$10 Million Funding Opportunity for Small and Mid-sized Farm & Food Businesses
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center (NERFBC) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation, recently announced the launch of a new funding opportunity, totaling $10 million, to support small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught marine businesses. Funding for the Business Builder program will be provided for projects that support businesses in scaling their operations, expanding markets, and strengthening the regional food supply chain.
Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the NERFBC is part of a nationwide initiative to ensure a more resilient food supply chain while supporting historically underinvested producers and food business owners. Additional partners in the initiative include Buffalo Go Green and Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA).
Applications are now open and will close on Monday, April 7, 2025. For more information click below.
| | All eligible businesses- Apply by March 28! | |
The LIA Foundation has announced that applications are now open for the second annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants program.
In partnership with Optimum Business, the program will be funding 40 small businesses in communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island with a $5,000 grant each and will be awarding two $25,000 grand prize grants.
| | | From Leasing to Owning: A Small Business Success Story | | |
Owning commercial real estate is a milestone many business owners dream of achieving. For Neal Cappadona of A+ Towel & Linen Supply , that dream became a reality thanks to the SBA 504 Loan Program—and the guidance of their SBDC Business Advisor!
With expert support, they successfully navigated the financing process and secured a long-term, fixed-rate loan to purchase the building they had been leasing. Now, they’ve gained stability, built equity, and invested in their business’s future.
The SBDC is here to help small businesses explore funding options, including the SBA 504 Loan, which makes commercial real estate ownership more accessible. If you're ready to check "owning commercial property" off your business bucket list, let’s talk!
| | Congratulations to Mollie Wescott Barnett on the Launch of My AI Workshop! | | |
AI is transforming the small business landscape, and this SBDC client is at the forefront of this shift! With guidance from her SBDC Business Advisor, Willa Smith, she successfully launched My AI Workshop, helping small businesses integrate AI tools to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and boost capabilities.
Her recent educational workshop was a huge success, presented for the HIA-LI Business Acceleration Committee to a packed room of small business owners and executives eager to learn how AI can work for them. It’s inspiring to see her empowering businesses to embrace innovation and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market!
The future of small business is AI-powered, and Mollie is determined to help small businesses interested in leading the way.
| | Now Open: LaVino Wine & Spirits in Great Neck, NY! | |
| | |
Join us in celebrating the grand opening of LaVino Wine & Spirits, Great Neck’s first all-kosher wine boutique, located at 487 Middle Neck Rd. LaVino offers a carefully curated selection of fine wines and spirits in a beautiful space. The business is co-owned by Mandy Dallacorte (pictured left) and Talia David.
We’re proud to recognize Willa Smith, Sr. Business Advisor, pictured right, at the Stony Brook SBDC for her guidance in helping the new owners bring their vision to life.
Visit them by clicking on the button. Cheers to their success!
| | | | |
Are You Ready to Sell Online? Payment Processing Tips and Tricks
Thursday, March 27th 9:00am - 10:30am
| |
| | Join the Stony Brook SBDC in welcoming Christine Curzio, Owner of Simply Payments Inc. to learn tips and tricks to start selling online and how to start or enhance your payment processing experience. Who to call, what methods to use and avoiding pitfalls. | | | |
How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform the Way You Do Business
Thursday, April 3rd 9:00am - 10:30am
| | | | Artificial Intelligence is becoming ubiquitous - you interact with it on a daily basis without even realizing it. AI can be a blessing or a curse, but one thing is certain, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay and is being used by small businesses more and more. Ron Gonzales of RJG Consulting, a full-service IT company, will share tips that show how AI can be useful for small businesses. | | | Understanding The Credit Game | |
| | |
Learn what makes up your credit score and how to take an active role in managing it.
Joe Llanes, owner of Citrus & Gold Credit Education and Repair Services, will share simple ways to increase your score and protect your financial future.
| | | | Food Exporting Accelerator Pilot Program | |
For more information, contact Mercedes Sanchez-Moore at Mercedes.Sanchezmoore@nysbdc.org. | | The New York SBDC is launching an exclusive pilot program to help New York food and beverage businesses expand into international markets, with a focus on exporting to Canada. This program offers a 12-module certification, expert-led webinars, customized market research, and access to trade shows and buyer missions. Participants can benefit from cost-shared funding, networking opportunities, and one-on-one business advising. Focused product categories include organic food, snacks, beverages, processed foods, and condiments. Apply now to take your business global! | | | | Leveraging Digital Strategies for Business Growth in U.S. and International Markets | | |
Make Your Digital Presence Work for You – in the U.S. & Beyond
Want to reach more customers and grow sales using digital tools? Whether you're selling in the U.S. or exploring international markets, a strong online presence can be a game-changer.
Join the New York SBDC and IBT Online for a free webinar to discover practical digital marketing and e-commerce strategies to expand your business.
What You’ll Learn:
-
Digital marketing strategies to engage U.S. and global customers more effectively.
-
Optimizing websites and e-commerce platforms to drive visibility and conversions.
-
E-commerce as a market entry strategy, including how businesses can use low-value cost shipments to develop international sales. Leverage De Minimis rules to avoid tariffs.
-
Maximizing trade show success with digital assets that extend engagement beyond the event.
-
Building long-term sales pipelines through lead nurturing and distributor partnerships.
Speakers:
- Susanna Hardy, Chief Content Officer, IBT Online
-
Ava Mitzi, Business Development Manager, IBT Online
| | 🚀 Announcing the 2nd Stony Brook Venture (SBV) Challenge! 🚀 | | |
LIHTI is announcing the 2025 Spring Stony Brook Venture (SBV) Challenge, an opportunity for start-ups to propel their cutting-edge technologies in the Health, Energy, and Information sectors. The SBV Challenge seeks to identify and accelerate impactful hardtech ventures from Long Island’s research labs and universities, fostering equitable and sustainable solutions. Participants will receive mentorship, professional support, networking opportunities, and winners will receive a $5,000 prize to further develop their ventures.
Apply by March 31, 2025 to embark on your journey of innovation and commercialization.
For questions or more details, click on the link below!
| | 💰 NY Manufacturers: Get 20% BACK on Machinery & Building Upgrades! 💰 | | |
If you're a New York State Manufacturer, you could be leaving money on the table!
Empire State Development is offering a game-changing reimbursement grant—covering up to 20% of your costs for machinery and building renovations.
Why pay full price when you can get funded?
Don’t miss out on FREE MONEY to grow your business and boost efficiency. Find out if you qualify before it's too late!
Reach out to Maheen K., Grants Manager at Maheen.Khan@IgniteLI.org or call (347) 239- 4730 to see if your business qualifies!
| | | Important News: Suffolk County Sales and Use Tax to Increase! | |
| | |
Attention Business Owners & CPAs!
Starting March 1st, the sales and use tax rate in Suffolk County is increasing to 8.75% (8 ¾%). All taxable sales—whether in-store or online—must reflect this new rate.
| | | | |
What This Means for Your Business & CPA Firms:
Business Owners – Update your point-of-sale systems and ensure accurate sales tax collection to stay compliant.
CPAs & Accountants – Advise your clients on this change to prevent miscalculations, penalties, and audit risks.
Sales tax changes can have serious compliance implications. Staying ahead of these updates is essential for both businesses and financial professionals.
Need Help Navigating This Change? Contact Sales Tax Defense LLC using the link on the logo — connect with trusted expert sales tax consultants, with proven expertise of assisting businesses and CPAs with sales and use tax compliance.
| | Attention Corporations and LLCs! | |
After several months of ping-ponging court decisions, corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) must file beneficial ownership information with the federal government by March 21.
That’s the new deadline just issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Click on the link below to learn more!
| | |
Main Street Capital Program for Small Businesses
Governor Hochul recently announced the launch of the Main Street Capital Program, a new $10 million fund that will provide qualifying start-up and early-stage companies with access to affordable term loans up to $100,000. Part of New York’s broader State Small Business Credit Initiative efforts led by Empire State Development, this program will help bridge the financing gap experienced by many entrepreneurs as they launch and grow their businesses.
This program offers minimal payments for the first 12 months of the loan to give businesses more flexibility as they launch and grow. Loans will be up to six years with a fixed interest rate of 9.9%. In the first year, borrowers will pay less-than-interest-only, with no principal payments during that time.
Contact the Stony Brook SBDC for eligibility and application details below!
| | The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) is a Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. | | | | |
