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.
Government
Small Business Assistance Grant Program
Skoufis & Team Distribute 6,000 Valentines to Seniors
Senator Skoufis and his team distributed over 6,000 valentines to residents of 11 adult care facilities/adult daycare programs throughout his district last week. The cards were created by local community members, classrooms, and organizations as part of Skoufis’ annual Project Valentine program.
Village of Upper Nyack Board of Trustees Regular Meeting (hybrid)
NOTE: This month’s meeting begins at 8 pm
When: February 17, 2022, 08:00 PM Eastern Time (the US and Canada)
Topic: Village of Upper Nyack Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Where: Old Stone Meeting House, 357 North Broadway, Upper Nyack, NY 10960.
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Skoufis Introduces Legislation to Empower Cities to Crack Down on Negligent Landlords and Make Emergency Repairs
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) has introduced a new bill, S8146, that would create a pilot program allowing municipalities to perform emergency code enforcement repairs necessitated by landlord negligence. Costs of these repairs would be fronted by New York State, then levied against the landlord as a lien on their property tax bill and recouped by the state. Unpaid housing code violation penalties, associated costs, and fines would also be recouped in this way.
“For cities struggling to keep up with bad-acting landlords and their negligence, this program would be a gamechanger,” said Senator Skoufis. “Too often, cities lack the resources to adequately stay on top of code violations, resulting in dangerous and potentially life-threatening building conditions for tenants and neighbors. A program that gives cities the authority and capital to spring into action when a negligent landlord isn’t keeping up their end of the bargain will keep residents safe and help to eliminate blight, without ensnaring responsive and well-intentioned landlords which often occurs with top-down policies.”
“Senator Skoufis’ new legislation would give municipalities like ours another resource to make our communities safer.” said City of Newburgh Code Compliance Supervisor Charlotte Mountain. “This bill offers a solution for both tenants and landlords and reduces strain on the city’s budget.”
A similar program currently exists in New York City under its Housing Preservation and Development’s Alternative Enforcement Program. Senator Skoufis’ legislation currently sits in the Finance Committee.
Buffalo Soldiers Award Ceremony
Four Rockland County Veterans Honored
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Director Susan Branam of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency recognized four local veterans for their outstanding service during a special ceremony at Rockland Community College on Wednesday, February 16.
The 2021 Buffalo Soldiers Awards were presented to local United States Army veteran Walter Khan and Navy Air Reserve veteran Eugene Fields and the 2022 Buffalo Soldiers Awards were given to United States Navy veteran Nathaniel Harvey Jr. and United States Army veteran Dr. Abigaile Taylor.
A “Buffalo Soldier” is the nickname first given to members of African American cavalry regiments of the U.S. Army who served in the western United States from 1867 to 1896, noted for their courage and discipline. The Buffalo Soldiers Award is presented annually to outstanding African American veterans who reside in Rockland County.
“It takes a certain kind of person to place your own life on hold to put your country first but each one of these awardees did it without hesitation,” said County Executive Ed Day. “There’s no question, the freedoms we enjoy today would not be possible without the men and women who make the brave choice to serve our nation, including these local heroes, and it is my pleasure to recognize their courage.”
Walter Khan was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War where he served as a combat medic and telephone technician. He was honorably discharged two years later but he continues to serve his community by organizing veteran events and is a proud member of Nyack American Legion Post 310.
Eugene Fields served in the Navy Air Reserve in 1963 for eight years, completing his duty honorably with the rank of First-Class Petty Officer. Fields is also a member of the Rockland Coalition to End the New Jim Crow.
Nathaniel Harvey grew up in Spring Valley and joined the U.S. Navy in 1988 at the age of 18. In 1989, he was aboard the USS Iowa when an explosion killed 47 of his shipmates. He now spends his free time mentoring Spring Valley’s youth and is a member of the American Legion of Suffern.
Lastly, Dr. Abigaile Taylor served in the U.S. Army beginning as a Human Resources Clerk for about 10 years. She also managed the Yellow Ribbon Program for the 99th Regional Support Command from 2010-2013, ensuring over 5,000 soldiers and their families received top training, education, and employment opportunities.
“We thank these individuals for their bravery and continued commitment to our residents. We are proud to list your name among the proud African American men and women who have been named to the Rockland County Buffalo Soldiers in years past,” concluded County Executive Day.