Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Director of Economic Development and Tourism Lucy Redzeposki recently announced the newly created Small Business Assistance Grant Program to aid for-profit small businesses located within Rockland. A total of $250,000 in grants funds are available.
Businesses with 25 employees or less are eligible for grant awards between $5,000 – $15,000 for expenses incurred after March 3, 2020. Businesses will be subject to eligibility requirements and if approved grants can be used for the following types of expenses:Rent/Mortgage (arrears).Inventory (finished goods, raw materials/components, etc.).Marketing expenses (advertising and promotion, etc.).Small equipment (such as items required for a worker’s job function, etc.).Supplies (operational items).Maintenance/Repairs (such as corrective and preventive care of machinery, equipment, etc.).
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The application form for the Small Business Assistance Grant Program can be found on the Rockland County Government website:
http://rocklandgov.com/departments/economic-development-and-tourism/small-business-assistance-grant/.
This grant is a reimbursement program utilizing funds carried over from the former Rockland Economic Development Corp., (REDC).
For more information, including application assistance, please contact the Rockland County Department of Economic Development and Tourism at (845) 364-2171.
Business
Small Business Assistance Grant Program
Positions Available for Rockland County Youth Bureau’s Summer 2022 Conservation Corps Program
A Living Stipend, Educational Award and Career Development Skills Available for
County-Based Environmental Service
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day today announced that the Rockland County Youth Bureau is accepting applications for the 2022 Rockland Conservation & Service Corps (RCSC).
Celebrating its’ 22nd year, Rockland Conservation Corps members perform a variety of outdoor, environmental community service projects throughout the Rockland region. Responsibilities include educating the public about water stewardship, ecological conservation and environmental health issues, fieldwork and data collection, building and maintaining nature trails, teaching environmental education, planting gardens, patrolling streams, connecting young adults to their local environment, facilitating clean ups, and implementing food recovery programs, among others. Corps Members will take an active role in beautifying, protecting, and preserving Rockland’s parks, open spaces, and valued resources.
To be considered, students must be at least 18. Members are required to serve 350 hours between May 23rd and mid to late August at local sites that may include the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources, the Clarkstown Planning Department, the Town of Ramapo, the Rockland County Drainage Agency, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Cornell Cooperative Extension, among others.
“This is a great opportunity for students to gain work experience, earn money and make a lasting contribution to their community,” said County Executive Ed Day. “This is an experience that goes far beyond the classroom.”
Members are paid a $2,300 living stipend for the summer. After successful completion of 350 hours, Corps Members earn an additional $1,342.86 educational award provided by AmeriCorps and The Corps Network.
Fifty hours of training are included in the 350-hour time commitment where members are trained in areas including environmental education, trail building, conservation, curriculum development, leadership, team building, safety as well as a variety of other pertinent topics. Members will also earn valuable work and service experience, network professionally and socially, potentially earn college credit and make improvements in the community.
“It’s a terrific way to build a resume, get work experience, be outdoors all summer, network and meet new friends,” said Kathy Galione, Youth Bureau Program Coordinator.
This is a full-time, 35-40 hours per week, opportunity over the summer that is considered community service not a job. Candidates that are selected for the program will have a summer schedule that will permit the completion of the 350-hour time commitment.
Applications are due Friday, April 8, 2022. The program begins on May 23, 2022, with most of the service taking place late May through August. Candidates can request an application by phone (845) 364-2937/2932 or by e-mail rcsc@co.rockland.ny.us. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Hiring Qualified Job Candidates with Disabilities in the Hudson Valley
The Workforce Development Board of Rockland County, along with the Westchester County Association & the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board will present a program entitled “Hiring Qualified Job Candidates with Disabilities in the Hudson Valley,” via Zoom on March 28th.
Click here to register.
New York State Black Excellence and Leadership Ceremony Held at St. Thomas Aquinas College
(SPARKILL, NY – February 17, 2022) – St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) recently hosted the New York State Senate Black Excellence and Leadership Ceremony in its newly renovated Romano Student Alumni Center, where Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick recognized the achievements and work of exceptional Black leaders within the local community.
Black Excellence and Leadership award recipients included Jaclyn Cassagnol, Claudette Clarke, Shirley Crabbe, Calvin Demetrius, Pastor Nate Demosthene, Djinsad Desir, Gabrielle Hamilton, Justin Knowles, Dr. Dana Stilley, Eudson Tyson Francois and Charlene Weaver.
A discussion also revolved around St. Thomas Aquinas College’s firm commitment to inclusion and diversity on campus, as well as providing access to an affordable education.
“At St. Thomas Aquinas College, providing students with access to an affordable education is our top priority,” said STAC President Ken Daly. “We are honored to work together with Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick to recognize like-minded leaders in our local communities and help educate the next generation of students. I can think of no better day to celebrate these leaders than on February 12, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.”
President Daly and STAC’s first-ever Chief Diversity Officer, Samantha Bazile both spoke at the awards ceremony sharing the College’s primary purpose of providing access to affordable education, and its firm commitment to inclusion and diversity on campus and beyond. Current STAC student Karla Zamora Guzman, a Criminal Justice major and Social Justice and Equity Student Ambassador, was also recognized at the ceremony.
During Black History Month in February 2021, STAC launched its Center for Social Justice (CSJ), which has reinforced the College’s commitment to the ideals of justice and equality. The CSJ is composed of the Social Justice and Equity Forum and Justice Studies Institute; both dedicated to the principles of social justice and equity on campus and fosters critical discussions on a range of social issues that promote respect, equity and justice.
Development in Nanuet
Rockland County’s commercial epicenter is undergoing massive redevelopment. Jerry Tuchband, a longtime resident and president of the Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce said: “We don’t want it to become a Route 17 the situation, but I think that what’s going on is just normal improvement to businesses that have been there for many, many years and need sort of a renaissance, but I don’t think it’ll become out of control.”
Under this plan several stores and the following businesses will be renovated:
Gateway Commons: Construction work should begin this spring on a five-story, 123-room Holiday Inn Express and a QuickChek.
The convenience store and a new drive-thru Dunkin’ Donuts will open by year’s end and the hotel following in 2023.
Vista Dinettes, Momoyama Sushi House, Tiny Trims Children’s Hair Salon,Huntington Learning Center, and the former Coupe Dance Studio and Chick-fila-A’s building would be demolished.
Rockland Plaza: Under plans filed by Brixmor Property Group, the Barnes and Noble/Petco building would be expanded. Modell’s in the adjacent building would be demolished.