March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day and representatives from PSEG Long Island joined owners from local small businesses in the village of Port Jefferson to announce the utility is increasing grants available for its most popular economic development grants - adding half a million dollars to the programs.
The $500,000 will be distributed to eligible businesses through PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization Grants, as well as through Outdoor Commerce and Beautification Grants to local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts for bolstering outdoor shopping and dining.
The Main Street Revitalization Grant is available directly to businesses that complete projects to help improve the economic stability and growth of a municipality. The grant has provided financial incentives to three dozen businesses since the program launched in 2018, providing $864,000 to local businesses in that time.
“With this additional half a million dollars, we can help more local entrepreneurs succeed,” said John Keating, manager of Economic Development for PSEG Long Island. “Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy. They create jobs and increase commerce. If they thrive, we all thrive; and we are proud to support them.”
PSEG Long Island’s Chamber of Commerce Beautification Grant program will nearly double the maximum reimbursement it offers, to $3,500 and its Outdoor Commerce Grant offers up to $5,000 to help local chambers and business improvement districts buy outdoor heaters, tables and chairs and other pre-approved items.
Last fall, The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce used a beautification grant to purchase 5,000 daffodil bulbs that were planted throughout the village. The chamber also received two PSEG Long Island’s Outdoor Commerce Grants in the past two years to purchase outdoor heaters, tables and chairs.
“Thank you very much for your foresight and continued support of our community,” said Mary Joy Pipe, Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce president and owner of The East End Shirt Co.
The announcement took place at Port Jeff Lobster House and Fish Market, which qualified for another PSEG Long Island small business incentive when it relocated within the village two years ago.
The restaurant qualified for the Vacant Space Revival Program, which provided owner James Luciano with $10,000 in discounts on the restaurant’s electric bill. The restaurant also qualified for $1,200 in assorted energy efficiency incentives that will save him approximately $500 a year on electricity.
“PSEG Long Island has been a great partner throughout the years, and its Vacant Space Revival discounts made our transition to a new building much smoother by giving us a huge discount on our electricity costs the first year,” said Luciano. “Our move during the pandemic led us through uncharted waters fraught with risk and uncertainty. We certainly appreciate the help.”