BUSINESS BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Week of March 23, 2026
CITY ANNOUNCES NEW LOAN FUND TO ASSIST SMALL AND SEASONAL BUSINESSES
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, and Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya recently announced the citywide launch of the revamped NYC Future Fund, a first-in-the-city loan program that provides affordable financing to seasonal and growing small businesses. The NYC Future Fund is a revenue-based loan that adjusts to business’s revenue for flexible repayment. Designed for seasonal and growth-stage businesses to cover working capital, inventory, marketing, hiring, materials, small equipment, and refinancing needs.
NYC Future Fund eligibility requirements include 12+ months in operation; a minimum of $50,000+ in historical or projected annual revenue; 1 year of filed tax returns; demonstrate ability to repay the loan; authorized credit check; year-to-date financials; and one year of monthly financial projections. To apply click nycfuturefund
NYC SBS will be hosting two (2) workshops for businesses interested in applying for the NYC Future Fund on Wednesday, March 25 from 3:30pm-4:30pm or Friday, March 27 from 12pm-1pm. RSVP by clicking on March 25 or March 27 th th th th
Dunkin Donuts Franchise Operator Agrees to Pay Employees $1.5M in Restitutions
On Monday, March 23, 2026 the City Scoop reported that approximately 760 workers will receive some extra cash from their onetime employer, Salza Management, a Dunkin Donuts franchise with dozens of locations across Manhattan and Queens.
A two-year probe by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that Salz Management regularly violated New York City’s scheduling laws. Workers had their schedules arbitrarily switched up on them and weren’t given the required 14-day advance notice, among other infractions.
To settle the case, Salz will pay $1.5 million in restitution and $155,000 in penalties.
Fast food workers who believe their scheduling rights have been violated can file a complaint to DCWP through the agency’s online portal or via email.
To read more click on Dunkin Donuts
Learn About Upcoming Procurement Opportunities with NYC
Businesses can register to receive notices about upcoming procurement opportunities by registering with the City Record Online. Registered businesses will receive notifications by email in their areas of interest and also download bid documents (when available).
Take the Business Preparedness Assessment!
How are ready are you and your business to deal with disruptions? NYC SBS has a tool to help you assess your preparedness and the tools and resources to assist! Click here to take the assessment>
SEQBI UPDATE
RDRC continues to strengthen its support for SEQBI Fellows through weekly Café Hours, held every Thursday at 2 p.m. These sessions provide a dedicated space for Fellows to review course materials, ask questions about their capstone projects, and engage in guided health and wellness activities that promote mental well‑being. As Dr. Lola Ojomo-Kayoes reminded the Fellows, “entrepreneurs often face overwhelming daily demands, making intentional self‑care essential”.
On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Café Hours hosted its second in‑person pitch preparation session, which welcomed eight additional businesses. Fellows received best practice guidance from RDRC staff and peers, focusing on audience engagement, digital and visual presentation techniques, and strategies to ensure their pitches align with the scoring rubric while maintaining a natural, conversational delivery.
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!!
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.
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
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.
SmallBusinessResourceForum
FREE to attend
Friday, May 22, 2026
9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. @
Federal Plaza Conference Center
26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor, NY, NY 10278
Must register to be on the list for security The registration will be closed when it reaches 800 Maximum
One-on-One meeting
20+ U.S. Government
Agencies and 20+ NY Organizations serving Businesses
9:00am-10:00 Meet the Resources Exhibitors 10:30am-1:00pm Workshops
Room G: Selling to the Global Market
Room H: Doing Business with the Government
Room I : Starting a Business in NY/US
To receive a confirmation letter for the security, Mustsendanemailto man-li.lin@sba.gov
Subject: RSVPfor 5/22event
Name: E-mail Address:
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
