$50K Grant For Farmingdale Chamber Of Commerce Supplied By Town Of Oyster Bay

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale businesses got a $50K boon from the Town of Oyster Bay. The township recently provided the village's chamber of commerce with a check.

Farmingdale plans to use the funds to:

• Upgrade communications between the chamber and surrounding consumers to attract downtown shoppers.
• Offer specialty training to business owners to boost marketing and attract more customers.
• Hire additional support staff to help business owners with best practices.

Farmingdale will use the funds to buy software so the chamber can let consumers know what types of events, specials and products are being offered, Joe Garcia, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, told Patch. The chamber will also make better use of social media to expand merchants' opportunities, as well as offer business training to chamber members.

The township is providing $600K in grant funding to support local chambers of commerce and business associations that were negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced.

"We recognize the crucial role that local chambers of commerce and business associations play in supporting small businesses, fostering commerce and establishing connections with potential customers," Saladino said in a news release. "Unfortunately, so many of these organizations were significantly impacted by the COVID pandemic, leading to financial hardships. As part of the town’s commitment to supporting our local communities and aiding in the economic recovery of our town, we are pleased to offer this grant opportunity."

Garcia said applying for the grant was "very simple," and that the process was "very flexible and clear."

"I am very grateful to the town and Supervisor Saladino for making this possible," Garcia said.

The funding, which will be distributed to up to 12 chambers of commerce and business associations through the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, is being provided through the American Rescue Plan Act and at no cost to town taxpayers. The Farmingdale and Massapequa chambers of commerce were the first to receive funding.

Recipients can get up to $50,000 which can be used for a variety of purposes, including operations and maintenance expenses and community investments.

"As a small business owner and chamber member, I know firsthand how the pandemic took its toll on local businesses," said Councilwoman Laura Maier. "Local businesses are the heart of our communities, and we want them to thrive as they keep local dollars on the economy, provide local jobs, build a strong tax base and invest in the local community. We stand by our small businesses, and we thank all of our Chambers of Commerce for their assistance in helping local businesses through the good times and the bad."

Maier is a franchisee for Jersey Mike's Subs and Dairy Queen, according to her LinkedIn page.

Businesses and non-profits that have not yet applied for the Town’s $5,000 "Oyster Bay Forward" grant program can still receive funding. The program is available to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole proprietors, the town said. Additional eligibility criteria and application information can be found here.

All chambers were encouraged by the town to apply for funding.