REOPENING FITNESS FOR FALL!
Although gyms and fitness centers in New York State were given a late August opening, NYC has targeted September 2 for a return to exercise facilities. Protocols and guidelines will include operation at 33% of capacity, proper cleaning, social distancing, masks required at all times, HVAC ventilation systems must be in place, and, most importantly, local government must complete inspections and have final say on indoor workout classes. (The complete list of guidelines is available here.) Mayor de Blasio also recently announced a virtual inspection program that should be up and running soon.

Our area gyms and fitness studios have been creatively conducting most of their offerings through limited virtual broadcasts and/or outdoor sessions and they are more than thrilled to get back to in-person, on-equipment workouts with clients! Staff and owners are working diligently to adhere to all the new safety measures required by the City and State to reopen this month.

FAB-area fitness facilities have been extended the invitation to join a weekly conversation amongst other Brooklyn gyms, dance and fitness studios; every Monday at 1pm the Flatbush Avenue and Church Avenue BIDs host a virtual Zoom meeting. Email the Flatbush Avenue BID for a reminder and link to the call. The next call will be Sep. 14, due to the Labor Day holiday.
 
FAB FULTON ANNUAL MEETING – SAVE THE DATE
As previously announced, this year’s annual meeting will be a virtual event, happening Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 10:00am. Are you a registered BID member? Print and complete the form here!

While government loan programs have waned, there are still quite a few grant opportunities available through corporate and private organizations seeking to assist and support small businesses during their COVID-19 challenges. Consider applying for one or all of these programs:Business For All powered by Alice awards mentorship opportunities and grants up to $50,000 to support long-term business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 funds to help small businesses in crisis. Applications are open through September 25, and recipients will be announced later this fall. Apply here.

To help New York City’s small businesses due to the impact of COVID-19, Citizens Committee has launched the Neighborhood Business Grants! Grants of between $5,000 to $10,000 will fill gaps in funding by prioritizing businesses owned by immigrants and people of color. The application, available here, is intended to be accessible and short, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has a partnership with Clover, owned by Fiserv, and they seek to empower minority-owned businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with an opportunity to qualify for Back2Business funds. The $10,000 grants are to be used specifically to stabilize your business, including support of payroll, rent and lease payments, technology and for premise re-design to maintain a safe environment. The program is accepting pre-applicants; fill out the form here.

Thanks to a variety of generous corporate funders including Verizon, Lowe’s and others, LISC Small Business Relief Grants have awarded grants in five rounds so far! The Round 6 application period is now open. Applications must be submitted by Monday, September 7th at 11:59 PM ET. Apply here.

We try to stay on top of all grant opportunities and update our COVID-19 resources list regularly; check it out on our website, under Grants + Loans.