|
March 1, 2021
Español
Dear Business Owner,
With continued focus on driving more success for New Rochelle’s businesses, this month’s business newsletter includes information about opportunity, financial relief and COVID compliance.
Opportunities
New Rochelle Downtown BID Kicks Off Restaurant VALUE Week
To Boost Indoor Dining and Takeout
25+ Restaurants Offer $15 and $30 Packages for Dine-In and Takeout
from March 1st- March 14th
Calling all foodies to New Rochelle Downtown! New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (NRBID) is launching “Restaurant VALUE Week”, a community-focused program where patrons can show how they VALUE local Restaurants by dining with them and Restaurants can show appreciation by giving patrons a great value on a meal. There will be more than 25 restaurants offering specially priced packages at $15 and $30 beginning on March 1, 2021 and running through March 14, 2021.
Sponsor Youth Bureau Activities
New Rochelle Youth Bureau is launching a variety of virtual initiatives to help impact the isolation our youth have experienced over the last year during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, the virtual programs will provide self-care activities, social emotional check in, and other events for our youth to engage in.
We are seeking program sponsors to provide items for our giveaway or financial donations for our virtual events. If you would like to support our efforts, please contact Diana Fosella, Youth Worker at 914-654-2048
Want outdoor seating this Spring?
Did you know that you could have seating on the sidewalk outside your restaurant?
You would need:
- At last 10 ft between the building and curb so you can include a clear walkway for pedestrians
- Insurance listing the City of New Rochelle as additional insured
- A drawing showing your proposed layout
- To apply for a permit
|
Financial Relief
On Monday, February 22, President Biden announced the following changes to SBA’s coronavirus relief programs to ensure equity for small and low- and moderate-income (LMI) businesses who have not received the needed relief a forgivable PPP loan provides:
-
14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees starting on Feb. 24, 2021. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications, while also ensuring that larger PPP-eligible businesses will still have plenty of time to apply for and receive support before the program expires on March 31, 2021
- Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
-
Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal;
-
Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make student loan payments by eliminating student loan debt delinquency as a disqualifier to participating in the PPP; and
- Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.
Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through an eligible lender.
|
In 2020, Pursuit provided more than 7,000 businesses with Paycheck Protection Program loans that averaged just $23,000. With new funding from the Federal government, our PPP application is now open. Building on our commitment to ensure that the smallest businesses can access PPP, we have created a set of tools and resources to help entrepreneurs learn more about the process, prepare their applications, and troubleshoot common questions. They include:
We have also launched an exclusive opportunity for minority- and women-owned borrowers. Live application support sessions to answer specific questions business owners have, with a special focus on demonstrating payroll and revenue reductions.
NYBDC, Excelsior Growth Fund and The 504 Company have rebranded as Pursuit! To learn more about our loan programs visit pursuitlending.com.
|
Changes to COVID restrictions
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York, several changes are being made to ease restrictions for businesses. All businesses are reminded to continue to enforce mask wearing, social distancing and other industry-specific requirements defined by NY State at www.forward.ny.gov.
- Closing times for restaurants and bars was extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide beginning Sunday, February 14. More information here
-
Indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement can open with a 25 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, March 26. Outdoor amusement parks can open with a 33 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, April 9. All facilities must submit reopening plans with health protocols to the local health department. Face coverings and social distancing will be required for all customers and staff, and customers will be required to have a health screening with temperature checks prior to entry. Additionally, day and overnight summer camps in New York State can begin to plan for reopening. The Department of Health will issue specific reopening guidance, including details on timing, in the coming weeks. More information here
- Beginning March 15, weddings and catered events can resume statewide. In order to reopen, establishments must review and comply with the updated Detailed Guidelines for Food Services on the Phase Three webpage of New York Forward.
Business in the news
Black-Owned Restaurants in Westchester to Order From Right Now from Westchester Magazine Black History Month is about honoring Black achievements, both big and small, both on a large scale and within our own communities. Support and celebrate Black-owned businesses in Westchester County and indulging in some delicious food while we’re at it.
Remember in New Rochelle all retail businesses are required to register and to renew that registration annually. All other businesses are required to do so. Registration is free and easy at www.newrochelleny.com/business. One of the benefits to registering is receiving this newsletter and other business guidance regularly. Don’t miss out.
Sincerely,
Lisa Davis
Business Ambassador
(Special thanks to Mariana Alonso-Jusufaj, Minority Business Liaison; Karel Littman, NRBID Executive Director, and Catherine White, NR Chamber of Commerce Executive Director)
|
