BUSINESS NEWSLETTER BUSINESS
Week of March 16th, 2026
SEQBI 2026 WINTER SESSION
2026 WINTER SESSION REACHES
SEQBI 2026 WINTER SESSION REACHES
REACHES
HALF-WAY POINT WITH PITCH HALF-WAY POINT WITH PITCH
HALF-WAY POINT WITH PITCH
The RDRC continues to strengthen its support for SEQBI Fellows through weekly Café Hours, held every Thursday at 2 p.m. The sessions offer participants a space to review course material, ask questions about their capstone projects, and engage in guided health and wellness activities designed to promote mental well being. As Dr. Lola Ojomo Kayoes emphasizes, entrepreneurs often face overwhelming daily demands, making intentional self‑care essential.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Café Hours centered on preparing Fellows for their upcoming pitch competition. Four graduates will be invited to return and compete for seed funding awards of $5,000, $4,000, and $3,000. Without altering the substance of their business concepts, participants received expert guidance on audience engagement, digital and visual presentation techniques, and strategies to ensure their pitches align with all components of the scoring rubric while maintaining a conversational delivery.
“Although attendance is not mandatory, Café Hours are strongly encouraged. The initiative reflects RDRC’s ongoing commitment to empowering families and supporting long term economic stability”, stated Renee McWilliams, Vice President & COO.
In addition to weekly Cafe Hours, SEQBI fellows are also able to ask questions directly with their Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisor.
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.
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.
Webinar: Prepare Your Business for Emergencies
Wednesday, March 25 – 11:00am th
The NYC Department of Small Business Services is here to help guide you through the start of a business continuity plan and prepare for emergencies.
Click here to register.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grants
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses based in New York, California, and West Virginia to help them sustain and grow their businesses.
How can businesses apply?
Complete one Digital Ready course, virtual event (including recorded events), or in-person event* between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026 to unlock the application. Submit the application by 11:59 PM PT on March 31, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
To Apply:
English https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/course-details/id_ny_grant
Spanish https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/es/course-details/id_ny_grant
THE NYC SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES HAS A HOST OF FREE TRAININGS, RESOURCES & WORKSHOPS TO START AND/OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS!
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
BUSINESS PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
MARKETING/DIGITAL MARKETING LEGAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
To Learn more click here.
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
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
9 AM – 12 PM (EST)
JOIN US FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND INSIGHTS
The recently approved 10-year, $45 billion Capital Plan outlines major capital investments across all Port Authority facilities. This virtual event will provide an overview of the Capital Plan, upcoming projects/contracts and opportunities for 2026 and 2027.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how your firm can participate in these transformative projects.
Topics
10-Year Capital Plan Overview
Key projects and near term opportunities highlighted across all Port Authority facilities, including PATH, Aviation, Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals (TB&T), and Port operations
Guidance on how firms can register and become Port Authority certified Review of scopes of work and requirements for projects/contracts with historically low subcontractor/supplier participation, including fire suppression, security, IT security, and maritime services
RSVP Here: Access the Capital Plan Here: https://www.portauthoritybuilds.com/redevelopment/us/en/home/capital-plan.html
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
Redevelopment: Community Advisory Council & Diversity in Contracting
As part of its community outreach strategy, the Port Authority formed the composed of local elected officials, community boards, business and academic institutions, civic and nonprofit organizations, and faith leaders The council meets publicly multiple times each year to report out on construction progress,
HelpfulLinks/ClickorScanforMore:
communitydevelopment initiatives, upcoming events and opportunities for local residents, students, businesses, and more On diversity in contracting, the Port Authority has adopted a nation-leading 30% M/WBE participation goal. To monitor compliance on the JFK Redevelopment Program, the agency has retained third-party consultants from the local community The consultants review participation data to ensure its accuracy and reliability. They also generate public reports that are posted to the program website monthly
