The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is hosting the first-ever NYC Small Business Month Expo to provide a variety of free information, resources, direct services for the needs of small business owners and to celebrate NYC Small Business Month May 2024.

• Wednesday, May 29 · 9am – 3pm
• Pier 36 NYC
• 299 South Street New York, NY 10002

Access 100+ free city programs, agencies, and partner resources – all under one roof:

• Faster city permits and licenses
• Financing and legal assistance
• Hire workers
• Contract with NYC through the M/WBE Borough Forum
• Free consultations, workshops, and networking
• … and much more!

RSVP for May 29!

About NYC Small Business Month

In May 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim announced the launch of “Small Business Month” to promote New York City’s diverse small businesses throughout the month of May, expanding on “National Small Business Week” recognized each year.

Events will be happening across the five boroughs, and you can view the full calendar at nyc.gov/smallbizmonth

Hosting a free event for small businesses in May? Add it to our calendar of events!

Questions? Contact mweber@sbs.nyc.gov

About NYC Department of Small Business Services

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 888-SBS-4NYC, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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SoHo Design District celebrates its 10th anniversary: 10 years of design experiences, networking, and creativity in the company of the best design brands and an ever-growing community of professionals and design lovers.

To mark this milestone, SDD offers a rich program of activities throughout the year and an extended opportunity to discover the latest in design during the NYCxDESIGN’s annual citywide festival (May 16-23), including an open invitation to visit all our spaces on SoHo Design Day, Saturday, May 18. 

 SDD Members:

• Artemide 
• Amura 
• Boffi|DePadova 
• Carl Hansen & Son 
• Danese Milano 
• Foscarini 
• MoMA Design Store 
• Original BTC 
• Poggenpohl 
• Salvatori 
• Scavolini 
• SAVOIR
• Safavieh Home 
• Zafferano 

Eataly SoHo x SDD: Celebrating 10 years of SoHo Design District:

Beginning May 16, the NYCxDesign Festival will be alive and well in the heart of SoHo! To join in the celebration and give design lovers a place to gather at the end of the day, the SoHo Design District is partnering with Eataly’s new location: Eataly SoHo at 200 Lafayette Street. This newly opened marketplace and restaurant occupies a historically landmarked building in the center of SoHo, between Lafayette Street and Broome Street. 

In honor of SDD’s 10th anniversary, Eataly SoHo will offer a limited edition Negroni Sour at its bar, a twist on one of the most iconic cocktails of Milan. Inspired by Italy’s capital of aperitivo and its center of design, the cocktail will be available to design professionals and aficionados alike from 5 pm until close every day during the NYCxDesign Festival (May 16-23), with a special price of $15 when ordered with the mention of SoHo Design District. 

About Soho Design District:

SoHo Design District is a not-for-profit organization at the epicenter of design. Since its inception in 2014, SDD has grown to include some of the best national and international design brands among its members. It aims to provide a sounding board for its members’ initiatives, whether collective or individual. Through a variety of activities year-round, SDD continues to open the doors of one of New York City’s most creative neighborhoods and strives to build a stronger design community. This year, it celebrates its 10th anniversary. 

About the NYCxDESIGN Festival:

New York City’s official celebration of design is set to begin May 16-23, 2024, with NYCxDESIGN’s annual citywide festival. The annual event attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe who make the trip to experience the very best in design at all scales and disciplines. As an international design capital, all five boroughs will have activations, tours, exhibits, talks, workshops, and films taking place at museums, schools, neighborhoods, galleries, restaurants, and hotels. Anchored by two internationally renowned trade shows, the International Contemporary Furnishings Fair (ICFF) and WantedDesign Manhattan, the programs also present international and national design talent who travel to New York to be part of this important cultural moment. https://nycxdesign.org/ 

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As part of the commitment to keeping our streets clean, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been implementing new rules to reduce the number of black bags that line city streets.

As of March 1, 2024, ALL businesses of any size MUST set out waste in a bin with a secure lid. This applies to ALL businesses that set out waste on the curb. This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

After a month of warnings for noncompliance, DSNY will begin issuing fines starting April 1, 2024. Be sure to follow the rules so your business doesn’t receive a fine.

How to store bins

Containers should be stored inside (or in a rear yard) when not set out for collection.

If space is not available, bins can also be stored within three (3) feet of the building line. Bins must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.

Recycling

For commercial recycling, bins with secure lids can be set out at the curb 1 hour before closing. Clear bags can only be used after 8:00pm

Read More

Read more from DSNY for information about set out times and the adopted rules here.

Download DSNY Official Notice flyer here.

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The Lower East Side Ecology Center hosts free collection events in partnership with community groups and elected officials across NYC to accept unwanted electronics from NYC residents, small businesses, and nonprofits. We guarantee data security, and donations are tax-deductible. 

Events near SoHo Broadway in April 2024:

Lower East Side (Tompkins Square Park) – Sunday, April 14, 10 am–2 pm

Financial District (Fulton Street b/w Ryders Alley & Cliff St) – Sunday, April 14, 10 am–2 pm

The following working and nonworking electronic equipment will be accepted at collection events:

• Computers (laptops and desktops, servers, mainframes)
• Monitors (CRT and flat-screen)
• Handheld devices (smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, e-readers, etc.)
• Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
• Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, cords, chargers, etc.)
• Components (hard drives, CD-ROMs, circuit boards, power supplies, etc.)
• Printers, scanners, fax machines
• TVs, VCRs, DVRs, DVD and Blu-ray players
• Digital converter boxes, cable/satellite receivers
• Video game consoles and accessories
• Cell phones, pagers, PDAs
• Audiovisual equipment (cameras, microphones, stereo equipment, etc.)

We do not accept:

• *Batteries, except lead-acid batteries from uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems 
• *Media such as discs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and cassette tapes 
• Household appliances, including air conditioners and microwaves
• Smoke detectors
• Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

*Please visit greendisk.com to purchase a shipping label to get these items recycled.

The E-Waste Collection Process:

1. Collection – LES hosts electronics recycling events to which NYC residents can bring their working and nonworking electronic equipment.
2. Sorting – At the collection events, LES staff sorts and palletizes the materials as they come in
3. Transporting – At the end of each event, LES partner recycler transports the collected materials to their recycling facility.
4. Evaluation – at the recycling facility, items get evaluated for potential refurbishing and reuse or get recycled by shredding.

Questions? Contact info@lesecologycenter.org

The Ecology Center started its E-Waste Reuse and Recycling Program in 2003 and has diverted over 10.5 million pounds of unwanted electronics from landfills or incineration. While electronics represent a small percentage of our overall waste stream, they contribute disproportionate amounts of toxins and heavy metals to our landfills. By keeping electronic waste out of landfills, the Ecology Center helps to ensure that this waste stream does not pollute our air, water, and communities.

Visit the Lower East Side Ecology Center Website HERE

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Dining Out NYC was launched by Mayor Adams to provide a lasting outdoor dining program that builds upon the success of the temporary program while addressing quality-of-life concerns. Eligible food service establishments are able to apply for outdoor dining in the roadway, sidewalk, or both!

The requirements for how sidewalk and roadway cafes are designed, built, and operated are available on New York City’s official rules website. 

Setup Guides

To help food establishments understand the requirements for outdoor dining, the City has created an interactive guide. This guide has information ranging from how far a roadway cafe must be from a crosswalk or fire hydrant, to the materials for an overhead covering, to how to clean in and around your cafe. 

View the step-by-step interactive guide and jump to a specific section to learn more:

Roadway Cafe Interactive Guide

Sidewalk Cafes Interactive Guide

Please note this is a summary of requirements. Please refer to the official NYC Rules website for full details.

Both sidewalk and roadway cafes require a license and revocable consent from NYC DOT. The revocable consent and license will each have a four-year term. Apply today!

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Community Board 2 is seeking feedback in regard to parking within the Community District, which encompasses SoHo, NoHo, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Hudson Square, and more. Sharing your insights on the parking landscape for residents, workers, and visitors will only take 5 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential. 

LINK: Parking Assessment Survey

This survey is part of a Community Planning Fellowship land use project which aims to study the parking landscape of Community District 2. The map included in the link above shows the neighborhoods included in this study.

Business owners are encouraged to share the survey with customers, employees, and others who have something to say about parking in Community District 2. By participating, you become part of a valuable research initiative that aims to address quality-of-life issues important and contribute to community engagment.

The closing date for this survey is April 10, 2024. All results will be reported to The Fund for the City of New York and CB2.

The post Manhattan Community Board 2 District-Wide Parking Assessment Project appeared first on SoHo Broadway Initiative.

As part of the commitment to keeping our streets clean, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has been implementing new rules to reduce the number of black bags that line city streets. The process began in April 2023, when DSNY changed the waste set-out times for residents and businesses — reducing the time trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks.

Since last April, a number of additional rules have rolled out for businesses. As of August 1, 2023, all food-related businesses in NYC are required to use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. As of September 5, 2023, all chain stores with five or more locations in NYC required to use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection..

Starting March 1, 2024, ALL businesses of any size MUST set out waste in a bin with a secure lid. This applies to ALL businesses that set out waste on the curb. This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

How to store bins

Containers should be stored inside (or in a rear yard) when not set out for collection.

If space is not available, bins can also be stored within three (3) feet of the building line. Bins must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.

Recycling

For commercial recycling, bins with secure lids can be set out at the curb 1 hour before closing. Clear bags can only be used after 8:00pm

Info Sessions

Join a virtual info session to learn more about Commercial Containerization.

• Thursday, March 7 at 5:00 PM
• Friday, March 15 at 10:00 AM (Spanish)
• Tuesday, March 19 at 3:00 PM (Mandarin/Cantonese)
• Monday, March 25 at 5:00 PM

Read more from DSNY for information about set out times, the adopted rules and virtual info sessions here.

Download DSNY Official Notice flyer here.

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The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), doing business as MTA Bridges and Tunnels, will hold four hybrid public hearings to solicit comments on the proposed toll rate schedule for the Central Business District Tolling Program (CDBTP). 

In 2019, the New York State Legislature enacted the MTA Reform and Traffic Mobility Act, directing the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (commonly referred to as MTA Bridges & Tunnels) to establish a congestion tolling program in the Manhattan Central Business District (CBD).

In 2024, New York City will implement the nation’s first congestion pricing program, known as the  Central Business District Tolling Program (Congestion Pricing) Drivers will be charged a toll to enter the Manhattan Central Business District – Manhattan south of and including 60th Street, but excluding the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connection to West Street. 

The upcoming public hearings for comments will be held in a hybrid format with options to participate in-person or via Zoom. A livestream will be available on the MTA YouTube channel. 

You can register to speak or find more information about these hearings below:

About the hearings: The MTA will hold three public hearings on the proposed toll schedule in March: Friday, March 1 at 10 am, Monday, March 4 at 10 am, Monday, March 4 at 6 pm. (see registration info below).

The hearings will be held at MTA Headquarters, located at 2 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. The hearings will take place in the William J. Ronan Board Room on the 20th Floor.

How to speak at the public hearings: Those interested in speaking must register in advance. Registration will close 30 minutes following the start of each hearing. Use the links below to register:

• Friday, March 1, 2024, at 10 am
• Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10 am
• Monday, March 4, 2024, at 6 pm

You can also call the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777. Agents are available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Each registered speaker will have two minutes to speak. Public comments will be limited to a total of 240 minutes per hearing, or approximately 120 speakers. Speakers who have not already spoken at a CBDTP toll rate schedule hearing will be given priority.  Learn more here
• If you cannot attend the hearings in person, you can register to speak via Zoom’s online platform and conference call feature. If you have registered, you may join by following these instructions:
• Join Zoom Webinar Online: To access the Zoom webinar online, go to https://mta.zoom.us/j/82624594335
• Join Zoom Webinar by Telephone: To access the Zoom webinar by telephone, please call (929) 436-2866 (local) or (833) 548-0282 (US toll free). Then enter Webinar ID 826 2459 4335, followed by the pound (#) sign.

The following transit options are available for those who wish to attend public sessions:  ​​

• ​​ R train to Whitehall St
• ​​​​ 4 & 5 trains to Bowling Green (this is an accessible station)
• ​​ 1 train to South Ferry (this is an accessible station)
• ​​​​ J & Z trains to Broad St
• Bus: M15, M15 SBS, M20, M55, SIM1, SIM35
• Staten Island Ferry to South Ferry Terminal

The Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, also known as congestion pricing, will improve quality of life for millions of people by reducing traffic in Manhattan’s most congested areas and funding improvements to New York’s transit system. Fewer cars means cleaner air, less traffic, safer streets, and better transit throughout the region. Learn more about the nation’s first congestion pricing program HERE: https://new.mta.info/project/CBDTP

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In February of 2024, NYC Mayor Eric Adams released the final rules for the Dining Out NYC (permanent outdoor dining program), which offers clear guidance for restaurants & expand safe, clean outdoor dining to all five boroughs. 

In August of 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro. 31-C into law and unveiled “Dining Out NYC” — New York’s permanent outdoor dining program and the largest outdoor dining program in the nation. The permanent outdoor dining program is the product of more than a year of negotiations between the Adams administration and the City Council, with extensive input from the restaurant industry and communities across the entire city.

Learn more about requirements and set up guides: https://www.diningoutnyc.info/rules

To help food establishments understand the requirements for permanant outdoor dining, the City has created an interactive guide. This guide has information ranging from how far a roadway cafe must be from a crosswalk or fire hydrant, to the materials for an overhead covering, to how to clean in and around your cafe.

• Interactive Roadway Cafes Guide
• Interactive Sidewalk Cafes Guide

In March of 2024, restaurants may begin applying online to join the Dining Out NYC program. On August 3, 2024, there is a  deadline for restaurants with existing temporary outdoor dining setups to apply to continue operating until NYC DOT approves the application.

The city is also providing resources for restaurants, from financial planning from Small Business Services, to a vendor Marketplace – check out www.diningoutnyc.info

For an overview of how Dining Out NYC will operate, be sure to visit: diningoutnyc.info

Please refer to the Official rules relating to DOT’s Dining Out NYC program for full details.

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