Author: Frank V

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What's Happening This Month

BOEDC, YES Network Recognize BID Accomplishments

The extraordinary work of the Throggs Neck BID has become widely recognized! Recently, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the YES Network (which televises Yankee Games) travelled to Throggs Neck to admire our cleanest in the borough streets, and the remarkable comeback of our BID-area commercial corridor. Unlike other areas throughout NYC, there are very few empty storefronts here.

Pictured: BOEDC president (and former NYC Small Business Services Commissioner) Rob Walsh with BID Executive Director Bob Jaen while touring the BID with the YES Network

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Featured Business

Free Mediation Services

MEND NYC is a new citywide initiative that provides free mediation and conflict resolution services to address a number of neighborhood disputes that impact New Yorkers every day. This program is an opportunity to create direct communication and compromise, establishing respectful and ongoing relationships that help New Yorkers co-exist peacefully in their communities while ensuring that small businesses thrive.

MEND NYC helps New Yorkers address issues in their neighborhood that may include:

  • Quality-of-life issues between residents and businesses
  • Negotiation between commercial tenants and landlords
  • Neighboring business to business misunderstandings

Read about MEND NYC and some positive outcomes that have been reached in cases similar to yours in this Op-Ed. Sit down and work through that disagreement, New York, New York Daily News, April 8, 2021

Watch a video about MEND NYC. In the video you will hear from a local business owner and a neighbor who lives upstairs from his restaurant. After the neighbor contacted MEND NYC about noise from the business, they were able to solve the issue together using mediation.

Quality of Life Concerns between Residents and Neighboring Businesses

Your conflict may be MENDable:

  • If you are a New York City resident experiencing a chronic or urgent quality-of-life issue such as excessive noise, trash, crowds and you believe the issue is related to a neighboring business; or
  • If you are a small business that is experiencing a heavy volume of complaints from a neighboring resident

In all cases, both parties in the conflict must be willing to enter a discussion with one another and a mediator in order for the conflict to be MENDable.

Communication Between Small Businesses and Landlords

If you are a small business or a commercial landlord and you are experiencing a conflict or a failure to communicate, you may want to use free mediation services provided by MEND NYC to start a dialogue with the other party in order to come to a creative solution that is mutually beneficial for both of you.

Types of cases that are MENDable include those where a landlord and a small business commercial tenant is looking for a free option to help them start a dialogue with the other party before lawyers are engaged. Types of conflicts that can benefit from mediation include, but are not limited to:

  • How to resolve past due rent (rent arrears);
  • How to proceed with rent payments going forward; and
  • How to get out of lease terms (e.g. length of lease).

Business owners should also be aware that the NYC Department of Small Business Services administers the Commercial Lease Assistance Program, which provides free legal services to eligible businesses. There are certain types of issues that a business may face that can be solved through mediation, and without lawyers. In these instances, SBS may refer your case to MEND NYC.

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Important Announcements

Grant Extended

Empire State Development Announces $250 Million COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program Applications Extended to Sept 30th

Small Businesses with 100 or Fewer Employees May Receive Tax Credits for COVID-19-Related Costs 

Empire State Development today announced that the application deadline for Empire State Development’s (ESD) $250M COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program has been extended to September 30, 2023. New York State small businesses that made investments to comply with emergency orders and regulations in response to COVID-19 can apply for a refundable tax credit of up to $25,000. Governor Hochul announced the launch of the program on October 25, 2022 and secured an extension of the program’s application deadline through September as part of the FY 2024 Budget.

Small businesses with qualifying COVID-19-related expenses are eligible for a refundable tax credit of up to $25,000 based on qualifying expenses of $50,000. Qualifying expenses are related to building upgrades, structural changes, or supplies to comply with public health or other emergency-related orders and regulations to increase public safety through infectious disease mitigation during 2021 and 2022. Expenses can also include hand sanitizer stations, supplies to disinfect against COVID-19 transmission, equipment for social distancing, air purifiers, contactless point of sale equipment and more. 

Businesses independently owned and operated in the State of New York with less than 100 full-time employees and gross receipts of less than $2.5 million are eligible. 

Applicants and qualifying businesses can expect the following:

  • To fill out a pre-screening questionnaire to confirm their eligibility
  • An online application portal available in 68 languages
  • Access to multilingual application assistance via phone, text, and email
  • To present proof of expenses and other supporting documents
  • A tax credit certificate to submit to the Department of Taxation and Finance when filing a tax return

Applications will be open until September 30, 2023. Small businesses are encouraged to apply through the pre-screening tool. If businesses receive a tax credit certificate in 2023, they can claim the credit on their 2023 tax return. 

To learn more about eligibility and qualifying expenses, visit www.esd.ny.gov/covid-19-capital-costs-tax-credit.

Contact:
Kristin Devoe: Kristin.Devoe@esd.ny.gov | (518) 414-1087

Categories
Important Announcements

POSTPONED: Family Health Day

THE THROGGS BID/SENATOR FERNANDEZ HEALTH FAIR is being POSTPONED due to predicted inclement weather. The tentative reschedule date is July 22.

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Featured Business

BID Can Help

Is your Throggs Neck BID-area business or organization planning a special sale or event? Let us know and we will help get the word out in our social media and newsletter!

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What's Happening This Month

TN BID Beautifies Community

The TN BID has beautified its tree pits! Take a walk along East Tremont Avenue and enjoy the view of gorgeous plantings.

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Featured Business

HEALTH FAIR POSTPONED

THE JUNE 10 THROGGS NECK BID HEALTH FAIR HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

Smoke traveling south from the current wildfires in Canada has impacted air quality in NYC and the Northeast. As a result, The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory citywide, which has been extended until 11:59 PM on 6/7. Conditions have worsened since last night, and air quality has been deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and NYC Emergency Management advise everyone to limit outdoor activity as much as possible, including outdoor dining.

Preparedness Actions:

– Check the air quality forecast from local media outlets & the National Weather Service as conditions may change.

– Vulnerable populations, including those with heart or respiratory problems, children & older adults may be especially sensitive to current air quality conditions and should stay indoors.

– If you are an older adult or have heart or breathing problems and need to be outside, wear a high quality mask (e.g. N95 or KN95).

For more information, visit the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/okx/ or the Department of Environmental Conservation at http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/aqi/aqi_forecast.cfm

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Featured Business

Health & Wellness Fair Coming Saturday!

The Throggs Neck BID in partnership with State Senator Nathalia Fernandez will present a FREE health and wellness event on Saturday, June 10, from 9am–1pm at the Derosa O’Boyle Triangle, near the public library, at 3025 Cross Bronx Expressway, North Service Road. Experts in physical, mental, spiritual and financial health will be there. FREE snacks and free games and face painting will be available for children. See you there!

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Important Announcements

Minimum Wage Increase

An increase has been made to New York’s minimum wage. For most New York State employers  it becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026. The minimum wage for NYC (as well as Westchester and Long Island) will continue to be higher that the rest of the state. Also, the tip credit for tipped food service workers was preserved and will be adjusted so that the cash wage remains at 2/3 of the full minimum wage. See the attached chart for specific information.

Categories
Important Announcements

Opportunities for Veterans


Are you a Veteran seeking exciting business ownership opportunities and looking to leverage your skills in the entrepreneurial world?
We have great news for you! We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive event, “Franchising 101: Veteran Opportunities in Franchising,” hosted by the International Franchise Association Foundation in partnership with the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and New York City Small Business Services.
 
Date:      May 31, 2023
Time:     11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Venue:   Small Business Services,
               One Liberty Plaza – 11th Floor Conference Room
               New York, NY 10006
 
Discover the secrets to franchise business ownership at our event, providing essential insights on assessing franchise brands, securing financing, and achieving success. Learn about the extraordinary synergy between the skills of entrepreneurial Veterans and franchising opportunities.

Surprisingly, Veterans, comprising only 7% of the U.S. population, represent a remarkable 14% of all U.S. franchisees. This event proudly features the International Franchise Association Foundation VetFran program, enlightening Veterans, and franchisors about this unique match. Additionally, Veterans are more inclined to hire fellow Veterans, expanding the impact of franchising within the Veteran community.

Join us to access exclusive incentives and discounts available through the VetFran program, equipping you with the tools to navigate your entrepreneurial journey, regardless of your preferred industry or franchise exploration.      Agenda:           11:30 AM – Arrival
          11:45 AM – Lunch
          12:30 PM – Franchising 101: Veteran Opportunities in Franchising  
This is an exceptional chance to network with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and key representatives from the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to unlock new possibilities and shape your entrepreneurial journey.

To secure your spot, register now at bit.ly/NYC-Veteran. Space is limited, so we encourage you to RSVP promptly.
  Register at: https://share.hsforms.com/17ceWQwPzT0Cbwrv6YN37rwc6sv4