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March 4, 2023
Photo courtesy of Incorporated Village of Valley Stream

Valley Stream To Initiate Storefront Improvement Program 

 
The Village of Valley Stream is launching a program to assist small business owners to rehab their storefronts, Long Island Business News (LIBN) reports. Businesses located along Rockaway Avenue between Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue are eligible for grant funding, available through the Nassau County Office of Community Development, to cover 80 percent of the cost of new signs, lights and awnings. 
 
“Through the pandemic, the village has been helping our local businesses with outdoor dining, events, and outreach for local grant programs and other assistance,” Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare said in a written statement to LIBN. “This sign program will directly assist local shops that seek to reinvest in their business to continue revitalizing our Rockaway Avenue business district.” 
 
A press conference was held on February 24th to announce the "Valley Stream Sign Grant Program.” Elissa Kyle, placemaking director for Vision Long Island, explained the program will help improve the public realm along Rockaway Avenue and create a place where shoppers want to come and linger. The more time people spend in a place, the more money they tend to spend, supporting the local businesses and adding to the vitality of downtown Valley Stream. 
Click here for Long Island Business News article
A timeline has been set for installing sewers along New York Avenue in Huntington Station, south of the Long Island Rail Road train station, Newsday reports. The project will span the New York Avenue / Route 110 corridor heading south from the Huntington LIRR station to 14th Street, with additional adjacent parcels to the east and west. The system would connect to the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in West Babylon.
 
Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, who represents part of Huntington Station, told Newsday an engineering report for the $66.8 million Huntington Station Hub Sewer Infrastructure Project is expected to be completed in April, with work on the project projected to begin in February 2024 and be completed by April 2027.
 
The county is the lead agency on the project, the outlet reports. The county and the town will each use $22.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for part of the project. The state included $22 million for the project in the 2022/2023 fiscal year capital budget.
 
A request for bids on the project is expected to go out this spring. 
 
“It is great to see the public timeline for sewers in Huntington Station,” states Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “This project has been a long time coming, with studies and initial efforts going back to the late 90s. Kudos to Suffolk County officials, State and Town officials who are working in concert with local organizations, like the Huntington Station BID and many others to get this project done. Vision has had Huntington Station sewers a regular part of our lobbying efforts in Albany for many years.”
 
Frank Cosentino, president of the Huntington Station Business Improvement District and owner of Countyline Hardware, told Newsday, the hamlet has never fully recovered from failed Urban Renewal efforts dating back to the 1960s. After decades of unfulfilled promises, he is cautiously optimistic that the sewers are coming this time especially since there is money in place.
Click here for Newsday article
The Hampton Bays Community Survey conducted last month by the Town of Southampton in order to gauge the community's appetite for revitalizing the hamlet's downtown business district was completed on February 1st. According to the town’s website, the survey collected 1,208 responses. 94% of the respondents were Hampton Bays residents and 83% of the respondents were year-round Hampton Bays residents. 
 
Cafes, diners and sit-down restaurants topped the list of types of businesses people would prefer, followed by bookstores, gourmet food shops, a bakery and clothing and accessory shops, Newsday reports. More than half of those who answered the municipal survey also said they want apartments above those stores, with 63% saying that housing should be for year-round residents. 
 
Least desirable uses included self-storage, medical offices, real estate offices and beauty salons, 27 East reports. Asked to weigh in on goals for downtown revitalization, making downtown more vibrant, pedestrian friendly, and beautified, plus supporting local businesses received the highest votes. 
 
Respondents were less interested in creating more green space, housing opportunities for young adults, increasing tourism, and adding special events, the outlet notes. Expressing their main concern about downtown revitalization, respondents listed more traffic and vacant storefronts as their greatest worry.
 
Discussing the results, Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara told 27 East, “These results tell us that a majority of the residents are not happy with the current state of downtown Hampton Bays and almost 90 percent agree that we should continue to focus on improving the downtown area. Most agree that there should be apartments over stores and they want more restaurants/cafes. That tells me that we need to focus on putting the infrastructure in place to allow those things to happen.”
 
“I was getting somewhat discouraged that maybe we should just give up and not try to revitalize downtown Hampton Bays,” Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said at a town board meeting Thursday, Newsday reports. “But overwhelmingly this survey is saying ‘No, don’t give up. Keep at it. Get it right.’”
 
Supervisor Schneiderman told Newsday that zoning changes would be needed in order to move away from higher-density development like big-box stores and pave the way for the boutique stores and cafes that people want, with the kind of character you might see in Sag Harbor or Greenport or East Hampton Village.
 
The board plans to apply for a state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, which Riverhead won in 2022, to support the potential redevelopment.
 
Click here for 27 East article
Click here for Newsday article
Patchogue Village has released a time-lapse video that shows the dramatic progress of its ambitious overhaul of the shoreline at Shorefront Park, Greater Patchogue reports. 
 
The Living Shoreline and Little Creek Restoration Project at Shorefront Park, a shoreline management plan intended to protect the area against storm surge and improve biodiversity and water quality, will mitigate flooding by removing the bulkhead and replacing it with a "Living Shoreline" composed of boulders, rock and native marshland plantings bordered by a concrete walkway. Little Creek will be re-routed for a more direct path to the bay and the existing vaults will be removed. Included in the project is a kayak launch at the west end of the shoreline at the foot of Mascot Dock. The work is being done by Galvin Bros. Construction Company and is funded by a private donor, the New York State Department of State and Suffolk County.
 
The video begins at sunrise on January 17th and takes the viewer all the way up to late afternoon of February 14th, the outlet explains. Captured in the images is the removal of the longstanding bulkhead and the beginnings of the establishment of a living shoreline.
 
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer this year.
Click here for Greater Patchogue article
On February 22, 2023, the Riverhead Town Board held a public hearing on a proposal that would establish the “Downtown Riverhead Overlay District.”
 
The intent of the proposed overlay district, according to the town’s Community Development Department, is to promote waterfront development and to enhance recreation and tourism by managing land uses to develop the district as a civic area that is people friendly with active uses, additional entertainment facilities and events, specialty retail and restaurants.
 
In 2022, the Town was awarded a 10-million-dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant for the purpose of catalyzing the planned development of the Town Square, the Transit Oriented Development, the Long Island Science Center and the Suffolk Theater as a family friendly tourist and community destination. 
 
According to the Town, the current zoning use districts present in the Downtown area allow for a number of uses that should be more specifically described and limited so that the uses that are permitted would not be inconsistent with the creation of a family friendly downtown area as planned.
 
The town laid out a list of proposed prohibited uses:
  • Those uses not principally or conditionally permitted in the underlying zoning use district
  • Fraternity, sorority houses and dormitories
  • Smoke shops and tobacco stores including those selling smoke/vape paraphernalia
  • The public display of firearms, knives, and weapons
  • Any assembly, business or mercantile uses deemed to be adult entertainment 
  • establishments, as defined at §301-3
  •  Hospitals, surgical centers, convalescent and rest homes, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, urgent care centers, drug treatment centers
  • Pawnshops
  • Tattoo or body piercing parlors 
  • Convenience stores with fuel stations or without fuel centers 
  • Automobile rentals
  • Automobile service stations, with or without fuel centers
  • Automobile and truck repair stations, with or without fuel centers
  • Car wash, self-service or automatic, with or without fuel centers
  • Self-serve laundry and/or laundromat 
  • Storage yards or storage yards for delivery vehicles 
  • Residential Group (R-2)
  • Motel
 
There were only three speakers at the hearing, aside from town officials, Riverhead News Review reports. The outlet also notes the proposal to restrict certain uses would not affect businesses that are already operating, according to town attorney Erik Howard.
 
The public hearing on this proposal has been left open for written comments only, to be submitted to the clerk’s office by 4:30 p.m. on March 3rd.
 
Riverhead News Review also reports that the Town plans a hearing on March 22nd on another proposal from the Community Development Department which seeks to target conduct rather than uses. That proposal calls for expanding the “zero tolerance” section of the town code.
 
Click here to read Riverhead News Review article
The Southold Town Planning Board approved the construction of affordable housing apartments in a mixed-use, two-story building, at their February 7th meeting, The Suffolk Times Reports.
 
The Hard Corners mixed-use project will sit on 2.28 acres in the Hamlet Business (HB) zoning district on the southeast corner of Wells Avenue and Route 25. It will consist of a two-story, 4,983 sq. ft. building fronting NYS Route 25, with retail on the first floor and three affordable housing apartments on the second floor and four 1,597 sq. ft. 55 and older rental units.
 
Although the project was approved by the Planning Board, the outlet reports, certain conditions were required including a pre-construction meeting with the Planning Department and town engineer on site before the start of any work, a stipulation that all existing trees on the site outside the area of disturbance be saved, and all of the trees and landscaping on the lot must be maintained by the property owner. 
 
As reported by The Suffolk Times, regarding commercial vehicles and deliveries, no left turns will be permitted onto Wells Avenue, which leads to a residential neighborhood, and relevant signs prohibiting this turn must be provided on site. In terms of parking, there will be 30 parking stalls on site and no overflow parking will be permitted on Wells Avenue or Route 25.
Click here for The Suffolk Times article

Oyster Bay LIRR Riders Unhappy With New Grand Central Madison Schedules 

 
Oyster Bay residents and elected officials are speaking out against the overhauled Long Island Rail Road schedules, Newsday reports, arguing that the $11.1 billion effort to build Grand Central Madison worsens their commutes. 
 
Assemblymember Charles Lavine and Glen Cove City Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy Scagliola have sent a joint letter to Janno Lieber, Chair/CEO Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Catherine Rinaldi, Interim LIRR President, expressing their concerns about the impact of the recently completed East Side Access / Grand Central Madison projects on North Shore riders and urging increased service on the Oyster Bay Branch.
 
In the letter, the officials write, “We are extraordinarily pleased that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed East Side Access for the Long Island Railroad, its largest ever capital project. The cost of this project came in at more than $10 billion dollars—it is historic and much needed, promising Long Island Rail riders faster commutes, fewer delays and more options. While this is a game changer for many, the riders on the Oyster Bay Line are being disadvantaged.”
 
“The new schedules provided by the MTA show that the trips on the Oyster Bay line are actually getting longer in most cases and less trains are headed east bound during rush hour. Additionally, there is more time between trains. As taxpayers, Oyster Bay riders helped shoulder a part of the financial burden for the expansion, yet our service is getting worse,” the officials explain.
 
“We urge you to increase service on the Oyster Bay Branch,” they conclude. “There are improvements that could, and should, be made. We were assured by the MTA that the train schedules were temporary and would be changing when East Side Access has completed its trial period… We urge the MTA administration to carefully review the Oyster Bay Branch schedules, improve timetables and add more commuting options to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison, especially during rush hour.”
 
The letter follows public complaints by Oyster Bay commuters about the upcoming service changes, which could add several minutes to riders’ trips, Newsday reports.  An online petition to “improve service on the Oyster Bay line” has already gotten more than 1,500 signatures. 
 
Although some LIRR branches will see service boosted by as much as 50%, with as many as 39 trains added each day, the Oyster Bay Branch will have a more modest service increase of 10%, going from 28 trains each weekday to 32. Only one morning train will go directly to Penn Station, with all other passengers having to transfer to get there. During off-peak hours, trains will continue to run once every two hours, the outlet explains.
 
“Long Islanders work hard and deserve enhanced service from the MTA. With more tracks and trains than ever before, now is the time to rectify this problem and bring the Oyster Bay line into the 21st century, like the rest of the LIRR," Assembly member Lavine and Councilwoman Fugazy Scagliola conclude.
Click here to view letter by Assemblymember Lavine and Councilwoman Fugazy Scagliola
Click here to read Newsday's article
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the Hudson Valley and Long Island sent a letter, dated February 16th, to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins requesting all counties outside of New York City's five boroughs be exempt from the executive's proposal to expand the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax.
 
The lawmakers include: Senator James Skoufis (42nd District), Senator Monica Martinez (4th District), Senator Michelle Hinchey (41st District), and Senator Rob Rolison (39th District). 
 
The Senators explain, “Given the existing value gap outside the city (e.g. there are no subways and few MTA-operated buses) and the very fact that businesses in the city are the primary business beneficiaries of the system - riders take the MTA to get to work in New York City; riders generally do not take the MTA to get to work outside New York City - exempting non-New York City from the increase associated with this already-unjust tax is the appropriate response. Furthermore, the vast majority of revenue from this proposal will be injected into New York City Transit.”
 
The Senators also urge that community colleges and hospitals should be exempt from the payroll tax. "Enacted in 2009, article 23 of the tax law imposed an onerous tax on many employers within the MTA region, including community colleges, local governments, and hospitals."
 
The letter stresses, "[W]e further recommend that community colleges, hospitals and, at least outside New York City, municipalities be exempted from the total payroll tax, not just the increase."
 
“This proposal maintains the large majority of the $800 million in projected revenue by preserving the payroll tax increase in New York City. The estimated fiscal impact to exempt community colleges, hospitals and non-New York City municipalities is a small fraction of the realized revenue. Thus, this plan injects hundreds of millions of new dollars into the MTA while protecting the overtaxed suburbs and correcting problems in the underlying, existing tax,” the Senators conclude.
Click here for article from State of Politics
More than $500 million in federal funding is now available to support the resurgence of small businesses across New York State through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a program through the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
Managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, SSBCI provides funds to support programs for small businesses, including socially and economically advantaged individual (SEDI) owned businesses and very small businesses (VSB), to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and allow them opportunity to succeed in the post-pandemic economy. With this funding, Empire State Development (ESD) has developed a suite of capital access and equity programs to help New York State small businesses recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and allow them the opportunity to succeed.
 
The programs include:
 
Capital Project Loan Fund
$106 million in SSBCI funding to provide direct loans for the growth of manufacturing and other eligible businesses within New York State, by assisting in financing a portion of the cost of acquiring and renovating existing buildings or constructing new buildings or for purchasing machinery and equipment.
 
New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2
$55.5 million in SSBCI funding to provide shorter-term microloans and loans typically under $250,000. Addresses inequitable capital access by bridging the financing gaps facing new companies, under-banked communities and small businesses. Lending is provided by participating lenders.
 
Capital Access Program
$29. 4 million in SBCCI funding for portfolio insurance for participating lenders designed to increase financing opportunities for New York State’s small businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI) owned businesses and very small businesses (VSB). Loans provided via participating lenders.
 
New York State Surety Bond Assistance Program
$22 million in SSBCI funding to provide access to bid bonds, payment and performance bonds for contractors performing on publicly funded projects throughout New York State via participating surety companies.
 
New York State Contractor Financing Program
$22 million in SSBCI funding to provide to contractors in need of working capital to deploy and execute federal, state, and local government related contracts via participating lenders.
 
Emerging and Regional Partner Program Fund
$102 million in SSBCI funding for investing in diverse fund managers with first, second or third time funds, or with managers who will use the funds to invest in areas of New York State where venture capital is less readily available.
 
Community and Regional Partner Program Fund
$52 million in SSBCI funding for partnerships with accelerators or other similar mentor-based programs to provide equity investments for high-growth New York State companies that are participating in those programs.
 
Pre-seed and Seed Matching Fund Program
$30 million in SSBCI funding for equity investments in venture-backable start-up companies at the earliest stages of their development. This program is via a competitive application process with applicants evaluated to assess likelihood of venture scalability.
 
New York State Innovation Venture Capital Fund
$35 million in SSBCI funding for equity investments for Seed through series B technology companies across New York State.
 
Click the link below to learn more about New York State Small Business Credit Initiative and to find out which SSBCI programs can help you.
Click Here
With winter continuing for another month, PSEG Long Island wants to remind customers that assistance is available if they are struggling to pay their energy bills. The discount provided by the company’s Household Assistance Program has also increased for 2023.
 
The majority of customers on the Household Assistance Program will now save approximately $40 every 30 days on their electric bill. To learn more about the Household Assistance Program, customers can click here. 
 
PSEG Long Island wants to work with any customer struggling to pay their bills and help them find a solution. The company encourages anyone with a past-due account balance to call 1-800-490-0025 so a representative can help them develop a deferred payment agreement tailored to the needs of their household.
 
Additionally, PSEG Long Island wants to make customers aware of the financial assistance programs offered by New York State:
 
  • The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide a heating fuel grant to eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485 and still qualify for benefits. This benefit opened on Nov. 1. For more information, visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/. 
 
  • Emergency HEAP, a subset of the HEAP program, offers eligible customers a grant to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers avoid having their home heating disconnected or exhausting their heating fuel source. This emergency portion of HEAP opened on Jan. 3, 2023.  If customers are experiencing an emergency, they can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/
 
  • For low-income households facing no-heat situations, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is also accepting applications for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can now apply for up to $4,000 for repair or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household's primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for its safe and efficient operation. Customers can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/
 
Customers who apply for and receive one of these state or federal benefits are automatically placed on PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program, and would be eligible for an energy audit through the Residential Energy Affordability Program, which provides energy efficiency measures and suggestions to help lower consumption.
 
Also visit United Way’s Project Warmth - Project Warmth is an emergency assistance program administered by United Way of Long Island to help low-income families and individuals with energy emergencies. To receive funds from Project Warmth, customers must be a resident of Nassau or Suffolk County or the Rockaways; show financial need; provide an acceptable explanation for any unpaid energy bills; have exhausted or been denied emergency HEAP assistance; and not topped off their oil tank in any previous year. Project Warmth is available until funds are exhausted. More information can be found here:http://www.unitedwayli.org/project_warmth.asp.
Discussing Long Island-wide conservation initiatives, the annual Long Island Environmental Roundtable at Suffolk County Community College was held on February 16th, Riverhead News Review reports. Hosted by New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo, the event brought together about 50 environmental advocates, elected officials and local residents, all on the heels of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the release of Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 calling for $500 million to be allocated to clean water infrastructure.
 
Participant concerns, according to the outlet, included: 
  • Water quality
  • Coastal erosion 
  • Preserving open space
  • Waste management 
  • Affordable housing
 
On affordable housing, referring to the governor’s statewide affordable housing initiative, Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, is quoted as saying, “We are staunchly opposed to the governor’s housing plan and we’re staunchly opposed to any plan that does away with SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act). If you can justify doing away with SEQRA for one reason then you’ve opened the door to do away with SEQRA for every reason. SEQRA … should not be eliminated for any objective.” 
 
On waste management, the Riverhead News Review details Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine’s concern about the impending closing of the Brookhaven landfill in 2024, expressing disappointment with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s failure to produce a regional waste plan for Long Island. “We cannot as an island address this town by town, this has to be done regionally,” Mr. Romaine said. “The DEC has not stepped forward; the association of supervisors is taking that step.”
 
Other issues discussed included recycled glass and food waste recycling.
 
The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning (SCEDP), along with the Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel, has announced that applications for the 2023 Round of the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Grant Program are now available.
 
2023 marks the 21st Round of the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program, a highly successful program that has provided funding to 300 projects supporting revitalization efforts in communities across Suffolk County since 1997. In total, over $12.5 million in funds have been granted to Downtown Revitalization initiatives.  
 
Applications for Round 21 are due on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at 4 pm. 
 
“Over the years, the Downtown Revitalization Program has paved the way for transformational change in our region’s downtowns. As it enters its third decade, the Downtown Revitalization continues to be a central program of our Connect Long Island plan by supporting placemaking, walkability and beautification of our central business districts,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone.
 
Grant applicants must be organizations that represent a downtown area and who partner with their local municipality. Organizations that represent downtown areas including business improvement districts, chambers of commerce, civic associations, historical societies, beautification societies, and local development corporations are eligible applicants. Towns or villages who partner with a community organization are required to pass resolutions supporting the project on which the two entities partner. Projects must be capital in nature and have a significant and sustainable impact that enhances economic activity.  
 
Among the various projects that are eligible for grants are public parking facilities, curb and sidewalk construction, pedestrian walkways, street lighting, public restrooms, disabled accessibility, renovations to existing structures, and cultural facilities. The criteria for eligible projects include that the project must be a capital improvement project, funding request must be at least $10,000, the organization must partner with a municipality and be located on municipally-owned property in or adjacent to a downtown and the project life-span must be at least 15 years.  
 
Application materials for Round 21, including an application document, program guidelines and best practices handbook can be found HERE.
 
SCEDP staff will also be holding an informational training session on applying to Round 21 of the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. All potential applicants to Round 21 of the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program are strongly encouraged to attend. The training session will be held on Zoom via the following link.
 
The session will guide potential applicants and review some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program, including what types of projects can apply to the program, what attachments are required to accompany a submitted application, what are the specific criteria used to evaluate applications, what is the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process, and much more.
The Climate Friendly Homes Fund (CFHF), administered by The Community Preservation Corporation, provides financing for existing 5-50-unit buildings in New York State, with a focus on replacing older and less energy-efficient systems with all-electric, high-performance heating, cooling, and hot water heating systems.
 
With $250 million in New York State funding, CPC and New York State Homes and Community Renewal aim to finance electrification retrofits in at least 10,000 units of multifamily housing that serve economically disadvantaged communities. These funds will empower small building owners to identify and execute a scope of work to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and decrease their greenhouse gas emissions.
 
Owners of eligible buildings may apply for funds to cover the cost of eligible building upgrades including electrification of heating, cooling, and water heating systems and additional building envelope improvements. Funds may be used for approved retrofit work scope items, as well as certain soft costs.
 
Retrofit Scope of Work items eligible for funding include:
  • Electrical service upgrades
  • HVAC systems replacement with high-efficiency heat pumps
  • Domestic Hot Water replacement with high efficiency heat pumps
  • Additional energy conservation measures to optimize new system performance
  • Systems commissioning
 
Eligibility
  • Buildings must have 5-50 residential units, and be located in New York State.
  • Owners of regulated affordable and unregulated multifamily rental buildings in eligible locations may apply; Buildings must currently be subject to a regulatory agreement with a public agency or be located in one of the following locations:
  • Low-Moderate Income Qualified Census Tract as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Disadvantaged Communities as defined in the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
To find out if your building location is eligible: See HUD Qualified Census Tract Areas CLICK HERE and view a map of NYSERDA Disadvantaged Communities Areas CLICK HERE.
Click here to apply
A combined $1 million in federal grants has been distributed by the Town of Oyster Bay in the past two months to small businesses and nonprofits financially damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsday reports. At least 200 local businesses so far have each received $5,000 through the Oyster Bay Forward grant program.
 
The program, which opened on November 29, 2023 and is ongoing, is a small business and nonprofit grant program offering a one-time $5,000 grant to eligible organizations with 0 (sole proprietors) to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees and between $35,000 and $5 million in annual revenue in fiscal year 2021.
 
Eligibility criteria includes:
  • Be a small business owner or nonprofit representative.
  • Be a for-profit business or 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) nonprofit organization.
  • Have been in operation in Town of Oyster Bay prior to January 1, 2021.
  • Be in operation at the time of application 
  • Have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) W-2 employees.
  • Have between $50,000 and $5 million in annual revenue in fiscal year 2021.
  • Certify and demonstrate they experienced economic or financial hardship due to COVID-19.
  • Not be in default or arrears on past or current federal and state financing or funding programs.
  • Not be in conflict of interest with Town of Oyster Bay, the local municipality, or the third-party administrator (NDC).
 
Eligible uses of grant proceeds include working capital expenses that mitigate the economic and financial hardships caused by COVID-19 such as the purchase of inventory/supplies, rent, utilities, property taxes, lease or purchase of equipment, operating and emergency maintenance, etc.
Funding is limited. 
 
 
In 2022, the Sustainable and Resilient Communities focused on speaking with stakeholders to understand the environmental challenges, current efforts, and implementation barriers that Long Island Sound communities are encountering on their paths to becoming more resilient to a changing climate. This year, there will be a focus on offering training programs and developing a resource hub to build a more coordinated regional response to current and future environmental threats, increase implementation of sustainability and resilience projects, and engage more communities to act as stewards of Long Island Sound and its watershed.
 
Several current funding opportunities include:
 
ReWild Gardens Program 2023 
Apply to get assistance with creating or maintaining a community garden! The program is closing soon, if you are considering an application please apply now. Click Here for Details
 
Long Island Sound Futures Fund - RFP Opens March 2023
Grants ranging from $50k - $1.5M will be available for habitat restoration, resilience, water quality improvements, and more. Click Here for Details
 
2023 National Estuary Program Watershed Grants 
This round will have approximately $3.2M in funds, with projects ranging from $200,000 - $500,000 and up to four years in length. Letters of Intent are due February 10th. Click Here for Details
 
To learn more about Sustainable and Resilient Communities, Click Here
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is providing $30 million for the Pre-seed and Seed Matching Fund Program to support high-growth start-up companies at the earliest stages of their growth and development.
 
The program will offer early-stage businesses equity investments from $50,000 up to $250,000 with matching from the private sector (there must be at least $1 of private sector investment for every $1 NY Ventures invests). In addition to financial support, Empire State Development offers the tools and key introductions needed to help companies reach the next level.
 
Pre-Seed or Seed-stage companies across all technology markets, with a focus on:  
  • Advanced Manufacturing 
  • Agricultural Tech 
  • Climate Tech 
  • Consumer Products  
  • Data/SaaS/AI 
  • Healthcare 
  • Life Sciences and BioTech 
  • Medical Device
For information about the program, click here
Capital grant funding from the Regional Council Capital Fund is available through the State‘s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which helps drive regional and local economic development across New York State in cooperation with 10 Regional Economic Development Councils.
 
Capital grant funding is available for capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and/or increase business or economic activity in a community or Region.
 
Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses; not-for-profit corporations; business improvement districts; local development corporations; public benefit corporations (including industrial development agencies); economic development organizations; research and academic institutions; incubators; technology parks; municipalities; counties; regional planning councils; tourist attractions; and community facilities. 

Funds may be used for: 
  • Acquisition or leasing of land, buildings, machinery and/or equipment 
  • Acquisition of existing business and/or assets 
  • Demolition and environmental remediation 
  • New construction, renovation or leasehold improvements 
  • Acquisition of furniture and fixtures 
  • Soft costs up to twenty-five (25%) of total project costs 
  • Planning and feasibility studies related to a capital project
Click here for information
Trellus Same-Day Local Delivery is paying it forward with the launch of the Trellus Local Delivery Grant, empowering small businesses to reach more customers and grow their revenue. The grant is made possible by Trellus’ recent Grand Prize victory in 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Challenge, sponsored by Dime Community Bank.
 
Launched in January 2021, Trellus is a Long Beach-based on-demand, same-day delivery service and marketplace which helps small local businesses from Queens to Montauk save time and money - bringing to life the often-repeated mantra, Shop Local. 
 
Trellus is opening an application process to select 20 small businesses in need of delivery services. Each eligible small business will receive $500 to cover their Trellus subscription and delivery costs.
 
Trellus currently works with over 300 small businesses and 80+ gig drivers who deliver all across Long Island seven days a week. 
 
JR Jensen, co-founder and chief technology officer at Trellus, explains, “Small businesses deserve a win against the likes of Amazon, Walmart, and other e-commerce giants. Trellus is breaking down barriers to help independently owned businesses survive. We’re thrilled to share this $10,000 with independent businesses on Long Island that are driving local economic growth and breathing life into our downtowns.”
 
Winning a Business Leadership Award at the 2022 Long Island Smart Growth Awards, co-founder and CEO Adam Haber stated, “Our communities are home to so many great small businesses that have been here for generations. Unfortunately, many of these businesses have struggled to retain customers as shopping online has become more and more popular.”
 
The Trellus Local Delivery Grant program will accept applications from brick-and-mortar retailers, professional services, and home-based businesses. Trellus encourages businesses with a strong community focus to apply, particularly those owned by women, BIPOC, and military veterans.
 
Eligible small businesses should submit their application as soon as possible. The Trellus team will begin contacting applicants at the beginning of February, with the application window remaining open until Febuary 14, 2023.
 
Farmingdale Village announces that the 9th Annual Farmingdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for Sunday, March 12th at 1 PM. Join the community for a great parade and lots of fun in downtown Farmingdale.  
 
The parade kicks off from Northside Elementary School and spans about half a mile down Main Street, to the Village Green. Marchers include local community groups, Farmingdale/local Fire Departments, pipebands, village officials, and more.
 
Farmingdale is honored to announce the parade Grand Marshal is Monsignor Mark P. Rowan, St. Kilian Parish. The parade is sponsored by the Farmingdale Business Improvement District.
 
Enjoy lunch with family before the parade and stay downtown afterwards for dinner and drinks. Farmingdale Village is a terrific downtown destination; shop and dine local - explore the many shops, merchants, Culinary Quarter Mile restaurants, bars, clubs, breweries, eateries, with some new spots.
DEC and the Nassau County Department of Public Works (NCDPW) are hosting a virtual public information session with the Design-Build Team, Western Bays Constructors (WBC), on Wednesday, March 15, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. WBC will provide information on upcoming construction activities and the Project Team will be available to answer questions.
 
According to Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP), the project will reduce nitrogen in the Western Bays of Long Island by conveying treated water from the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility (previously known as the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant) to the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant’s ocean outfall, which discharges and diffuses treated water three miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. 
 
LINAP explains, since the open ocean has higher tidal mixing capabilities, nitrogen will not build up in the ocean like it does in the Western Bays. As a result, communities near the Western Bays will experience enhanced quality of life, improved water quality, revitalized shellfish habitat and restored vital marshlands that protect communities from wave action and coastal surge.
 
Please visit the Bay Park Conveyance website (www.BayParkConveyance.org) for Project details and meeting information.
Please join us for a special interview with John Keating of PSEG LI. Check it out!!!
Please Join for a special interview with Placemaking Director Elissa Kyle and Director Of Operations Tawaun Whitty to discuss our upcoming event, The Complete Streets Summit. Check it out!!!!!!
Please Join us for a special interview with Placemaking Director Elissa Kyle and Director Of Operations Tawaun Whitty to discuss our upcoming event, The Smart Growth Awards . Check it out!!!!!!
Please join us or L.I Lobby Day preview with Elissa kyle, Our Placemaking Director and Tawaun Whitty, our Director Of Operations. Check it out!!!
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Long Island Main Street News

Contributors:
Eric Alexander, Director; Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Kyle, Placemaking Director;
Linda Henninger, Outreach Coordinator; Jen Makaw, Communications Consultant 

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