Friday, December 1, 2023

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use


Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
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(Friday) Extra, Extra
NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's report on economic growth in the South Bronx
Successful Small Business Saturday in Mott Haven

Legislation & Advocacy
Traffic Mobility Review Board Releases Congestion Pricing Proposal

Upcoming Events
Bally's Holiday Bash, 12/1/2023 at 7:00 pm, 500 Hutchinson River Parkway

Climate Friendly Buildings: Incentives and Energy Savings in The Bronx 12/7/2023 at BXL Business Incubator, 2929 3rd Avenue

Annual Bronx Chamber Holiday Party, December 14 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course, 870 Shore Road
12 1 2023 Friday Extra
SOUTH BRONX ECONOMY WITH NYS COMPTROLLER
TOM DINAPOLI
The Bronx Chamber joined Comptroller DiNapoli, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and elected leaders for the release of the South Bronx economic snapshot highlighting the strong COVID-19 rebound and the area's determined small businesses, CBOs, and institutions of higher education.

“In the face of the COVID-19 storm, the South Bronx stood resilient, fortified by the dedication of neighborhood groups and advocates, like the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, specifically the Small Business Resource Network Program, and the unwavering strength of its residents,” said our President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Lisa Sorin, “Amidst the challenges, the community's growth, both in jobs and businesses, became a testament to the power of collective efforts and strategic investments, showcasing the transformative impact of public-private partnerships and community-driven initiatives. As we celebrate their success, it is vital that we continue to invest in programs that help them grow and thrive.”

To review the Comptroller's full South Bronx Economic Snapshot report, CLICK HERE
SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN MOTT HAVEN
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed 138th Merchant Collectives celebrated Small Business Saturday on November 25, 2023, with a little help from Frosty the Snowman.

Shoppers were encouraged to spend $20 or more, and they would receive a free gift once they presented their receipt to our Bronx Chamber Staff.


This program is supported by the 138th Street Merchant's Collective, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and NYC
Department of Small Business Services.

For more information, email: avenuenyc@bronxchamber.org
.
LEGISLATION & ADVOCACY
Traffic Mobility Review Board Releases Congestion Pricing Proposal

The Traffic Mobility Review Board released details of their recommendations for how much drivers should pay to enter the busiest part of Manhattan and who should get discounts.

New York is expected to become the first city in the nation to implement congestion pricing as soon as next spring. The system will charge cars, buses, motorcycles, and trucks a rate based on vehicle size and occupancy to drive into Manhattan on or below 60th Street, including Times Square, Chelsea, and SoHo.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, the West Side Highway, and parts of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel are excluded.

For more information, CLICK HERE
‘TIS THE SEASON! WITH SOME HELPFUL SHOPPING TIPS FROM DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga issued annual Holiday Shopping Tips to help consumers navigate this holiday season. With these helpful multilingual tips, New Yorkers will be able to avoid seasonal scams and overspending while also learning how to create a budget and be smarter shoppers.
CITI BIKE EXPANSION IN THE BRONX

Citi Bike has been expanded in three phases. To encourage ridership in the most recent expansion area, Lyft (the operator of Citi bike) offers a 40% discount for new annual members, as well as other discounts for existing members and NYCHA residents/SNAP recipients. The deadline to register is December 31, 2023.

For more information, Click Here
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
NYC Funds Finder

NYC's Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Next Street announced the launch of a new platform connecting small businesses with trusted resources they need to open, grow, and maintain their business. The user-friendly platform – NYC Funds Finder is where small businesses can review funding options, including loans and grants, and request free 1-on-1 financing assistance from the SBS team. 

NYC Funds Finder is a partnership between SBS and Next Street and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Next Street Scale, the platform that powers NYC Funds Finder, was created to address the hurdles that small businesses, especially those run by women and minorities, face in accessing the resources required to grow their business and build wealth. 
M/WBE Certification
Unlocking Opportunities


The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with NYC SBS to help guide you through the application process of getting certified as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).

This certification program, offered by NYC Small Business Services, is a critical initiative aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in government contracting and procurement processes. The program seeks to create opportunities for businesses owned and operated by minority individuals and women, ensuring they have fair access to government contracts and economic opportunities, opens your business up to increased opportunities from New York City agencies, free advertising in the NYC Online Directory of Certified Businesses, mentorship programs and workshops, networking events, and more.

The City has committed to awarding $16 billion in contracts to M/WBE certified organizations over the next decade--don’t miss out!

Are you eligible? (Qualification checklist below)

Business is legally authorized to transact business in New York City

Business has been in operation for at least one year

Business is more than 51% minority and/or woman owned
LOSS PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY SURVEY

Loss Prevention Technology Survey, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and our partners have issued a brief survey titled, "The Future is Here for Retail Theft Prevention." The survey seeks to understand business needs in the area of retail loss prevention. Take the Survey - Click Here






2023 Annual Holiday Party - Toy Drive

December 14 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Pelham Bay Split Rock Golf Course

$130 - Members $1,100 Table of Ten
$150 - Non-Members $1,250 Table of Ten

It's never too early to celebrate the holidays with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

Save the date for our annual holiday party. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live music


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!

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NYC RECEIVES $7.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO ELECTRIFY GOVERNORS ISLAND FERRY

 

Funding Will Support New Rapid Charging Station to Support Governors Island’s Hybrid-Electric Ferry Coming Next Summer

 

Additional $3 Million Grant Will Support 24/7 Staten Island Ferry Operations


New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that New York City has been awarded more than $10 million in U.S. Federal Transit Administration funding to support ferry operations serving Governors Island and Staten Island. One $7.5 million grant will fund the installation of shoreside rapid charging infrastructure to support the fully electric operations of the new hybrid-electric Governors Island Ferry announced by Mayor Adams and the Trust for Governors Island in March 2023. The other grant, for $3 million, will fund the rehabilitation of a New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) offsite storage facility supporting 24/7 operations of the Staten Island Ferry.

 

The new, hybrid-electric Governors Island Ferry will be the first vessel of its kind to provide public transportation within New York Harbor, eliminating 800 tons of carbon emissions per year. Along with the nation-leading Center for Climate Solutions coming to Governors Island, anchored by the New York Climate Exchange announced in April 2023, Mayor Adams and the Trust are establishing Governors Island as a national hub for green innovation. The upgrades to Staten Island Ferry infrastructure follow the Adams administration’s agreement with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association — the city’s first contract with Staten Island Ferry licensed officers since 2010 — helping deliver the reliable, 24/7 ferry service Staten Islanders and all riders deserve.

 

“New York City’s waterways are key arteries for our city — and the $10 million federal investment we have delivered for our ferry systems today will strengthen this smart, enjoyable way to enjoy the ride from point A to point B,” said Mayor Adams. “With another major win for the Staten Island Ferry, our administration is helping Staten Islanders get to work in the morning and home to their families in the evening. At the same time, we are putting innovative technology to work — reinforcing Governors Island as a nation-leading center of climate innovation and welcoming this first-of-its-kind public, electric vessel to provide cleaner air in New York Harbor. We are grateful to the Federal Transit Administration and to our federal, state, and city partners who joined us in advocating for this investment in New York City.”

 

“As we look to significantly scale the use of our waterways for fun and freight, we are excited to benefit from this investment from the Biden administration to support Staten Island Ferry operations and introduce the first 100 percent electric public ferry in New York Harbor, serving trips to Governors Island,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We appreciate the support from Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and the New York City congressional delegation in working to secure funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

 

“Governors Island continues to grow as an unparalleled resource for education, open space, and resiliency right in the middle of New York Harbor,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “This federal grant from the Biden administration will help bring a state-of-the-art, electric ferry to our waters — reducing emissions, supporting green infrastructure, and furthering New York City’s commitment to lead in the area of climate resiliency. I thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and our congressional delegation for their partnership in bringing further federal investments to New York City.”

 

“As Governors Island grows as a model for sustainable urban environments, we are proud to be able to make this critical investment that will equip New York Harbor with its first ever electric passenger ferry,” said Trust for Governors Island President and CEO Clare Newman. “With this grant, the shoreside charging station powering our new ferry will serve hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, while also championing environmental sustainability. We are thankful to the Biden administration, our partner Mayor Eric Adams, and allies like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Chuck Schumer. Together, we will make the voyage to Governors Island cleaner and greener than ever before.”

 

“The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest passenger-only ferry service in the world — providing safe, reliable, and affordable transit to nearly 24 million passengers each year,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This historic investment from the Federal Transit Administration will enable DOT to rehabilitate the storage facility that houses spare ferry parts and dock building materials, known as Building 45. This building will be better equipped to support efficient ferry operations through new fencing, improved lot access and drainage, upgraded utilities and lighting, and renewable energy elements. We thank the Federal Transit Administration, along with Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and the numerous elected officials and advocates, for their partnership in securing this critical investment. It is even sweeter knowing this federal funding will also support the first-ever electric passenger ferry to Governors Island.”

 

The grants were secured as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became law in November 2021. Valuable support for the city’s application came from Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis, and local elected officials and advocates.

 

New York City’s first public, hybrid-electric ferry is scheduled to begin service between Lower Manhattan and Governors Island in the summer of 2024. The vessel’s rapid charging infrastructure, made possible by this capital grant, will enable the ferry to operate with zero-emission, battery-only propulsion, which will drop emissions to nearly zero. The new hybrid-electric ferry will expand access for Governors Island’s nearly 1 million annual visitors and will serve the forthcoming Center for Climate Solutions.

 

The ferry’s hybrid propulsion system will reduce air pollution by allowing it to toggle between zero-emission, battery-only power and battery-assisted hybrid with diesel backup. The battery-assist mode will allow the new ferry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 800 tons annually. The shoreside charging infrastructure will be located at Soissons Ferry Landing on Governors Island, with construction anticipated to be completed in 2025.

 

The $3 million awarded to DOT will rehabilitate an off-site storage facility, locally referred to as “Building 45.” The Staten Island Ferry is the busiest passenger-only ferry service in the world, carrying nearly 24 million passengers each year. It operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan.

 

“This pivotal grant for shoreside charging infrastructure is yet another step forward in the transition to renewable energy and the creation of a more sustainable route to Governors Island. But more importantly, it’s a message to the world of how seriously our city and state take climate change, and it’s a symbol of what’s possible when all of us — government entities, elected officials, policy experts, and more — work together,” said Dr. Stephen Hammer, CEO, The New York Climate Exchange. “This funding will empower thousands of visitors each year to access Governors Island in a sustainable way, demonstrating how we can adapt to the climate crisis with a forward-looking vision. Thank you to the congressional delegation, the Trust for Governors Island, and all those who helped deliver this important funding.”

 

“As the region’s premier advocate for waterborne transportation, we are thrilled with the city’s ability to leverage federal funding for our ferry operations,” said Cortney Koenig Worrall, president and CEO, Waterfront Alliance. “The funding awarded today highlights two integral components of Waterfront Alliance’s advocacy on waterfront transportation: innovation and maintenance. In a stride toward innovation, new funding will support shoreside rapid charging infrastructure for the city’s first electric ferry. Additionally, in a wise effort to address waterfront maintenance, new funding is also being dedicated to the rehabilitation of Building 45, a key storage facility supporting the 24/7 operations of the Staten Island Ferry. We applaud DOT and Mayor Adams for demonstrating the ability to invest in the future, while also meeting operations and maintenance needs of our critical infrastructure.”

 

“We’re proud to hear that innovation in our own backyard will raise the bar for sustainable transportation infrastructure in New York City. A 100 percent electric ferry means the future has arrived in New York Harbor,” said Jessica Lappin, president, Alliance for Downtown New York. “Governors Island is one of the city’s gems, and we enthusiastically welcome news that traveling to this unique destination from Lower Manhattan will soon be cleaner and more efficient.”

 

“The team here at Billion Oyster Project is excited to be part of a decarbonized New York City and is looking forward to a more sustainable commute to Governors Island,” said Pete Malinowski, executive director, Billion Oyster Project. “Governors Island is leading the way with the city’s first ferry that will run without the use of fossil fuels.”

 

NYCHCC & Keller Williams Team Tsougranis presents a Free Educational Workshop WILL & ESTATE PLANNING 101 WITH STEPHEN B. KAUFMAN, ESQ

 




On World AIDS Day, Justice Department Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Civil Rights of People Living with HIV and AIDS

 

On World AIDS Day 2023, the Justice Department reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the civil rights of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) more than 30 years ago, the department has worked vigorously to protect and advance the rights of the more than one million Americans living with HIV and AIDS.

“The Justice Department strives to defend the rights of all Americans, including people living with HIV and AIDS,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “On World AIDS Day, we recognize our responsibility and reaffirm our commitment to prevent discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. We continue our fight to stop the spread of stereotypes and misinformation about the disease to remove senseless burdens and to ensure that those living with HIV and AIDS are treated fairly. We carry out this work with a commitment to racial equity given that Black and Latino communities are disproportionately affected by HIV.”

Over the past year, the Civil Rights Division has prioritized enforcement of the ADA and other laws to seek equal opportunity for and to combat discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.

For example, today, the Justice Department announced its finding that Tennessee, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office violated the ADA by enforcing the State’s aggravated prostitution statute against people living with HIV. The Tennessee aggravated prostitution statute elevates misdemeanor conduct to a felony based on an individual’s HIV status and mandates registration on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.

In addition, in August, the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services secured a settlement resolving allegations that a home healthcare provider discriminated against a person with HIV. The agreement requires the home healthcare provider to ensure that people with disabilities, including those who have or are perceived as having HIV, receive equal opportunities to obtain the provider’s services. The provider will also train its employees and pay damages to the person who experienced this discrimination.

The department also continues to monitor recent settlement agreements and consent decrees that involve alleged discrimination against people with HIV, including:

  • consent decree resolving a lawsuit against the Town of Clarksville, Indiana. The lawsuit alleged that the town’s police department prevented a qualified applicant from becoming a police officer based on his HIV diagnosis. The agreement requires Clarksville to pay monetary damages to the complainant, revise its policies and train its personnel;

  • settlement agreement with an in-home caregiving agency in Wisconsin that allegedly refused to provide in-home services to an individual with HIV. The agreement requires the agency to pay monetary damages to the individual, adopt a non-discrimination policy and train its staff;

  • Two settlement agreements with tattoo studios in California and Colorado that allegedly refused services to clients who informed the studios of their HIV-positive status. The agreements require the tattoo studios to pay monetary damages to the complainants, develop a non-discrimination policy and train their employees;

  • Two consent decrees resolving cases alleging that doctors in California refused to provide routine medical care to a patient because of her HIV status. One lawsuit alleged that when the patient tried to make an appointment, she was told that the doctor could not see her because she had HIV, and the second lawsuit alleged that another doctor denied the patient a Pap smear, a regular preventative procedure, because he found her a “high risk” patient. The consent decrees require each doctor to pay monetary damages to the complainant and a civil penalty to the United States, to receive training on the ADA and the care of patients with HIV and to implement a non-discrimination policy; and

  • settlement agreement with the Nevada Department of Corrections to resolve systemic discrimination in its correctional practices. The department’s investigation found that the state impermissibly isolated and segregated inmates with HIV, failed to keep their HIV status confidential and denied them equal employment opportunities as well as classification and housing at lower custody levels. The agreement requires Nevada to develop or amend policies and procedures to ensure equal and integrated housing, classification and employment opportunities, to train staff on the ADA and to implement an ADA grievance procedure.

Along with its enforcement efforts, the department continues to engage in outreach to educate people living with HIV and AIDS, businesses, state and local governments and other covered entities on their rights and responsibilities under the ADA. The department also provides technical assistance and responds to questions from individuals and covered entities through our ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 833-610-1264 (TTY).

To learn more about the Civil Rights Division’s work, please visit Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice and ADA.gov.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Expulsion of George Santos from Congress

Governor Kathy Hochul New York State Seal

“I am prepared to undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy in New York’s 3rd District by scheduling a special election. The people of Long Island and Queens deserve nothing less.”

By law, when there is a vacancy in the House of Representatives, a governor has 10 days to issue a proclamation for a special election. The special election must be scheduled 70-80 days from the date the proclamation is issued

When you look at his lack of ethics and the fact that, you know, he has not served the people of our state, particularly New York 3 where he resides, it's been an abysmal run for him.

And he has not done what he has to do for New Yorkers, and I'm glad he's gone because I need people I can work with to fight for New York, to bring federal money to our state, to create jobs and opportunities. And George Santos just took up space.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - YOU ARE INVITED: Winter Wonderland Extravaganza