ELMONT, N.Y. Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) hosted a membership mixer for alumni of the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) on Wednesday, July 29, at Euphoria Restaurant & Lounge in Elmont. The event brought together graduates, advisors, partners and supporters for an evening focused on networking, collaboration and celebrating the continued growth of SEQBI businesses.
The mixer was co-sponsored by Resorts World NYC and Carl Roberts, CEO of Euphoria and 1st Vice Chair of RDRC’s Board of Directors. RDRC’s Kevin Alexander said the event reflected the growing importance of keeping SEQBI graduates connected after they complete the program. “With more than 75 graduating SEQBI businesses across five cohorts, events such as the mixer are becoming increasingly important in keeping businesses connected to RDRC, promoting the value of collaboration among members, and celebrating their wins,” Alexander said.
Pictured L to R: Kevin Alexander (RDRC), Tameka Radway, Sudden Finds, and Renee McWilliams (RDRC).
Alexander also noted that RDRC has continued to draw on the SEQBI network for services and referrals, including construction support from CLM Venture Capital Corporation, marketing services from All About You Digital, catering from I Am Hungry 24/7, Inc., and event space from Surface 3 Meeting Room. He said those relationships have also helped create referral opportunities that led to new business for Dr Byte Technologies and Superville Estates Construction.
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and Felicia Hypolite, Resorts World NYC, and Kimi Kang, Dack Consulting Solutions.
More than 25 SEQBI alumni attended the event, along with representatives from York College’s Small Business Development Center, including Resorts World NYC’s Matt Anatalio and Felicia Hypolite, SEQBI advisors Harry Wells, Regional Director, and Brian Yeung, Senior Advisor. RDRC was also joined by SEQBI media and communications partner Queens Public Television (QPTV), represented by Roslyn Nieves, President and CEO, and Al Harris, QPTV Board Chair; Jamal McQuay and Kimi Kangal of Dack Consulting Solutions; and Sherin Morgan-Hill, representing New York State Sen. James Sanders Jr. and the Merchants Association of Rosedale, Laurelton and Springfield (MARLS).
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Anatalio
Pictured L to R: Tiffany Easton-Genard, Routes to Roots, A. Rashaun Banjo, Prolific Consulting Services, and Kai and Chad Martin, CLM Venture Capital Corporation.
Organizers said the mixer underscored SEQBI’s role as a platform for small business growth, peer connection and continued community investment across Southeast Queens and surrounding communities.
SEQBI alumni and participating businesses included The Arts Empowerment Group, I Am Hungry 24/7, Inc., OMSutra, Sudden Finds, Prolific Consulting, CB Elite Services, CLM Venture Capital Corporation, Surface 3 Meeting Room, Superville Estates Construction, Routes to Roots Travel, Jetway HVAC, G Love’s Kitchen, High Intensity Cleaning Services, Astrevio/Rosegold Krystal Solutions, With Harmony, LLC, Energy Fencing, Ages of Rock & Associates, Corp., Buy Cheap Central, Inc., Beauty Kulture 101, Light of The World, Success Level Ventures and Dr. Byte Technology.
Pictured L to R: Michael Gliner, and Sheldon Soloway, PIP Marketing and Printing Services , Kal Martin, CLM Venture Capital Corporation and, Sharein Morgan-Hill, NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr and MARLS
Pictured L to R: Harry Wells, York College SBDC, Kevin Alexander (RDRC), Teri Adofo, The Arts Empowerment Group, Inc., and Renee McWilliams (RDRC).
Special acknowledgments to RDRC’s Renee McWilliams, Junor Barnett, Dr. Lola OjomoKayeos, and Tashera Tucker for organizing the SEQBI Summer Mixer.
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Pictured L to R:Carl Roberts, CEO Euphoria Resta rant & Lo nge Kevin Alexander (RDRC), Yahaira rv
Tashera Tucker, RDRC, and Gina Joseph, y
RDRC, Resorts World NYC, and NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr. Advance MWBE Growth Through Southeast Queens Business Incubator
SOUTHEAST QUEENS, NY Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), in partnership with Resorts World NYC and New York State Senator James Sanders, Jr., is advancing the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI), a strategic initiative launched in Fall 2024 to help minority-owned businesses build capacity and compete for procurement opportunities across high-growth industries.
SEQBI supports businesses seeking to participate in sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, housing production, aviation, technology, gaming, food and beverage, and professional services industries with an increasing demand for qualified and certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). Through an eight-session course led by industry experts, participating businesses receive practical guidance, business development support, and exposure to the standards required to pursue larger contracting opportunities.
To strengthen the incubator’s impact, RDRC has partnered with several New York State Small Business Development Centers, including York College, Pace University, Farmingdale State College, and most recently, LaGuardia Community College. These partnerships provide SEQBI participants and graduates with access to individualized advisory services designed to support business planning, certification readiness, financial preparation, and procurement competitiveness.
As RDRC prepares to launch its sixth SEQBI cohort, the organization is focused on identifying larger businesses with annual revenues between $1 million and $5 million that can serve as mentors and strategic partners to SEQBI graduates. These partnerships are intended to help smaller businesses expand capacity, strengthen readiness, and connect with contract and procurement opportunities tied to major projects requiring certified MWBE participation.
RDRC, Resorts World NYC, and NYS Senator James Sanders, Jr. Advance MWBE Growth Through Southeast Queens Business Incubator
“The Southeast Queens Business Incubator reflects our commitment to creating a stronger pipeline of local MWBEs that are prepared to grow, compete, and participate in the economic opportunities shaping our region,” said Kevin Alexander, President & CEO of RDRC. “By connecting business owners with expert training, advisory support, and mentorship from larger firms, SEQBI is helping Southeast Queens businesses position themselves for longterm success.
RDRC is also working closely with Resorts World NYC and the JFK Redevelopment initiative to identify meaningful opportunities for businesses located within the 35 Southeast Queens ZIP codes identified as priorities for New York State-sponsored projects. Through this collaborative effort, SEQBI is helping ensure that local MWBEs are better prepared to access procurement opportunities connected to major regional investments.
About Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation
Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation is committed to advancing economic development, business growth, and community revitalization throughout the Rockaway Peninsula and Southeast Queens. Through strategic partnerships, business services, and community-based initiatives, RDRC works to expand opportunity and strengthen the local economy of the Rockaways, and Southeast Queens.
To read more about the Southeast East Queens Business Incubator click: download the SEQBI Report on page 8.
Media Contact:
Dr. Lola Ojomo-Kayoes Project Manager
Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation
718.327.5300
Kayoeslo@rdrc.org
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PSEGLI ANNOUNCES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESSES LOCATED IN THE ROCKAWAYS
The New York State Small Business Development Center is the State’s premier business development agency. With a network of 20 centers located throughout New York State, the SBDC’s offers accessible education on timely topics, connecting entrepreneurs with seasoned experts for free. RDRC has partnered with four (4) SBDC’s to offer SEQBI Fellows up to eight (8) hours of one-on-one advisory services, access to workshops and seminars, and a host of business resources. Each SBDC brings its own experience and expertise. To learn about our SBDC partners click on each logo.
39thANNUALCOMMUNITY BUILDERSAWARDSGALA
HONOREES
Betty Leon, Esq. Chair
Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center & Peninsula Preparatory Academy
Justin Rodgers President
Greater Jamaica Development Corporation
Rachelle Antoine
Manager, External Affairs and Community Outreach
PANY&NJ / A NEW JFK
Akshar Patel
Manager, External Affairs and Community Outreach
PANY&NJ / A NEW JFK
Michael Gliner Partner
PIP Printing of Inwood
Sheldon Soloway Partner
PIP Printing of Inwood
Business Resources!!
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.
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.
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).
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• 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
