BUSINESS NEWSLETTER Week of June 21, 2026
RDRC ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SBDC AS SEQBI ADVISORY SERVICES PARTNER
On August 5, 2026, the next cohort of Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) businesses (SEQBI Fellows) will be introduced to a new and expanded roster of business advisors that will now include the LaGuardia Community College Small Business Development Center. SBDC Advisors provide SEQBI Fellows with critically needed business advice, resources, and access to new business opportunities they might not otherwise have knowledge of. The addition of LaGuardia Community College SBDC will bring the total number of NYS SBDC’s to four (4) – York College, Pace University, and Farmingdale State College. “The NYS Small Business Development Centers (SBDC’s) is New York State’s premier small business development agency with 20 locations throughout New York State. SBDC’s are connected to both State and City colleges and universities that provide additional resources, research, and business students that provide added value as interns. The participating SBDC’s are critical to the long-term growth of our SEQBI businesses because the services they receive during the 10week program continues beyond graduation. I am truly thankful to Sheila Smith NYS SBDC State Director; Harry Wells, Director, CUNY York College SBDC; Andrew Flamm, Director, Pace University SBDC; Erica Chase-Gregory, Director, Farmingdale State College; Rod Dauphin, Director, LaGuardia Community College SBDC; and our team of SBDC business advisors”, stated Kevin W. Alexander, RDRC President & CEO.
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RBRC BUSINESS NEWSLETTER Week of June 21, 2026
NEIR’S TAVERN OPENS AT JFK TERMINAL 8
Pictured L to R: Kevin Alexander, RDRC, Dawn Kelly, Owner of the Norish Spot, and Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern.
“On Wednesday, June 17th, ASUR added another historic local restaurant to the newly remodeled JFK Terminal 8. Neir’s Tavern, established in 1829 is the City’s oldest continually operated tavern that has now successfully expanded from Woodhaven to JFK. “Making Neir’s Tavern story even more compelling is the efforts of Loycent Gordon, a NYC Firefighter’s efforts to stave off the landmark restaurant from closing to him becoming the Owner & CEO of Neir’s Tavern. It was also great seeing one of our Southeast Queens Business Incubator (SEQBI) alumni, Aleeia Abraham, BlaQue Resource Network serving as the event producer”, stated Kevin Alexander. To learn more about the history of Neir’s Tavern go to neirstavern.com
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RBRC BUSINESS NEWSLETTER Week of June 21, 2026
SEQBI BUSINESSES PARTNER WITH RDRC AT JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT BEACH 20th STREET PLAZA
Clockwise from top left: QIKYKIDZ (children’s book publisher), The Goodie Bag (custom cookie dough), and Letty B Creations (custom printing and designs).
On Friday, June 19th RDRC hosted its annual Juneteenth Celebration Event at the Beach 20th Street in downtown Far Rockaway. This years’ celebration featured several SEQBI businesses that marketed their goods, products, and services to hundreds of participants that attended the festive event.
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SAVE THE DATE 39th ANNUAL
COMMUNITY BUILDERS AWARDS GALA Hosted by Roslyn Nieves Producer, QPTV Award Winning Host & Producer
Thursday, September 24, 2026 Russo’s On the Bay 6pm - 10pm
$225 Before Sept. 1st
$240 After Sept. 1st
Contact: LaVerne Jeffrey at ljeffrey@rdrc.org or Dr. Lola Ojomu-Kayoes at kayoeslo@rdrc.org 718.327.5300 ext 1003 or 1017
Y T I N U M M O C L A A U L N A N G A S h D 39t R A W A S R E D BUIL OREES HON
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!!
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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.
SOUTHEAST QUEENS BUSINESS INCUBATOR SUMMER 2026 10-WEEK HYBRID SESSIONS Scan the QR-Code to attend an Info Session on June 25, 2026 @ 11:00am July 1, 2026@ 11:00am July 8, 2026@ 11:00am July 15, 2026 @ 11:00am
Contact: TASHERA TUCKER 718.327.5300 | SEQBI@RDRC.ORG WWW.RDRC.ORG/SEQBI/
New York State Senator
JAMES SANDERS, JR. th 10 Senate District
SOUTHEAST QUEENS BUSINESS INCUBATOR May 25, 2026 1920 Mott Avenue Far Rockaway, NY 11691 www.rdrc.org (718) 327-5300 CLICK HERE TO READ sebqi@rdrc.org
MWBE & SDVOB Supplier Diversity Procurement Fair
Energize
opportunities
Long Island Marriott 101 James Doolittle Boulevard Uniondale, NY 11553
Friday, June 26, 2026 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
If you’re a certified small business - this event was built for you. ABOUT THE EVENT
Meet PSEG LI Leadership
Walk in with Questions
Direct access to decision-makers
Leave with direction.
Learn Contract Qualification Understand how to get in position
As energy infrastructure evolves, so do the opportunities. From EV expansion to grid modernization, PSEG Long Island is investing
Build Prime Relationships Primes, suppliers & key partners
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE 8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
10:20 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Registration & Breakfast
Opening Remarks
Featured Sessions
Supplier Excellence & Small Business Advocate Awards
Networking Break
Breakout Sessions
Continue Networking
Take the Next Step — Position Your Business Where the Growth Is psegli.diversityagenda.co
Questions: 212-756-1236 x119 | events@sackscom.com
Scan QR Code to REGISTER
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.
Location 89-14 Parsons Blvd. Jamaica NY 11432 Phone (718) 291-0753 Hours Mon - Fri 7:00am to 8:00pm Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm Sun Closed *Closed on Holidays
Opens Feb 3rd!
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.
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?
About State Small Business Credit Initiative
• 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
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
❖ 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)
A Division of Empire State Development