PSEG Long Island announced half a million dollars in additional funding for its most popular economic development grants for businesses. The announcement coincided with National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day (March 29).
The $500,000 will be distributed to eligible businesses through PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization Grants, as well as through Outdoor Commerce and Beautification Grants to local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts for bolstering outdoor shopping and dining.
The Main Street Revitalization Grant is available directly to businesses that complete projects to help improve the economic stability and growth of a municipality. The grant has provided financial incentives to three dozen businesses since the program launched in 2018.
“PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization Grant has provided a total of $864,000 to local businesses in the past four years. With this additional half a million dollars, we can help more local entrepreneurs succeed,” said John Keating, manager of Economic Development for PSEG Long Island. “Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy. They create jobs and increase commerce. If they thrive, we all thrive; and we are proud to support them. We encourage the public to shop small in celebration of mom and pop business owners.”
PSEG Long Island’s Chamber of Commerce Beautification Grant program will nearly double the maximum reimbursement it offers, to $3,500. The program has been highly successful, with $30,000 awarded last year to help increase the visual appeal of local business districts.
PSEG Long Island’s Outdoor Commerce Grant offers up to $5,000 to help local chambers and business improvement districts buy outdoor heaters, tables and chairs and other pre-approved items. More than $200,000 was distributed through these grants during 2020 and 2021 to help local businesses weather the pandemic. They are available again this year.
The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce used a beautification grant last fall to purchase 5,000 daffodil bulbs that were planted throughout the village. The yellow flowers are now popping up all over the downtown area, welcoming shoppers with a glimpse of spring. The chamber also received two PSEG Long Island’s Outdoor Commerce Grants in the past two years to purchase outdoor heaters, tables and chairs.
“Thank you very much for your foresight and continued support of our community,” said Mary Joy Pipe, Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce president and owner of The East End Shirt Co, Inc. “As a local business owner, chamber member and beneficiary of PSEG Long Island’s grants, I give many thanks. Being able to purchase lighting, merchandise displays, tables and umbrellas for outdoor dining all speak to PSEG Long Island’s commitment to promote small businesses in Port Jeff.”
“It’s great to see an expression of support for local businesses which are the backbone of Long Island communities,” said Eric Alexander, founder of the LI Main Street Alliance. “The pandemic restrictions have set these small shops back and grants and resources from PSEG Long Island and other institutions can aid in the recovery of our downtown business districts.”
To learn more about the small business support offered by PSEG Long Island, visit https://www.psegliny.com/inthecommunity/revitalization.
Additional small business support
Today’s announcement took place at Port Jeff Lobster House and Fish Market, which qualified for another PSEG Long Island small business incentive when it relocated within the village two years ago. The restaurant qualified for PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival Program, which provided owner James Luciano with $10,000 in discounts on the restaurant’s electric bill. The restaurant also qualified for $1,200 in assorted energy efficiency incentives that will save him approximately $500 a year on electricity.
“By upgrading the lighting systems to LED units, Port Jeff Lobster House and Fish Market is saving money while reducing its carbon footprint,” said Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables for PSEG Long Island. “PSEG Long Island has created energy efficiency programs that have already saved our customers millions of dollars on their electric bills and lowered their energy usage. These savings will continue for them into the future.”
“PSEG Long Island has been a great partner throughout the years, and its Vacant Space Revival discounts made our transition to a new building much smoother by giving us a huge discount on our electricity costs the first year. They also supplied us with new LED panel lights throughout our market and kitchen, which saved us a great deal on energy and buildout costs,” said Luciano. “Our move during the pandemic led us through uncharted waters fraught with risk and uncertainty. We certainly appreciate the help.”
To date, PSEG Long Island has awarded $165,000 in Vacant Space Revival discounts directly to new businesses to help them save on their electric bills.
Also joining PSEG Long Island in support of the announcement were Gina Coletti and Bob Fonti, co-founders and co-chairs of Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers, Inc. and Frank Camarano, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce.
These grant opportunities for businesses and business membership organizations are designed to put mom and pop businesses in a position to succeed in these unprecedented times and into the future.
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