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On Thursday, April 16th, SoHo Broadway Initiative, along with the NoHo BID, hosted Coping with COVID-19: A Conversation for Small Businesses. A panel of experts joined us to answer questions and concerns that small businesses have in this current crisis on topics ranging from commercial leases, applying for Small Business Administration resources, and other important information to keep your business thriving. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Both organizations keep their communities informed about new resources with each newsletter. Stay informed and sign up for NoHo’s here and SoHo’s here. See below a number of contacts and resources relevant to the discussion.
A video recording of the Conversation is available to view online
Use password: h0%?^O8=
We want to extend a special thanks NoHo BID for co-hosting this event, as well as to all of our panelists. If you have additional questions or would like to follow up on anything, please reach out:
Samuel J. Himmelstein – HMGDJ Law – shimmelstein@hmgdjlaw.com
William Skody – Skody Scot & Co. – william@skodyscot.com
Andrew Flamm – Pace SBDC – aflamm@pace.edu
Cordelia Persen – NoHo BID – cordelia@noho.bid
Mark Dicus – SoHo Broadway Initiative – mdicus@sohobroadway.org
Legal Assistance:
Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph LLP – are offering free 10 minute consultations. www.hmgdjlaw.com/ – (212) 349-3000
Get Help at Pace Small Business Development Center:
We strongly encourage you to schedule a consultation at Pace. You can fill out the Intake form here: http://www.nyssbdc.org/selector/ReqForCons/formo.aspx
Stay up-to-date on what Coronavirus resources are available for small businesses with Pace SBDC’s Resources page: https://www.pacesbdc.org/coronavirus
Learn more about what crowdfunding options are available to small businesses with Pace SBDC’s Crowdfunding Guide: https://www.pacesbdc.org/crowd-funding
More Local Assistance:
Cooper Square Committee, a community-based partner with SBS’s Commercial Lease Assistance Program, is offering free legal assistance. Any commercial tenant who would like to have a lawyer review their lease for free and think through the negotiation process, Contact abigaile@coopersquare.org for more info.
New York State Proposed Legislation About Rents:
NYS Tenant Safe Harbor Act – This new legislation would strengthen Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 90-day moratorium on evictions by prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent that accrued during the current State of Emergency and for six months after its eventual end.
Senate Bill S8125A – Sponsored State Senator Michael Gianaris this bill relates to suspending rent payments for certain residential tenants and small business commercial tenants and certain mortgage payments for ninety days in response to the outbreak of COVID-19
Other Tax Credits:
Employee Retention Credit – This refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.
Take Action:
Contact Kaarin Von, Owner of Von Bar on Bleecker Street at kaarinvon@gmail.com if anyone wants to get together and push for rent relief (through petitioning, letter campaign, SIGN campaign (you still have your storefronts)
#SMALLBIZSOS Coalition – Each borough’s Chamber of Commerce, Hospitality Alliance, NYC BID Association, REBNY and others sent a letter to elected officials earlier this week advocating for policies linked here; to lend your support, contact your elected officials or share on social media using the attached social media guide (and be sure to tag all of the members of the coalition)
Also be sure to check out our COVID-19 Business Assistance and Resources page.
Stay in touch with us. This is just the beginning. There will be other resources and other support to come.
