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: Implementation of Commercial Waste Containerization Governor Hochul Implement Cannabis Enforcement Hochul Announces the Federal Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship "Good Guy Guarantee" Ruling MTA Announces Tremont Avenue Station is fully ADA-Compliant Upcoming Events The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York 2024 3.3rd - 5th 2024 -10:00am to 5:00 pm Ladies First: Women's History Month Event 3.6.2024 Irish Heritage Month Celebration 3.14.2024 Women of Distinction - 3.22.2024 11:30am - 2:00pm Workforce Career Developing Skills for Success To Shape Future Careers - 4.9.2024 Event Highlight

COMMERCIAL CONTAINERIZATION FINAL RULES AND REGULATIONS GO INTO EFFECT TODAY

Starting today, March 1, 2024, ALL businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. This applies to all businesses that set out waste on the curb. This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock. As part of our commitment to keeping our streets clean, we implemented new rules to reduce the number of black bags that line city streets. DSNY began the process in April 2023, when they changed the waste setout times for residents and businesses — reducing the time trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks. For more information on containerization, Click Here

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES STEPS TO SHUT DOWN ILLEGAL CANNABIS STOREFRONTS

On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul was joined by representatives of New York’s legal cannabis retailers, including Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees, to announce the State’s steps forward in shutting down the illegal cannabis market. Unlicensed cannabis businesses have continued to open and operate throughout the state, often selling untested products and creating nuisances in communities. Further, these storefronts have stymied the growth of New York’s legal industry and the retailers operating therein. For more information, Click Here

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES NEW YORK STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL INITIATIVE FOR INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul announced that New York would participate in the federal Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, which is a national effort led by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to expand access to capital for socially and economically disadvantaged individual-owned small businesses. This will help small businesses owned by people from historically disadvantaged populations and ensure equitable implementation of the U.S. Treasury's $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative – of which New York received more than $500 million. The initiative, which seeks to help MWBEs secure growth capital and move into larger contracts, complements Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting MWBEs across New York State. For more information about this program, Click Here

"GOOD GUY GUARANTEE" RULING

If you own a small business, you are probably familiar with the Good Guy Guarantee. A “Good Guy Guarantee” is a type of guarantee often included in a lease to give a landlord extra security should the commercial tenant default on rent or not comply with other lease obligations. This guarantee allows a tenant's principal to leave their obligations under the lease if the business fails. The good guy guarantee protects landlords because it cannot be exercised if a tenant defaults. The guarantor would remain personally liable for rent during lengthy eviction proceedings. More information on this ruling can be found in our newsletter. For more information, Click Here

MTA ANNOUNCES TREMONT AVE B & D STATION IN THE BRONX NOW FULLY ACCESSIBLE

The MTA announced on Wednesday, that the Tremont Ave​​​ subway station in the Bronx is now fully accessible to all in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project included the installation of three new elevators, one taking customers from the street to the mezzanine and two from the mezzanine to the platform, as well as two reconstructed and relocated staircases and new ADA platform edges. This will increase the accessibility of the commercial corridor and make our neighborhoods more accessible to our community. 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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BRONX Seeking a candidate to work alongside Owner and Broker of Commercial Real Estate Company to provide general administrative assistance. We are searching for an individual with an outgoing personality who is comfortable interacting with Landlords/Owners and potential clients. We are asking candidate to work out of the office 2 days per week (preferably Tuesdays and Thursdays) between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. UPCOMING EVENTS The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York 2024 March 3rd - 5th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Jacob Javits Center 429 11th Ave NY NY The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is a once-a-year event that focuses on serving the food service industry in the Northeast. Vendors offer you the opportunity to see the best in the restaurant and food service industry, from the newest food trends to the best technology to fit your restaurant and everything in between. This is your opportunity to find the latest and greatest for your operation. This is a ticketed event, for pricing and more information, Click Here Reserve Your Spot A Celebration of Irish Heritage Thursday, March 14th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Rambling House 4292 Katonah Avenue Bronx NY Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for an evening of networking and celebrating the Bronx's Irish heritage. The evening features live music, networking, drink specials, Irish fare, and acknowledges the contributions of notable Irish Americans and their influence on Bronx business and economic development. Reserve Your Spot The Women of Distinction Luncheon 2024 March 22 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Villa Barone Manor 737 Throggs Neck Expwy Bronx NY For 19 years, the Women of Distinction Luncheon has recognized outstanding women leaders for their contributions to the Bronx community. Each year, with the support of local Bronx businesses and Bronx Chamber members, we are able to provide scholarships to deserving college-bound female students through the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation.   Join us this year as we honor a new class of scholars and celebrate the strong women leaders of our community! Reserve Your Spot Workforce Career Developing Skills for Success To Shape Future Careers April 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm The Banknote Building 1231 Lafayette Avenue Bronx NY Level up your career and join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce & Assemblymember Amanda Septimo for a night of shill building for success. Learn practical interview tactics, resume-building tips, financial planning and support . Reserve Your Spot 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!

Attorney General James Announces Investigation of Recent AT&T Outage

 

Consumers Across the Country Were Left Without Service for Hours

AG James to Investigate Causes and AT&T’s Response

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she is investigating a recent cell service outage on the AT&T network that affected consumers in New York and nationwide. On Thursday, February 22, AT&T customers were unable to place calls, send text messages, or access the internet for up to 12 hours, leaving many unable to contact loved ones, conduct business, or access emergency services. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will be investigating the causes of and AT&T’s response to the service disruption, and is encouraging all affected New Yorkers to file complaints.

“Americans rely on cell service providers for consistent and reliable service to help them with nearly every aspect of their daily lives,” said Attorney General James. “Nationwide outages are not just an inconvenience, they can be dangerous, and it’s critical that we protect consumers when an outage occurs. I encourage any New Yorker who was affected by this disruption to file a complaint with my office.”

New Yorkers affected by the recent AT&T outage can file a complaint online with OAG. 

DEC Now Accepting Applications for Annual Buffer in a Bag Program

 

Free Seedlings Available to Qualified Landowners for Streamside Plantings

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the application period for the agency’s ‘Buffer in a Bag’ program opens on Friday, March 1. The Buffer in a Bag program supports Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2033 to invigorate New York State’s tree planting efforts, advance steps to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s net-zero goal, and grow the state’s vital forest products industry.

 

"Planting along streams creates woodland buffers that are critically important for keeping soil in place, slowing floodwaters, intercepting pollution, and providing food and shelter for wildlife," said Commissioner Seggos. "Buffer in a Bag participants are helping to advance New York State's efforts to achieve our statewide 25 million tree planting commitment and reforest riparian areas, making these areas more resilient to severe weather impacts."

 

Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, combat climate change, and improve wildlife habitat.

 

To qualify, landowners must have property in New York State with at least 50 feet bordering a stream, river, or lake. Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply to continue to build riparian buffers. Applicants are eligible for one bag of 25 seedlings and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 250 bags will be available statewide during this round of applications.

 

Seedlings are provided by DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery. The Buffer in a Bag Program is managed by DEC's Division of Lands and Forests and supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Governor Kathy Hochul's 2024-25 Executive Budget sustains the EPF at a historic $400 million. The EPF provides funding for critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

 

The application period closes at 3 p.m. on April 17, 2024, or when supply runs out, whichever comes first. Visit DEC's website for more information about the Buffer in a Bag application process and requirements.