RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
NEW! Grants from Google – As part of Google’s economic recovery commitment, the company has launched two grant programs to support small businesses:
· MainStreet ONLINE, a COOP program powered by Google, pairs small business owners with COOP students, who are trained in ecommerce and supervised by an experienced strategist, to build an optimized Shopify online store for businesses for free and help them reach new customers with Google tools. Small businesses will get hands-on assistance setting up a Shopify website and free product listings on the Google shopping tab, an optimized free Business Profile on Google Search and Maps, and support building effective Smart Shopping campaigns on Google. Applications are open until October 30, 2020. Download the flyer here and apply here.
– Here are newsletter and social media toolkits for BIDs and CBOs to use.
· PowerUp Program for LatinX Businesses, funded by a $3 million grant from Google, will directly support hundreds of Latino-owned small businesses across California, New York, and Texas with access to capital and the training they need to overcome the economic downturn and continue to grow.
· Grow with Google “Paso a Paso” provides free tools and training to help any Latino-owned business adapt and grow their business. Businesses can sign up for workshops (in English or Spanish), and continue their digital marketing training with Primer app minicourses in Spanish.
– Here is a social media toolkit for CBOs and BIDs to promote these opportunities.
NEW! LISC NYC Small Business Relief & Recovery Fund – LISC NYC has launched the LISC NYC Small Business Relief & Recovery Fund, which will provide direct grants of $10,000 to New York City minority-owned small businesses that face challenges to their survival in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the Fund is to help particularly vulnerable small businesses weather the immediate impact of the pandemic and to support their likelihood of long-term success. Round 2 of applications open on October 19th and will be open until November 6th. Read more in the press release, and download flyers in English and Spanish.
NEW! Columbia University CovidWatcher Survey – Columbia University and its community partners (including NYC Hospitality Alliance, ABNY, NYC Department of City Planning, and Partnership for New York City) are conducting an online, anonymous survey to collect data on the state of small businesses in NYC affected by COVID-19 and what can be done to help in the short and long term to survive this crisis. The CovidWatcher Small Business Survey is a research, advocacy, and policy tool. A report will be released providing analysis of the data and recommendations for support, which will then be shared with survey participants, BIDs, other advocates, and policymakers. Any small business with fewer than 100 employees is encouraged to fill out this anonymous survey. CBOs & BIDs – please share with your stakeholders.
Design Corps: Small Business Reopening Network – In response to the COVID-19 crisis, NYCxDESIGN has launched a program to connect pro bono designers and architects with restaurants to help provide design technical assistance. This directory encourages designers to self-connect with restaurants by browsing the profiles listed on the site. For additional information on the Design Corps program, please review the detailed guidelines. Restaurants can add themselves to the website to access assistance here: https://metrochamberorch.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1796ebcb21132e66c5a7e30be&id=d918db8949&e=73a569e2d2
Reopening Resources for All Businesses – SBS has launched a number of resources to help businesses prepare to reopen and begin operating safely and legally. Visit nyc.gov/covid19biz for current guidance and resources.
· Business Reopening Hotline – Business owners and employers can now call 888-SBS-4NYC (727-4692) to ask questions or find assistance
· Plain Language Industry Guides – Find clear guidelines about when and how to reopen your business, based on sector and industry.
· Webinars – Sign up for webinars to help you navigate each phase of reopening. These webinars will review State guidelines and best practices for reopening across sectors, assistance available for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, and more.
o NEW! SBS will be hosting webinars focused on Indoor Dining in Spanish on Wed 10/14 and in Cantonese on Thurs 10/15.
· Free Face Coverings – Find free non-medical PPE for you and your employees from a distribution partner located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, as most organizations have varying hours for pick-up.
· Find supplies – Check out the PPE + Reopening Supplies Marketplace
· NYC Business Solutions Centers are available to provide consultations for small businesses in need of financing assistance and support connecting to lenders and financing products. You can contact an account manager here.
FREE BUSINESS COURSES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Brought to you by the Brooklyn Chamber x NYC Dept of Small Business Services
Sign up for one of these upcoming webinars:
REGISTER Resources to Successfully Reopen Your Business, (10/16/2020) | Dina Rabiner
REGISTER Building your Business Ops, (10/16/2020) | Lloyd Cambridge
REGISTER Desarrollando Una Estretegia de Marketing, (10/21/2020) | Liliana Carrillo
REGISTER Creating Content Your Customers Value, 10/21/2020) | Nicole McCullum
REGISTER Food Retail: Getting Started, (10/22/2020) | Pat Warner
REGISTER Commercial Leases: Strategies, (10/26/2020) | Bradley Bailyn
REGISTER Social Media Marketing, (SPANISH) (10/27/2020) | Liliana Carrillo
REGISTER Building Your Own Business Website, (10/28/2020) | Nicole McCullum
View the full course listing here.
