SBA Paycheck Protection Program Reopened Today!

• Prepare your Paperwork
• Contact your Lender
• Fill Out and Submit Your Application

Keep in Touch With Your Lender Until Approval

The Throggs Neck BID strongly urges you to do this promptly, before funds run out again.

From NYC SBS:

Hiring Assistance for Essential Service Businesses

My business delivers essential services and I need to hire staff, who can help me with recruitment?

No matter what your staffing needs are, we can help you hire the right employees at no cost. We can tap our pool of 100,000+ candidates to identify qualified individuals to meet your needs in essential services, such as food services, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmacy retail, transportation, and warehousing. Our services include:

• Sourcing job seekers through our candidate databases, paid advertisements (at no cost to you), and through local partner organizations
• Recruiting and screening candidates based on your needs — referring the most qualified to your business
• Scheduling interviews

Is there any guidance from the NYPD about how to protect myself and my business right now?

Think about burglary prevention.

• Test your alarm
• Make sure cameras are functioning and can record for 30-60 days
• Change the combination of any safes
• Protect accessible windows with locks, security films, grilles, or bars
• Ensure all entrances are well-lit
• Secure and alarm roof openings
• Lock up or remove climbing aids (like ladders)
• Empty and lock your cash register
• Secure and lock sidewalk openings

If you receive a phone call, email, or text message instructing you to purchase a prepaid merchant gift/debit card, cryptocurrency, or money order to pay any of the following, just hang up – it’s a scam!

• Law enforcement for bail
• IRS for owed taxes
• Utility company to avoid service interruption
• Immigration officials to avoid deportation/arrest
• Social Security officials for fraudulent activity/warrant/arrest involving your Social Security number
• Ransom
• Hospital for emergency treatment of a loved one

How can I disinfect my business if someone comes in and they appear to have symptoms?

• For businesses or other facilities that do not house people overnight, the CDC recommends closing off areas and waiting as long as is practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
• Staff should wear and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) according to your existing policies and procedures.
• Have soap and paper towels in bathrooms at all times. Ensure that all hand washing sinks are in good state of repair.
• Use regular cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., Clorox, Purell, and peroxide products).
• Pay special attention to frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, water fountains, and faucets.

Please note: The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has declared facemasks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes temporarily in short supply to prevent stores from overcharging New Yorkers. The declaration makes it temporarily illegal to drastically increase prices. Stores found to be overcharging consumers will be issued a violation with a fine up to $500 per item. NYC DCWP encourages consumers who feel they were overcharged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp or by contacting 311.

The following are examples of actions grocery stores have taken to maintain social distancing. These are only examples, and are not requirements.

1. Post signage on front doors of the store indicating how many people the store is allowing in at one time.
2. Post signage indicating people should wait in line outside the store if the store is at capacity.
3. Manage a line outside the store with tape demarcating 6 foot intervals; have an employee manage the number of people entering the store by the entry.
4. Add tape to the ground every 6 feet in a checkout line.
5. Place signs in produce area encouraging people to not touch and put back produce.
6. Limit the number of people who are shopping at one time.
7. Only using every other checkout station.
8. Have aisles be one-way in stores where practicable to maximize spacing between customers.
9. Install Plexiglas shields to separate employees from customers at checkout lines.
10. Discontinue all self-serve foods.
11. Sanitize credit card machines (including pen) regularly and consistently.
12. Sanitize cart and basket handles between uses (by staff).

Wherever possible, have employees wear gloves and face masks when interacting with customers and/or handling products

NYC Businesses,

We are writing to let you know that New York State issued additional guidance on Friday that allows non-essential retail establishments (as defined by the Empire State Development Corporation) to fulfill delivery orders placed remotely via phone or online. Please note that only one employee may be physically present at the business location to fulfill orders.  

The City is working hard to keep New Yorkers safe by enforcing social distancing guidelines. We encourage you to let your neighbors and enforcement officials know that you’re operating under these guidelines by posting a sign on the door or front window like this:

Valued customers and neighbors: We currently have one employee on site to fulfill orders placed by phone or email, in line with guidance issued by New York State. Apologies, but no customers are allowed in the store at this time to protect our safety and yours. If you would like to place an order, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX or go to www.XXXXX.nyc

Sincerely,

Gregg Bishop

Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services

*Important Updates Due to COVID-19*

To help customers follow the City’s guidance to stay home as much as possible and practice social (physical) distancing to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), DCWP will NOT accept in-person visits but advises customers to use our online services available OR email the relevant Division for assistance. Learn more.
DCA is extending certain license expiration dates and renewal application deadlines. Read Does Your Consumer Affairs License Expire February through June 2020?: Important Update flyer in
English | Additional translations coming soon, please check back.

When do I need to renew my license?

Approximately three months before your license expires, DCA will mail you a license renewal package. View list of industries Consumer Affairs licenses and their expiration dates (in PDF). You must renew your license before it expires in order to continue operating your business and avoid fines.

How do I submit my renewal application?

Online

By Mail or In Person

If you have not linked your account:Have your Record ID and PIN ready. This information is on your Renewal License Application.Register an account with the City of New York or LoginAfter you register/login, enter your Record ID and PIN to link your account to your DCA Records. Note: You need to submit only one Record ID and PIN to link all of your DCA license records.Select Access My Account from the blue Businesses – DCA box [see screenshot] and follow the instructions to submit your renewal application online.If you already linked your account: Login and scroll to the blue Businesses – DCA box to select Access My Account [see screenshot] to submit your renewal application online.Note: When submitting renewal application online, you must pay with a credit card (i.e., Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card) and it is subject to a convenience fee.Read FAQs – Online Services

Use the enclosed return envelope to mail in your completed renewal application OR visit one of our two locations:   DCA LICENSING CENTER 42 Broadway New York, NY 10004 Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.ORNYC SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER 90-27 Sutphin Blvd, 4th Floor Jamaica, NY 11435 Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.Note: You can pay by check or money order, payable to NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. Credit cards accepted at the DCA Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Card. Credit card payments are subject to a convenience fee.Important: General Vendors cannot submit their renewals by mail.