FAB Biz Blast – Nov 2021

CITY SAYS “NO” TO PROPANE HEAT THIS YEAR 
Although an emergency executive order allowed the use of propane heaters in outdoor restaurant spaces last winter during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has now banned them. Eater NY reports that citing safety concerns of both usage and storage of the flammable material, the de Blasio administration has stated that the previously permitted propane heaters were only meant to be temporary, as the order that covered them expired in May and was not extended.

There is a $21 million program administered by the city Department of Small Business Services (SBS) that will provide grants of up to $5,000 to help restaurants doing less than $1 million in annual business offset the cost of new alternative outdoor heating systems powered by gas or electricity. However, details of the program have not been released to date. Restaurant owners may choose to explore other financing options like the NYS Small Business Recovery Grant Program, mentioned in previous newsletters, or no-interest microloans through the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (more info later in this newsletter). SBS and the FDNY also are running education campaigns for businesses through Jan. 1.
 
 

STRAWS, STICKS & STIRRERS: NO PLASTIC, PLEASE!
Beginning November 1, 2021, New York City food service establishments may no longer provide single-use plastic beverage straws that are not compostable, except upon request.

Additionally, food service establishments may no longer provide single-use beverage splash sticks or stirrers made of plastic.

All food service establishments must maintain a sufficient supply of single-use plastic beverage straws that are not compostable and provide these, free of charge, to any person who requests one.
 
Foodservice establishments with self-serve stations must display a sign at each station that states: “Plastic straws available upon request.” These signs must be unobstructed in their entirety, be at least two inches by seven inches, and have no less than 20-point font. 
 
For more information on this law, the exceptions, and to download a sample sign, please visit nyc.gov/straws.

 

NEED FINANCING?
Brooklyn Alliance Capital, Inc. provides financing to under-served minority and immigrant entrepreneurs and low-income small business owners to increase financial stability and foster economic growth that will create jobs in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn EXCELerate program is a Social Justice Lending model available through the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. It’s for BIPOC-owned businesses impacted by COVID. No interest, no credit scores, no collateral, and no guarantors. It’s a good program for capital needs under $15K.

For more information, check out the details online or contact Stevenson Joseph at sjoseph@brooklynchamber.com

 
 
RECOVERY TOGETHER
The City recently launched a new public information campaign, Doing It Together, to engage and encourage New Yorkers to be a partner in our City’s recovery efforts.  
Doing It Together features a website, www.nyc.gov/together, that pulls in many of the City’s recovery and public safety efforts, and gives New Yorkers the tools to join in. For example, New Yorkers can join Build the Block meetings to work with their local police officers; get jobs with the Cleanup Corps and Artist Corps; support Violence Interrupter programs that are key to empowering the community in the fight against crime, and many more opportunities. 
 
There is nothing New York City can’t do, and we can work together to keep our town the Safest Big City in America. Learn here about the strategies and initiatives the City is taking to keep our communities safe, and how you can get involved to help!
 
 
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS NOVEMBER 27  
The holidays are right around the corner and American Express has free resources to help bring in new shoppers this season – and all year long! More details available on their website, here.
 
 

A FAB ASSIST! 
We’re pleased to welcome a new intern this season, Sharrington Haynes, to our FAB team! You may have already met Sharrington working as a production assistant on some of our summer events, and she has recently executed PPE drop-offs throughout the district.

You’ll see much more of Sharrington as she walks the district working on landscaping projects, communications distribution, and capturing content for social media. Be sure to say “hi” and engage with her when she drops by your business!
 
 
FUTURE STOREFRONT OPPORTUNITY

If you’re a certified minority- or woman-owned (M/WBE) business enterprise or a minority-owned business in NYC, you could be one of a few small businesses slated for a new development coming to 205 Park Avenue in Fort Greene.

Connect with the rep for this development, Joshua Blum of L Realty Capital at 917.589.3282 or via email.

 

ABOUT FAB FULTON
The Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB FULTON) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and collaborates with small businesses and property owners along Fulton Street in Brooklyn’s neighborhoods of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming community while securing resources and partnerships for initiatives that enhance and promote the district.

This post contains links to the articles and information referenced in our latest FAB BIZ BLAST email communication. You can subscribe to future newsletters; sign up here for the FAB FULTON BIZ BLAST to get the latest information and resources for FAB FULTON Businesses!

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