The 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: Dream School Opens in Mott Haven Industry Insights Networking Focuses on Food & Policy Manpower Group Releases Q1 Employment Outlook Report Verizon Small Business Panel Welcomes US SBA Administrator Guzman Legislative & Advocacy Updates Governor Hochul Announces $672M to Assist Businesses and Residents w. Utility Bills NYC Department of Consumer Affairs & Worker Protection Updates NYC Council Committee on Small Business Update Upcoming Events Coffee & Conversation w. Councilmember Althea Stevens, 1/24/2023 - New date and time

THE DREAM SCHOOL OPENS

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined The Dream leadership team, parents, students, elected officials, philanthropists, and Board members for the ribbon cutting of The Dream School in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Led by Bronx Chamber Board members and Co-CEOs Eve Colavito and Richard Berlin, the $50 million redevelopment of the historic South Bronx ice house will serve 1,300 elementary, middle, and high school charter students. The six-story campus includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a STEM quad with laboratories, an art wing and library space, two cafeterias, and a rooftop yard for outdoor classes and garden. Each school will be housed on a separate floor. The campus will soon house Mott Haven pre-kindergarten students up to 8th graders starting next fall. The building will also offer post-secondary services to its growing alumni community — of whom half are first-generation college students.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS NETWORKING EVENT: FOOD & POLICY

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce launched its inaugural and first of 2023 Industry Insights Networking event at Mae, Mae Cafe and Plant Shop on Third Avenue. The evening highlighted a growing trend in the food economy - veganism, and it's impact on our local and regional supply chain and business development. Networking was lively and abundant as Liz Neumark, Founder and CEO of Great Performances and Phillip Grant, CEO of Hunts Point Produce Market led a fireside chat of all things vegan, business development, and produce. New members and new faces were welcomed by craft cocktails and vegan treats and engaged in conversation centered on food and it's impact on health and the economy. The Food & Economy series explores the impact food - throughout its entire cycle (from seed to harvest to sale to distribution to digestion to compost) has on our local, regional, and national economy. The Bronx, home to the largest food distribution center in the world, is deeply impacted by this strategic growth sector and leads the nation on food trends. The series brings together industry thought leaders, the private and civic sector, and community leaders to discuss the current state and future of this growing market. Upcoming Industry Insights Networking includes: Cannabis Licensing & NYS, Crypto Currency and Alternative Currencies, Air BnB and Hospitality - It's Impact on Our Economy, and the Financial Sector a Deep Dive into Banking.

MANPOWER RELEASES Q1 EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK REPORT

Manpower Group's Employment Outlook Survey results for the first quarter of 2023 are now available! This highly anticipated survey measures employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees on their payrolls in Q1. Manpower Group surveyed more than 6,000 U.S. employers about their employment plans for January-March.    The good news is, hiring intentions continue to be strong with 45% of U.S. employers planning to add to their payroll in Q1. Subtracting those who plan to decrease staff or make no changes brings the Net Employment Outlook (NEO) to +29%.    Hiring intentions slipped slightly when compared to last quarter and last year.    The report breaks down the results by region and industry:    Top sector is Information Technology with a NEO of +52% --the highest in the world!    All U.S. regions expect NEO declines year-over-year, and Northeast region saw a small increase (+2%) in quarter-over-quarter predictions Please use this report and relevant information to help you make even more informed business decisions. Manpower Group staffs a variety of temporary and permanent positions for clients with facilities throughout New York, the US and Globally. From as small as a one-position staffing need, to higher-volume orders for projects in the hundreds. For more information, please contact Keith Haynes at (646) 939-3402, keith.haynes@manpower.com

VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS PANEL U.S SBA Administrator Gives Post Pandemic Outlook

United States Small Business Administration Administrator Isabel Guzman joined an intimate group of New York City business organizations during the 2023 Verizon Small Business convening. During the discussion the Administrator noted the innovative programs that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Small Business Resource Network, the Verizon Small Business Digital Inclusion Program, and methods to reach businesses and individuals in digital deserts. The Administrator noted the federal government's commitment to ensuring that these authentic, results driven programs would continue and stated that the innovative work stemming from the pandemic prevented many businesses from closure and ensured that a more equitable economic recovery was possible.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS

New York City Council Committee on Small Business Updates The New York City Council Committee on Small Business along with the Committee on Governmental Operations will hold a joint hearing on Thursday, January 26th at 1:00pm in the Committee Room, City Hall, New York, NY, and via Zoom web-conference. The Committees will be hearing the following legislation: Int. 0815-2022 (Menin), in relation to the rules of construction for unspecified ranges of civil penalties. Int. 0491-2022 (Menin), in relation to reducing civil penalties where food service establishments donate leftover food.  The hearing is posted online here: LINK. New York City Department of Consumer Affairs & Worker Protection Updates The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and Worker Protection issued a Notice of Adoption relating to Tobacco Retailer and Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer Licenses.   The rule will take effect on February 19th, 2023.

New York State Utility Assistance Announced The New York State Public Service Commission approved a $672 million utility electric and gas utility bill relief late Thursday that will give economic assistance to 478,000 non-low-income New Yorkers and 56,000 small businesses. The program, designed by the Energy Affordability Policy Working Group, aims at covering New Yorkers' bill arrears accumulated through May 1, 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused significant financial hardship for customers, the shuttering of businesses statewide, and the loss of jobs. The relief plan would eliminate 75 percent of recipients' past due bills thanks to a one-time credit, partially resolving the remaining 25 percent's arrears. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the PSC decision on Friday morning. "Every New Yorker deserves affordable energy, yet too many New Yorkers are at risk of having their lights turned off due to financial problems caused by the pandemic," Hochul said. The electric and gas utility assistance plan is the second action conceived as part of helping New Yorkers pay off past-due utility bills. The first one — a $567 million relief program — was announced by Hochul last summer and addressed low-income customers.

NYS Leadership Updates The Bronx Chamber of Commerce leadership team and Board of Directors were invited to and attended the inauguration of NYS Governor Kathy Hochul as the first woman to be elected Governor in the history of New York State. During the inauguration Governor Hochul pledged her support for a safer, more affordable and business forward New York. Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Senate and Assembly announced changes in leadership this week. For a list of NYS Assembly and Senate leadership, click here. For a complete listing of Governor Hochul's appointments, click here. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credit Program for Low-Income Families A one-time, low-income utility bill credit is now available to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. This credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit. The bill credit is expected to be applied to customers' accounts by August 1, 2022. Any eligible low-income customer that enrolls in EAP before December 31, 2022 will be included in the bill credit program. Learn more about the program here. Temporary Assistance (TA) funding may continue to be utilized to pay utility arrears when the applicant presents with an emergency or immediate need, after first exploring the availability of HEAP. A payment can be made to prevent termination if it is determined that an immediate threat of shut off is present and the applicant/recipient (A/R) is otherwise eligible. Heating and Cooling Assistance (HEAP) 2022-2023 The regular HEAP season opened on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here. The Emergency HEAP Benefit opens on January 1, 2023. The Emergency HEAP Benefit provides assistance to those who are in a heat related emergency. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.  UPCOMING EVENTS NEW DATE AND TIME  January 24 from 10:00am to 11:00am: Coffee & Conversation with Hon. Althea Stevens: Join The Bronx Chamber of Commerce for a moderate a discussion with Hon. Althea Stevens, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Youth Services and Co-Chair of the Bronx New York City Council Delegation, on workforce development, braided learning, childcare impact on business, merchant organizing, and development projects. Click HERE To Register Women of Distinction Luncheon Save the Date Friday, March 31, 2023 from 11:30am to 2:00pm Villa Barone Manor 737 Throggs Neck Expressway Bronx, New York For 18 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. Ticket & Sponsor Opportunities available 1/20/2023. Bronx Gamechangers Night w. the NY Yankees Tuesday, April 4 - 6:30pm Doors Open 7:05pm Game Time Yankee Stadium Luxury Suites 1 East 161st Street Bronx, New York Celebrate the Spring season with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce as the New York Yankees take on the Phillies! Enjoy an all-inclusive luxury suite, private stadium entrance, open bar, dinner, and a great view of the diamond while networking with industry leaders, thought partners and supporters working to make the Bronx thrive. Advance Ticket Purchase, Click Here 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! MEMBER SPOTLIGHT