(Friday) Extra, Extra

Click here for this week's video:

• Hunts Point Produce Market Investment & the Federal Farm Bill
• Grand Opening of KPOT
• Mott Haven Highlights Walking Tour

Legislative & Advocacy Updates

• NYS Budget Update

Member Spotlight

• AARP Free Shredding Event, Friday, May 5, 2023 | Bronx, NY: 11am - 2pm

Upcoming Events

• From Seed to Mainstream: Impact of Cannabis on Health, Business, and the Economy, 4/20/2023 at 5:00pm

INVESTING IN HUNTS POINT & ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Hunts Point Produce Market, small businesses, and the NYS Bodega Association to advocate for sustainable funding in the federal farm bill.

As federal lawmakers rework the U.S.’ Farm Bill, a package of legislation passed quinquennially, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is hoping to not only include a health initiative that increases access to healthy foods for food deserts like the South Bronx, but boost annual and mandatory funding of that program to $50 million by 2028.

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reauthorization Act has made it into the past two farm bills in 2014 and 2018, but funding from the initiative has always been discretionary. Despite the Bronx having longstanding issues with food insecurity, the borough has never received funding from HFFI.

Gillibrand, who has served as New York’s junior senator since 2009, told the Bronx Times that by making funding mandatory and boosting annual funding from $25 million to $50 million, it can give bodegas in the supermarket-thin Bronx, an opportunity to be a healthy food source. HFFI funds, through loans and grant financing, are meant to entice grocery stores and other fresh food retailers to provide options for underserved urban, suburban and rural areas.

CELEBRATING KPOT BAY PLAZA

NEW MEMBER, NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined Councilmember Kevin Riley and community leaders for the grand opening of KPot Korean Barbeque in the Mall at Bay Plaza, 200 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10475, right across Olive Garden on the second floor of the Bay Plaza Mall.

KPOT, is a unique, hands-on all-you-can-eat dining experience that merges traditional Asian hot pot with Korean BBQ flavors – but modernized with a full bar and a nightlife-like atmosphere. 

KPOT is a new member of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and has received support from the Chamber's Small Business Resource Network, a comprehensive approach to strengthening New York City’s economy and assisting small businesses. The Network was built to support small business resiliency by offering personalized guidance as you open and reopen.

Launched in response to the crisis facing many of the city’s 230,000+ small businesses in the wake of COVID-19, we’ve assembled an extraordinary collaboration of New Yorkers who are committed to small business recovery in our communities.

SOUTH BRONX - MOTT HAVEN SPOTLIGHT

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce joined HR&A Advisors, Great Performances, Brookfield, The Dream School, Mott Haven Historic Districts, community leaders and businesses, and 28 analysts and planners for a walking tour and small business panel highlighting the needs and progress of the area.

The team explored the recent developments that have taken place in the South Bronx to discuss what the effects mean for this quickly evolving part of NYC. The Dream charter network, the site’s reuse, and the building’s architectural design are also fascinating. HR&A, focuses on equitable, resilient, and dynamic communities through strategy development and implementation planning in NYC and beyond. The visit should prompt interesting discussion and debate about how cities can grow and evolve without sacrificing local culture and displacing the preexisting residents and businesses.

Special thank you to our host, Great Performances and Mae, Mae Cafe!

More info? [email protected]

LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATES

NYS FY24 Budget - New York state lawmakers passed another weeklong extension for the state's budget today to ensure state operations run undisrupted and workers get paid as budget negotiations continue. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli highlighted the need for lawmakers to push the deadline yet again when he sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday urging her to take action to ensure 83,000 state workers get paid in time for the next payroll cycle. State lawmakers will not be paid themselves until a budget is passed. With a second extension, the Legislature would have through April 17 to either pass a budget or extend the process again.

New Trash Set-Out Times Begin April 1 - Effective April 1, 2023, businesses that place waste at the curb* for collection have two setout options:

• If using a container with a secure lid, a business should place waste at the curb 1 hour before closing, or
• If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8:00 PM.

*This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock or other off-street location.

Send your questions to [email protected]. DSNY’s Commercial Engagement Team will provide additional free resources including information on the rules, educational site visits, trainings, and webinars.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 19 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Building Your Business Reach Customers Online with Google Webinar, virtual, This webinar will provide guidance for businesses interested in applying for loans and grants. In addition to providing an overview of available financing options, we will share tips to consider before taking on debt, an overview of documents commonly required to apply for a loan, and a summary of other loans and grants that are currently available for NYC businesses. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here.

April 20 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, From Seed to Mainstream: Impact of Cannabis on our Health, Businesses, and Economy Networking, in-person, Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYS Latino Cannabis Association, and a line up of experts in the field as we discuss cannabis and its impact on our health, businesses, and economy. The evening includes a fireside chat, networking, bites, and cocktails. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here.

April 24 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, Volunteer Day of Action - Jerome Avenue, in-person, Meeting Location: 1377 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY.  Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Councilmember Althea Stevens, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts & community leaders for a Day of Action and Community Clean Streets including: Tree Bed Stewardship, paint light poles / streetscape maintenance and litter and graffiti removal. This event is sponsored by the Office of Councilmember Althea Stevens and supported with volunteers from Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

April 28 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Developing a Marketing Strategy for Your Business, virtual, The goal of this course is to help entrepreneurs at any stage build a foundational marketing strategy that will inform every marketing tactic they use. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

June 20 at 7:30am, Joseph P. Kelleher Memorial Golf Tournament, Trump Links at Ferry Point, 500 Hutchinson River Parkway Bronx, NY.  Over 200 notable thought partners, colleagues in business, and influential New Yorkers will tee off for the 2023 Joseph P. Kelleher Memorial Golf Tournament at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. The 2023 Tournament features two (2) tee times, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, and the 2023 Awards Dinner honoring NYC Housing, Preservation, and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrion, Jr. To purchase foursomes or to sponsor, Click HERE

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

Click Here for more information.