Long Island SBDC - Farmingdale

08/04/2026

Looking to grow your business, connect with key resource partners, and have your voice heard?

Join Empire State Development for the New York State Small Business Tour: Long Island, a morning dedicated to supporting Long Island's Main Street businesses.

📅 **Friday, October 2, 2026**
🕣 **8:30 AM – 12:00 PM**
📍 **Farmingdale State College – Ballroom A**

Attendees will:
✅ Learn about New York State programs, funding opportunities, and free business assistance
✅ Connect with Empire State Development, lenders, and business resource partners
✅ Network with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders
✅ Participate in a Q&A Listening Session to share feedback on the needs of Long Island's small business community

Whether you're just getting started or looking to take your business to the next level, this is a great opportunity to discover resources designed to help you succeed.

🔗 Register today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=6rhs9AB5EE2M64Dowcge5wgADUlTNANAjtBgnwLTQ_BUOEJaOEJBVVBBN0RVVUYwRUpYUjhMOENDNC4u&route=shorturl

07/30/2026

☀️ **Summer is Networking Season!**

Summer isn't just for vacations—it's one of the best times to grow your business through meaningful connections.

Whether you're attending a local chamber event, community festival, farmers market, business expo, or outdoor networking mixer, every conversation is an opportunity to build relationships that can lead to new customers, partnerships, and referrals.

Before you head out, remember to:
🤝 Perfect your 30-second elevator pitch.
💼 Bring plenty of business cards (or a digital contact card).
👂 Listen as much as you talk.
📱 Connect on LinkedIn within 24 hours.
📧 Follow up with a personalized email to keep the conversation going.

The strongest businesses aren't built alone—they're built through relationships.

Need help identifying networking opportunities or refining your business pitch? The **Long Island SBDC at Farmingdale State College** offers no-cost, confidential business advising to help you make meaningful connections and grow your business.

07/27/2026

Taking a vacation this summer? 🌴 A little preparation can help your business continue running smoothly while you recharge.

Check out these six simple tips to vacation-proof your business—and remember, the Long Island SBDC at Farmingdale State College is here to help you build systems that support your business year-round.

07/24/2026

Small business owners are navigating pressure from costs, competition, consumer spending, and the broader economic environment. Planning ahead can help make those challenges easier to manage, and building a resilient business often starts with small, practical check-ins before challenges become urgent.

A few questions worth asking:

• Do you understand your cash flow for the next few months?
• Do you know which products, services, or customers drive most of your revenue?
• Do you have a plan if a supplier, staffing, or seasonal issue comes up?
• Are you staying connected with customers before you need them to return?
• Do you know where to go for support?

New York SBDC Business Advisors work with small business owners across the state to think through planning, operations, financing, marketing, and next steps.

Visit our Advising Services page to learn more about the types of assistance available: https://nysbdc.org/core-services/

07/13/2026

🚨 Disaster Recovery Assistance Available for NYC & Nassau County

Was your home, business, or nonprofit impacted by the May 20 severe storms and flooding? The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now offering low-interest federal disaster loans to help with recovery.

💼 Eligible small businesses and private nonprofits may qualify for:
✔️ Up to $2 million for physical damage
✔️ Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for working capital—even if there was no physical damage

🏠 Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for assistance to repair or replace damaged property.

📍 SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Council Member Linda Lee's District Office
73-03 Bell Blvd. #10
Oakland Gardens, NY 11364

SBA representatives are available to answer questions and assist with applications.

⏳ Application Deadlines:
• Physical Damage Loans: August 31, 2026
• Economic Injury Loans: March 30, 2027

Learn more and apply at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

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06/16/2026

📢 Looking for funding opportunities for your business, municipality, or organization?

Join the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Workshop and connect directly with State Agency representatives to learn about available funding programs and how to navigate the application process.

🗓 Thursday, June 18
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Farmingdale State College, Campus Center Ballroom
2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY

This workshop is a great opportunity to:
✅ Learn about New York State funding programs
✅ Gain insight into the CFA application process
✅ Ask questions directly to State Agency representatives
✅ Explore resources to support your community or business initiatives

Don't miss this chance to position your project for funding success!

To learn more, click here -

06/15/2026

Congratulations to our client, Bella Mia Cafe, on their grand opening in Bay Shore! 🎉

The Long Island SBDC (Farmingdale) was proud to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce and celebrate this exciting milestone with the Bella Mia family.

Bella Mia Cafe is a true family-owned business, founded by Sal Niola and his family, bringing their passion for hospitality, great food, and community to Bay Shore. It was wonderful to see family, friends, and community partners come together to support the launch of this new local restaurant.

We were honored to join Sal, his family, community supporters, and representatives from M&T Bank as they officially opened their doors. We wish the entire Bella Mia team continued success and look forward to seeing them thrive in the Bay Shore community!

06/09/2026

The Long Island SBDC at Farmingdale was proud to attend the grand opening of our client, Ink & Easel, in Bellmore!

Ink & Easel is an innovative art studio dedicated to inspiring artists of all ages and experience levels. Through small-group instruction, workshops, private lessons, and open studio sessions, they are creating a welcoming space where creativity can flourish and community can grow through art. You can visit their webpage here - https://www.inkeasel.com/

Congratulations to the Ink & Easel team on this exciting milestone! We wish you continued success as you inspire the next generation of artists and creative thinkers.

06/01/2026

Looking to connect with upcoming contracting opportunities on Long Island?

Join the Empire State Development New York State Projects Pop-Up Series on June 17 at Farmingdale State College and learn about small business opportunities tied to major projects across the region.

Meet project representatives, network with industry professionals, and gain insights into upcoming opportunities with organizations including MTA, PSEG Long Island, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Village of Hempstead Water & Sewer, RailWorks Transit, and more.

📅 June 17, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Farmingdale State College

Register here - https://esd.ny.gov/new-york-state-projects-pop-series

05/28/2026

The Long Island SBDC team had a wonderful time celebrating Farmingdale State College Staff Appreciation Day! It was great connecting with colleagues across campus and recognizing the incredible work being done throughout our community.

We were also proud to celebrate Christina Loggia, recipient of the New York Small Business Development Center Visionary Award, which honors staff who have made exceptional contributions to their center and the statewide network through special projects and leadership.

Christina was recognized for her outstanding leadership of the The NYS Center for Entrepreneurial Empowerment, which significantly expanded opportunities and support for entrepreneurs across New York State. Through innovative programming, statewide staff training, and the creation of a peer-to-peer support community, her work helped increase client engagement more than fourfold, reaching thousands of individuals and generating millions in new business investment. Her dedication continues to strengthen the NYSBDC mission and expand inclusive economic opportunity statewide.