Two incredible Long Island small businesses are getting a major boost to help them keep doing what they do best, right here in our community.
Huge congratulations are in order for Little Feet Big Steps in North Babylon and the Freeport Ninja Academy in Freeport! They were just announced as the grand prize winners of the second annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants, a program from Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation that’s all about supporting the small businesses and organizations who make our Island so special.
Each of these amazing local spots will receive a $25,000 grant plus a $5,000 TV advertising campaign to help spread the word. This is on top of a $5,000 grant they had already received, making this a true game-changer for each of the organizations.
So, who are these local heroes?
Over in Suffolk, Little Feet Big Steps is a beloved day care center that’s been a lifeline for working families. They’re planning to use the grant to finally replace a 25-year-old furnace (just in time for the fall!) and cover other crucial costs. The best part? This will help them open up more spots for kids currently on their waitlist, giving more local families access to quality care.
And down in Nassau, let’s hear it for the Freeport Ninja Academy! Talk about resilience—they opened their doors in January 2020, just weeks before the world turned upside down. This grant is a well-deserved reward that will go toward upgrading their facility and replacing equipment that’s seen a lot of love from hundreds of aspiring young ninjas. As Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman put it, their story is a “true example of resilience.”
This grant program is all about investing back into our towns. Matt Cohen, President of the Long Island Association, said it perfectly: “Small businesses fuel our local economies, and they are run by and employ our families, friends, and neighbors.”
Visit These Local Small Business Grants Recipients and Support Local
Over the last two years, this initiative and Small Business Grants have pumped half a million dollars into more than 90 small businesses across Nassau and Suffolk. Let’s show these amazing local businesses some love!
If you’re looking for fantastic child care or a fun, active spot for your kids, be sure to check out Little Feet Big Steps and the Freeport Ninja Academy. This is what supporting local is all about!
