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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.