Saturday, September 17, 2022

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra
Adams Commission Launched to Reform Department of Buildings
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hunts Point Produce Market's $110M Federal Investment
Throggs Neck Business Improvement District Listening Session & Tour

Legislative & Advocacy Updates
Coffee & Conversations Series
 NYC Cannabis Launched

Funding Opportunities
NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses

Upcoming Events
BRONX CHAMBER JOINS ADAMS COMMISSION TO REFORM
NYC DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS
Darry Saldana and Miguel Matos of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce will serve of the Adams Commission, tasked with reforming the New York City Department of Buildings and creating a more customer and business focused department to streamline the administrative processes of the department.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Eric A. Ulrich announced major steps to refocus the DOB on providing improved customer service and supporting the city's economic recovery. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich kicked off the "Adams Commission" – a 90-day commission convening stakeholders from labor, industry, the nonprofit sector, and city government to produce a comprehensive blueprint recommending structural improvements at DOB.

Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich kicked off the effort with immediate action, launching two new customer service units: the Small Business Support Team (SBST) and the Major Projects Development Unit (MPDU). These new units will accelerate project timelines by providing dedicated services to ensure applications avoid unnecessary pitfalls. Read more.
BRONX CHAMBER JOINS MAYOR ADAMS TO CELEBRATE
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Ms. Sorin is the first Latina to lead a borough-wide chamber of commerce in the history of the City of New York, and had faithfully executed her role while elevating the voices of so many individuals of Hispanic heritage.

Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements for the United States and was codified and proclaimed by President Johnson in 1969. The Bronx Chamber will keep the celebration going by sharing a history of Bronx Hispanic businesses and the community's impact on the Bronx's economic development and also highlight the month during the Thursday, September 22, Cigars, Scotch, and Networking event at The Bronx Havana Room, click here for tickets.
Lisa Sorin, President of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, joined Board members, NYC Leaders, and Mayor Eric Adams to celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.

HUNTS POINT PRODUCE MARKET RECEIVES $110 MILLION FROM
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Hunts Point Produce Market has been selected for a $110 million federal grant to upgrade and improve its facilities. The funding comes from a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant and will be used to strengthen critical freight movement and improve the environment, public health, and quality of life for the Hunts Point community.

The new produce market will be an approximately 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art intermodal freight facility with more than 800,000 square feet of refrigerated warehouse space and 200,00 square feet of ancillary space. The new facility will be compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s new Food Safety Modernization Act and will expand much-needed refrigerated warehouse space and pallet capacity — eliminating 1,000 diesel-powered refrigerated trailer units currently idling onsite as additional storage and significantly reducing emissions in the surrounding community. The redevelopment will also improve site circulation and coordination of inbound and outbound traffic, and it will facilitate increased rail usage.

BRONX CHAMBER CONTINUES BID LISTENING SESSIONS & TOURS
NYC SBS AWARDS $800,000 TO ACCELERATE BID FORMATION IN NYC
Our business improvement districts are vitally important to our City's economic recovery. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce continued its strategy to listen, tour, and discuss solutions to economic development challenges in all Bronx commercial corridors, with a particular focus on business improvement districts.

This week the Bronx Chamber join the Bronx Borough President, Councilmember Velasquez, and community leaders for a walking tour of Throggs Neck Business Improvement District to celebrate the BID's work in the area, 22 new businesses, and discuss how to cut through red tape to deliver for more Bronx businesses.

In testament to the success of Business Improvement Districts, today New York City Department of Small Business Services announced $800,000 of grant awards to accelerate BID development and formation. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Third Avenue Business Improvement District were among the awardees.

16 community-based development organizations (CBDOs) will be awarded a total of $800,000 in Business Improvement District (BID) Exploration and Formation grants. The funding will be used to help CBDOs take critical steps to organize and plan BID formations in 17 commercial corridors around the city. This first-of-its-kind BID development program fulfills Mayor Eric Adams's commitment to invest in underserved commercial corridors and foster robust networks of small businesses around the five boroughs as outlined in Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery, released earlier this year.
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. Over 600 attendees are expected at the Bronx's #1 business networking event. The evening features a two hour cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing. New York City Mayor Eric Adams will deliver remarks.

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!
LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS
Coffee and Conversation Series Launched
The Legislative Affairs Committee of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce launches the Coffee and Conversation series beginning September 27.

The series brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members.

The first cohort of guests include:


  •  Hon. Julie MeninChair of the New York City Council Committee on Small Business, 9/27/2022 at 3:00pm, click here to register
  •  Marlene CintronRegional Administration - Atlantic Region II, United States Small Business Administration, 10/5/2022 at 10:00am, click here to register
  •  Elizabeth LusskinExecutive Vice President - Small Business and Technology Development, Empire State Development, 10/13/2022 at 10:00am, click here to register
Cannabis NYC Launched
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) launched Cannabis NYC to support the development of a thriving and equitable cannabis industry with first-of-its-kind support for aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs.

Through strategic outreach, public engagement, business services, and advocacy efforts, Cannabis NYC will support the creation of good jobs, successful small businesses, and sustainable economic opportunity to address historic harms of cannabis prohibition. Read more.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The New York State Seed Funding Grant Program was created to provide assistance to early-stage small businesses to succeed in a recovering New York State economy.

Eligible Applicants must provide evidence, acceptable to New York State that the Eligible Applicant is operational and meets the Program requirements. As part of the application each micro-business, small business, or for-profit arts and cultural organization including independent arts contractors shall provide sufficient documentation in a manner prescribed by Empire State Development ("ESD") to demonstrate Program qualification. Only one grant per business EIN or SSN is allowed. Due to a limited amount of funding and the high volume of requests expected, business type, geography and industry may factor into ability to receive a grant.


THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Former NYC Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

You should know, that much has been written about the dangers and risks, that millions of undocumented immigrants take to enter America illegally.
 
Although it is true that those entering this country illegally risk their lives on their treacherous journey, little is said or written about the benefits they receive when crossing America’s borders. How this country grants them benefits and social services that are not so easily granted to many American Citizens.
 
We can all agree that the situation of the illegal immigrants is a painful one, and that we should keep them in our constant prayer. Nevertheless, we must also acknowledge the plight of the American Citizens due to these open borders and the influx of illegal crossings. Americans are all affected, the Elderly, Parents, children, and complete families are dispossessed, daily, losing their homes and apartments for not having enough to pay their debts. The homeless population among Americans and Veterans is in the thousands with many living in shelters and on the streets.   On the other hand, the undocumented, non-citizen will be accommodated in 4- and 5-star hotels in the City of New York at a cost of $400.00 per night, free of charge, and paid for by the American Taxpayer.
 
As for Health Services, many Americans, do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. When they can’t meet their health care costs, their salary is threatened with garnishment, or denied health care, or they will just have to do without. But the undocumented not only has their health care needs met without any risks, but in addition to their healthcare needs, they also have access to the nation’s social services, education, housing, jobs, and economic aid, etc. 
 
To add insult to injury, you should know that today I learned that the Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, rented two planes, paid for by the State of Florida, to transport undocumented immigrants to "Martha’s Vineyard" in the State of Massachusetts.  You should also Know that Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most prestigious, exclusive, and luxurious locations in the United States. This is where millionaires reside and vacation. 
 
Martha’s Vineyard is known to be for the elites such as the Kennedys, The Obamas, The Clinton's, Onassis and celebrities like Meg Ryan, Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey, among many others.  
 
Many American Citizens may not even know where Marthas Vineyard is, nor have they ever visited this prestigious island, nor could they ever visit Martha's Vineyard even if they wanted to.
 
It is important for you to know that this privilege of free transportation and being accommodated on Martha’s Vineyard has never been granted to any low- or middle-income American. One Night's Stay on Marthas Vineyard comes at a cost that only millionaires can afford, and it's something the rest of us can only dream of having such a privilege.   
 
So, my dear reader as you can see, the privileges that are being granted to the people of the world who cross the American borders illegally are immense. Many might risk their lives because they know that by doing so the benefits and opportunities that awaits them are innumerable, better than those of some legal residents of this State and Nation.
 
No other sovereign nation in the world would ignore the security of their nation’s borders, much less ignore the needs of its citizens, and grant more benefits to the foreigners who entered their country illegally. No other country on earth would force their citizens into a position where they must compete for the nation’s vital services and resources.

We have heard the many complaints, according to news reports, that the undocumented immigrants are being deceived in order to transport them to places like New York, Martha's Vineyard, Washington, D.C. , etc., etc.   These same people were silent and did not criticize President Biden when he was secretly transporting the illegal immigrants, in the darkness of night, to different states of the Nation, until it was exposed when these planes and buses arrived in Westchester County in New York State. 
 
What the Biden Administration did when it opened the American borders, was create a magnet for the people of the world to come, it created chaos throughout America, it put us all in danger, it has caused division among the American people and among the States. Therefore, I ask you to join me in prayer. We must unite and pray for God to Bless America and protect us from the treacherous path it is on. 
 
I Am Rev. Ruben Diaz, and This Is What You Should Know.