Business

COVID Watcher Survey To Track Affect of Pandemic on Small Businesses, Deadline Dec. 7

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) has partnered with Columbia University to collect data, through a survey, to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in New York City, as well as identifying what can be done to help the business community in both the short and long-term to survive the crisis.   The COVID Watcher Small Business Survey is a research, advocacy and policy tool. Its purpose is to identify and understand the challenges facing small business owners as a result of COVID-19, and learn about what they are already doing to ensure their economic viability, and the health and


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Cohen Reiterates Message to Prepare for Further Restrictions in December, Lists Available Help

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilman Andy Cohen has reiterated recent messages by the mayor and the governor that tighter restrictions may be imposed in December to curb the spread of the coronavirus.   “This is a difficult and challenging time for our educators, students, and families as the City is dealing with the unfortunate reality of having to close our public school’s to in-person learning once again,” Cohen said via a newsletter on Friday, Nov. 20. “As families transition into full-time remote learning, please know there are resources available. Please reach out to my office if you need help accessing meals, learning devices, or connecting


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New Yellow Zone COVID Clusters in the Bronx, Thanksgiving Gatherings Limited to 10

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State continues to remain on guard as Thanksgiving approaches. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that while the State’s COVID numbers are better, relative to most of the nation, New York has, nonetheless, seen an uptick in the number of total COVID hospitalizations, and test positivity rates in many parts of the state that are higher than what he would like to see.   The State’s adopted COVID-19 micro-cluster strategy outlines the new rules and restrictions which directly target areas with the highest transmission of COVID-19 cases and surrounding communities. Now identified are two new yellow cluster zones in the


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Bronx Writer Chronicles Life as a 19-Year-Old

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  Before Brianna Lopez turned 19, she decided to make a written record of her experiences during her last year as a teenager. In doing so, she decided that she wouldn’t hold back from sharing the ups and downs, the happy and sad times, the darkness and the hope she felt on the cusp of adulthood.   Through a combination of prose and poetry, Lopez, now 20, and a college junior in Miami who is majoring in professional writing, has self-published a collection of those experiences in a book entitled, “the nighttime series: a collection of poetry and short stories”


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Local Officials Honor Veterans at Woodlawn Cemetery

By DAVID GREENE
  A number of different events are scheduled throughout November to honor and assist America’s veterans, ranging from health seminars to legal discussions covering veterans’ rights. Last week, local, elected officials gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery for the annual, wreath-laying ceremony at the monument dedicated to those who served and died in World War I, the so-called “war to end all wars.”   Unlike years past, this year, the 25 or so attendees at the event wore face masks, had plenty of hand sanitizer available, and remained socially distant during the proceedings, hyper-aware of the rising coronavirus cases reported across the


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City Issues Clarification on Open Storefronts Program

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As reported by Norwood News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order 157, which created the Open Storefronts program on October 28, 2020. Open Storefronts is a free program that allows existing ground-floor storefront businesses to use a portion of the sidewalk and roadways to display merchandise, sell goods, and more from October 30 to December 31, 2020.   On Nov. 12, the City issued some further guidance to clarify the situation regarding the program for existing Stoop Line Stand licensees. Stoop Line Stand licensee businesses can continue to operate under existing regulations, without participating in


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Census Director Julie Menin Departs De Blasio Administration

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Census 2020 director, Julie Menin, announced her resignation from the de Blasio administration on Nov. 10, weeks after overcoming the initial phase of the pandemic, a fiscal crisis, and hostility from the Trump administration to achieve record census response rates in New York City.   Menin leaves city government after years of service in both the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, including commissioner of the department of consumer affairs, commissioner of media & entertainment, executive assistant corporation counsel and redistricting commissioner.   New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio paid tribute to Menin, saying, “Julie Menin has an extraordinary record


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DoorDash is Providing $5,000 Grants to Small Businesses in Select Cities

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, restaurants are facing an entirely new set of challenges. In response, DoorDash is providing $5,000 grants to small businesses selected through an application process in select cities across the US.   The grants are part of DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative to help restaurants recover and succeed amidst COVID-19 related challenges.   The $5,000 in grants will also help offset the costs for outdoor heating.   Eligibility Requirements: Must have 3 stores or fewer currently operating Must have $3 million or less in 2019 annual revenue per store Must employ 50 people or fewer per store   Full details for DoorDash’s Local Restaurant Grants Program can


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Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less Announced, Deadline Nov. 30

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, has released a simpler loan forgiveness application process for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less.   The agency said the action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses, while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.   The SBA and Treasury departments said the move eases the burden on PPP lenders, allowing them to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. The SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications, and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders in favor


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