamechansky represented the property owner during this month’s contract of the 10-year lease at 1016 Washington Avenue, Bronx NY. The 7,850 square foot community facility space is located on the ground floor of 1016 Washington Avenue in the Bronx and is close to several first and secondary schools in the area. Paul Moulins of KW Commercial Realty Group represented the lessee during negotiations and secured an agreed-upon price of $30 a square foot, or $210,000 for the entire lease period. The lease will commence on February 1, 2022.

“We are thrilled to have OWL Early Invention as the newest lessee at 1016 Washington Ave. They offer valuable services that will have a positive impact on both the children and families who live in the area – and we couldn’t be more excited for them to join the Morrisania community,” says KZA Realty’s President Kathy Zamechansky.

“It was a pleasure to represent and work alongside OWL Early Intervention, the owners, Rick and Gina, took great care in site selection and their attention to detail in the construction of the space reflects the care and devotion they have for meeting and exceeding the needs of the children,” says KW Commercial’s Managing Director Paul Moulins.

“Our early intervention program is unique, and it is extremely successful with the children we care for.  However, because of the success of the children, our center in Brooklyn always has a waiting list to become part of the OWL program.  We realized that to help more children and families, we needed to expand.  We are very excited to finalize this deal to call the Bronx another home that will allow us to help more children and their families achieve their full potential," says CEO of OWL Early Intervention Program, LLC Gina Levy.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 11/29/21-12/03/21

 

Dear Community,

I hope you are all well and staying safe. I want to bring your attention to important new information about the COVID-19 Omicron variant, and reaffirm the importance for every member of our community to be protected and vaccinated at this time.

The Omicron variant is the latest strain of the COVID-19 to be designated a "variant of concern" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases of the Omicron variant have been reported around the world, and experts are still determining the transmission rates and severity of this variant compared to other COVID-19 strains.

As of December 2nd, five cases of the Omicron variant were confirmed in the New York City metropolitan area, with one case discovered in Suffolk County and four in New York City. While this is news of concern, experts recommend that the best way to continue to protect yourselves and your loved ones against COVID-19 is to get your booster dose, get vaccinated, and continue to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. 

New York has approved booster shots for all adults in the state, and I strongly encourage everyone to get their booster dose if they have not already done so. Clinics with vaccines can be found through this vaccine finder tool. While walk-up vaccines are available at City-operated vaccination sites, appointments can still be made by using vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. Westchester residents can find state-run vaccination sites here. 

Additionally, New York City offers in-home vaccinations to all New Yorkers age 12+. These may be requested through nyc.gov/homevaccine or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC. NYC Mobile Vaccine Buses are still providing vaccines throughout the Bronx, and the full schedule of mobile vaccine locations can be found online here. Walk-ups are welcome and you can also book in advance through the Vax4NYC website.

Getting our communities vaccinated is the best and only way to protect our loved ones from the Omicron variant, and I urge us all to stay diligent on how to best prevent COVID-19 spread.Please continue to use your discretion so that we can all do our part to protect our communities this winter.

I would also like to wish our Jewish neighbors a happy Hanukkah, which started last Sunday evening and concludes Monday evening. I hope everyone has a joyful holiday! 

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi