Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use - GALA EDITION

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra Gala Edition Click here for this week's video: 2022 Bronx Chamber Gala Small Business Resource Network & Avenue NYC In Action President Biden & Governor Hochul Announce Historic Investment in Small Business Financing & Assistance Pride 365 Brings LGBTQ+ Business Certification Services & Partners with NGLCC Legislative & Advocacy Updates Chamber Calls for Member Input on Congestion Pricing NYC City Council Seeks to Increase Fair Work Week Fines & Regulations Adoption of Pricing Notice Opportunities Amazon Accelerate Upcoming Events

2022 BRONX CHAMBER GALA #1 BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT IN THE BRONX

The Board of Directors of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce celebrate the Chamber's diverse history during the 2022 Bronx Chamber of Commerce Gala held on September 29, 2002 at 6:30pm at Marina Del Rey honoring: Joseph Kelleher President, Simone Metro Properties and Chairman, Board of Directors for The Bronx Chamber of Commerce John Collazzi Founding member and Director Emeritus, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Co-Founder, The Bronx Times The New York Yankees honoring the late George Steinbrenner, Vice President, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Star-studded entertainment line up: Sal Valentinetti "The Voice" as Master of Ceremonies  Brenda K. Starr, free style artist C-Bank, free style artist Cynthia, free style artist Steven Maglio, singer of standards DJ Serg, acclaimed DJ 100% of your support of this signature annual event featuring networking, top tier entertainment, and more, directly supports business and economic development in the Bronx. Please join us in building a stronger business fabric in the Bronx and sponsor, purchase your table, journal ads, or tickets today!

CONTINUING OUR ALL BOROUGH BUSINESS STRATEGY SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE NETWORK & AVENUE NYC

At the start of COVID-19 The Bronx Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the Bronx Business Improvement District Network to launch an all-borough business assistance strategy - reaching every and any business that requests assistance through our City's economic recovery. We have not stopped. This week the team continued our work in: City Island - targeting every business in our Bronx coastal community; Lydig Avenue - completing the start of what we hope will be a BID expansion effort; Mott Haven - launching year two business attraction and organizing activities with the Avenue NYC Program Riverdale - working with businesses on marketing and assisting with Riverdale Restaurant Week Burnside Avenue - continuing our efforts to explore business improvement district development Zerega & Hunts Point - working to provide assistance programs to industrial businesses, and Williamsbridge Road - covering businesses that are not yet in the business improvement district. These support programs are in-person, real services, customized for that business and range from restaurant and Department of Health navigation to financing, marketing, organizing, and legal services. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is your one-stop shop for small business resources and Bronx economic development. For more information on these services, Click HERE

HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN SMALL BUSINESS ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN & GOV. HOCHUL

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State has been awarded $501.5 million in federal funds through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which was reauthorized and expanded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, SSBCI provides funds to support programs for small businesses, with emphasis on those still struggling from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping traditionally disadvantaged small businesses succeed in the post pandemic economy.  The new programs include:   Capital Access Program   Affordable Debt Programs   Equitable Venture investments Over the next 90 days, Empire State Development will be establishing additional program criteria and guidelines, with formal program-specific application processes announced in the Fall.

PRIDE 365 STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIPS WITH NGLCC & TD BANK FOR LGBTQ+ & M/WBE BUSINESSES

Partnerships, business certification, and diversity, equity, and inclusion were the buzz words during the annual Finding Focus Conference by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and TD Bank. The Pride 365 Program, New York City's only LGBTQ+ Business Navigator Program creating a pipeline for business certification, cultural competency, and procurement, teamed up with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Minority Women Business Enterprises program to further enhance Pride 365's connection with private sector partners and develop a city-wide strategy to ensure LGBTQ businesses are receiving appropriate, competent, and useful business support and certification services with the NGLCC and follow-up access to procurement and business development resources. With founding support by Third Avenue Business Improvement District, Ponce Bank, The Bronx Community Foundation, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Pride 365 Program provides private sector business support services for the Bronx LGBTQ+ community and assists businesses in their certification process. Click HERE for more information.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan The Legislative Affairs Committee of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is seeking member feedback regarding the newly released Congestion Pricing Plan presented in the Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report released by the MTA. The Committee requests Member feedback and statements to inform the position of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Please send comments, statements, and white papers to: communications@bronxchamber.org Important items for your review and information:   MTA Public Hearings, how to participate and have your voice heard, Click HERE  CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) TOLLING PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Executive Summary, Click HERE

New York City Council Members Marjorie Velasquez and Carmen De La Rosa Introduce Legislation to Increase Fines & Regulations with Fair Workweek Bills Intro 0613-2022 By Council Members Carmen N. De La Rosa (CIVIL SERVICE AND LABOR CHAIR), Marjorie Velázquez (CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION CHAIR), Shekar Krishnan, Julie Menin, Gale A. Brewer, Lincoln Restler, Shahana K. Hanif.     This bill would double the maximum allowable civil penalties for certain violations of the Fair Work Week Law.   Employers that violate the Fair Work Week Law for a second time within two years after a first violation could receive a civil penalty of up to $1,500 instead of $750, and for further violations, $2,000 instead of $1,000.   The bill would also raise allowable civil penalties in civil actions for a pattern and practice of violations of the Fair Work Week Law to $30,000 from $15,000.   The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection may direct the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to suspend, revoke, deny or refuse to renew a food service establishment permit for employers that:   have not satisfied a fine or civil penalty for violating the Fair Work Week Law or the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act;   a court has found the employer has engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of the Fair Work Week Law or the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act; or   the employer has been ordered to pay an aggregate of $500,000 or more in penalties or monetary relief for violations of the Fair Work Week Law or the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act in a three-year period.   This bill would also entitle employees of employers whose food service establishment permits are suspended are revoked to receive a severance for the first 14 days. Int 0640-2022 - By Council Members Marjorie Velázquez,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Bruckner Boulevard Public Hearing

 

Dear Neighbors,

The Bruckner Boulevard Rezoning Proposal has made it to the City Council as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Process (ULURP). Now, the proposal will be heard by the City Council in several stages. First, on Wednesday, September 7th at 10:00 AM the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will be hearing the Bruckner Site Rezoning proposal. I invite all to testify at this hearing to express your opinions.

Enclosed in this email, you will find information that will guide you in registering and providing your testimony to the City Planning Commission, Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, and the developers of the Bruckner Boulevard Rezoning Project.

To testify, you may do so in person, over Zoom, join via a phone call. If you would like to testify virtually, you must pre-register at least 24 hours before the hearing; day-of registration may also be available, time permitting. Once you have registered, you will receive an email before the start of the hearing with information on how to join.

If you have any questions or would like assistance registering for the upcoming hearing, please reach out to my office at District13@council.nyc.gov or call 718-931-1721.

Thank you all for your patience and I look forward to seeing you on September 7 , 2022 at 10 AM.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

How to Register

City Hall Testimony: You do not need to pre-register. If you wish to testify in person you can do so by simply coming to City Hall Wednesday morning, going through security at the intersection of Broadway and Murray Street, and heading to the Committee Room where the Sergeant of Arms will sign you in.

Zoom/Call in Testimony: You must pre-register. Please click here to pre-register.

Written Testimony: To submit written testimony please click here.

If you require non-English language interpretation, please email translationservice@council.nyc.gov at least five days in advance of the hearing, and include the following information in your email:

• Name and date of the hearing

• Your full name, telephone number, and email address

Please be aware that members of the public are allowed 2 minutes to present testimony.