Saturday, August 17, 2024

Happening Today: Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr.'s Back-To-School Summer Bash


Friends, 

It’s that time of year again as the end of summer meets the start of the new school year. What better way to start things off right than with a new backpack and fresh school supplies?!
 
Join me and my team, for an afternoon of fun and games FREE for the community!  
 
Details as follows: 
 
Where: Kossuth Playground
WhenSaturday, August 17th 
Time: 12pm - 4pm
 
Please remember that this is a first come/first served event and every adult must have their child present to receive a free back-to-school backpack and/or school supplies while supplies last. 
 
Looking forward to seeing everyone.
 
In Gratitude

John Zaccaro, Jr.  

Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study - Bronx Metro-North Update, August 2024

 

Monthly Bronx Metro-North Neighborhood Plan Update August 2024

City Council Approves Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan!


Good news! Yesterday, the NYC Council voted to approve the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan!


The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Plan will help spur the creation of approximately 7,000 new homes, including 1,700 permanently income-restricted homes through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing.

The plan demonstrates New York City's commitment to holistic planning around the new Metro-North stations coming to the Bronx to ensure they are thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding communities. The plan will create a significant amount of new housing and jobs, and direct hundreds of millions of dollars of investments in public amenities and infrastructure to the East Bronx. Together, these investments will significantly enhance public space, transportation access, public safety and environmental resiliency for residents.

 Read the press release for more details!


Illustrative drawing of potential public realm improvements around the new Morris Park Metro-North Station.

A BIG Thank You to the Community!

 
We want to take a moment to thank all of our community members, institutions, local elected officials, fellow state and federal government agencies, and countless other stakeholders for their passion and dedication to the East Bronx neighborhoods affected by this plan. We could not have gotten here without your cooperation, patience, and hours of hard work and feedback over the past six years. 





Total Nonfarm Employment Increases 41,400 Over the Month

 According to preliminary seasonally adjusted figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 10,800, or 0.1%, to 8,401,600 in July 2024. The number of private sector jobs in the U.S. also increased by 0.1% in July 2024.

New York State's private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) increased by 159,900, or 1.9%, over the year in July 2024, which was greater than the 1.4% increase in the number of private sector jobs in the U.S.

New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.2% to 4.3% in July 2024. At the same time, New York State's labor force (seasonally adjusted) increased by 700. As a result, the statewide labor force participation rate held constant at 61.3% in July 2024.

The number of private sector jobs in New York State is based on a payroll survey of New York businesses conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Monthly payroll employment estimates are preliminary and subject to revision as more complete data become available the following month. The BLS calculates New York State’s unemployment rate based partly upon the results of the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) of approximately 3,100 households in the State.

Note: Seasonally adjusted data provide the most valid month-to-month comparison. Non-seasonally adjusted data are valuable in year-to-year comparisons of the same month – for example, July 2023 versus July 2024.

Statewide Industry Employment

July 2024 – Seasonally Adjusted

  • On a net basis, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the state increased by 41,400 over the month, while private sector jobs increased by 10,800 in July 2024.
  • At the same time, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the nation increased by 114,000, while private sector jobs increased by 97,000.

     

NYS Exceeded Nation in Nonfarm Job Growth

Over-the-Month % Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, June 2024 – July 2024

NYS Exceeded Nation in Nonfarm Job Growth

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs Increased in July 2024

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs (in 1000s), January 1990 – July 2024

Total Nonfarm and Private Sector Jobs Increased

Statewide Unemployment

July 2024 – Seasonally Adjusted

  • The statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.2% to 4.3% in July 2024.
  • New York City’s unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 5.0%.
  • In the rest of the state, the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% in July 2024.
  • The number of unemployed New Yorkers increased over the month by 9,100 from 408,700 in June to 417,800 in July 2024.
 

NYS Unemployment Rate Increased Over the Month

Labor Force Statistics, July 2023, June 2024 – July 2024

NYS Unemployment Rate Increased Over the Month

Labor Force and Number of Unemployed Increased in July

Total Labor Force & Number of Unemployed, January 2009 – July 2024


Labor Force and Number of Unemployed Increased

Unemployment Rate Increased in NYS and in US

Unemployment Rate, NYS & US, January 2009 – July 2024

Unemployment Rate Increased in NYS and in US.jpg

Unemployment Rate Increased in NYC and Held Constant in Balance of State

Unemployment Rate, NYC & BOS, January 2009 – July 2024

Unemployment Rate Increased in NYC and Held Constant in Balance of State

Substate and Industry Employment 

July 2024 – Not Seasonally Adjusted

New York State Gains Private Sector Jobs Over the Year

Over-the-Year Change in Total Nonfarm & Private Sector Jobs, July 2023 – July 2024

New York State Gains Private Sector Jobs Over the Year

Note: The sum of sub-state area job estimates will usually differ from the New York State total. This is because the State total is calculated separately from the sub-state areas and is estimated based on an independent sample.

Private Education and Health Services Jobs Increased by 6.4% Over the Year

Over-the-Year Change in Jobs by Major Industry Sector, July 2023 – July 2024


Private Education and Health Services Jobs Increased

*Government includes public education and public health services.

Note: The responsibility for the production of monthly estimates of state and metro area nonfarm employment by industry moved from the NYS Department of Labor’s Division of Research and Statistics to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), starting with the March 2011 estimates. More detailed information on the change is available on the BLS web site.

Many economic data series have a seasonal pattern, which means they tend to occur at the same time each year (e.g., retail jobs usually increase in December). Seasonal adjustment is the process of removing seasonal effects from a data series. This is done to simplify the data so that they may be more easily interpreted and help to reveal true underlying trends. Seasonal adjustment permits comparisons of data from one month to data from any other month.

In New York State, payroll jobs data by industry come from a monthly survey of business establishments conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data are preliminary and subject to revision. Jobs data by industry do not include agricultural workers, the self-employed, unpaid family workers, or domestic workers in private households.

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s unemployment rate is based partly upon the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York each month.

Table 1. Number of Nonfarm Jobs
Table 2. Number of Nonfarm Jobs by Industry

The Number of Private Sector Jobs in New York State Increased
Private sector jobs increased by
Private Education and Health Services Gained the Most Jobs
New York State Labor Force Statistics

 Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet

This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release.

State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model

Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Advantage of Regression Model

Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities).

Benchmarking of Estimates

Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.”

Changes in Methodology

Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates.

In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others.

Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries

The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem.

Jobs Data

Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, has a sample size of 18,000 establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available.

The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.


Friday, August 16, 2024

TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO: NYC QUEENS AND BROOKLYN BEACHES & NPS JACOB RIIS BEACH WILL CLOSE TO SWIMMING DUE TO EXPECTED DANGEROUS CONDITIONS—SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

 

NYC Beaches in Brooklyn, Queens, and NPS Jacob Riis Beach will close as National Weather Service predicts swells of up to 6ft, wind gusts of up to 12 mph, and life-threatening rip currents 

NYC Parks and National Park Service (NPS) today announced that all beaches in Brooklyn, Queens, and Jacob Riis Beach will be closed to swimming Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, due to the dangerous conditions predicted as an effect of Tropical Storm Ernesto--lifeguards will be on duty.   

 

The National Weather Service predicts a dangerous rip current threat with possible ocean swells of up to 6 ft., Saturday and Sunday, which will affect all Atlantic Ocean beaches.  

 

"Our primary focus is keeping New Yorkers safe, so as the impacts of Tropical Storm Ernesto approach New York City, we are closing our ocean-facing beaches in Queens and Brooklyn this weekend to protect New Yorkers from dangerous rip currents,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "New Yorkers should know the ocean is more powerful than you are, particularly this weekend. Do not risk your life, or the lives of first responders, by swimming while our beaches are closed.”  

 

"In consultation with our sister agency, the National Park Service (NPS) and based on conditions projected by the National Weather Service, Parks is closing beaches in Brooklyn and Queens to swimming tomorrow and Sunday,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "Lifeguards will be on duty and patrolling the beaches, and we strongly urge all New Yorkers not to risk their lives by ignoring this directive.”  

 

In addition, Parks enforcement staff will be posted along the coastline to enforce the swimming ban. New Yorkers are advised to adhere to all instructions for their own safety, and to visit Notify NYC for updates on beach closures. 


Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Take Appropriate Precautions as Smoke From Canadian Wildfires is Expected to Impact Air Quality in Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack Regions

Smoke covers the Syracuse Skyline

Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulate Matter Issued for Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack Regions in Effect for Friday, August 16, Until Midnight

Potential for Air Quality Index Levels to Reach ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’

Urges Vulnerable Groups to Monitor the Air Quality Index, Avoid Exertion Outdoors, and Watch for Symptoms 


Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New York residents and visitors to take appropriate precautions as Canadian wildfire smoke impacts the air quality in the Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels are expected to reach ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups' and an air quality health advisory for Fine Particulate Matter was issued until midnight Friday, August 16. New Yorkers in vulnerable groups should avoid exertion outdoors and watch for symptoms when exposed to the outdoors. Vulnerable individuals include those with cardiovascular disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, history of prior heart attack) or lung disease (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), as well as children under 18, adults 65 and older, and pregnant people. To check your location's current air quality, go to www.airnow.gov.

“Public safety is my top priority and New Yorkers need to be alert today as wildfire smoke starts to impact certain regions of the State,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage vulnerable New Yorkers to pay attention to the State’s Air Quality Health Advisories and take necessary precautions to stay safe.”

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is tracking smoke traveling across the Northeast from wildfires in Canada that is forecasted to reach surface levels and result in levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) being Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

DEC and the State Department of Health (DOH) issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Upper Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, until midnight. The Upper Hudson Valley Air Quality Health Advisory region includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington counties; the Adirondacks Air Quality Health Advisory region includes which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties. DEC continues to monitor conditions and will update the forecast daily.

To keep New Yorkers aware, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides daily air quality forecasts to ensure air quality information is available at New Yorkers’ fingertips. While New York State has some of the nation’s most stringent air quality regulations to reduce air pollution and protect public health and the environment, there are certain days that ozone or particulate matter can impact air quality in your community.

AQI Health Guidelines
AQI health guidelines are associated with recommendations to protect impacted populations.

  • 0-50: Good – Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
  • 51-100: Moderate – Air quality is acceptable. However, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are usually sensitive to air pollution.
  • 101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups – Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Sensitive groups include people with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, minority populations, and outdoor workers.
  • 151-200: Unhealthy – Everyone may begin to experience healthy effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
  • 201-300: Very Unhealthy – Health alert. Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
  • 301-500: Hazardous – Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

More information about the New York State Air Quality forecast is available here.

Air pollution can harm public health and natural resources in a variety of ways. Hot summer weather sets the stage for two major pollutants of concern for human health: the formation of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. Fish and wildlife show harmful effects from acid rain and mercury in the air. Greenhouse gases in the air are changing the world's climate and contributing to harmful impacts including extreme heat, deadly flooding, drought, fires, rising sea levels, and severe storms.

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers. Visit dec.ny.gov for updated forecasts and information about air quality index levels, and the Department of Health website for information on health risks and precautions related to air quality.


MAYOR ADAMS, OLR COMMISSIONER CAMPION ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH UNITED PROBATION OFFICERS ASSOCIATION FOR OVER 600 MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

 

 Agreement Provides Substantial Wage Increases to Members, Secures Fair Deal for NYC Taxpayers, Improves Recruitment and Retention

Agreement Conforms to Pattern Established With DC 37 and Other City Unions

Administration Has Now Settled Contracts with Unions Representing Nearly 97 Percent of Municipal Employees

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion today announced a tentative five-and-a-half-year contract agreement with the United Probation Officers’ Association (UPOA). This agreement will cover approximately 600 probation officers who work with individuals on probation to help provide them with opportunities to forge new pathways so that they can move out and stay out of the justice system.

The tentative agreement is retroactive — beginning on November 28, 2020 — and expires on June 12, 2026.  It conforms to the pattern established by dozens of other unions over the last 18 months. The agreement includes wage increases of 3 percent for each of the first four years of the contract and 3.25 percent in the fifth year. The agreement also includes a lump sum ratification bonus of between $3,600 and $5,080, depending on the employee’s title, for all UPOA members who are in active payroll status on the date of ratification.

“Protecting public safety and making our city more affordable means investing in hard-working New Yorkers like our probation officers, who work tirelessly to keep our city safe by helping justice-involved people get back on — and stay on — the right path,” said Mayor Adams. “We’re proud to have secured well-earned and long-overdue wage increases for hundreds of thousands of dedicated public servants while ensuring that our labor contracts are fair deals for taxpayers as well. With the dozens of contracts we have negotiated, we are creating a fairer and more equitable city, delivering on our vision for a more affordable and livable city, and ensuring that New York City is not only the greatest city in the world to live, but also one of the greatest places to work.”

“New York City’s hardworking public servants, like our probation workers, deserve fair contracts, and I’m proud to be a part of an administration that is delivering for them,” said City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg. “My thanks to Mayor Adams, Commissioner Campion, and UPOA President Dalvanie Powell for coming to this agreement, which secures a good deal for these vital public safety workers and a fair deal for New York City taxpayers.”

Our dedicated men and women — the majority women of color — at the New York City Department of Probation work tirelessly to help individuals find the path to a better life, moving and staying out of the justice system, said New York City Department of Probation Commissioner Juanita N. Holmes. I thank Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, OLR Commissioner Renee Campion, and UPOA President Dalvanie Powell for working on this agreement. This contract exemplifies the collaborative efforts between Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Banks in advancing their unified vision of increased public safety in New York City and recognizes the invaluable work our officers do every day, from helping our clients rebuild their lives to ensuring the safety of our communities. By crafting personalized interventions and offering tailored educational and employment opportunities, our probation officers transform lives and play a crucial role in keeping our fellow New Yorkers safe. Probation officers are on the frontlines of justice, crafting personalized interventions, providing essential support, and fostering positive change; this new contract helps recognize them for their hard work to keep New York City safe.

“I am extremely happy that the parties have reached this agreement, which provides significant wage increases for our hardworking and dedicated probation workers, who work tirelessly each day to assist individuals on probation and to help keep New York safe,” said OLR Commissioner Campion. “I would like to personally thank UPOA President Dalvanie Powell for her leadership and professionalism during these negotiations.”

“We are proud to have reached a tentative agreement on what we believe is a fair contract for our members,” said Dalvanie K. Powell, president, UPOA. “Probation is the heartbeat of our criminal justice system, working tirelessly to keep our communities safe while giving individuals under our supervision a second chance. We negotiated this contract with a clear focus on addressing the historic pay disparities that our members — who are mostly women and people of color — have faced, as well as improving working conditions and benefits. Our Executive Board approved this contract today and we will be meeting with our members to discuss the terms over the next week before this is put to a vote of our full membership. Our union remains committed to advocating for our members and ensuring that they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. We look forward to continuing to build on this agreement and advancing the interests of New York City’s probation officers.”

The tentative agreement — which must be ratified by the UPOA membership — also creates a new 11-year step pay plan for probation officers and supervisors, replacing the current salary ranges. Effective November 28, 2024, probation officers’ starting salaries will be $61,386 and the top pay will be $81,000. Supervising probation officers’ starting salaries will be $86,500 and the top pay will be $95,100. Employees who would earn above these pay rates with the pattern wage increases will be kept whole.

The total cost of the tentative agreement, through Fiscal Year 2028, will be approximately $52 million, which is fully funded in the financial plan.

UPOA members will receive the following compounded wage increases:

  • May 28, 2021: 3.00 percent
  • April 2, 2022: 3.00 percent
  • November 28, 2022: 3.00 percent
  • November 28, 2023: 3.00 percent
  • November 28, 2024: 3.25 percent

In the last 18 months, Mayor Adams has successfully negotiated contracts with unions representing nearly 97 percent of the city's workforce. These agreements with District Council 37Communications Workers of America Local 1180, the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, the Uniformed Sanitation Workers' Union Local 831, the United Federation of Teachers, the Police Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Officers Coalition, the Council of School Supervisors and AdministratorsTeamsters Local 237, and dozens of other unions, including the agreement with UPOA, have all included wage increases, including retroactive wage increases for employees that had not received a raise in years. Additionally, many of these contracts included dedicated funding to address retention and recruitment challenges and other important benefits.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Funding Opportunities, 
Legislative News, & More
Friday Extra: August 16, 2024
(Friday) Extra, Extra!
Click here for this week's video:
President Lisa Sorin and Membership Manager Alexis Martinez are back with this week's Bronx Business & Community News!
The Bronx-Metro North Station Area plan rezoning and Mobile Car Wash Enforcement transfer (details below); Longwood Gallery at Hostos College's impending move to the Bronx Council on the Arts spaceBronx GameChangers: rescheduled to 9/15 (Yanks vs. Red Sox!); Gala Updates
Bronx Chamber GameChangers Event Has Been Rescheduled to September 15!

Due to Tropical Storm Debby, the scheduled Yankee-Rangers game / Bronx Chamber GameChangers event did not take place on August 9 - but we are excited to announce that the event has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 15 when our Bronx Bombers will take on their baseball arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox! (details below in Events section)

Registration has reopened - don't miss out! Click here for tickets
😎 Summer Hours: The Bronx Chamber office is on a 4-day schedule, closed every Friday through 8/30/24
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
City Council Approves Metro-North Stations Rezoning
Yesterday, the New York City Council voted to approve the Bronx Metro-North Stations rezoning, which will add approximately 7,000 new residential housing units and make historic infrastructure and community investments in the surrounding East Bronx neighborhoods of Parkchester, Van Nest, and Morris Park with forthcoming Metro-North Stations. The plan leverages the new Metro-North service to promote transit-oriented development amidst the city’s housing crisis. It will advance economic growth, facilitate the development of housing, including affordable housing, as well secure investment in the public realm around stations to improve accessibility, pedestrian safety and quality of life. Read the full press release HERE.
Mobile Car Wash Enforcement Transfer 
Due to recent law changes (Local Law 32 of 2024) in relation to unlicensed mobile car wash operators, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection launched an outreach campaign to create greater awareness of mobile car wash license requirements, the license application process, and penalties regarding operating without a license. Starting August 15, 2024, all inquiries regarding Mobile Car Wash enforcement should be directed to the Department of Sanitation, which will be responsible for enforcement. Click here to read the full bill.
Reminder Regarding Intro 991, pertaining to Hotel Licensing:
Click Here for the Full Intro 991 Billsponsored by Council Member Julie Menin: This bill would require hotels to obtain a license in order to operate their business in the City. (Committee: Consumer & Worker Protection)

Our concerns regarding impact on hotels in the Bronx: As this bill stands now, it will increase costs for hotels, and in turn make it more expensive for the consumer. Revoking a potential license for a hotel based on an outage of wi-fi or an elevator is not reasonable. We stand to lose any potential development of new hotels in our borough. 


We encourage all Bronx businesses who may be impacted by this legislation to contact your representatives to express concerns about Int 991 - CLICK HERE for a list of City Council Representatives and their contact information.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce planned to testify in person in front of the NYC Council at the Consumer and Worker Protection hearing scheduled for Tuesday, July 30th; however that hearing was postponed and has not yet been rescheduled. We encourage you to continue contacting your City Council representatives to voice your concerns.

Be sure to visit our website Advocacy page for weekly Bronx Business Legislative Updates
BRONX CHAMBER 2024 GALA
Anything Is possible…
Our annual gala is almost 4 weeks away!

Chamber President Lisa Sorin shares her insights on our Gala theme and the selection of *SOPHIA*, our AI-powered humanoid Master of Ceremonies - who will join us to demystify AI and demonstrate its potential to fuel the growth of commerce, as we celebrate this year's Honorees for their unique contributions to our borough:

  • DJ Ambulette, Business of the Year
  • Monroe College, Community Organization of the Year
  • Lemle & Wolff Companies, Developer of the Year
  • Amazon, recipient of the Joseph P. Kelleher Excellence Award

Thursday, September 19, 2024
Marina Del Rey, Bronx, NY
6:30 - 11:00pm

Sincere thanks to our first round of Sponsors (updated list - in formation as of 8-15-24):
Bronx AI Sponsors: Simone Development Companies, The Stagg Group
Bronx Champions: Amazon, DJ Ambulette, Monroe College, Lemle & Wolff Companies
Bronx Partner: DoorDash, Bally's Casino
Bronx Supporters: Affinity by Molina Healthcare, KZA Realty Group, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, Ponce Bank, Orange Bank & Trust Company, RiteCheck Cashing, Montefiore Medical Center, Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy

Support the 2024 Gala with one of our comprehensive Sponsorship packages, and showcase your business among 600+ executives and community leaders, plus exclusive VIP benefits - view and purchase available Sponsorships, Tickets & Tables, Journal Ads and more HERE
MORE BRONX CHAMBER EVENTS
NEW DATE, NEW MATCHUP
Bronx GameChangers Event
Yankees vs. Red Sox
Sunday, September 15
Game Time: 1:35pm (Suite Opens at 11:30am)

Mother Nature trumped our plans for the previously-scheduled August 9 event, but in a fortuitous turn of events - GameChangers will now feature the ultimate baseball rivalry: Yankees vs. Red Sox!

All prior ticketholders will be honored, and registration has re-opened for the few remaining spots - don't delay, this one is sure to sell out!

Roasting Room Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, September 12
11:00am - 1:00pm
542 Barretto Street
Bronx, NY 10474

Join the Bronx Chamber to celebrate the Grand Opening of our newest member, The Roasting Room by Buunni Coffee!

Buunni Coffee brings Ethiopian hospitality and warmth to the United States via fabled, full-flavored coffee beans. Elias and Sarina, a husband-and-wife team, founded Buunni in 2012 when they moved west across the Atlantic and we are thrilled that they are opening up The Roasting Room, building on their passion for coffee and community building. The Roasting Room is a community space where the art of coffee roasting is celebrated, shared, and elevated. They are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning, and creating a space where the coffee community can thrive together.

Maximize Visibility: Google Business Profile Strategies Workshop

Save the Date for an upcoming digital marketing webinar hosted by Bronx Chamber member PS Digital on October 2 at 12:00pm --  their specialists will share expert tips, tricks and strategies to attract new customers by optimizing your Google Business Profile.

Registration is opening soon on our website - stay tuned!
CHAMBER MEMBER & PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
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!