Today’s coronavirus update for New Rochelle businesses contains lots of new information.  Scroll below to see the details on each:

1. SBA Currently Out of Funds for PPP & EIDL - Be ready to apply if new funds become available 

The SBA small business relief programs - PPP and EIDL - are currently out of funds. However, they are expected to be re-capitalized this week with the SBA again adding new SBA-approved lenders and federal grant and loan dollars. All small businesses or not-for-profits who did not apply during the first round of funding to get their paperwork ready to apply when these programs open again.

·     PPP applications are best processed through your current bank on their portal

·     EIDL applications are processed on the SBA website

New: Need Help with Applications? 2 sources of trained volunteers are ready to assist

Westchester County:  To help with these applications Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Office of Economic Development have organized a large group of dedicated volunteers to assist small businesses in preparing their applications for the EIDL program and PPP loans.

 If you need help preparing your EIDL or PPP applications you can sign up with a trained volunteers by going to this County website: Small Business Owners Assistance with SBA Applications

RXR has developed a platform to help connect local non-profits and small businesses affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with volunteers from the RXR community of employees, tenants, vendors, partners, and investors and friends.  

Choose RXR volunteers based on skills, including SBA loans, financial, legal, marketing and others at RXR Volunteer 

2. New: $5K Small Business Grant from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund  small businesses suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as possible. Qualifying businesses must: 

·     Employ between 3 and 20 people

·     Be located in an economically vulnerable community determined by zip code as ranked by the Distressed Communities Index.** 

·     Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic 

** while 10801 and 10805 zip codes qualify; unfortunately, as of now, 10804 does not. The NR Chamber has written to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to explain the extraordinary circumstances of small businesses in the 10804 zip code and asked that they be included.

How/When to Apply: a short application will go live on their website on Monday, April 20, 2020, at 3:00PM ET.               

The Save Small Business Fund 

3. NourishAll is a new food initiative aiding people in need and local restaurants

The City of New Rochelle, L+M Development Partners and RXR Realty announced today the launch of “NourishALL,” an innovative new meal program to help the City’s most vulnerable residents with critical food sourcing during the COVID-19 health crisis, and to support restaurants impacted by the crippling economic downturn. Recipients selected by 10 of the City’s social service agencies receive gift cards from over 20 local restaurants using funds donated by key developers and the public.  

With nearly two dozen restaurants participating, a variety of cuisines from throughout the City are available to recipients. Mini’s Latin Fusion, which opened less than a year ago, has been working hard to keep doors open to pickup and delivery customers. The opportunity to take part in NourishALL has been a privilege and a blessing. “While we all go through these difficult and challenging times, being able to provide to all of the families in need, is a real honor for us,” said owner Nicole Pirraglia-Piparo.  Being a new restaurant, this has been a challenge for us as well, but will continue to ‘push thru’ and really live the motto #NewRoStrong. We will continue to serve, and try to provide for as many people that we can.  We are grateful for being part of the NourishALL program and the opportunities to serve the community that it has provided to us.”

Anthony Russo of Modern Restaurant has been providing food to hospitals, first responders and the elderly at a discounted rate, noting how important it is during times like these to band together and help each other. "We are so proud to be part of the New Rochelle NourishALL program,” he said. “Not only is it a great program to help feed those that may otherwise go hungry but it also has enabled the restaurants involved to stay relevant. Thank you New Rochelle for organizing a program that truly helps those in need."

See LoHud’s article:  New Rochelle pairs struggling restaurants with residents in need

For more information on the City of New Rochelle and NourishALL, please visit www.newrochelleny.com/newrostrong.

4. Restaurant Law Center offers employer COVID guidelines

From the National Restaurant Association, details regarding what employers can and can’t require of their employees when it comes to their health status on the job. Link to article

5.  SCORE Webinar:  Starting Your eStore & Selling Online- April 21st at 2 pm REGISTER NOW

6. Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp Video-discussion with Senator Gellibrand to discuss Cares Act-April 24 at 11am. REGISTER NOW