Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video:   2022 SOMOS Conference promoting the small business agenda   Veterans Day Luncheon Salutes Armed Services   Bronx Chamber member Amazon expands Bronx footprint to 1.5M Square feet   Small Business Team tours Arthur Avenue in Belmont Legislative & Advocacy Updates   Get Stuff Clean Initiative Launched   General Election Results Funding Opportunities   NYS SEED Program for Early-Stage Businesses Upcoming Events   Annual Holiday Party, December 8th

5 CHAMBER ALLIANCE PROMOTES SMALL BUSINESS AGENDA 2022 SOMOS CONFERENCE

Live from SOMOS. The small business agenda, strengthening businesses in NYC and Puerto Rico. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce leads a panel discussion on small business development, the Small Business Resource Network, and opportunities and challenges in New York City and Puerto Rico. The 5 Chamber Presidents were joined by Marlene Cintron, Regional Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration, and Bronx Chamber member and owner of ChocoBar Cortes in the South Bronx, Carlos Cortes. The panel discussion was one of the highest attended panels during this economic and policy focus conference which brings together policy makers, influencers, and thought partners with the focus of making New York City and the Island of Puerto Rico stronger together, while also charting a coordinated plan for economic and business development. The Bronx is home to the largest Puerto Rican population outside of the Island. For more information or to catch the complete video from the conference, visit the Chamber on Instagram, @thenewbxcc The Bronx Chamber will also lead Coffee and Conversation with Hon. Marjorie Velazquez from SOMOS focused on Consumer Affairs and the Economy on Friday, November 11 at 1pm New York time, 2pm Puerto Rican time. Click here to register.

VETERANS CELEBRATED DURING THE 2022 VETERANS LUNCHEON & RECONGITION CEREMONY

Saluting our Veterans. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and leadership team celebrates our veterans during the Chamber's annual Veterans Luncheon & Recognition Ceremony highlighting our gratitude to members of the armed services who defended our ideals, freedoms, and nation. Over 50 Bronx Veterans joined guests and Chamber leaders at Pasquale's Rigoletto on Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx to honor veterans and promote Bronx Chamber business programs specifically designed for veteran owned businesses. University Veteran Centers, local battalions, rotary clubs, and Bronx Veterans groups gathered to honor 5 veteran of the armed services, including:   Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia, U.S Army   Master Sgt. Chris Devoy, U.S Marine Corps   Seaman Miguel Ramirez, U.S Navy   Senior Airman Chris Kocovic, U.S Airforce   Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich, U.S Coast Guard The annual event, generously sponsored by Chamber donors, celebrates Veterans and raises funding and awareness for Chamber Veteran Small Business programs. Thank you to everyone who worked to make this event possible and to our Veterans for their service to the nation. Special thanks to our Board members in attendance and for the leadership of Anthony Mormile and John Bonizio. For more information on Veteran owned business services, email: sbrn@bronxchamber.org

Board Member, John Bonizio serves as Master of Ceremonies for the Bronx Chamber's annual Veterans Day Luncheon & Recognition Ceremony. Over 85 attendees gather at Pasquale's Rigoletto for the Bronx Chamber's annual Veterans Luncheon & Recognition Ceremony.

AMAZON EXPANDS BRONX FOOTPRINT TO 1.5M SQUARE FEET

Bronx Chamber of Commerce member Amazon expands it presence in New York City by growing its footprint to 1.5M square feet of leased space. Amazon recently inked a deal at the former Whitestone Multiplex site which in 2019 was transformed into a state-of-the-art facility. The developers revealed that the site would be used for e-commerce, but the project remained in limbo until recently, when retail giant Amazon, announced it will be moving in, using the location as a fulfillment center, nearly doubling its presence in the borough. Home Depot will soon join Amazon at the site. “The big deal for the Bronx is this brings Amazon’s footprint in the borough to about 1.5 million square feet,” said Michael Brady, chair of the legislative committee for Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Brady says the lease agreement is a win for the borough’s economy, creating jobs and cementing it as a great place for both small and national retailers to do business. The Bronx tried to woo Amazon during its search for New York City-based headquarters. But the online retailer chose Queens. That deal eventually fell though following fierce backlash over government incentives. “We put in offers to Amazon saying we can do things over here. We have the people. We have the know how. We have the industrial zoning already; maybe Queens’ loss is our gain,” said Brady.  To learn more about this deal, Click here.

ARTHUR AVENUE GETS A BOOST FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS TEAM

The Bronx Chamber team celebrates the Bronx and boosts small business services on Arthur Avenue in a recent canvass of this historic cultural enclave with the Small Business Resource Team. The Bronx Chamber welcomed the citywide partners of the Small Business Resource Network to Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of the Bronx to visit businesses and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of this historic and culturally diverse commercial district that is the home of NYC's real Little Italy! The team, led by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, included representatives from the 5 Chamber Alliance and Small Business Resource Network teams and highlighted the Bronx Chamber's success in delivering in-person services to over 5,000 Bronx businesses since the program began. Interested in learning more?mEmail, sbrn@bronxchamber.org

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

Get Stuff Clean Initiative Launched. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis

Rodriguez, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced $14.5 million in new funding to create a cleaner city through a major upgrade to cleanliness protocols across the five boroughs. The ‘Get Stuff Clean’ initiative will invest $14.5 million this fiscal year alone to clean more than 1,000 ‘No Man’s Land’ neglected areas around the city, increase litter basket service, expand camera enforcement against illegal dumping, and bring on additional rat exterminators — resulting in faster and more reliable cleaning of every corner of the city.  Initiative highlights include:   Adams Administration Will End ‘No Man’s Land’ Areas of Dirty Conditions Around Five Boroughs That Have Been Neglected   Mayor Adams Doubles Down on Cleanliness Investments After July Cleanliness Funding Already Showing Results   DSNY to Add 200 New Sanitation Workers to Keep Public Spaces Clean

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. To apply, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, November 17 from 10:00am to 11:00am Coffee & Conversation w. Hon. Eric Dinowitz Chair, NYC Council Committee on Higher Education Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce for coffee and conversation with Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Council Committee on Higher Education, discussing new regulations, the Bronx delegation, workforce and education programs, and more. Click HERE To Register

Thursday, December 8 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm Winter Wonderland Holiday Party Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce for our annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Party. Bring your company, your teams, or your friends and families and celebrate the holidays with an open bar, 3 course dinner, dancing, and entertainment as we do good for the community by supporting the children and families of Astor Children's Services with our annual gift drive. Click HERE To Register

Attorney General James and DEC Commissioner Seggos Ask Court to Require Norlite to Immediately Cease Harmful Emissions

 

Following Lawsuit, AG James Files Motion for Preliminary Injunction against Cohoes Facility to Protect the Health and Wellbeing of Surrounding Community 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today took action to protect New Yorkers from air pollution caused by harmful emissions. Following their October 2022 lawsuit against Norlite, LLC (Norlite) to force the company to stop polluting the air with contaminants from its Cohoes facility, Attorney General James and Commissioner Seggos asked the court to require Norlite to immediately cease harmful emissions and suspend certain operations when emissions levels approach thresholds established to preserve public health.

“Air pollution from the Norlite plant has made it impossible for community members to open a window or walk outside without fearing for their health and safety,” said Attorney General James. “Last month, Commissioner Seggos and I filed a lawsuit to protect Cohoes residents and force an end to Norlite’s long history of environmental violations. Today, we are taking action to stop Norlite from continuing to endanger the neighboring community, and we remain committed to restoring safe, clean air for all New Yorkers.” 

“The joint legal action taken by DEC and Attorney General James to prevent Norlite’s air pollution was an important step in the state’s commitment to help protect the health of local residents and our environment,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos. “While the fight to hold Norlite accountable continues, this new filing seeks to implement additional oversight and monitoring or halt the company’s operations to prevent any additional harmful airborne contaminants from affecting the Cohoes community.”

Industrial operations at Norlite cause high levels of emissions containing crystalline silica and particulate matter, which pollute the air in the surrounding community and endanger residents’ health. The state conducted an intensive monitoring program at the facility in 2021 and 2022, which determined that levels of particulate matter and crystalline silica in the air in the community surrounding Norlite exceed levels established to protect against harmful health impacts. The monitoring also confirmed Norlite to be the primary cause of the elevated levels of particulate matter and crystalline silica in the local community’s air. 

In the filing for a preliminary injunction, the state asserts that Norlite has persistently engaged in conduct causing harmful air pollution despite receiving repeated warnings. The facility is located roughly 100 feet away from Saratoga Sites Apartments — a 70-unit public housing complex that as of October 2022 was home to approximately 100 residents, including 43 children. Residents have observed clouds of dust migrating from Norlite and descending over Saratoga Sites and complain of myriad health concerns related to air pollution including but not limited to upper respiratory issues, sinus problems, high blood pressure, headaches, eye irritation, sore throats, chest pains, asthma, COPD, and cancer.  

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and DEC are asking the New York Supreme Court in Albany County to order Norlite to implement a program to closely monitor crystalline silica and particulate matter emissions from the facility, publicly report the results, and immediately cease operations when emissions approach prescribed health-based thresholds. The motion also asks the court to order Norlite to engage an independent engineer to identify facility upgrades and operational adjustments options for permanently eliminating harmful emissions. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, MULTIPLE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS TO BE LIT GREEN IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and other municipal buildings will be lit green in recognition of Veterans Day and as part of Operation Green Light, a nationwide initiative that raises awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and their families.

 

“Today, as we emerge from some of our darkest days, we find inspiration in our veterans whose dedication shows us how to come together as one people, one city, and one nation,” said Mayor Adams. “Americans sit under a tree of freedom that veterans have watered with their sacrifice, and I am dedicated to ensuring that no veteran or family member is left behind in our city. Your contribution to our nation and our city does not end on the battlefield and we are forever indebted to you. Your city thanks you for your service on this Veterans Day and every other day.”

 

“For many New Yorkers, Veterans Day is about recognizing and remembering their own service or that of a brother, a sister, a mom, a dad, or a grandparent,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “It is also a day that we acknowledge and appreciate all of our veterans whether they are part of our family or part of our larger community. So, to every veteran amongst us, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. We appreciate and support you.”

 

“We want to make sure our veterans and their families know that New York City is grateful for their sacrifices, and that it is now our turn to serve them,” said New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “These green lights will shine in solidarity with other cities across the country as a beacon of respect and support for our military families. The New York City Department of Veterans’ Services stands ready to help our veterans by providing crucial information about benefits and services, care coordination, and various special programs designed to uplift and empower our community.”

 

In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings will be lit up green tonight:

 

• Bronx County Courthouse
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building
• Queens Borough Hall
• Staten Island Borough Hall

 

Operation Green Light is a collaboration between the New York State Association of Counties, New York State Council of Educational Associations, the New York County Veteran Service Officers' Association, and the 62 counties across New York state. Its mission is to show support for veterans of all military conflicts, as well as raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the city, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.

 

In addition to lighting municipal buildings, New York City residents and businesses are encouraged to join in showing support for the veteran community by changing one outdoor light to a green bulb. By shining a green light, New York City will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.

 

For more information on November’s Veterans Month campaign, subscribe to the New York City Department of Veterans Services newsletter.

 

New York City veterans are encouraged to visit New York City's veterans page or call (212) 416-5250 to learn more about the resources the Department of Veterans’ Services has to offer.