Coronavirus Relief For Businesses: Legislator Hosts Zoom Meeting

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — With an eye toward helping small business owners who are struggling due to the new coronavirus pandemic, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming will be hosting a Zoom meeting online to outline relief measures.

The Zoom meeting will take place on April 22 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Bernard Ryba, director of the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University.

The hour-long session will include an overview of federal relief programs available to small businesses, cultural organizations and not-for-profits to help them in coping with and recovering from the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fleming said.

Included in the discussion will be an overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, she said.

Participants will also be able to ask questions.

As CARES Act funding is limited, businesses are encouraged to begin the process of submitting applications immediately through their regular depository bank, rather than wait until after the meeting, and to bring any questions they may have to the meeting, Fleming advised.

“Our businesses, not-for-profits and cultural organizations are the lifeblood of our resort economy and are reeling from the impacts of COVID-19, and the measures in place to stem the spread of the illness," Fleming said.

Suffolk County, she said, is fortunate to have the resources of Stony Brook University and its Small Business Development Center to help businesses navigate the challenges of accessing benefits, as well as planning for an "uncertain" future.

“I look forward to this first conversation as we assemble the resources needed to help our local businesses stay afloat during this difficult time," she said. "I welcome the opportunity to share Stony Brook’s valuable information with the businesses that are so important to our economy and way of life.”

All are welcome to participate.

For additional information or to receive the Zoom invitation, email Vanessa Rojano at Vanessa.rojano@suffolkcountyny.gov or call 631-852-8400.