BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Week of May 3rd, 2026
On Tuesday April 28th, members of the NYS Legislature hosted their annual MWBE Advocacy day in Albany to emphasize the impact of minority-owned businesses throughout New York State. Business advocates such as chambers of commerce, local development corporations, and business owners met to discuss challenges such as access-to-capital, large scale procurement opportunities that deter smaller MWBE’s from competing for prime contracts, and strategies to overcome these obstacles were some of the topics discussed. At the center of MWBE Advocacy Day is Article 15-A. Signed into State law in 1988, the purpose of Article 15-A is the eliminate barriers to participation by MWBE’s in State contracting. The development of a State-wide MWBE certification and reporting process, and a 30% goal for MWBE participation in Statefunded projects.
Pictured: NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr.
BUSINESS
Advocacy Day was co-hosted by NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr , a long-time MWBE trailblazer and advocate at both the State and NYC City levels of government along with NYS Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
and
Special acknowledgements to the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) Alumni that made the trip to Albany - Linette Townsley, L Townsley Ventures, Wayne Powell and LaSandra Powell, Smiles4Life Security Protection Corporation, Vivian Saunders, Buy Cheap Central, Incorporated, and Yahaira Salinas, High Intensity Cleaning Services, LLC.
Pictured: l to r: Advocacy Day Press conference and SEQBI attendees, LaSandra Powlell and Wayne Powell, Smiles 4Life Security Protection.
Pictured: l to r: Vivian Saunders, Buy Cheap Central, Linette Townsley, LTownsley Ventures, Yahaira Salinas, High Intensity Cleaning Services, LLC,
NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr.
KEVIN ALEXANDER KEYNOTES AT MERCHANT ASSOCIATION OF ROSEDALE, LAURELTON AND SPRINGFIELD NYC MEETING
On Monday, April 27th RDRC’s Kevin Alexander was invited to provide keynote remarks at the Merchants Association of Rosedale, Laurelton and Springfield NYC membership meeting held at Pa-Nash Eurosoul Restaurant. Alexander’s remarks centered on the impact of the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) in preparing businesses as a tool to strengthen their business model, collaborate to take on larger opportunities, and utilize the strength of professional networking to identify and compete for new business opportunities The event was also attended by several local SEQBI Alumni, Vivian Saunders, Buy Cheap Central, Incorporated and Olusola Sowemimo, SURFACE 3 Meeting Room, LLC.
“This was a great opportunity for RDRC to discuss how we could partner to assist individual businesses as well as the collective retail-commercial districts through our experience with SEQBI and roles we play with the commercial corridors of throughout the Rockaways”, stated Kevin Alexander.
Pictured L ot r: Annette Runcie, Co-Owner Pa-Nash Catering & Events and former Chairwoman of MARLS NYC.
Pictured L ot r: Sharein Morgan-Hill, current Chairwoman of MARLS NYC.
Business Resources!!
About SEQBI...
Overview: The SEQBI program creates a pipeline of small businesses that are added to the Resorts World NYC and JFK Expansion ecosystems. At the end of each 10-week Session, participants have the opportunity to compete in a multi-tiered pitch competition for a chance to win $5K, $4K, or $3K. By the culmination of the program, all participants are registered to do business with Resorts World NYC, and some are on their way to attaining their MWBE certification - necessary for procurement opportunities.
Criteria: Entrepreneurs with a legally registered business for 2 or more years, who are looking to scale and do business in Southeastern Queens.
Eligible Applicants: Complete the Registration Form and attend an Info Session.
Contact: Renee McWilliams at pmcwilliams@rdrc.org or 718-327-5300. More information can be found on the SEQBI website.
Applications are now open for commercial revitalization grants from the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to support New York City neighborhoods!
BID Formation Grants are available to place-based community-based development organizations (CBDOs) that are currently working with SBS and a formal steering committee that has completed and analyzed needs assessment survey data.
Up to $100,000 per year per neighborhood will be awarded to grantees for the staffing, planning, and implementation of a BID formation or expansion proposal. Applications are now open and can be accessed here via SurveyMonkey Apply. For more information read the BID Development Grant program guidelines here.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 8, 2026.
The NYC Small Business Services is offering financing up to $1,000,000 at an annual interest rate of up to 3% to eligible businesses. Closing fees apply. To be eligible to apply for the Contract Financing Fund, you must:
Have an operating business
Be applying for financing as a prime or subcontractor to use toward a contract with a City agency or City-funded entity
Click here to register with SBS and apply.
Click here to learn more.
SmallBusinessResourceForum
FREE to attend
Friday, May 22, 2026
9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. @
Federal Plaza Conference Center
26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor, NY, NY 10278
Must register to be on the list for security The registration will be closed when it reaches 800 Maximum
One-on-One meeting
20+ U.S. Government
Agencies and 20+ NY Organizations serving Businesses
9:00am-10:00 Meet the Resources Exhibitors 10:30am-1:00pm Workshops
Room G: Selling to the Global Market
Room H: Doing Business with the Government
Room I : Starting a Business in NY/US
To receive a confirmation letter for the security, Mustsendanemailto man-li.lin@sba.gov
Subject: RSVPfor 5/22event
Name: E-mail Address:
Greater Nexus is downtown Jamaica’s first accessible and affordable shared workplace. It is a place for members to Connect, Create and Collaborate. We offer access to over 10,000 square feet of shared office space, conference and meeting rooms, a large modular training space for events/workshops with innovative equipment and technology. We also offer a podcast room with state-of-the-art equipment, wellness rooms, soundproof phone booths, virtual address/mailbox options. Members will be offered flexible month-to-month membership packages in a commuter friendly location Opens Feb 3rd!
Mon - Fri 7:00am to 8:00pm Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm Sun Closed *Closed
Small Business University Online is brought to you by Small Business Expo, America's BIGGEST business networking event. In our content-rich webinars, you will learn from industry experts on various business topics.
JFK
CALLFORLOCALTALENT
The Show at JFK Terminal 8
We are seeking local artists, performers, chefs, musicians, designers, and cultural creators to showcase their talent at The Show, Terminal 8’s premier experiential activation space.
Selected participants will have the opportunity to perform, demonstrate, exhibit, or host interactive activations that highlight the sights, sounds, and flavors of our local communities.
Who Should Apply
Musicians and live performers
Visual and digital artists
Dancers and cultural performers
Chefs and culinary creators
Designers and makers
Interactive experience creators
Showcase your talent to millions of travelers. Scan or click to apply.
FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Students living near JohnF.KennedyInternational Airport canapply for a full-tuition scholarshipto Vaughn College for a Bachelor’s Degreestarting in the Fall 2026 semester.
Those awarded will also receive:
Access to internship opportunities with the Port Authority or JFK Terminal Operators
A “Futureproof” tuition-free education Career pathways through mentorship, training, and exposure to real-world aviation professionals and projects
To find out if you qualify, visit: vaughn.edu/JFK-scholarship
For additional questions, please contact: Ms. Anna Ragno Assistant Vice President for Admissions anna.ragno@vaughn.edu
718.429.6600 ext.117
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF JAMAICA STATION
What’s this about?
Who can take the survey?
Anyone who has used the Jamaica Station.
How to participate:
Scan the QR code below or visit tinyurlcom/JamaicaStationSurvey
We’re collectinginputon riderexperiences using the JamaicaStation,including making connections, wayfinding, concessions, and overall satisfaction. This will help us identify areas for improvement and inform future planning and upgrades Your experience
The JFK Redevelopment Aviation and Aeronautics Academy at CUNY York College (JFKR AAA) aims to expose local youth in grades 1-12 to science, technology, engineering, and math concepts related to aviation, aeronautics, and airport management, as well as to introduce them to leadership and career opportunities in the industry.
Now in its third year, the program continues to grow and offer students valuable experiences in aviation and STEM. Classes will be offered three times a year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Fall and Spring K1-12 sessions will be on four Saturdays (9am to 3pm). Four and six-week-long Summer classes will be Monday-Friday (9am to 3pm) for grades 6-12.
A
Dates of Summer 2026 program:
Monday - Friday (9am - 3pm)
High School: June 29 - August 7
Middle School: July 13 - August 7
Registration for the Summer 2026 Session: is open from April 27 - May 25 or until we reach capacity.
To apply visit the York College website: https://www.york.cuny.edu/aviation/aviation-and-aeronautics-academy
Opportunities available for qualified York College undergraduate and graduate students! Scan the QR code to apply.
Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Fund
Empire State Development (ESD) utilizing the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) has partnered with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to create the $50 million Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Fund (ACDBE Fund) providing support to certifiedACDBE businesses seeking concession opportunities at the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and the LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
•
• How does the ACDBE Fund work?
The fund provides $50 million in loan capital to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and credit enhancements to banks to support certified ACDBEs already awarded or currently seeking airport concession opportunities at JFL or LGA. Program lenders use this capital along with matching capital from other resources to offer small business loans
Loans range from $500,000 up to $5,000,000.
Competitive interest rates, terms and fees are determined by the individual program lenders Lenders are responsible for applications and credit decisions
What can the loan funds be used for?
Typical uses of fundsareworking capital, acquisition of machinery and equipment and leasehold improvements at a NYC Airport business location
How to apply?
Confirm your ACDBE certification at https://panynj.diversitysoftware.com/
ACDBEs will need to provide proof of certification, a business plan, their financial need, and the contract or concession opportunity they are pursuing.
Contact one of the following participating lenders for application details:
Greater Jamaica Development Corp.(www.gjdc.org)
Lendistry(www lendistry com)
TruFundFinancialServices (www.trufund.org)
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) (www umez org)
About State Small Business Credit Initiative
TheState SmallBusiness Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a federally funded program managed by the U S Department of Treasury. SSBCI provides funds to support programs for small businesses with the goal of providing opportunities and improving chances for success in the post-pandemic economy Learn more about NYS SSBCI programs at esd.ny.gov/ssbci
