Friday, July 29, 2022

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
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(Friday) Extra, Extra
Summer Networking at Pelham Bay Split Rock
Chamber Members Lead in City & State Power 100 List
NYC Secures $1.5M for Small Business Resource Network
Alfresco Grant Program supports Bronx Businesses

Regulations & Legislative News
NYC Speed Cameras
Proposed Changes to DSNY Pick Up Times
BID Exploration & Formation Grant Program Launched
Regulations from Department of Consumer Affairs and Worker Protection

Upcoming Events
Member Spotlight
Melissa Dominguez, LCSW
SUMMER NETWORKING BBQ BRINGS BUSINESSES TOGETHER
Bronx businesses came out to network and trade business best practices during the annual Bronx Chamber Summer Networking barbeque hosted at Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course this week. Members enjoyed conversation, speed networking, music, and good fun, while learning about programs and services offered to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce network.

From legacy businesses to entrepreneurs new to the borough, the evening highlighted the diversity of Bronx businesses and the strong membership network the Chamber provides.

For photos from the event, Click HERE.
THE BRONX CHAMBER LEADS CITY & STATE POWER 100 LIST
City and State New York, Bronx Power 100
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce leadership, Board of Directors, and membership represented over one third of the individuals recognized by City and State magazine in the recent Bronx Power 100 List.

The annual publication highlights influential Bronxites in business, government, and the community sectors, elected and un-elected, which shape the future of the borough, establishing themselves as New York City power brokers. Congratulations to everyone for this recognition.
$1.5M INVESTMENT IN SIGNATURE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM
The New York City FY23 budget significantly enhances services for small businesses and central commercial corridors by investing millions into the fabric of our neighborhoods and communities.

The New York City Small Business Resource Network (SBRN), Mayor Eric Adams, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced the extension of SBRN programming through 2023 thanks to a $1.5 million investment from the City of New York and Mayor Eric Adams’ commitment to support small businesses in his Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery. The SBRN is a public-private partnership between the NYCEDC, Partnership for New York City, the five borough chambers of commerce, and the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

Seventy-six percent of full program businesses are minority- or women-owned. Since its launch in 2020, the SBRN has provided free, one-on-one support to more than 10,000 small businesses, helping them access critical resources to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the needs of the changing economy, including grant and loan applications, marketing assistance, business strategy, and digital tools.
BRONX CHAMBER SECURES ALFRESCO GRANT
FUNDING FOR BRONX BUSINESSES
Alfresco NYC – a coalition led by Design Trust for Public SpaceRegional Plan Association (RPA), and Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) – announced twelve grant winners for exemplary outdoor dining structures and Open Streets across New York City’s five boroughs. Two of these grants were awarded to Bronx businesses assisted by the Bronx Chamber network and our Restaurant Specialist.

Bronx award recipients included:

  • Angela’s Cuisine (440 E 138th St, The Bronx): Started by Alejandro Espinosa only seven months before the onset of the pandemic, Angela’s is working to become a staple for Mexican Cuisine in The Bronx and has also received support from The Bronx Chamber of Commerce in the form of technical assistance.

  • Angiolina’s Restaurant (1322A Jerome Avenue, The Bronx): Also supported by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Angiolina’s offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and catering services.

The one-time grants of up to $10,000 will support the Open Restaurants and Open Streets programs in neighborhoods hard-hit by the pandemic across the City. Selected from over 200 submissions, the 2022 grant winners include small businesses and community groups from every borough supporting efforts to create vibrant street life including outdoor dining and cultural programming while helping to address challenges like public safety, youth employment and food insecurity.

NYC Speed Cameras Go Live 24/7/365 Effective August 1st
Following Governor Hochul's recent law modifying how speed cameras in New York State operate, New York City Department of Transportation announced a Citywide multi-agency "Day of Awareness" to promote the expansion of the City's speed camera program to 24/7/365. As a month-long multi-media public-awareness campaign comes to a close, the cameras will go 24/7 next Monday, August 1st. The City's speed camera program is highly effective when allowed to operate, but 31 percent of on-street traffic fatalities occur in camera zones at times when cameras were previously not permitted to operate.

DSNY Considers Changes to Pick Up Times & Commercial Waste
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is considering narrowing the time when New Yorkers can take out their garbage for curb pick up.

Under current regulations, residential and commercial building owners can start putting trash out for curbside pickup at 4 p.m. A recent plan that’s being strongly considered by Department of Transportation (DSNY) would push back that limit to 8 p.m. The change would undergo the DSNY rule making process which includes a public commenting period and is projected to take approximately 6 months to implement.

Additionally, Organics Disposal Enforcement starts July 31: NYC establishments are now required by law to separate their organic waste. Businesses covered by these rules must separate staff-handled, back of house food scraps, plant trimmings, food-soiled paper and certified compostable products from garbage and other recyclables. Enforcement of these requirements begins on July 31, 2022. Click here for more information and to learn if your business is impacted.

SAVE THE DATE - 2022 GALA: CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS
Thursday September 29 - 6:30PM
Marina Del Rey, Bronx NY

Celebrating Our Members

Join us for fun, networking and fundraising at this can't-miss Bronx Chamber Signature Event recognizing the importance of Chamber members and the vital services the Bronx Chamber of Commerce provides to the borough and New York City.

Take a look at the 2021 Gala - Click HERE


For more information, email dolores@bronxchamber.org

Upcoming Events
Tuesday, August 16 at 10am
E-Commerce for Your Business

Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the team from RC Marketing to explore e-commerce integration for your business. This virtual event provides additional marketing support for your business.

Don't miss out on hearing directly from the experts.


Wednesday, August 17 from 10am to 12pm
Signing a Commercial Lease: What You Should Know and Ask.

Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and New York City Department of Small Business Services to learn the ins and outs of commercial leasing and what you as a business owner should know and ask as you open or expand your brick and mortar operations.

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!
2022 Chamber Video Debut
Advocacy - Connections - Education
Many thanks to our media partner BronxNet Community Television
Get to know (or re-familiarize yourself with) the work of the Bronx Chamber and the many ways we serve as your A.C.E. in business through our three pillars: 
Chamber Member Spotlight
Melissa Dominguez, LCSW

Ms. Dominguez is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of New York at As You Are Therapy.

Specializing in working with LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC communities and the mental health struggles that are unique to them. She provides a kind, non-judgmental, supportive environment for all of her clients and work from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, trauma-informed lens.

For more information or to schedule a session, CLICK HERE!
Funding Opportunities
The $250 million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program provides financial assistance to New York State small businesses burdened with a range of operational costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, from structural changes and building upgrades to health-related supplies and materials. The Program offers qualifying businesses relief from the added economic burden by providing tax credits to help reduce the pandemic-related financial impact.
  
Small businesses can receive a tax credit of 50% of qualifying expenses up to a maximum of $25,000 in tax credits based on qualifying expenses of $50,000. 


BID Formation & Exploration Grant Program Launched
New York City released a first of its kind Business Improvement District (BID) exploration and formation grant program.  The BID Development Grant Program will fund community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to explore or further the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID).
 
Two separate grants will be available for CBDOs:
  • a BID Exploration Grant to support early-stage organizing and planning activities in preparation for a formal BID formation effort; and  
  • BID Formation Grant to support established steering committees with continuing the BID formation process.  
 
Learn more here.

New York State Remote Work Survey for Businesses
As the COVID-19 pandemic ingrains itself into our way of life, it is clear that many companies are actively deciding on their future plans with respect to remote/ hybrid work, which will have significant implications on our economy. Over the past two years, the State has conducted two surveys on this topic, most recently in the spring of 2021. However, as the pandemic has continued to evolve, many businesses’ plans have evolved as well.

To understand NY companies’ latest plans for remote/ hybrid working, we have partnered with Empire State Development to launch a new survey and hope your firm would provide feedback by completing the survey. The survey will ask about current approaches to remote/ hybrid work, plans moving forward, and any associated operational changes such as hiring practices or changes in physical office space. To complete the survey, CLICK HERE

Bronx Chamber of Commerce  
1200 Waters PlaceSuite 106Bronx, NY 10461