Bronx Business News You Can Use

Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More
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The Friday Extra
In this weeks Friday Extra, President Lisa Sorin talks about:
  • Key to NYC: This policy is in effect as of August 17, and enforcement will begin on September 13. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines.
  • Intro 2390 will make the temporary fee cap for third-party delivery fees PERMANENT. As a reminder, this will permanently cap fees charged by third-party delivery companies at 5% for listing and marketing a restaurant on their platform, and an additional 15% for conducting the physical delivery of food and beverage.
  • Previously approved outdoor structures are being re-inspected by DOT resulting in some restaurants having a cease and desist order until structures meet the requirements of said inspectors. Better communication with DOT and business owners is a must! Reach out to the chamber for help.
  • Proposed zoning change to legalize dancing across NYC. This is a big step as these restrictions historically had a disproportionate impact on Black, Latino + LGBTQ+ communities. Click here to learn more.
Available Growth & Recovery Grants
Updates to the Small Business Recovery Grant
Governor Hochul increased the threshold for small businesses to qualify for the Small Business Recovery Grant through Empire State Development. Previously any business with gross receipts in excess of $500,000 were ineligible to receive this Small Business Recovery grant. As of today, the threshold for eligibility has been increased to 2.5 million dollars. This increase will now open-up a wide range of now eligible businesses to qualify for up to $50,000 in grant funds to reimburse business expenses incurred during 2020/21 to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
NYC Small Business Resource Network: Open + Online
Your business needs a great website. The Network can build it for you.
Apply for a FREE new website at SMALLBIZ.NYC as part of our NYC Small Biz: Open + Online program!
Congratulations to Priscilla Dominguez on her FREE website provided by the NYC Small Business Resource Network. Click HERE to view website.
eBay Up and Running Grants
eBay is giving back to the small businesses powering America. In partnership with Hello Alice, eBay is awarding more than $500,000 in grants and education resources to help small businesses stay up and running into 2022 and beyond.
Grantees will be selected via a panel, and announcements will be made about recipients in November.
The Up & Running Grants are open to existing eBay sellers with active listings in the past 6 months who have an “above standard” or “top rated” performance level, and new eBay business sellers who have joined the platform between October 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.   For full eligibility requirements, see the official rules.
Restaurant Return To Work Tax Credit
The $35 million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program provides an incentive to COVID-impacted restaurants to bring restaurant staff back-to-work, and to increase hiring at NYS restaurants. Qualifying businesses are eligible for a tax credit of $5,000 per new worker hired, up-to $50,000 per business. The Program is open to eligible restaurants located in New York City, or in an area outside of New York City that was designated an Orange or Red Zone for at least thirty consecutive days.
To be responsive to the needs of COVID-impacted restaurants, the Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit provides a Fast Track Option, which allows a business to claim the credit before the end of the tax year.
Restaurants may claim the credit after August 31, 2021 (Fast Track Option), if the business can demonstrate a net employee increase of at least 1 full-time employee as measured from April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021.
Alternatively, restaurants can choose to claim the tax credit on their 2021 NYS tax return if the business can demonstrate a net employee increase of at least 1 full-time employee as measured from April 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
What You Should Know
Deadline Approaching for HERO Act Employee Notification
The HERO Act requires employers to adopt and maintain an airborne infectious disease prevention plan to be implemented when an airborne infectious disease is designated by the New York State Commissioner of Health as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health.”
The deadline for communicating the existence of your plan to your employees is Saturday, September 4, 2021.
Upcoming Events
Key to NYC Guidelines & Resources to Help Your Business
On Wednesday, September 1 at 5PM, the Bronx Chamber is joining NYC Department of Small Business Services for a FREE webinar to learn more about Key to NYC guidelines and resources available to help your business.
The webinar will examine the guidelines and provide resources that are available to help your business adapt to a changing business environment.
Hutchinson Metro Center: 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Join the Hutchinson Metro Center for a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. The memorial is located in the plaza near the entrance to the Marriott Hotel at
1776 Eastchester Road.
Thursday, September 9th, 2021 at 11am
The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be live on the below platforms
·       BronxNet TV ch. 67 Optimum / 2133 Fios
·       Bronxnet.tv
·       FB Live @BronxNetTV
·       FB Live @TheNewBronxChamberofCommerce
·        Instagram Live @thenewbxcc
Upcoming: Bronx Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala
Mark Your Calendars
For Our 2021 Gala on
September 30, 2021
The Bronx Is Back In Business
We’re going to make it a night to remember!
Honoring:
Ruben Diaz Jr. – Bronx Borough President
Lucy McMillan – Arnold & Porter
Aurelia Greene – Former Deputy Bronx Borough President & Assemblywoman (posthumously)
Bill Tipacti – Univision
Marcos Crespo – Montefiore Health Systems
Job Opportunities
The Bronx Design Group
The Bronx Design Group is looking to hire!
Qualifications:
MUST have experience in a print shop
Production Assistant needed to do finishing work in busy print shop
Hours: Part Time or Full Time
Call John at 718-409-9874, ext 104 or email your resume to john@bronxdesign.com
South Bronx Job Corps
Ready to be a part of something big?
At the South Bronx Job Corps Center provides at-risk students with the tools they need to be successful at no-cost to them or their families. Their team members enjoy competitive wages, affordable health, dental, and prescription drug insurance, 3 weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, flexible schedules, 401(k) with company match, and a chance to make a difference every day!
Please visit: https://www.mtctrains.com/careers/ to apply.
Bronx Chamber of Commerce | 1200 Waters PlaceSuite 106Bronx, NY 10461
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