May 5, 2020
Doing good does good — for everyone involved.
Downtown businesses contribute services
to honor and help.
In the midst of their own reinventions, so many of our businesses are contributing to the community. Quietly. They are cooking for thousands. They are donating meals to hospital workers, first responders, and families in need. They are participating in the City’s gift card program NourishAll. The list goes on. How does this good work happen? Community+Care+Commitment. That’s how we see our Downtown Restaurants and Merchants. On this Giving Tuesday, what kindness will you be extending?
Cinco de Mayo + Taco Tuesday + Takeout Tuesday equals what?
The perfect time to order from our Downtown restaurants.
The world of marketing has wonderful ways of picking up holidays from specific locales and making them ours, universally. That’s what has happened with the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Now, we and some of our Downtown District’s Mexican restaurants will be celebrating this winning day with what else—a good meal!
Downtown Dining Destinations are not forgetting our mothers
What will you surprise her with?
Special menus have been posted and we are obligated, aren’t we, to order for that special person called Mom, Momma, Ma, Mommy, Madre, Ima, Mum, Mami, Mama? We must do something nice, especially in these unusual times. Check out our Downtown New Rochelle restaurants on Instagram and you will see a lot of fine dining posted for celebratory ordering possibilities. Do call before Sunday. Oh, yes, Sunday May 10, all day. That’s when it is. Mother’s Day 2020. Order now!
Be sure to click here for the latest hours and offerings of our New Rochelle Downtown restaurants and merchants. We continue to call regularly so you can call regularly. We want you to have the latest updates of our NRBID online lists of hours and information.
A Message from Congressman Eliot Engel
Dear Friends,
These are challenging times, especially for the people and businesses in New Rochelle. In Congress, we are working hard to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 crisis, and to date have passed billions of dollars in economic stimulus designed to help small businesses, workers, employers, and employees weather the storm. While I continue to fight for further economic support for New Rochelle in the next phase of our response, I encourage all New Rochelle residents to do what you can to help support essential businesses and workers during this difficult moment. We are all in this together, and together we will get through it. For any additional information you may need, please reach out to me at my office.
Eliot Engel, U.S. Representative for New York’s 16th congressional district.
Information and resources for our NRBID Business Owners and Community:
Federal Government Resources
SBA Paycheck Protection Program
- For information on the Paycheck Protection Program visit the SBA. The latest $484 billion relief package included an additional $310 billion for the PPP.
- To find a lender click here.
- For help completing your SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan and/or Paycheck Protection Program applications, click here.
- Para los dueños de negocios que hablan español los cuales necesitan ayuda para completar la solicitud de SBA para el Programa de Protección a su Salario deberán ir a: http://volunteernewyork.org/vvc
- To volunteer to help business owners fill out documents for loans click here to send an email and put “volunteer” in the subject line.
- Video-discussion from US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation on CARES ACT and future legislation designed to get economy back to work, click here.
- Just-updated Guide to Federal Funding sources from Senator Kirstin Gillibrand available here.
- Small Business Guide to the CARES Act: Prepared by the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship with answers to many Frequently Asked Questions available here.
- Internal Revenue Service Guidelines on Tax Payment Deferrals
- Federal Small Business Administration Assistance Loans
New York State Resources
- A Conversation with New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on Wednesday May 6, 2020 at 1pm. Hear via webinar the Business Council of Westchester’s conversation with Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins including issues around the adopted NYS budget. Register here.
- New York State Department of Labor Pandemic Unemployment checklist for qualifying. New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim should visit labor.ny.gov or call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124.
- Empire State Development – Global NY Loan Fund The Global NY Loan Fund is open to New York State companies seeking financing to create or expand direct exports, or to serve as suppliers to larger exporters. Loans are available to purchase equipment, inventory, working capital to support foreign accounts receivable, export lines or credit, or long-term financing. ESD is also offering interest-free loans for Distilled and Fermented Beverage industry businesses to promote New York State’s thriving beverage industry on a global scale. More information here.
- Find more information about the new NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave law here.
- Sign up for email updates from NYS here.
Westchester County Resources
- County Executive George Latimer’s Daily Coronavirus Briefing will be streaming live on weekdays daily at 2:00pm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/
- Westchester County Economic Development has a new page for all webinars, events and business help listings, click here. For their Facebook page click here.
- ArtsWestchester has put together a list of resources for artists in all disciplines who may need funding. For a list of opportunities click here.
Local Resources
- For the City of New Rochelle COVID19 Information sheet click here and guidelines summary of safety practices for owners/operators of retail grocery stores, supermarkets, bodegas, bakeries, specialty markets click here.
- New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Virtual meeting with County Executive George Latimer Thursday May 7, 2020 at 5:50pm. Register here.
Additional Grant Information
- National Restaurant Association Restaurant Employee Relief Fund Grants Restaurant employees may be eligible for a $500 grant from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) Employee Relief Fund. Staff may be eligible for a $500 one-time grant if they: Worked on a part- or full-time basis in the restaurant industry for at least 90 days in the past year (this includes food delivery). Have had a primary source of income in the restaurant industry for the last year. Have experienced a decrease in wages or loss of job on or after March 10, 2020, which these grant funds will help offset. Live in the United States, an overseas U.S. military base, or any U.S. territory. Are over the age of legal majority in their U.S. state or territory. Grants will be awarded as soon as possible to those individuals who meet the eligibility criteria.The grants are subject to availability and are limited to one per person. Click here to apply.
- Restaurant Strong Fund Grants for Restaurant Workers The Samuel Adams Company with the support of the Greg Hill Foundation, is donating over $2,000,000 to kick start the Restaurant Strong Fund across 20-states to aid restaurant workers affected by COVID-19 closures. To qualify for grant assistance, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements: Complete Application Form. Be full-time employee (Minimum of 30 hours total per week, can be multiple restaurants). Be employed for 3 months or longer at the same location. Worked in a restaurant, bar, cafe or nightclub located in New York Click here to learn moreand Click here to apply.
- Restaurant Workers Community Foundation is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. They have information online Click here.
- Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program application for financial assistance for Restaurant workers. Click here.
Learn from Direct Business Coaching
- Virtual Coaching Sessions through the Womens Enterprise Development Corporation (WEDC) are part of the organization’s commitment to assist small business owners with guidance and resources during this period of uncertainty. Schedule Session Here
- Coaching Sessions on eCommerce through The Westchester County Office of Economic Development. For a free coaching session, Contact them here and put eCommerce in the subject line.
Learn about Promotion opportunities for your business
Business Listings
- Westfair is inviting all local restaurants to participate and share recipes, messages, take-out services and any other important information for the Westchester public to know. Click here
- News12 is asking Westchester based businesses to sign up so that they can let people know you are open. Click here
Free Ads
- Boost with Facebook Program is offering $100 million in cash grants and advertising credits to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. To be eligible, for-profit small businesses must have between 2-50 employees and been in business for over a year, with eligible expenses including payment for employees, rent costs and other operating costs. Deadline is TODAY May 5th, 2020. Click here to learn and apply and click here for an application guide.
- Minuteman Press of New Rochelle is offering free local advertising on their local site to stimulate business and help all of fellow local businesses and neighbors overcome the economic effects of the current COVID-19 crisis. Click here for more information.
Please do make sure you Friend us, Like us and Share us on Facebook (@nrbid) and Instagram (@nrbid).
Stay healthy and safe,
Karel Littman,
Executive Director
New Rochelle Business Improvement District (NRBID)
NewRochelleDowntownBID@gmail.com