The Long Island Association has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for Long Island business owners that is updated regularly. Make sure to check eligibility requirements. If you have anything you will like to add please email Kristin Kelly at kkelly@longislandassociation.org.
SBA EIDL Hardship Accommodation PlanThe Small Business Administration is offering a Hardship Accommodation Plan for borrowers experiencing short-term financial challenges. Borrowers eligible for this plan may make reduced payments for six months. Interest will continue to accrue, which may increase (or create) a balloon payment due at the end of the loan term. Borrowers are required to pay at least 10% of their monthly payment amount (with a $25 minimum), for six months.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that over $90 million in capital funding will be allocated to 19 arts and cultural organizations across New York State. The funding comes from the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund and will support transformative projects that enhance and expand the organizations' facilities. This investment will not only benefit the arts community but also boost economic development in the state.
Suffolk County is launching a pilot program that will provide grants of up the $15,000 to qualified owners of small business properties for hooking up to county sewer systems. Applications for the grants can be made beginning this fall.
NY Green Bank, a division of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the state's clean energy and sustainable infrastructure financing entity, has launched a $250 million Community Decarbonization Fund (CDF).
Community Decarbonization Fund invites regulated and unregulated financial entities (including but not limited to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), insured credit unions and depository institutions, and not-for-profit corporations that perform lending activities) actively deploying capital into clean energy and sustainable infrastructure and related small businesses that benefit disadvantaged communities (DACs) in New York State to submit proposals for NY Green Bank capital at concessionary rates. For additional details please visit the NY Green Bank website.
The Office of Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants Opportunity is now Open! This grant is to support and empower communities to implement solutions that significantly address environmental issues, harms, and health hazards, build community consensus, set priorities, and improve public outreach and education.
Eligible sole applicants must be must be 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. Organizations with other types of tax-exempt status, such as 501(c)(4), are not eligible to apply for an EJ grant without a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Meet in New York Grant Program: Empire State Development's Division of Tourism will award grants to qualifying New York State event venues and lodging properties that have experienced economic harm from COVID-19 as they competitively bid on new meeting and event business. Applications due by June 30th, 2023.
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has announced their 2023 application process will open on Monday, May 1st. There are five Programs, through which they will pursue their grantmaking: Access to Healthcare, Basic Needs, Healthcare Workforce, Mental and Behavioral Health and General Fun. To learn more about these Programs and the application process, join them for a webinar on Thursday, May 4th, at 2:00 pm.
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI)
Governor Hochul announces $35 Million Available for Permanent Supportive Housing Projects: Awards to Provide Operating Expenses for 1,400 Supportive Housing Units Statewide.
New York State Small Business Recovery Program: Grant for small businesses, award is 10% of gross receipts in 2019 up to $2,500,000. Need free assistance with your application? Contacts:
- Hofstra Entrepreneurship Assistance Center: Also submit Hofstra's intake form.
- Suffolk Community College Entrepreneurship Assistance Center: 631-851-6214.
- Farmingdale SBDC
- Stony Brook SBDC
New York State Empire State Development
- Capital Grants: 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. Office hours every Wednesday at 10 am - email for zoom link.
- Tax Credit Programs: Click on link for full listing.
FAST NY Shovel-Ready Grant Program
- Empire State Development will provide up to $200 million in grants to prepare and develop sites statewide.
New York Forward Loan Fund 2 program
Aimed at providing financial assistance to qualifying small businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible borrowers must have 20 or fewer full-time employees and gross revenues of less than $1 million.
The application period for the program is now open, interested Businesses Can Pre-Apply Here https://nyloanfund.com/
U.S. Small Business Administration
- If your business received a PPP loan you may be eligible for loan forgiveness.
- EIDL: The SBA is no longer accepting applications, but will continue to accept requests for increases, appeals, and reconsideration.
- SBA Debt Relief: Offers debt relief to existing SBA loan borrowers whose businesses have been impacted by Covid-19.
New York State Empire State Development
Community Development Financial Institutions
These organizations provide financial counseling and low interest loans to small businesses meeting certain eligibility criteria.
ESD Capital Grant funding is still available for Round 12. CFA applications for Round 12 close on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 4pm. For more information call the Long Island ESD Office at 631-435-0717.
New York State Empire State Development: A New York State agency focusing on economic development. Check the website for resources to grow your business, including tax credit programs for job creation.
- NYS Empire State Development Division of Small Business resources
- New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Long Island Regional Economic Development Council: The LIREDC serves as an economic advisory board for the Long Island Region.
Industrial Development Agencies: IDAs are established under the General Municipal Law and the Public Authorities Law to foster economic development in specific localities.
Chambers of Commerce provide a network of support for business owners in their local community.
- The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce: Their mission is to represent the concerns of the Nassau County business community. They promote economic security and enhanced economic growth. Find your community's chamber of commerce in Nassau County.
- The Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers, Inc.: A ground-up regional business organization comprised of local chambers of commerce and other business alliances. Find your community's chamber of commerce in Suffolk County.
- The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce: The mission of LIAACC is to advance and promote the economic development for business and to advocate responsive government and quality education, on behalf of all small businesses, with an emphasis on African Ancestry.
- The Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: The LIHCC was established to serve the needs of the Long Island minority owned small business community. Their members garnish the contacts necessary to help their business thrive. LIHCC is a member of the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are funded through the US SBA and provide counseling and training to small businesses.
SBDCs on Long Island include:
Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EACs) are funded through New York State and provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to entrepreneurs.
The EACs on Long Island include:
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Employee Handbook for Small Business
This handbook is intended to assist you in creating your own custom employee handbook. Download here.
There are many resources on Long Island to support businesses founded by entrepreneurs of color, women, and veterans.
- Phil Andrews, President of LIAACC started a new chapter:
100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.
600 Franklin Ave. Unit 82
Garden City, New York 11530
C/O JonWesley Consulting, LLC
President Phil Andrews
president@liaacc.org
347.475.7158
- MWBE Certification: Becoming certified as Minority or Women-Owned Business can assist with contracting opportunities. For more information:
- New York State Empire State Development Division of Minority and Women's Business Development
- Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs MWBE program
- Suffolk County Office of Minority Affairs MWBE program
- NYS MWBE Certification Overview Video (5 min)
- For assistance with your application contact an SBDC or EAC (see previous tab on this webpage)
- Contact ESD for MWBE Certification at 212-803-2414 or at MWBECertification@esd.ny.gov
- SDVOB Certification: Eligible veteran business owners can get certified as a New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB). Contact the NYS Office of General Services Division of Veterans Business Development.
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification: Click the link to find out more about becoming certified as a DBE in New York State.
- MTA Small Business Development Programs for MWBE, SDVOB, and DBE businesses: The goal is to develop and grow emerging contractors through classroom and on-the-job training and technical assistance in prime contracts with MTA Agencies, thereby creating a larger pool of diverse qualified contractors who can compete for and complete MTA construction projects safely, timely and within budget.
- Ascend Long Island: A business development program for diverse owners to support them with obtaining contract opportunities administered by Hofstra University, Boc Capital Corp, and an Anchor Partner Council, primarily funded by JPMorgan Chase and sponsored by Northwell Health, the PSEG Foundation, and the Long Island Community Foundation. Part of a national program.
Organization and Government Agency Links
- Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
- Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Minority Millennials
- Urban League of Long Island
- National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter
- The New York State Association of Black Women Enterprises
- Black Long Island
- Women's Diversity Network
- New York and New Jersey Minority Business Development Council
- Hofstra Veterans Venture Challenge
- Nassau County Veterans Service Agency
- Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency
New York State has designated a network of support for early stage companies through Innovation Hot Spots and New York State Certified Business Incubators.
Services and support could include physical space; shared administrative staff; access to capital; coaching; mentoring; networking connections; prototype development; and access to other technical services. Companies that are part of these programs could be eligible for tax incentives through the Long Island Innovation Hot Spot.
The locations on Long Island include:
- Long Island High Technology Incubator at Stony Brook University
- The Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center at New York Institute of Technology
- The ideaHUb at Hofstra University
PSEG Main Street Revitalization Program: Eligible businesses can receive incentives to occupy vacant spaces and breathe new life into struggling business districts.
ReChargeNY: Qualifying businesses and nonprofits statewide can potentially lower their energy costs by using specially allocated NYPA power which is set aside by the state government and the NYPA board for economic support.
Ukraine Cyberattacks: What businesses need to know
- A guide for businesses published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that offers four major steps to protecting your digital assets amid geopolitical conflicts
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Guide
- A U.S. Agency that has compiled a list of free cybersecurity tools and services to help organizations further advance their security capabilities.
Slides from LIA event "Cybersecurity Demystified" presented by SVAM International and New York Institute of Technology in October 2021
Testing
- New York State Testing Finder (also includes locations other than state-run sites)
- Enzo Biochem
- Northwell Health
- Summit Health (CityMD)
Vaccines
Sept. 1, 2022 - CDC Recommends the First Updated COVID-19 Booster
Government Policies and Guidance
Testing Kits
Suffolk County was recently allotted additional COVID-19 test kits for the residents and workforce of the County. There are 90 test kits to one box. Each kit contains 2 tests.