FAB Biz Blast – Feb 2023

FAB MIXED IT UP!  

We put our “morning-person” hats on and welcomed over 20 guests for a recent Merchant Mixer on the Fort Greene side of the FAB Fulton district! The informal gathering at Fancy Free gave us all a chance to catch up and meet with our neighbors, learn about small business mentorship from SCORE rep PK Ramani (pictured), and it was the perfect time for our NYPD Community Affairs team to swing by with newly appointed Captain Goodchild of the 88th precinct, who introduced himself to everyone!

A few FAB Fulton board members were in the house as well; we continue to invite interested individuals to learn more about the board and possibly expand their roles from BID members to board members. (You can read the board role description here.) The breakfast event was also an opportunity to share resources and we had several flyers on hand about new grant and loan programs; see below for more information if you missed the merchant mixer.

We’re busily planning the next merchant gathering now, headed for the Clinton Hill side of the corridor. Stay tuned for more details!

 

MORE ABOUT SCORE

SCORE is a volunteer team of experienced business mentors and advisors providing free insights and knowledge to small business owners and entrepreneurs wishing to start a business or improve their existing business. The 65+ mentors in the New York City branch represent a multitude of industries and business expertise. One-on-one mentoring, roundtables, an advisory board, and workshops are just a few of the services offered by the organization. Learn how you can sign up for SCORE services, here.

 

SKIP THE STUFF!   

Mayor Adams has signed into law a new measure to decrease the usage of single-use plastics and unnecessary condiment packets or extras. Starting in about 6 months, businesses will have until July 1, 2024, to make the necessary changes to their business operations. Those found in violation of the law after July 1, 2024, will be subjected to a $100 fine for the first violation. Read more about the law here.
 


GRANT + LOAN ROUND-UP  

The new year has revealed new money! As part of the Mayor’s Blueprint for Economic Recovery, NYC SBS recently launched a historic $75 million loan fund to help NYC’s small businesses rebuild, grow, hire, and thrive.

Even programs billed as contests — we say, enter! You have to be in it to win it, and if the application process is the same or similar, it’s just a cut-and-paste!

  • NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund: This new program delivers flexible, affordable capital and free business support services to small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs in New York City. There is no minimum credit score required but applicants must demonstrate ability to repay the loan. See details and apply here.

  • FedEx Small Business Grant Contest:

    Share your passion, success, and story for the opportunity to win big! 10 grand prize winners will each receive $30,000 and much more! Plus, one U.S. veteran winner of the 10 grand prize winners will get an additional $20K from USAA Small Business Insurance.

    The contest ends on February 21, 2023, at 12pm ET (Noon). Enter here!

  • Citizens Bank Community Champions Award: Your business’s community involvement is rewarding. Citizens Bank is giving 30 businesses $10K each — and yours could be one of them. A total of $300,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in the following 3 categories – Minority-owned, women-owned, other business groups.

    Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and the D.C. who are 18 years of age, and older, who are employees or owners of an Eligible Small Business, whose business is either a Citizens Business Banking account holder OR based in CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA or VT. The 2023 Small Business Community Champion Contest is open until February 7, 2023. Get details and apply here.

  • Barclays Small Business Big Wins Contest: Barclays Bank is hosting its third ‘Small Business Big Wins’ contest!
    Share your story to win big! Winning stories will receive one of 60 cash prizes starting at $2,000, with a Grand Prize of $60,000. Apply here.

Join a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce hybrid event, Wed., February 15, available for in-person or virtual attendance. Financing experts will address steps to take before applying for a business loan and detail some lending options currently available, including the new Small Business Opportunity Fund and Brooklyn Alliance Capital’s EXCELerate Loan Fund. For in person attendees, lunch will be provided and as well as the opportunity to talk one-on-one with a presenter about individual needs. RSVP here.


BLACK HISTORY MONTH

We are proud to have nearly 40 Black-owned small businesses on the FAB Fulton corridor, from Fort Greene to Clinton Hill! Throughout the month, we plan to celebrate and show our support through social media highlights and features. (Don’t miss our Instagram Guides!) If you’re a Black-owned business, please share any promotions or stories about your journey with us (through tagging or email)!


SPREADING LOVE! 

It’s February, love is in the air and Valentine’s Day is almost here. We’ve partnered with more than 25 other organizations around New York City to spread the love to small businesses. All month long, on our social media feeds, we’ll be a #SmallBusinessSweetie and encourage others to do so. If you have any specials or offers or promotions planned, please tag us online, or email us here with details, so we can spread the word! 
 
 
UPCOMING NYPD MEETING
REMINDER: Tue., February 21 is the next NYPD 88 Community and Youth Council Meeting. The location and time will be confirmed closer to the event. If you have questions, or concerns, or need transportation, contact Community Affairs Officer Poole or Officer Kinney at 718-636-6526.
 
 

STOREFRONTS NEEDED: ART360º / FORT GREENE

Fort Greene merchants! Are you ready to celebrate spring in color? We’re looking for a few good storefronts to serve as canvases for some local artists… it’s the return of ART360º / FORT GREENE, Sat., May 13. Interested? Reach out to us, so we can include you as we vet our artists (and if you know of an artist already, even better)!  Send us an email, with ART360FG in the subject line


NEW DATE FOR VIRTUAL MARKETING WORKSHOP

Join this virtual workshop presented by Bridge Street Development Corporation designed to make small business entrepreneurs, owners, and marketers participants more effective in developing and executing digital marketing strategies. The new date for the event is Wed., February 15 at 6:00 pm; RSVP here by February 13.


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!