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December 3, 2020
Hello Business Owner,
Thinking about ways to help your business during December? Here are some actions you can take:
Tell your customers about free 2-hour holiday parking
In continuation of an annual tradition and to promote holiday shopping in New Rochelle, the City is offering two hours of free holiday parking in certain municipal lots from December 1-31, from 9AM to 9PM. Off-street parking fees will be waived during this time in the following lots: City Hall, Garden Street South, Lawn Avenue, Library, Library South, North Avenue @Thruway, Prospect Street and Union Avenue.
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Share your social media video campaign through Westchester County
Westchester County Executive George Latimer is launching a Social Media Video Campaign to encourage residents to shop local this holiday season. This video campaign will feature local business owners showcasing their establishments in 60 second videos.
To participate, business owners should film an approximately 60 second video of their business featuring holiday gift ideas and signature dishes. (Can be filmed on phones or cameras - does not need to be professionally recorded) See Video Guidelines:
Westchester County 2020 Holiday Shopping Video Guidelines for Small Businesses
Submit your videos to the Westchester County Communications Department using DropBox or Google Drive at communications@westchestergov.com
Videos are accepted on a Rolling Basis but remember this is a Countywide initiative, not all videos will be able to be posted, so the sooner you submit the better your chances. For inspiration check out Womrath Bookshop’s video. This video was filmed on an iPhone in Landscape mode. Westchester County will edit for uniform titles and add their logos. If you have any questions please reach out to Emily Lavin at (914) 995-2918 or elavin@westchestergov.com
Expand your reach by working with local business organizations
Find Funding
Are you an owner of a Black-owned business in the beverage alcohol service, sales, and hospitality industries? Backing the B.A.R. (Black-Owned Accounts & Retailers) is a NAACP initiative that is awarding over $350,000 in acceleration grants, education, support, and entrepreneurship solutions for Black-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license. Apply by December 24 for a chance to receive a $10,000 grant.
WomensNet gives away at least $10,000 every month in Amber Grant money to women entrepreneurs. They’ve also expanded their grant-giving to include an additional year-end grant of $25,000 to one of the winners from the previous 12 months. Click here to apply by December 31 for an Amber Grant.
DoorDash COVID-19 Financial Assistance for eligible merchants and Dashers in response to the public health emergency posed by COVID-19. More info
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients will now be eligible to receive low-interest loans through the New York Forward Loan Fund, according to a recent New York State Empire State Development (ESD) announcement. A conditional change will allow the Fund’s network of lenders and financial institutions to have greater flexibility when providing working capital to small businesses that need help covering expenses associated with reopening. Click here for the application and more information.
Work with your landlord on rental assistance
Small Business Landlord Rent Assistance – where landlords with buildings of 3-50 units can receive up to 75% of up to 4 months of back rents on behalf of their tenants impacted by COVID-19 by applying to the County Department of Planning. Assistance is available to buildings all over Westchester, but this program will expire on December 30, 2020. Application deadline is December 8, 2020. Applications and Fact Sheets are available on the County’s website at www.westchestergov.com/housinghelp
Take a free education workshop
SCORE “2020 Marketing – What’s effective for the New Year” on Dec. 16 at 1:00 pm
SCORE “Creating your 2021 Marketing Plan” on Jan. 6, 2021 at 1pm
SCORE “Video & YouTube Marketing” on Jan. 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Westchester RISES is a mentoring and training program offering online workshops, industry roundtables, and one-on-one advisement for business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to pivot or rebuild as a result of COVID-19, or those looking to build resiliency and strategize for future business growth. Some of the upcoming sessions include:
Business Events
 WEDC Graduates the New Rochelle class of Spanish-speaking Entrepreneurs on Dec. 10
The New Rochelle Entrepreneurial Training Program guides entrepreneurs with all the aspects of running and sustaining a business. Some of the topics included are: legal business structures, personal finance, understanding and projecting financial statements, organizational and management skills, social media marketing, market research, success skills, access to capital and much more. Hosted by WEDC in partnership with the City of New Rochelle.
Business News
The Business Council of Westchester created this video One Westchester to highlight the strength and resilience of Westchester's businesses, residents and communities. Including New Rochelle businesses: Empress Emergency Medical Services, Montefiore New Rochelle, Alvin & Friends https://vimeo.com/476903813/fafc69bc8f
The Curtain Shop in Longtime business owners say this holiday is like none they have ever seen
New Rochelle Farms and TP Toys in Little Lights: In a difficult year, here's how some New Yorkers found moments of joy
Dubrovnik Restaurant in Westchester Magazine’s: Here’s Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving in Westchester
Mahlstedt Gallery in Artfix daily’s: Rare, limited-edition bronze sculptures by Salvador Dali are available for sale through the Mahlstedt Gallery
Special thanks to Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, and Karel Littman, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Downtown BID, for their collaboration and content for this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Lisa Davis
Business Ambassador
Ldavis@newrochelleny.com | 914-654-2189
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