Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More

 

(Friday) Extra, Extra Click here for this week's video: Justice Sotomayor Celebrated in the Bronx for Hispanic Heritage Month The Bronx Leads: Cryptocurrency 2022 Bronx Chamber Gala Legislative & Advocacy Updates Congestion Pricing Comments Requested Cannabis NYC Launched Department of Financial Services Licensed Check Cashers Regulations Upcoming Events

BRONX CHAMBER JOINS RELATED COMPANIES IN CELEBRATING JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin joined Related Companies for the unveiling of a bronze statue honoring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Sotomayor was present at the unveiling returning to the Bronx community where she grew up. In brief remarks after the likeness was unveiled, Justice Sotomayor, said it was “always so heartwarming” to return to the neighborhood and that she was “deeply touched” by the bust with the Bronx Terminal Market - one of the Bronx's busiest shopping centers. Sotomayor, who became the first Hispanic justice to serve on the Supreme Court when she was sworn in in 2009, said she hoped every child who sees the statue of her at the Bronx market knows that she is a proud native. For more, click here.

2022 BRONX CHAMBER GALA STAR STUDDED ENTERTAINMENT

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. Invited speakers include: New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Honorees include: Joseph Kelleher, President - Simone Metro Properties John Collazzi, Co-Founder - The Bronx Times The New York Yankees, in honor of the late George Steinbrenner 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!

THE BRONX CAN LEAD: CRYTOCURRENCY

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin joined Julio Barrios, founder and CEO of Bronx Crypto, a digital assets learning platform focused on unlocking the potential for decentralized finance in the Bronx, for this Bronx Times Op-Ed on harnessing the power of alternative currency. "For nearly a decade, cryptocurrency — the alternative, decentralized currency — has been viewed with skepticism. However, it is now integrated into financial systems with government regulations slowly catching up to monitor this growing addition to the financial sector. Rather than enforcement-focused regulatory strategy, a forward-looking approach can stop bad actors while building an environment for innovators to flourish, and creating new opportunities for generational wealth among historically disenfranchised communities." Read more.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan The Legislative Affairs Committee of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is seeking member feedback regarding the newly released Congestion Pricing Plan presented in the Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report released by the MTA. The Committee requests Member feedback and statements to inform the position of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Please send comments, statements, and white papers to: communications@bronxchamber.org Important items for your review: MTA Public Hearings, how to participate and have your voice heard, Click HERE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) TOLLING PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Executive Summary, Click HERE

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.

Comment Deadline: NYS Department of Financial Services - Check Cashing Industry New York State Department of Financial Services has proposed a new regulation that ignores its statutory obligation to support the Check Cashing Industry and will have an immediate impact on the industry and the communities it serves. On June 15, 2022, DFS released a Proposed Regulation that, if adopted in its current form, would: 1) drastically reduce the maximum check cashing fee for government-issued checks from the current rate of 2.27%, to 1.5%; 2) drastically reduce the maximum check cashing fee for all other checks from 2.27% to 2.2%; and 3) eliminate the current regulated CPI-U mechanism for adjusting the maximum check cashing fee annually and substitute a process in which check cashers can only apply for an increase every five years The check cashing industry consists primarily of small businesses and employs approximately 4,000 people statewide. Check cashers hire from the communities served and majority of the employees of check cashers are women and minorities. In many communities, check cashers provide an economic engine for the residents that live and work there. For more detailed information on this matter, Click HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, September 14 from 10:00am to 12:00pm Choosing the Right Legal Structure for Your Business Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and New York City Department of Small Business Services for a virtual workshop on the pros and cons of the various types of legal forms available to small business owners.  Click HERE To Register

Thursday, September 22 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Cigars, Scotch, and Networking Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and The Bronx Havana Room of an evening of networking, industry updates, scotch tasting, and cigars at the newly opened Bronx Havana Room. Includes complementary scotch tasting and cigar.  Click HERE To Register

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!