Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

 

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Mayor Adams Releases Street Vendor Advisory Board Report New, New York, New York Blue Ribbon Panel Formed Get a helping hand & provide opportunities for Bronx youth with available internship programs New York City BIDs on 2024 Democratic Convention New York City Council State of the City and Budget Negotiations Upcoming Events

Street Vendor Advisory Board Report Released

Mayor Eric Adams announced the release of the report by the Street Vendor Advisory Board (SVAB). As a borough-wide economic development organization, one of our primary goals is to support continued investment from both commercial and residential interests in our neighborhoods. The report recommends common-sense changes to laws that will make life and business easier for street vendors. However, there are some recommendations in the report that raise complicated issues and require careful consideration to ensure there aren’t negative impacts on our city’s streetscape. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and our Legislative Committee have worked for several years on bringing challenges of street vending to light and will continue to address concerns.

New, New York, New York Blue Ribbon Panel Formed

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced the “‘New’ New York blue-ribbon panel” — tasked with providing recommendations on policies to promote the five borough’s bounce back from the pandemic-driven economic slowdown. The panel will be helmed by Robin Hood CEO Richard Buery and Dan Doctoroff, a top economic development official for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The body’s work will “focus on how and where people work as well as the mix and use of space in key employment centers, with a goal of minimizing vacancy, catalyzing vibrancy, and bolstering the tax base,” according to a Tuesday morning joint press release from the pair of chief executives.

Bronx Chamber & NYC Leaders Support Hosting the 2024 Democratic Convention Work with Mayor Adams to Address Quality of Life Matters

Yesterday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, met with key business leaders to discuss short and long term plans to address violence, quality of life matters, creating stronger central commercial districts, and our City's economic recovery. In addition, business leaders, including the Chambers of Commerce, business improvement districts, and private sector employers gathered to support New York City's bid to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The Convention stands to generate over $350 million in economic development for the City of New York and includes a five borough plan for convention delegates.

New York City Council State of the City Address City Budget Negotiations Continue

Earlier this week, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the Chair of our Legislative Committee attended the State of the City Address delivered by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams at York College in Queens. The address outlined her vision to expand health and opportunity to improve public safety and recover from the pandemic. Speaker Adams focused on the City’s inequities exacerbated by the pandemic that leave many communities, particularly in Black and brown communities and among the city’s working-class neighborhoods, without access to health and well-being. The Speaker noted key investments the City must make in the forthcoming budget, as well as several legislative and policy proposals to address major challenges facing New York City.  The full text of the speech can be accessed here. In addition to being committed to fighting for business funding in the City Budget, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee delivered testimony during the New York City Council budget hearing for FY23.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Leads Community Day of Action at Graham Triangle in the South Bronx

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, joined Third Avenue Business Improvement District in leading efforts to revitalize the South Bronx's historic Graham Triangle at 138th Street and Third Avenue. As part of the Mott Haven AvenueNYC Program, the Chamber seeks to build coalitions and support grassroots community volunteerism to organize residents, merchants, and property owners. During the Community Day of Action: trees & shrubs were trimmed, the War Memorial cleaned, benches repaired & painted, tree beds weeded, and the area was freshly mulched.

NYC Summer Restaurant Week

Bronx restaurants, don’t miss out! NYC Summer Restaurant Week is coming up July 21 - August 21. Click Here to Sign Up by May 31! Participation is free, thanks to generous funding from the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.

Bronx Chamber Signature Event

Tuesday June 21 (all day event) Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, Bronx NY Bronx Chamber Annual Golf Outing - Signature Event Join us for fun, networking and fundraising at this can't-miss Bronx Chamber Signature Event! This year we will honor Michael Gilfeather, President & CEO of Orange Bank and Trust Co. Click HERE for Sponsorship packages, foursome, & dinner ticket details, and to register by May 31st! For more information, email dolores@bronxchamber.org

More Upcoming Events

MTA Penn Access Job Fair Tuesday, June 7, 3:00 - 7:00pm Residence Inn Bronx Atrium at the Hutch Metro Center 1776 Eastchester Road Bronx, NY 10461

Wednesday, June 8 at 10am, The MTA Department of Diversity and Civil Rights will host a virtual MTA DBE Certification workshop.   To register for the this workshop – please send an email to DBEcertification@mtahq.org and include participant name, company name and contact information.  After registering, you will receive a separate email confirming your attendance and the workshop’s zoom sign-on information.  Quick Facts:  The MTA has an established goal of 20% on all federally funded DBE contracts. The DBE Certification workshop series will help you understand the application process.  The sessions are hosted by MTA DBE Certification Managers and are at no cost to participate.  Due to COVID-19 pandemic efforts, the session will be hosted on a virtual platform.

Wednesday, June 8 at 6:00pm Hutch Metro Conference Center at 1200 Waters Place Public Speaking Workshop You don't want to miss this free, in-person workshop led by award-winning reporter Juliet Papa of 1010 WINS! Learn to conquer stage fright by simplifying your message, connecting with your audience, letting your passion show, and managing your nerves. Click HERE To Register

Tuesday, June 14 from 9:30am to 10:30am Financial Journey Workshop Join Yesenia Quinones, Bronx Community Manager for JPM Chase, for a free online workshop that will guide you through your financial journey with an in-depth discussion on savings and budgeting. Click HERE To Register

Save the Date: Bronx Chamber 2022 Gala

Save The Date! Mark your calendar for the 2022 Bronx Chamber Gala Celebrating Our Members September 29 at 6:30pm Marina Del Rey Caterers Bronx, NY

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!

NYPD Announces Release of First Quarterly Report on Citywide Vehicle Encounters

 

Overall Stops for January through March Reflect the NYPD’s Equitable Traffic Policing and Precision Crime-Fighting Approach

 The NYPD shared precinct-level data on police officers’ encounters with motorists across New York City during the first quarter of 2022, in accordance with the reporting requirements of an amendment to Local Law 45 passed last year.

The 176,753 recorded vehicle stops in the first three months of this year show the race of those vehicle operators to be roughly proportional to the city’s overall racial demographics.

Officers involved in the vehicle stops encountered conditions necessitating 4,222 arrests (2.4% of all traffic stops). The arrests reflect a level of intelligence-based enforcement that highlights the NYPD’s work on all fronts to battle serious crime and help create a safe and prosperous city for all New Yorkers. Arrests, as well as the 88 times (.05% of all traffic stops) officers were required to use some level of force in all recorded traffic encounters to date, occurred most frequently in areas of the city beset by crime upticks.

Police officers work to intervene and prevent crime in areas of the city where the predominance of citywide violence occurs. They do this by identifying the drivers of violence, interdicting vehicles with illegal, paper license plates, stopping speeders who show no regard for their neighbors, and focusing intently on seizing illegal guns, particularly in high-intensity narcotics-trafficking zones.

"We are proud to share data on traffic policing that is integral to our collective understanding of the good work NYPD officers do every day to improve our city, maintain safe roads and highways, and ensure consequences for those individuals who choose to break the law," said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. "We often say that traffic safety is public safety – we have no tolerance for even one criminal motorist. In a city made more vibrant by the free-flow of automobiles, a robust vehicle-safety strategy is a fundamental tool in assuring everyone’s right to safe travel. The transparency of this data helps serve that mission."

The data released today by the NYPD has been shared directly with the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York, and the Speaker of the City Council, and has been posted publicly on the Police Department’s website. Please click https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/vehicle-stop-reports.page to view the report.

Governor Hochul Announces State Police, Local Law Enforcement to Crack Down on Impaired and Reckless Driving This Memorial Day Weekend

 

Enforcement Campaign to Run Through May 31 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State Police and local law enforcement statewide will increase patrols to combat drunk, impaired, and reckless driving throughout Memorial Day weekend. The STOP-DWI enforcement period starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022, and runs through 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, and police will be out in full force to remove impaired and reckless drivers from our highways.

"Impaired driving is a reckless, dangerous choice that puts far too many people at risk of costly and possibly deadly consequences," Governor Hochul said. "As we prepare to travel and get together with friends and family for Memorial Day weekend, I urge all motorists to drive responsibly and plan for a safe ride home. Don't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking so you can enjoy your weekend without endangering yourself or others."

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols by State Police and local law enforcement agencies during this holiday weekend. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations.  These vehicles blend in with traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "For many New Yorkers, Memorial Day marks the start of the summer travel season, which means additional traffic and increased risks on our roadways. As you prepare your holiday weekend, remember to make safety your top priority.  Wear your seat belt, remain alert and above all, drive sober. If you drink or use drugs, do not get behind the wheel of any vehicle - instead, plan for a safe ride home. Troopers will be vigilant in keeping our roadways safe throughout the holiday weekend and will be targeting reckless and impaired drivers."

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "There will be many more motorists on the road this Memorial Day weekend as the summer travel season begins. We want everyone to reach their destinations safely, so we are urging drivers to make responsible choices to avoid senseless tragedies. Do not drive if you have been drinking or using drugs. Also, please follow the rules of the road and share the road safely with others."

According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany, 516 people died and 5,067 were injured in crashes that involved impaired drivers in New York State during 2020.

This initiative is partially funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their "Have a Plan" mobile app can help New Yorkers find a safe way home from a celebration where they may be drinking. The free app allows users to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share, and review the consequences of impaired driving. Users can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smart phones. 

On Memorial Day weekend in 2021, Troopers arrested 185 people for drinking and driving, issued 9,214 total tickets, and investigated 163 personal injury crashes, which resulted in two fatalities. In addition to the New York State Police, numerous counties and agencies throughout the state also participated in last year's Memorial Day Crackdown.