New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) are asking New Yorkers to show some love to their local small businesses by giving them a free Valentine’s Day card.

 

“This Valentine’s Day, show some love to the people who keep NYC’s heart beating: our small businesses,” Mamdani wrote. “Across the five boroughs, more than 180,000 small businesses power our neighborhoods, the corner Chinese takeout spot that knows your order by heart, the halal cart that gets you through a long shift, the laundromat that’s been holding down the block for decades,” he added.

 

The mayor continued, These aren’t just storefronts. They’re workers, families, dreamers. They feed us, clothe us, and make this city feel like home. We’ve created printable Valentines you can share with a small business that makes your day a little brighter.”

 

He concluded, “Stop by your local library to pick one up or print one at nyc.gov/vday, write a note, and pass along the love. Because loving New York means loving the people who make it run.”

Meanwhile, as reported, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is calling on Bronx businesses, restaurants, and entrepreneurs to register by Feb. 15 for the upcoming Bronx Day in Albany, a full-day economic development forum spotlighting the businesses, nonprofits and institutions driving The Bronx economy, which will take place Tuesday, March 10, at the Albany Capital Center, as reported.

 

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

 

SBS officials said last month, SBS hosted its first New York City Contracting Summit “to open even more doors” for small businesses, including minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) firms, across New York City.

 

They said more than 4,400 New Yorkers registered to attend the free summit, which connected New York City-based small business owners to public and private contracting opportunities and other resources.

Additionally, SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross announced that, for the first time ever, Middle Eastern and North African-owned (MENA) firms can now self-identify as such in the New York City Procurement and Sourcing Solutions Portal (PASSPort). SBS officials said the new self-identification category is available to both new registrants and businesses with existing PASSPort accounts.

 

They said the event included a robust schedule of activities designed for operating enterprises of all sizes seeking to do business with New York City, including:

• networking with contracting agents from all levels of government;
• workshops providing a blueprint to finding opportunities, winning contracts, and growing small businesses; and
• free business resources, including financing assistance, pro bono legal consultations, mentoring sessions, and capacity building programming.

 

They said 93 exhibitors staffed resource tables at the summit, including 53 city and state agencies, making the first-ever NYC Contracting Summit the largest convening focused on procurement in city history.

 

Speakers included Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael Garner, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund Executive Director Gregg Bishop, and small business owner Eddie Song.

 

Learn more about how SBS is marking Black History Month here.

 

The Jerome Gunhill Business Improvement District (BID) provides support for businesses in the vibrant, retail commercial districts of Norwood and Wakefield.

Meanwhile, the Fordham Road BID does the same for the Fordham Road commercial district, while the Kingsbridge BID supports local Kingsbridge merchants.