BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Week of June 1st, 2026
On Tuesday May 19th RDRC sponsored several Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) alumni to participate as vendors at the Queens Business Expo at Citi Field hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The event included several hundred Queens-based businesses and thousands of attendees eager to do business. The event also featured a panel discussion on the challenges MWBE’s continue to face in growing their businesses, and the powerful tools that MWBE’s can access through chambers of commerce, incubators and certification assistance agencies such as NYS Empire State Development Corporation. Joining RDRC at Citi Field were Dr. Bytes, a tech innovation firm, Jess Pudd’in, a specialty dessert bakery shop, Moody’s Treats, a specialty dessert caterer, and Nana’s Love, LLC, catering business.
Pictured: Tom Grech, Queens Chamber of Commerce, Dawn Kelly, The Nourish Spot, Richard Elliot, Tonage, Inc , Hersch Parek, PANY&NJ, and Jason Clark, NYS Empire State Development Corporation
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!!
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.
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
Small Business University Online is brought to you by Small Business Expo, America's BIGGEST business networking event. In our content-rich webinars, you will learn from industry experts on various business topics.
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.
FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Students living near JohnF.KennedyInternational Airport canapply for a full-tuition scholarshipto Vaughn College for a Bachelor’s Degreestarting in the Fall 2026 semester.
Those awarded will also receive:
Access to internship opportunities with the Port Authority or JFK Terminal Operators
A “Futureproof” tuition-free education Career pathways through mentorship, training, and exposure to real-world aviation professionals and projects
To find out if you qualify, visit: vaughn.edu/JFK-scholarship
For additional questions, please contact: Ms. Anna Ragno Assistant Vice President for Admissions anna.ragno@vaughn.edu
718.429.6600 ext.117
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF JAMAICA STATION
What’s this about?
Who can take the survey?
Anyone who has used the Jamaica Station.
How to participate:
Scan the QR code below or visit tinyurlcom/JamaicaStationSurvey
We’re collectinginputon riderexperiences using the JamaicaStation,including making connections, wayfinding, concessions, and overall satisfaction. This will help us identify areas for improvement and inform future planning and upgrades Your experience
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).
•
• 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
