COVID-19 Resources + Join us for a call with City Officials
Dear Members and Friends of GatewayJFK,
We hope all of you are well and doing your best to weather the disruptions being caused right now by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review this email for information to help you navigate rules and programs for businesses being put into place at this time.
If you have concerns and would like a direct line where you can share them with the City, be sure to join the conference call with NYS Dept. of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop this Thursday March 26th, or email me at scott@gatewayjfk.org and I will make sure the City hears your concerns.
Clarification on business closure rules:
As of Today (March 23rd 2020) all non-essential businesses in New York must close or operate with 100% of their workers required to at stay home until further notice.
Essential businesses include those in food manufacturing and logistics related to essential services. Food service establishments may operate with special restrictions (e.g. restaurants may only provide take out and delivery.) For a full list of essential services and essential workers, click here.
Do you have Questions or Concerns that the NYC Govt. needs to hear?
Gregg Bishop the Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services will be holding a special conference call for business owners in Southeast Queens this Thursday March 26th at 10:00am.
Virtual Town Hall for Southeast Queens Business Owners
Date: 3/26/20
Time: 10:00 am
Dial in number: 712-432-6121
Pin: 513479
RSVP to: Ludy Thenor at Councilmember Donovan Richards Office lthenor@council.nyc.gov | 646-584-6225
If you can't join the call but have a question or a concern you would like GatewayJFK to ask for you please contact our Executive Director Scott Grimm-Lyon at scott@gatewayjfk.org, we will make sure the City hears your concerns.
Tips and Resources for Business Owners:
Tips for Small Businesses Owners:
Talk to your landlord about your situation.
Call your insurance
Call your credit card company and see what they are offering
Keep written records of all of the above emails, calls, texts and conversations, when they happened, next steps and outcomes.
The IRS/Treasury/Labor have announced help regarding Tax Credits and Paid Leave. It may be worth you chatting with your accountant. Click here for the website with more information.
State, City & Federal Resources :
New York State’s Shared Work Program provides an alternative to laying off workers during business downturns Watch the video which explains how it works and how to apply, here's the website
NYC Small Business Services - Employee Retention Grant Program application process is now live. This program is available to New York City businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000. For more information and to apply, click here
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans offers up to $2 million in low interest loans to help small businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. For more information, click here
Information about deferred mortgage and tax payments along with daily updates from Governor Andrew Cuomo, can be found here
File for tax abatements visit here
Information from Mayor deBlasio and the City of New York can be found here
If you or someone that you know needs personal help beyond what is mentioned above:
The Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the Department of Financial Services has issued a new directive to New York State mortgage servicers to provide 90-day mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus.
The directive includes:
a. Waiving mortgage payments based on financial hardship;
b. No negative reporting to credit bureaus;
c. Grace period for loan modification;
d. No late payment fees or online payment fees; and
e. Postponing or suspending foreclosures.
More information can be found at the NYS Dept. of Finance.Invisible Hands can help with groceries and prescription deliveries for vulnerable people. Visit www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com to request assistance.
If you are feeling extremely anxious, depressed or hopeless, text 741741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Text Line counselor. This service is free, confidential and available 24/7. For more information, visit www.crisistextline.org
Please do not hesitate to contact GatewayJFK if you need business assistance. We will work with the City, or other financial partners to make sure you get the funds you need to keep operating despite this crisis.
Thank you,
Scott Grimm-Lyon, AICP
Executive Director
GatewayJFK
Scott@GatewayJFK.org
167-43 148th Ave. # 203
Jamaica, NY 11434
516-730-3400
www.GatewayJFK.org
