Long Island Businesses Can Get a Boost through Relaunched Grant Program L.O.C.A.L.

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Local small businesses are getting a chance to thrive thanks to the renewed L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants program, a joint effort by Optimum Business and the Long Island Association (LIA) Foundation.

The program, which aims to bolster the region’s economy, will distribute grants to 40 businesses across Nassau and Suffolk counties. This year, the program is offering a mix of $5,000 grants, as well as two significant $25,000 grants for businesses that have shown exceptional need, one per county.

“Small businesses are the heart of Long Island, and this program is designed to give them the support they need to grow,” said Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the LIA.

Optimum Business, a significant player in providing internet and communication services, is the driving force behind the grants. “We’re committed to investing in the communities we serve,” said Andrew Rainone, Senior Vice President of National Sales at Optimum. “These grants, along with our connectivity services, are designed to help local businesses succeed.”

This year’s program has also garnered support from the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC), ensuring that diverse businesses across the region have access to these funds.

“This is a vital opportunity for our local entrepreneurs,” said Luis Vazquez, President of the LIHCC. “Especially for those still recovering from the pandemic.”

Phil Andrews, President of the LIAACC, emphasized the program’s role in strengthening the local economy, stating, “Supporting small businesses means supporting Long Island.”

In addition to the financial grants, the LIA is offering complimentary memberships to participating businesses, providing valuable networking opportunities.

The grant program builds upon the success of previous years, where a total of $250,000 was distributed to 50 businesses.

Local business owners interested in applying for the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants can find more information and application details at the Long Island Association’s website at http://www.longislandassociation.org/foundation/.

Grant recipients are expected to be announced later this year, with celebratory events planned for the summer.

Evangeline Knell

Evangeline Knell is a 3-time Prime Time Creative Arts Emmy nominee and Shorty Awards winner for her production and design direction of interactive broadcast television elements for AMC’s “Talking Dead,” Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live,” and an interactive television execution for Sprint during a live NASCAR race on the TNT network. After a 16-year career with CNN in New York, earning 3 Peabody Awards, her extensive creative and production work has been seen on dozens of broadcast and cable networks and station groups throughout the country. A proud member of the Board of Trustees of the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington and a board member of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, she is Co-Founder of Going Local Media at goinglocal.li and Executive Producer at goinglocal.tv, built for Long Island local businesses and organizations, and has been the Owner and Creative Director of Identity Digital, a long-based video production and live streaming company since 2019, supporting and amplifying community businesses and organizations through the production of innovative, engaging, and authentic content that resonates with diverse, socially connected audiences.

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