New York Forward: Small Business Recovery Hub

Dec 22, 2021

Reopening Guidelines

Industry Maximum Capacity Source/More Information 
Bars and Restaurants (indoor dining)50% maximum capacityGovernor Cuomo February 19 Press Conference
Gyms and Fitness Centers33% maximum capacityReopening New York – NYC Gyms & Fitness Centers Guidelines
Hair Salons and Barbershops50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Hair Salon & Barbershop Guidelines
ConstructionMaintain 6 ft. distance between personnel; 50% maximum occupancy if space shared by more than one personReopening New York – NYC Construction Guidelines
Retail50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Essential and Phase II Retail Business Guidelines
Manufacturing50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Manufacturing Guidelines
 

Media Production (motion picture, music, television productions, etc.)

50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Media Production Guidelines
 

Indoor Arts & Entertainment (indoor museums, cultural sites, aquariums, etc.)

25% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment Guidelines
 

Outdoor Arts & Entertainment (outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, outdoor museums, etc.)

33% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment Guidelines
Malls50% maximum occupancyReopen News: NYC mall, NY casinos allowed to reopen with strict safety restrictions – ABC7
Movie Theaters25% maximum occupancy or 50 people (starting March 5)Movie theaters in New York City can open in March at 25% capacity – CNBC
Offices (non-profit, professional services, front office support, etc.)50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Office-Based Work Guidelines
 

Personal Care (nail salons, tattoo and piercing facilities, massage therapy, spas, waxing, etc.)

50% maximum occupancyReopening New York – NYC Personal Care Services Guidelines
 

Indoor Family Entertainment Centers

25% maximum capacity (starting March 26)Governor Cuomo Announcement – February 17
 

Outdoor Amusement Parks

33% maximum occupancy (starting April 9)Governor Cuomo Announcement – February 17
 

Summer Camps

Can begin planning for summer openingGovernor Cuomo Announcement – February 17

Vaccine Information

Who is eligible?

The following New Yorkers are eligible to get the vaccine, with the full eligibility list available here:

  • Home health aides
  • Teachers and education workers, including childcare staff
  • First responders
  • Public safety workers
  • Public transit workers, now including TLC-licensed drivers
  • Grocery store workers, including convenience store & bodega workers
  • Restaurant and Restaurant Delivery workers
  • New Yorkers experiencing homelessness who reside in congregate settings & staff
  • Individuals 65 years and older
  • Staff at COVID-19 testing and vaccination locations
  • Individuals with comorbidities and eligible underlying conditions

How can you make an appointment?

Find sites and make an appointment online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692).

 

Vaccination Site in Brooklyn

A mass vaccination site is now open at York College and Medgar Evers College - Carroll Building, 231 Crown Street Brooklyn, NY 11225. Hours: 8 am - 8pm.

Eligible Zip Codes: 11206, 11221, 11216, 11238, 11225, 11213, 11233, 11207, 11208, 11236, 11212, 11203, 11226, 11210

The MTA will operate a Westbound B98V bus shuttle every 30 minutes from Pink Houses to Medgar Evers College.

Announcements for Businesses

View the latest report from NYC Dept of Small Business Services to help businesses think through their operations and how to adapt - available here.

 

Announcements This Week

  • Indoor dining can increase to 50% capacity starting today, March 19
  • Indoor fitness classescan begin reopening statewide at 33 percent capacity, beginning March 22
  • The curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted Beginning April 5, the 11 p.m. The 11pm curfew for food and beverage establishments and the midnight curfew for catered events will remain in effect. Both curfews will be re-evaluated in late April.

Open Culture Program

  • The Open Culture program will allow eligible arts and cultural organizations to use approved, open public spaces and bring arts and cultural programming for up to four consecutive days per month. Events can be viewed via an online searchable map. Each permit will allow up to four events per month.
  • Program details, eligibility criteria, rules and latest information are available here.

Indoor Dining

  • Indoor dining in NYC will reopen on February 12th per the latest announcement from the Governor, and restaurants will be allowed to remain open until 11PM.
  • View the Indoor Dining Guidance here
  • View the Open Restaurants Program guidance here

Outdoor Dining

OTHER GUIDELINES

Open Storefronts Program

Plastic Bag Ban

Evictions & Foreclosures

Federal Stimulus Bill

President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill - the American Rescue Plan - that will provide relief to struggling small businesses and individuals, and provide vaccine aid.

Here are the key provisions:

 

  • $15 billion to the EIDL program with three categories of priority: within 14 days, the SBA will have to start processing applications from entities that did not receive their full eligible benefits - including entities with fewer than 300 employees and economic losses of at least 30% year on year. After 28 days, the SBA will process applications for new payments of $5,000 to entities with 10 or fewer employees with 50% or more in revenue loss. After 42 days, the SBA will process applications for businesses with 10 or fewer employees who did not previously qualify. 
  • $7bn additional for the Paycheck Protection Program with expanded eligibility to nonprofits 
  • $28.6 billion for grants for restaurants and bars to use towards payroll, mortgage, rent, food and beverages, and paid sick leave. Priority will be given for the first 60 days to businesses with revenues less than $500,000 and additional priority for the first 21 days to minority and women-owned businesses. Read additional details here. 
  • $175 million for outreach and promotion via a Community Navigator Program to target eligible businesses. The SBA will issue grants or enter into agreements with nonprofits, small business resource centers, and other organizations to ensure the free delivery of assistance from community groups and financial institutions to help small business access SBA programs. The funding for this program will run through December 31, 2025. 
  • Unemployment benefits extension of 25 weeks until September 9 (including self-employed, part-time, and gig workers), and tax free benefits up to $10,200 for those earning less than $150,000 
  • Stimulus checks of $1,400 to individuals earning up to $75,000 and $2,800 to households up to $150,000. There is a phasing out of payments for incremental increases in salary.

 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The guidance on the new PPP program (Economic Aid Act) has been released by the SBA and US Treasury. Please refer to the documents below depending on your status: 

How To Apply? 

Our partner & community lender Pursuit is now processing applications. Use their Revenue Reduction Calculator to calculate 25% revenue reduction before you apply. They are also offering extra office hours for clients - more information here.

Apply here.

 

We also have partnerships with the following CDFIs processing PPP applications:

  • TruFund - learn more here
  • Ascendus (formerly Accion) - learn more here
  • NDC - learn more here

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & EIDL Targeted Advance

The EIDL Targeted Advance is now available to:
- individuals who applied for the EIDL Advance in 2020 and did not receive funds due to lack of program funding, or
- individuals who received grants of less than $10,000

Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA and do not need to take any further action at this time. This is available only to those with previously submitted EIDL applications.

More information is available here.

 

The 2021 EIDL loan program is also now open. The application is available here - please note, you do not need to apply for this loan via a lender.


A summary of the $900 billion COVID relief bill is provided below.

Brooklyn Chamber Resources

WE ARE COMMITTED to helping Brooklyn businesses and industries recover from the financial and other hardships caused by the pandemic.

Small Business Resources Network

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The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has activated its Small Business Resources Network to provide direct support to businesses throughout Brooklyn. If you are a small business in NYC, we can help.

Get free expert services and 1-on-1 consultation with a recovery specialist around:

 

  • volunteer mentors, 
  • technical assistance providers,
  • loans and grants, 
  • procurement opportunities, 
  • marketing, 
  • technology, 
  • real estate, 
  • legal and accounting services

Brooklyn Chamber in the Field

The Brooklyn Chamber team led by President and CEO Randy Peers has conducted 25 commercial corridor visits. Follow us @brooklynchamber to see our work each week in the field.

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Support neighborhood business, it's the Brooklyn way!

You can still contribute and join the effort to save your local small businesses. Learn more here.

Open for Business in Brooklyn

See who is open for business in Brooklyn - updated daily with over 1,000 businesses across all neighborhoods.

View our map of open plazas and streets in Brooklyn.

Commercial Cleaners

To assist with your business cleaning and sanitizing needs we have a vetted list of commercial cleaners operating across Brooklyn. Contact them for a quote.

Economic Impact Surveys

Our monthly surveys measure the economic impact of the pandemic to Brooklyn businesses. The feedback we receive supports our advocacy efforts on behalf of the small business community to policymakers. Our February survey results on 2020 end-of-year operations are now out.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant

We are providing disposable masks, gloves, sanitizers and  thermometers for businesses and their employees. Please apply for our Bring Back Brooklyn PPE grant here.

Small Business Hotline

The Brooklyn Chamber is digital! Find us on the Brooklyn App and join the 'Small Business Hotline' to communicate with us and your business peers in real time.

Webinars

We host weekly virtual events to help business owners and sole proprietors navigate financial aid and the latest resources, advice and information. View the recordings here.

Grants for Businesses and Non-profits

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Grants for Small Businesses

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Grants for Non-Profits

restaurant

Grants & Resources for Restaurants

Small Business Financial and Other Assistance

US Small Business Administration (SBA)

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New York City and State Resources

SBS
Commercial Lease Assistance

The Commercial Lease Assistance Program offers free legal services for businesses seeking to renew or amend their existing lease, or sign a new commercial lease.

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New York Forward Loan Fund

Loan program for businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees, nonprofits and small landlords who did not receive PPP or EIDL. Apply with these CDFIs.

  • Accion East
  • Community Preservation Corporation
  • National Development Council
  • Pursuit
  • TruFund

Complete the application here.
This is not a first-come, first-served application.

Assistance to Manufacturers

Review the reopening guidelines for manufacturers.

 

For PPE procurement (masks, gloves, disinfecting supplies, thermometers and physical barriers) or to be listed as a vendor, visit the NYC Manufacturing and Industry Innovation Council's PPE marketplace.

Other Resources

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New York City Resources

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Other Reopening Resources