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Resources for Businesses

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.

Governor Hochul has announced the launch of the $10M Empire Tech Prize aimed at accelerating the adoption of low carbon heating systems in New York State. The initiative is part of the state's efforts to meet ClimateLead by 2050, and will be supported by NYSERDA and Wells Fargo. Applications will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. on March 22, 2024.  

The Manufacturing and Technology Resource Consortium is partnering with Scale for ClimateTech, a manufacturing program supported by NYSERDA, to provide free match-making services between local NY manufacturers and climate tech companies. As part of this effort, MTRC is building a directory of manufacturers interested in working with climate tech companies.

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.

FAST NY Shovel-Ready Grant Program
Empire State Development will provide up to $200 million in grants to prepare and develop sites statewide.

Bank of America has a wide range of Small Business resources

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.

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.

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.

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
  • 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 

The U.S. Black Chambers and Grubhub partner to provide grants to Black-owned restaurants, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. The USBC Restaurant Grant Program helps restaurants receive funding to seize business opportunities and address current challenges. The program will offer over $500,000 in grants to Black-owned restaurants and culinary-based businesses. Learn more here: https://usblackchambers.org/grubhub/.
 
Black women-owned businesses are vital to our economy yet receive less than one percent of venture capital funding. Fearless Fund is committing to this with the launch of the 2023 Fearless Strivers Grant Contest. Grantees will receive a $20,000 grant, digital tools to help them grow their business online, and mentorship to bolster their business. There are four entry periods throughout the year. 

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: 

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 

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