Black Lives Matter Ground Mural & Black Entrepreneurship on Jamaica Avenue - E-newsletter
Black Lives Matter Ground Mural & Black Entrepreneurship on Jamaica Avenue If you haven’t noticed already, a Black Lives Matter ground mural was recently installed on Jamaica Avenue on the portion between the Family Courts and King Manor Museum. Post-installation, our local elected officials, with the significant leadership of Council Member I. Daneek Miller, put on a series of festive and themed events intended to draw attention to the mural and provide necessary—but socially distant—community engagement with the public. Themed days included Gospel, Youth and Community days, each with their own sets of joyful and educational activities. Our BID was pleased to participate in several of these days, where we encouraged attendees to learn more about and support our Jamaica Avenue Business Improvement District merchants, which during these times need our shopping support now more than ever! We handed out flyers showcasing our new website (Jamaica.nyc) and recently opened businesses; gave away reusable Jamaica Avenue shopping totes and asked shoppers to commit to supporting our local economy by signing our “Buy Local” pledge.
This Friday we will return to the same spot from 1-2 p.m. to participate in the City of New York’s launch announcement for its recently-released report Advancing Black Entrepreneurship in NYC. Two of our very own BID Black-owned businesses (Make Me Over Beauty Bar and Henry’s Carrot Cakes) will be present. Please come and support them.
We’re also partnering with King Manor Museum and theQueens Chronicle to ‘Celebrate The Jewels of Jamaica,’ this Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. We’ll be at the King Manor Museum front lawn for a socially distant family fun day. Stop by, see us, sign a pledge to shop local on Jamaica Avenue and get a new ‘I Love Jamaica’ shopping bag!
The New Jamaica Center BID Website - E- newsletter
The New Jamaica Center BID Website It’s Here! At long last, we’ve launched our new website, a hub for all things Jamaica Avenue: jamaica.nyc. Use our site to navigate what's happening in the neighborhood, explore all there is to see and do entertainment-wise, access a full directory of businesses on Jamaica Avenue and (if you’re a business owner) learn more about how the BID can help you achieve your goals. Test drive it here!
Our BID is committed to ensuring that our local business community receives the latest resources necessary to help them weather the current coronavirus situation. We will be updating this page regularly with information we receive from City, State, Federal agencies and other respected economic development and business support institutions. Please bookmark this page and check back often. *Information changes regularly. Please be sure to skim the full page on a periodic basis to ensure you are not missing new information, such as our recently added “reopening” section.*
Know something we are missing? See something inaccurate? Please email us at [email protected].
This page was last updated on 6/26/20. Items subject to change and we cannot guarantee up to the minute updates. It is your responsibility as a business to follow government directives and stay abreast of the news and changing regulations.
START HERE (Empieza aqui*)
NYC Department of Small Business Services “SBS”: nyc.gov/sbs. SBS is an official City agency with a comprehensive home page with many resources about business continuity, workforce support and more. They run a comprehensive Covid-19 Assistance and Information Page for Businesses here, a new business reopening hotline (888-SBS-4NYC | 888-727-4692), and virtual interagency reopening resource fairs (learn more and register here nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com) To receive regular updates pertinent to NYC businesses and coronavirus sign up here. SBS continues to present its small business/Covid-19 webinars weekly. Find a time to enroll here.*Si le resultamásfácil leer la información COVID-19 del NYC departamento de servicios para pequeñasempresas en español, el departamentotiene una herramienta de traducción en la esquina superior derecha de su sitio web. Tambiénpuedeencontrarinformación de la Administración de PequeñasEmpresasaquí. Finalmente, nuestros amigos a 82nd Street BID tiene mas informacionutiles en espanolaquí.
Get regular text alerts from City government regarding the novel coronavirus, by texting COVID to 692-692.
NY Forward:The State’s official page for reopening guidelines for all industries in NY State. In addition to clear guidance documents for all industries, this page contains a toolbusinesses can use to determine whether they are eligible for reopening, and templates for the required safety plans that all businesses/organizations must create. (Plans are not required to be submitted to a state agency for approval, but the plan must be retained on the premises of the business and must be made available to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) or local health or safety authorities in the event of an inspection.)
Various articles/presentations regarding informative, effective customer-friendly covid-19 wayfinding + signage here,here, plus useful flyer and floor decal templates from FedEx here, social distancing workplace stickers here, and custom-branded hand sanitizer stations here.
Footwear News’ interesting customer comfort survey regarding demographic perceptions of safety in visiting apparel companies during COVID-19.
Additional Reopening Support Our BID has designed several templates you can insert in your window to alert customers of your COVID-19 opening hours, purchasing/ordering procedures and to remind shoppers of social distancing courtesies towards your employees. Download the packet here.
Scheduling software to set in-store appointments: Time Trade, Open Table (which can now be used by other businesses for shopping appointments besides restaurants)
QEDC is doing a series of free Reboot & Restart webinars through June focused on reopening logistics and thriving while working through the staged reopening process. All webinars are recorded for future playback.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES (Loans, Grants, Capital Raising Platforms)
City of New York Loans and Grants for Small Businesses
Restaurant Revitalization Program:Established by theDepts. Of HRA, Opportunity, and Mayor’s Fund. Grants up to $30K to cover a minimum of six weeks payroll for five or more employees. Reimbursable grant (with 25% advance). Recipient restaurants must commit to certain wage increases within five years of returning to normal business. Full description here.
To help businesses affected by COVID-19, the City of New York launched employee retention grants as well as a Small Business Continuity Loan Fund in March. Both of these programs have closed. We will update if either of these vehicles reopen.
Federal Government Loans (Small Business Administration Loans)
Paycheck Protection Program “PPP”: PPP incentivizes businesses to keep workers on payroll with loans up to $10 million. The largest portion must be spent on payroll and related expenses (now 60%). If borrowers follow loan guidelines, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable and is being administered through SBA’s network of 1800+ local lenders. All applications must be approved by 6/30Loan Info & Lender List Here.
On 6/5 The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act was passed to give businesses more time and flexibility with the use of the PPP loan and forgiveness. This short webinarexplains these new changes succinctly.
PPP Alternatives to Banks:Search for other CDFI’s (click on the “Certified CDFI” icon at the bottom of this page.).
PPP Loan Forgiveness: SBA and Treasury Dept. released the PPP loan forgiveness guidelines and application on May 15. The following page by national payroll provider ADP may be helpful to read as it contains a section on loan forgiveness FAQ’s and a Loan Forgiveness Estimator Tool. On 6/5 The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act was passed to give businesses more time and flexibility with the use of the PPP loan and forgiveness. This short webinarexplains these new changes succinctly.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan “EIDL” Program: Provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million with interest rate not to exceed 3.75% to provide working capital for businesses affected by the coronavirus. Thisprogramhas reopened to small businesses.
Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program: When operational will provide loans to small and mid-sized businesses in the amounts of 250K-300 million. Loans are not forgivable, but also do not come with hiring requirements, etc. Keep up to date here.
Private Grants
LISC Rapid Relief Resiliency Fund:LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) a national community development intermediary, launched the Rapid Relief Resiliency Fund to assist small businesses to stay afloat. LISC Grant application cycles open and close rapidly. Grant amounts are in range of 5-10K. Grant applications are now closed. Applications are now closed. Register here to receive notification for future rounds.
Go Fund Me Matching Grant program: Go Fund Me has launched the Small Business Relief Initiative for businesses facing financial loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the Initiative, the Small Business Relief Fundwill be issuing $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.
Thryv Foundation is no longer accepting grant applications, but we think their blogfilled with ideas for small businesses on how to survive during the COVID-19 crisis could be helpful.
Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by the coronavirus. For Alice Emergency Grants, visit here.
Business For All is offering grants up to $50,000 to support business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 Business for All Grants to help small businesses in crisis. Apply here.
The CND x BCL Nail Professional Relief Grant: Provides a $1,000 grant to nail professionals.Apply here.
New York Forward Loan Fund: On May 22, Governor Cuomo announced the New York Forward Loan Fund (“NYFLF”), a new loan program that will make loans of up to $100,000 to small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords impacted by COVID-19 who did not receive a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The pre-application is now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis as regions and industries reopen. Apply here.
**For Restaurant-specific Grants/Loans, see restaurant section below.
Organizations with Business Counselors that Can Help Businesses with Loan/Grant Applications (and more):
Free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting SBA loan applications is available from SBA Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) here.
Queens Economic Development Corporation: book appointments here.
NYC Department of Business Services Business Solutions Centers can also assist with these applications. Currently offering services remotely. Contact them here.
Additional Financial Support for Business (Commercial Rent Relief)
The Governor announceda 90-day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions, which was extended to August 20. Late payment fees are banned for missed payments during the moratorium and renters facing hardship due to COVID-19 can use their security deposit to pay rent.We will update if other measures are taken.
Financial Support for Businesses (Insurance Relief)
Per Gov. Cuomo’s announcement 3/27: Small businesses experiencing coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)
USPS offers the free “Informed Delivery” service allowing business owners to learn via email what pieces of mail have been delivered to their business that particular day. Info here.
Scheduling software to set in-store appointments: Time Trade, Open Table (which can now be used by other businesses for shopping appointments besides restaurants).
Small Business Legal Relief Alliance Covid-19 probono support webpageand City Bar Justice Center’s webpage.
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Below are updated resources to help you and your business stay safe and prevent the spread of germs.
Federal Center for Disease Control “CDC”.The CDC has created a special portion on their website for businesses with interim information for business and employers and special workplace cleaning and disinfection tips.
NY State Department of Labor: Has information about the latest paid sick leave law
United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration “OSHA” Office: OSHA has just published Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. Their homepage, osha.govhas other helpful resources.
The United States Department of Labor has published a notice of employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that all covered employers must post and make available to employees. To access the employee rights notice,click here.
Notify your employees that they can get help finding a physician by dialing the City’s 311 line.
If you or your employees require mental health support during this time, 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) is a free, confidential helpline for New York City residents. You can call 24 hours per day/7 days a week. The staff of trained mental health professionals help callers find mental health services. NYC Well is multilingual and multicultural. More information about this program can be accessed here.
WORKPLACE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
Queens Chamber of Commerce has several Queens-based companies that offer professional cleaning and sanitizing services. Please contact the chamber to be connected to a local company if your workplace needs professional disinfection/deep cleaning services.
On March 3, the EPA released a list of registered disinfectant products that have qualified under its emerging viral pathogen program for use again SARS-CoV-2 >> here.
Spacesmithis one NYC-based company helping building owners identify how to retrofit their buildings to mitigate corona-virus threats. Quick notes from a recent webinar with Queens Economic Development Org and Spacesmith regarding these issues can be found here (taken by our staff), or you can watch the entire webinar here.
CDC’s pageon office & commercial buildings (lots of information here about HEPA filtration systems)
NYC Department of Buildings Guidelines (mainly regarding construction)
Restaurants
City of New York’s Restaurant Reopening Guide: Contains all restaurant guidelines and rules for opening in NYC, including the application for any restaurants that wish to participate in outdoor dining through the DOT’sOpen Restaurant Program. This webinarexplains the City’s Open Restaurant plan in more detail.
National Restaurant Association also has a Covid-19 dedicated webpageand provides regular state by state updates of changing regulations here{NY State and NYC regions are extensively detailed.}
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation:Restaurant Workers Community Foundationis raising funds to provide 50% for direct relief to individual restaurant workers and 25% for zero-interest loans for restaurants to get back up and running. Sign up for the organization’s newsletterto be notified when these funds are available. SupportRestaurants.org DiningBonds Initiative: Free platform allowing restaurants to sell gift certificates at a price lower than face value (how much lower is decided by each individual restaurant), but redeemable at face value upon dining at the restaurant. The goal is to sell them for the next 30 days to bring needed income to the restaurants and have them redeemable typically 30-60 days after purchase.
State Liquor Authority Guidanceon Restrictions for Licensees and To-Go & Delivery Sales in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak here.
Restaurant Revitalization Program: Established by theDepts. Of HRA, Opportunity, Mayor’s Fund. Grants up to $30K to cover a minimum of six weeks payroll for five or more employees. Reimbursable grant (with 25% advance). Recipient restaurants must commit to certain wage increases within five years of returning to normal business. Full description here.
One Fair Wage’s High Road Kitchensprogram is offering flexible funding that can be used for food, safety supplies and more to restaurants committing to a living wage and equitable employment treatment.
Delivery app fees are now prohibited from charging restaurants fees in excess of 20%. This breaks down to 15% for delivery and 5% for the actual order. This goes into effect immediately (May 15) and will remain in place for 90 days following the end of the state of emergency. Delivery apps are now prohibited from charging restaurants for phone calls that do not result in a food order, with fines of up to $1,000 for violating this rule. This has also gone into effect and will remain in place for 90 days following the end of the state of emergency. City Council documentation here.
Freelancers Union has a rolling list of resources and advice for 1099 workers and is regularly updating its membership on efforts to include freelancers in the various relief plans.
Freelancers/1099 workers are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Grants (Advance) and Loans.
PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Yelp is offering a variety of temporary free resources to businesses, including $100 in free advertising for restaurants offering takeout/delivery as detailed here.
Our organization, Jamaica Center BID, can help your business pass on important information to our 15,000 social media followers and 2,000 e-newsletter subscribers. If you offer delivery, takeout or curbside pick-up, let us know and we will promote it. If you sell gift cards, let us know and we will encourage our followers to purchase them so that you can have a continued cash flow. If you offer online shopping, facetime shopping or other innovative methods that customers can utilize to keep spending money at your establishment, let us know. Email Trey Jenkins at [email protected] and we will help promote.
Have an update your business would like to share with the Queens eco-system? Queens Chamber is accepting business updates on its rolling COVID-19 announcement list. Please email your details to [email protected]with the subject line – QUEENS BUSINESS CORONAVIRUS UPDATES.
NYC +Co, the City of New York’s official tourism body, is gathering and publicizing info on local businesses, cultural organizations and more for citywide promotional purposes. Make sure your business is covered. Museums, theaters, performing arts organizations can submit a virtual experience for consideration here, Restaurants open for business can get listed here.
Welcome Back Shoppers! - E-newsletter
Welcome Back Shoppers!
With Stage II underway, many of our retail locations and salons/barbershops have reopened, along with the restaurants and essential businesses that were open throughout the entire Coronavirus outbreak.Plantain Werkes (147-21 Jamaica Avenue), Make Me Over Beauty Bar (166-11 Jamaica Avenue), Jackie’s Kids (147-09 Jamaica Avenue), Pretty Women(165-09 Jamaica Avenue), CH Martin(148-22 Jamaica Avenue, Jackpot Savings (148-17 Jamaica Avenue) and many of the food vendors at Jamaica Market...these are just a few of our beloved establishments that are back in biz and ready for you. We’ve been popping into many of these businesses the past few days to check in, and are here to report that the Jamaica Avenue business community is taking your safety seriously with limited occupancy, six-foot spacing reminders, masked employees, special certifications, and more.
Now we ask you—the customers—to do your part! Wear a mask when you shop, follow the rules the store or business establishment has thoughtfully put together to protect you and their employees, socially distance from your fellow customers and the staff helping you, and SHOP Jamaica Avenue. Now is not the time to order online from retailers across the country. Keep your dollars in your community—these businesses need your business to make a successful recovery. Need some motivation to adopt a “buy local” mindset.? Tag @jamcenterbid on Instagram with your posts featuring your shopping excursion on Jamaica Avenue and we’ll send you a Jamaica Avenue BID tote!
Our BID is now one of NYC’s designated distributors of PPE (masks) for local Southeast Queens businesses. Special thanks to Fred Green, our key point person on the ground who is coordinating delivery to our local business community that needs them, and thanks to our local neighbor The Nourish Spot for their recent note of appreciation. If you are a SE Queens-based business that would like some of these masks (5 masks per employee), please email [email protected] to discuss—pick-ups are by appointment only. Our neighboring economic development organizations, Sutphin Blvd. BID, Gateway Jamaica Center BID, and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation are also serving as distribution hubs and can also be directly contacted to coordinate a pick-up. More about this service here.
We’re also nearly done with the redesign of our new website. Our current website, jamaica.nyc has all the necessary info needed to share important information with Jamaica Avenue customers, business owners and property members, but...we admit that as the sands of time have passed, it has become difficult to navigate. Today’s circumstances have shown that its more important than ever to have an effective digital presence to distribute critical information quickly. We look forward to revealing a fresh, new and easy-to-navigate website by early July!
Our Executive Director Jennifer Furioli also recently appeared on Council Member Lancman’s virtual town hall on “Phase 1 Reopening: Everything You Need to Know” with panelists from the Governor's Office, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, Jamaica Muslim Center (Official), First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, NY and Vaad Harabonim of Queens. We thank the Council Member and the fellow guests for the opportunity to discuss the next steps in safely reopening our community.
Latest Neighborhood News and Important Business Info Inside - E-newsletter
*Businesses: last week was a big week for business news. Please be sure to scroll to the business section in the middle of this e-newsletter for the latest updates.*
What We’ve Been Up To Lately
Although we’re following the official directive to work from home, our BID has been busy remotely working for our Jamaica Avenue business district, merchants and customers. Here's just a handful of things we’ve been up to lately:
We continue to update our open list of restaurants and essential businesses and we’re pleased to report that we now have 41 that are open to serve the Jamaica community. Please remember to support your local restaurant or retailer during this time when making purchases. Local retail needs your support now more than ever.
We continue to track state government directives, research business best practices and then consolidate and communicate all of this info to our business community via our frequently updated COVID-19 page on our websiteand email blasts.
Last week we handed out masks provided by Council Member I. Daneek Miller’s office to several of our open essential businesses.
We raised a new set of cheerful yellow decorative banners up on Jamaica Avenue. We hope they bring a dash of brightness to your day. Special thanks to the following sponsors for helping keep Jamaica Avenue beautiful by supporting this program: Boost Mobile, Golden Krust, All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle and King Manor Museum. View our Instagram post here.
Our contracted Clean Team continues to keep Jamaica Avenue clean and litter free. Beyond sweeping our sidewalks and curbs, and regularly emptying our trash cans, these hardworking Clean Team members are also wiping down and sanitizing street furniture.
In the background, we’re hard at work on our new BID website, which we look forward to revealing to our Jamaica Center BID community early this summer. We’re also working on our 2020-2021 Action Plan and are in discussions with several of our neighboring nonprofits to jointly address sanitation and food access issues in our business district. Exciting initiatives lie ahead which we are excited to share as they roll out.
Essential Stores and Eateries Open on Jamaica Avenue
A number of our essential stores are open on Jamaica Avenue along with eateries that are offering delivery and takeout options. Please
take a look at the below document we have compiled. We will continue to update this document as circumstances change. Please make an effort to keep these businesses open and their staff employed by supporting them.
More Business Grants, Plantain Werks Reopens, and a Hometown Hero! - E-newsletter
Weekly Business Grants and Loan Updates - Business PPP is Back!
After funds were extinguished from the first round, the federal Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program “PPP” reopened this week. You can access more information about the PPP from the Small Business Administration here.
One of the common complaints about the initial PPP funding round was that many small businesses were not able to access the funds through traditional lending methods. The current round of PPP is designed to help solve this problem by allocating some funds to be distributed through Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFI’s, in addition to regular banks. What is a CDFI? CDFI’s are organizations that ensure that under-represented communities get a fair chance at accessing loans. The good news is that Jamaica, Queens qualifies as the type of neighborhood where businesses can receive loans from a CDFI. The nationwide nonprofit National Development Council (NDC), is a CDFI that has stated its preference for PPP applications coming from low and moderate income districts (LMI’s), of which Jamaica is one. Consider reaching out to NDC here.
Also, just a reminder that applications for the second round of grant funding from the national nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation “LISC” Rapid Relief Resiliency Fund closes today. Apply here. (This is a grant program that opens and closes regularly—be sure you don’t miss the next application opening. Sign up for email updates from LISC to be notified of the next round.)
We thought you may enjoy a little good news today. Here are some positive things happening on Jamaica Avenue that are making us smile:
Hook and Reel, which launched just before the coronavirus shutdown, has reopened for delivery and takeout. Download their takeout menu hereand then call 718-297-3560. Welcome back, Hook and Reel!
Make Me Over Beauty Bar’s storefront may be temporarily closed, but that hasn’t stopped the proprietors from being their best and most beautiful selves on Instagram. These savvy small business owners are doing at home make-up tutorials, sharing upbeat messages about how to get through social isolation and selling some of their custom goods online. Please support our local business owners—give them a follow on social, share their posts, and remotely place an order if you can. We want our Jamaica Avenue businesses to survive.
33 “Essential Businesses” are bravely serving the Jamaica Avenue community! That’s an uptick from a couple of weeks ago when only 29 were open. Thank you to all of these business owners and their employees for showing up to work so that we can shop for critical goods and services. Visit our updated list of Essential Businesses on our homepage hereand please remember—when possible, Shop Your Community—Shop Jamaica and help keep our local economy going!
King Manor Museum has created King Manor @Home, a growing repository of hands-on educational activities families can do indoors. Their Sugar Ornament activity seems fun! Just a couple blocks away, our friends at Jamaica Center for the Performing Arts is livestreaming performances and providing #popup classes. We applaud their innovative way of delivering arts and culture to the community at this time. Lucky us that we live in such a vibrant cultural district with top-notch local institutions.
Our BID is committed to ensuring that our local business community receivesthe latest resources necessary to help them weather the current coronavirus situation. We will be updating this page regularly with information we receive from City, State, Federal agencies and other respected economic development and business support institutions. Please bookmark this page and check back often.
Know something we are missing? See something inaccurate? Please email us at [email protected].
This page was last updated on 4/23/20. Items subject to change and we cannot guarantee up to the minute updates. It is your responsibility as a business to follow government directives and stay abreast of the news and changing regulation.
Start Here (Empieza aqui*)
NYC Department of Small Business Services “SBS”: nyc.gov/sbs. SBS is an official City agency with a comprehensive home page with many resources about business continuity, workforce support and more. The run a comprehensive Assistance and Information Page for Businesses regarding Novel Coronavirus here. To receive regular updates pertinent to NYC businesses and coronavirus sign up here. *Si le resulta más fácil leer la información COVID-19 del NYC departamento de servicios para pequeñas empresas en español, el departamento tiene una herramienta de traducción en la esquina superior derecha de su sitio web.
Get regular text alerts from City government regarding the novel coronavirus, by texting COVID to 692-692.
Financial Support for Businesses (Loans, Grants, Capital Raising Platforms)
City of New York Loans and Grants for Small Businesses
To help businesses affected by COVID-19, the City of New York launched employee retention grants as well as a Small Business Continuity Loan Fund in March. Both of these programs have closed. We will update if either of these vehicles reopen.
Federal Government Loans (Small Business Administration Loans)
Paycheck Protection Program “PPP”: PPP incentivizes businesses to keep workers on payroll with loans up to $10 million. If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable and is being administered through SBA’s network of 1800+ local lenders. Apply here.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan “EIDL” Program: Provides low-interest loans of up to $2 million with interest rate not to exceed 3.75% to provide working capital for businesses affected by the coronavirus. This application is now closed. Funding Replenishment Coming Soon!
Private Grants
Small Business Owners may qualify for a $5,000 grant from the Save Small Business Fund, created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The application closed, but check back on their site regularly for updates should they issue another round of funding here.
LISC Rapid Relief Resiliency Fund: LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) a national community development intermediary, is launching the Rapid Relief Resiliency Fund to assist small businesses to stay afloat and to support community organizations to meet unprecedented client demand, the LISC Fund will provide grants and patient, flexible loan capital to meet the following expenses: Rent and utilities; Payroll; Outstanding debt to vendors; Upgrade technology infrastructure for remote delivery of services; Emergency cash assistance for clients most in need; and other immediate operational costs. LISC is opening and closing application periods—the best way to know when the next round opens for applications is to sign up here. The second application round is now open—apply before April 28th!
Facebook Small Business Grant Program: Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate. The application is now open! Apply here.
Go Fund Me Matching Grant program: Go Fund Me has launched the Small Business Relief Initiative for businesses facing financial loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the Initiative, the Small Business Relief Fund will be issuing $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe.
Salesforce: Salesforce will soon be offering $10,000 grants to U.S. small businesses to provide capital to help them weather this crisis. The application now open!(4/24) Deadline: May 1st.
Beauty Gourmet: COVID-19 has changed the world overnight and Beauty Gourmet wishes to help the women’s business community by offering a $1,000 grant to a women-owned business in need. The winner will be announced on April 28, 2020. Find out more here.
Thryv Foundation is no longer accepting grant applications, but we think their blog filled with ideas for small businesses on how to survive during the COVID-19 crisis could be helpful.
Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by the coronavirus. For Alice Emergency Grants, visit here.
KIVA is offering up to $15,000 in zero-interest loans for small businesses. Apply here.
Business For All is offering grants up to $50,000 to support business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 Business for All Grants to help small businesses in crisis. Apply here.
For Restaurant-specific Grants/Loans, see restaurant section below.
Organizations with Business Counselors that Can Help Businesses with Loan/Grant Applications (and more):
Free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting SBA loan applications is available from SBA Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) here.
Queens Economic Development Corporation: book appointments here.
NYC Department of Business Services Business Solutions Centers can also assist with these applications. Currently offering services remotely. Contact them here.
New York State Department of Public Service has suspended utility rate increases that were to go into effect on 4/1.
Con Edison will not shut off electric, natural gas or steam service due to payment difficulties resulting from the health crisis. They are also waiving new late-payment charges for all customers. Learn more here about all the measures Con-Ed is taking during the pandemic here.
National Grid: Collections activities & disconnections – National Grid has temporarily suspended collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies will remain in effect at least until the end of April when National Grid will evaluate their continued need. Customers looking for more information on payment assistance programs, in general, can click here.
Verizon details their efforts to support their small business customers. Learn more.
AT&T: Small businesses that use AT&T can find solutions here.
Financial Support for Business (Business Tax Support)
NY State Tax Department is updating its pageas needed to respond to changes related to novel coronavirus. Link to request relief for quarterly and annual filers sales tax vendors.
IRS provides Small and Mid-sized businesses payroll tax credit information here and here.
Financial Support for Business (Commercial Rent Relief)
The Governor announced a 90-day moratorium on any residential or commercial evictions.
Financial Support for Businesses (Insurance Relief)
Per Gov. Cuomo’s announcement 3/27: Small businesses experiencing coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)
Federal Center for Disease Control “CDC”. The CDC has created a special portion on their website for businesses with interim information for business and employers and special workplace cleaning and disinfection tips.
NY State Department of Labor: Has information about the latest paid sick leave laws
United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration “OSHA” Office: OSHA has just published Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. Their homepage, osha.gov has other helpful resources.
The United States Department of Labor has published a notice of employee rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that all covered employers must post and make available to employees. To access the employee rights notice, click here.
Notify your employees that they can get help finding a physician by dialing the City’s 311 line.
If you or your employees require mental health support during this time, 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) is a free, confidential helpline for New York City residents. You can call 24 hours per day/7 days a week. The staff of trained mental health professionals help callers find mental health services. NYC Well is multilingual and multicultural. More information about this program can be accessed here.
Business Closures & Employee Reductions/Layoffs
Executive Order 202.6 mandating closures of non-essential businesses. List of “essential” businesses here. Form for businesses to request designation as an essential business here*. Non-essential retail establishments (as defined by the Empire State Development Corporation) are permitted 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. 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 one.
NYS Department of Labor Information provides information about the Shared Work program to avoid layoffsand the WARN Act responsibilities for businesses with over 50 full-time workers that need to conduct layoffs.
Burglary Prevention During Closures: NYPD’s tips for businessesto ensure your site stays secure while you are closed for extended durations. If you’re temporarily closed and need us to walk past your place of business to ensure there has been no tampering with the storefront, please send us an e-mail at [email protected]. *Note: we will do our best, and can’t guarantee this service daily or repeatedly. Also, currently offered for businesses within our BID boundaries only.)
New Yorkers without health insurance can apply for a health plan through NY State of Health. Those who have recently lost employer coverage must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan or Child Health Plus.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program: Bartenders who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 can click here to learn about an assistance program to help.
State of NY’s Mental Health line for free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider: 1-844-863-9314.
Workplace Cleaning and Sanitation
Queens Chamber of Commerce has several Queens-based companies that offer professional cleaning and sanitizing services. Please contact the chamber to be connected to a local company if your workplace needs professional disinfection/deep cleaning services.
On March 3, the EPA released a list of registered disinfectant products that have qualified under its emerging viral pathogen program for use again SARS-CoV-2 >> here.
Information about the NYC Directive requiring employers to provide face coverings to employees can be found here.
National Restaurant Association also has a Covid-19 dedicated webpage and provides regular state by state updates of changing regulations here {NY State and NYC regions are extensively detailed.}
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation:Restaurant Workers Community Foundationis raising funds to provide 50% for direct relief to individual restaurant workers and 25% for zero-interest loans for restaurants to get back up and running. Sign up for the organization’s newsletterto be notified when these funds are available.
SupportRestaurants.org DiningBonds Initiative: Free platform allowing restaurants to sell gift certificates at a price lower than face value (how much lower is decided by each individual restaurant), but redeemable at face value upon dining at the restaurant. The goal is to sell them for the next 30 days to bring needed income to the restaurants and have them redeemable typically 30-60 days after purchase.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program: Bartenders who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 can click here to learn about an assistance program to help.
State Liquor Authority Guidanceon Restrictions for Licensees and To-Go & Delivery Sales in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak here.
Industry Specific News (Other)
NYC EDC (Economic Development Corporation) is seeking businesses with the ability to quickly source and/or make needed medical supplies (e.g. face shields, gowns, ventilators, masks, and other products as needed) to support the City’s COVID-19 response. Please visit here for more information.
Industry Specific News (Freelancers)
Freelancers Union has a rolling list of resources and advice for 1099 workers and is regularly updating its membership on efforts to include freelancers in the various relief plans.
Freelancers/1099 workers are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Grants (Advance) and Loans.
Promotional Support
Yelp is offering a variety of temporary free resources to businesses, including $100 in free advertising for restaurants offering takeout/delivery as detailed here.
Our organization can help your business pass on important information to our 15,000 social media followers and 2,000 e-newsletter subscribers. If you offer delivery, takeout or curbside pick-up, let us know and we will promote it. If you sell gift cards, let us know and we will encourage our followers to purchase them so that you can have a continued cash flow. If you offer online shopping, facetime shopping or other innovative methods that customers can utilize to keep spending money at your establishment, let us know. Email Trey Jenkins at [email protected] and we will help promote.
Have an update your business would like to share with the Queens eco-system? Queens Chamber is accepting business updates on its rolling COVID-19 announcement list. Please email your details to [email protected]with the subject line – QUEENS BUSINESS CORONAVIRUS UPDATES.
NYC +Co, the City of New York’s official tourism body, is gathering and publicizing info on local businesses, cultural organizations and more for citywide promotional purposes. Make sure your business is covered. Museums, theaters, performing arts organizations can submit a virtual experience for consideration here, Restaurants open for business can get listed here and business providing online purchases and gift card sales here.
COVID-19 Updates - 4/13/20
A Friendly Reminder from the Jamaica Center BID - E-newsletter
Friendly Reminder
For now, our emails are structured with business information on top, and general community information below. This week be sure to check out our new listing of grants available for businesses (first article) and new ideas to pass the time and be your best self while sheltered in place at home (fourth article).
We want to add some joy to your day, so send us a pic and some inspirational words to share with your fellow Jamaica neighbors via our social media and we’ll ship the first three respondents an “I Love Jamaica Ave” coffee mug (as soon as it is safe for us to return to our office).