BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Week of July 23, 2026
Graduating businesses of the Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) and RDRC have partnered to provide 15 youth with valuable work experience as Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) worksite partners. “Our youth are gaining valuable work experience as they get paid and insight on how to become future business owners. We are extremely excited about this new partnership opportunity with our SEQBI businesses and hope to double the number of SEQBI worksite partners in 2027”, stated RDRC’s Renee McWilliams, Vice President & COO.
Dr. Byte Technologies
Founded by Bryan Carpio, Dr. Byte Technologies is a 21st technology firm that specialized in next-gen digital ecosystems, specializing in infrastructure, software, web development, cybersecurity, and AI. To learn more about Dr. Byte Technologies click on: http://drbyte.tech
Jess Puddin
Founded by Jessica Edouard-McDonald, Jess Puddin specializes in retail and wholesale distribution of premium puddings, with a variety of unique flavors, to local businesses and events. To learn more a Jess Puddin, click on https://jesspuddin.com
Nana’s Love Kitchen
Founded by Catanya Gilliam, Nana’s Love Catering offers a variety of savory Southern, Latin and Caribbean dishes. This blending of international flavors and cultures have resulted in her signature empanada dish. To learn more about Nana’s Love Catering, click on https://www.nanaslovecatering.com/
NYCCityCouncilPassesLegislationtoRepealLocal Law75
On July 1st the City Council passed Intro 910 – a major win for small businesses across New York City. By repealing Local Law 75, this legislation ensures existing storefronts will not be forced to replace solid roll-down security gates or face costly fines. RDRC joined with chambers of commerce, business improvement districts, merchants associations across NYC to voice our concerns about the impact forcing small businesses owners to take on the additional financial burden of Local Law 75. Kudos to the Five Boro Jobs Campaign!
SEQBIPARTNERSHIPSPOTLIGHT:NYSSMALL BUSINESSDEVELOPMENTCENTERS
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.
About SEQBI...
Overview: The SEQBI program creates a pipeline of small businesses that are added to the Resorts World NYC and JFK Expansion ecosystems. At the end of each 10-week Session, participants have the opportunity to compete in a multi-tiered pitch competition for a chance to win $5K, $4K, or $3K. By the culmination of the program, all participants are registered to do business with Resorts World NYC, and some are on their way to attaining their MWBE certification - necessary for procurement opportunities.
Criteria: Entrepreneurs with a legally registered business for 2 or more years, who are looking to scale and do business in Southeastern Queens.
Eligible Applicants: Complete the Registration Form and attend an Info Session.
Contact: Renee McWilliams at pmcwilliams@rdrc.org or 718-327-5300. More information can be found on the SEQBI website.
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.
Greater Nexus is downtown Jamaica’s first accessible and affordable shared workplace. It is a place for members to Connect, Create and Collaborate. We offer access to over 10,000 square feet of shared office space, conference and meeting rooms, a large modular training space for events/workshops with innovative equipment and technology. We also offer a podcast room with state-of-the-art equipment, wellness rooms, soundproof phone booths, virtual address/mailbox options. Members will be offered flexible month-to-month membership packages in a commuter friendly location Opens Feb 3rd!
Mon - Fri 7:00am to 8:00pm Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm Sun Closed *Closed
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
