Throggs Neck BID
The Throggs Neck BID, in partnership with the 45th Police Precinct and the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, announces the 2023 Community “Walk Through” April 13th, 1pm.
We will walk through the neighborhood to talk to merchants and property owners at their places of business to hear concerns, answer questions, and to make available contact information in case you need our assistance.
We look forward to speaking with you!
How the Federal Small Business Administration helps small businesses get loans:
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. These SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need.
In order to get an SBA-backed loan:
Visit their Loans page to find the loan that best suits your need
Enter your Zip Code on Lender Match
sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match
SBA only makes direct loans in the case of businesses and homeowners recovering from a declared disaster.
The Citizens Committee for New York City provides a small Business Grant. The deadline is May 12, 2023.
The Neighborhood Business Grant has awarded over $1 million to over 100 small businesses.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• For-profit businesses with ten or fewer employees
• Located within the five boroughs of New York City
• Applicant must provide an expected grant spending plan, current
budget, and proof of ownership
• The business was revenue generating as of January 2020 or prior
• Prioritize businesses owned by people of color, women, and/or
immigrants
• Demonstrate element of community engagement
If you are interested, contact the Throggs Neck BID at throggsneckbid@gmail.com
Over the substantial and clear objections of the Throggs Neck BID, NYC government instituted an unwanted scooter program in our area. Adding insult to injury, it is now stealing scarce parking spots for an equally disliked “ride share” program. It is apparent that NYC doesn’t care what citizens think. They didn’t consult the BID about the ride share program, and ignored all objections to the scooters, an “experiment” they are trying to make permanent. OUTRAGEOUS! We will continue to fight against this arrogant abuse of power.
The Department of Sanitation (DOS) reminds all merchants that they are required to post a private sanitation certificate in their window. Additionally, DOS notes that garbage must not be placed out for pickup until after 9pm. If your store closes before that time, than garage may be placed no earlier than one hour before closing time.
If you have any questions, please call the Department of Sanitation at 718-828-5461.
On February 1, NYC Mayor Adams signed legislation that prohibits restaurants and food delivery services from providing utensils, condiment packets, extra containers and napkins in takeout or delivery orders, unless requested by the customer.
Businesses that violate the bill are subject to civil penalties ranging from $100 to $300 within the same year.
Any violations occurring before July 1, 2024, however, will receive a warning instead of a monetary penalty.
Low Interest Small Business Loans for NYC Entrepreneurs
If you’re a NYC-based business – a startup, growth-stage business, or needing a boost after the pandemic – the NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund can help.
• No minimum credit score required
• Loans up to $250,000 at 4% fixed interest rate
• Free business support
• Easy to apply
• No application fee
The NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund is made possible through public-private partnerships with Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), local Community Development Financial Institutions(CDFIs), and small business service centers.
Call 888-SBS-4NYC or visit SBSOpportunityFund.nyc for questions or help with your application.
The Throggs Neck BID has met with the NYPD on an unlikely, but nevertheless potential, problem. On Friday, January 27, videotape of the incident in Memphis will be aired on news channels. Some have suggested that it may provoke violent demonstrations. In the unlikely event this does occur, the Police suggest closing early and closing your gates, or boarding windows. Turn cameras to face the street. If you hear or see something, call the 45 precinct. Again, a problem is unlikely, but this information has been forwarded just in case.
On Thursday, January 19, the Throggs Neck BID held its Annual Meeting.
Chairman Anthony Basso noted his pride at the extraordinary achievements of the organization, particularly in light of the COVID challenge.
Vice Chairman John Sisto presented the BID’s financial report.
Executive Director Bob Jaen outlined plans for further accomplishments in the current year, including the installation of decorative and traffic-safety planter boxes throughout the BID. He noted that, thanks to BID-sponsored services such as a security patrol and private sanitation, the area has become far cleaner and safer. He discussed an exploratory effort towards establishing a free shuttle bus service. He added that over twenty new businesses have opened in the BID since the pandemic concluded.
45 Police Precinct Captain Johnny Orellana spoke about the partnership the BID has engaged in with the NYPD to keep the community safe, and the efforts of his team to fight crime.
The Annual Meeting of the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District will take place on THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 at 3pm
The agenda will include an opening statement by our Chairman, a review of our past accomplishments and future plans, a report on BID finances, a guest speaker, and an opportunity for your comments.
Only Registered Members may vote on any issues, but all community members are invited to attend and participate in the event.
Proposed Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions: Chairman Anthony Basso
2. Reading of the Minutes of the prior Annual Meeting: Frank Vernuccio
3. Financial Report: Vice Chairman John Sisto
4. List of Accomplishments: Executive Director Bob Jaen
5. Guest Speaker Captain Johnny Orellana, 45 Police Precinct
6. Future Plans: Executive Director Bob Jaen
7. Questions from the Floor
8. Any additional Business
9. Request for Motion to close: Chairman Anthony Basso
Due to ongoing health safety concerns, the meeting will be conducted via zoom. To Sign in:
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 899 1147 5915 Passcode: 572317
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2022 Annual Meeting
Held January 19, 2023
at
3800 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx NY 10465 and via Zoom
A Review of the BID’s 2022 Year
On behalf of our Chairman, Anthony Basso, our Executive Director, Bob Jaen, and the Board of Directors, welcome to the Annual Meeting of the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District (BID), covering our accomplishments for the year 2022.
Early Challenges
By now, many of you know the unique story of our BID. We were formed to help the property owners, businesses, and residents of our area. Our plans included increasing security and cleanliness, improving lighting, bringing more prosperity to the area, and developing beautification projects. We have achieved those goals. In the coming year, we are seeking to further enhance those efforts and to market our local businesses to the entire region.
As soon as we began operations, a major new challenge emerged, as COVID ravaged our city, state and nation.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has stated that The Bronx was the hardest hit economically of any New York City Borough. He noted that the Bronx had the highest unemployment rate in the city, peaking at 24.6% last May, and suffered from inadequate resources for the small businesses that make up the majority of the commercial activity in the borough.
Our newly formed-BID responded quickly. Early on, we realized the hurdle faced. We were determined to not let the pandemic harm the Throggs Neck Community or to derail the magnificent plans we had made to make the area the best it could be. At significant personal risk, BID staff, including Executive Director Bob Jaen and Associate Frank Vernuccio, repeatedly went door-to-door distributing masks, sanitizers, gloves, and thermometers to local businesses. Through our newsletter and social media, we provided important information on how to deal with the challenge. Additionally, we arranged for curbside screenings and sidewalk distributions of protective equipment.
Accomplishing Goals
Engaging in these efforts did not deter us from our original goals. We retained a private sanitation company to provide additional cleanup activities six days a week. We are now considered the cleanest BID in the Bronx.
We also are working to make our community the safest in the city. To that end, we hired a private security firm to patrol our neighborhood. We didn’t stop there. With funding from Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, we initiated the process of placing anti-crime cameras throughout the BID. This effort is scheduled to be completed within the next nine months.
Unique among area bids, we convinced the Department of Transportation to substantially improve the lighting of our sidewalks and streets. This task has been accomplished, and the brilliant improvement is there for all to see. This was an urgent need. Before the installation, area streets had severe dark spots resulting in the loss of life.
As Comptroller DiNapoli has noted, small business is the bedrock of commerce in our borough. To assist these enterprises navigate the often confusing and complex web of regulations and requirements, we publish a weekly newsletter that contains valuable information. The publication has received numerous accolades.
Perhaps the most visible impact of the BID has been our beautification efforts. We planted new trees and plants, and placed decorative railings around them. A long-hoped for goal, the planting of a centerpiece tree at the DeRosa-O‘Boyle Triangle, was finally achieved. That’s just for starters!
We are now in the planning process of arranging beautiful planters that will not only dramatically enhance the appearance of our community, but will be strategically placed to prevent vehicles from accidentally breaching curbs and mounting sidewalks. And of course, we placed those magnificent overhead lights that brighten the holidays.
A Key Part of the Community
As we engage in all these efforts, we realize that the people who live in our area must be a key focus of all that we do. We have partnered with the 45 Precinct on outreach programs such as the Fall Festival. We have worked with a local church, the Family Worship Center, to distribute food to needy families on a number of occasions. At our joyous Holiday Tree Lighting event, we distributed thousands of toys to area children. With the assistance of local restaurants, a delicious and abundant selection of prepared meals was provided.
On a number of occasions, BID personnel testified before the City Council and Community Board 10 on matters of importance to our area.
The BID held a very successful fundraiser in October. (It become the social event of the year!) A portion of the funds collected were donated to local causes such as the Throggs Neck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the purchase of graffiti removal equipment, and a local food bank.
Measuring Success
One way to examine the success of our efforts is to note the eagerness of businesses to open up in our area. Since the worst of the COVID pandemic ended, twenty-eight new businesses have entered our community. Some long-standing needs, including a top-quality steak house and a full-service bakery, are among the latest additions. New providers of professional services, including attorneys, dentists, physical therapists, financial consultants and others have opened up in the BID.
BID Brightens the Holidays
The Throggs Neck provided holiday lights to encourage diners and shoppers to come to our community.
2023 Plans
The Throggs Neck Community has been greatly enhanced by our efforts over the prior two years. Now is the time to tell the world about all we have to offer.
We will be marketing our success. In the near future, we will be compiling information on the food, merchandise, and services available within the BID, and getting that information out to the entire region.
We will further enhance our community with new planters, giving our neighborhood an even greater appearance.
BID staff are currently exploring the possibility of bringing a shuttle service to East Tremont Avenue, linking it to sites such as Waters Place.
The BID’s provision of private sanitation and security services, as well as the maintenance of tree pits and the publication of a weekly informative newsletter will, of course, continue in 2023.
Board of Directors
Our all-volunteer Board of Directors represent the property owners, businesses and residents of our area.
Anthony Basso, Chair; John Sisto, Vice Chair; Bill Tsibidis, Treasurer; Robert Velasquez, Secretary; Ed Angelino; Jackie McQuade; Donald Engledrum; Michael Musano; John Cerini; Frederick Hooke, representing NYC’s Small Business Services; Greer Mayhew, representing the NYC Comptroller’s Office; Tom Lucania, representing the Bronx Borough President’s Office; and Mike Corbett, representing Council Member Velasquez.
Our legal counsel, who graciously volunteers his services, is Stephen B. Kaufman, esq.
We recently lost two truly beloved members of our Board of Directors who were instrumental in our founding: Elizabeth Engledrum, and James McQuade. May they Rest in Peace.
Volunteers
A number of public-spirited volunteers have generously provided time and services to the BID. To name just a few: John Provetto and John Murano, who keep the community graffiti-free. Maria Vazquez, Gerri Colon, and Rita Stemberga who tirelessly helped make every BID event a success.