Monday, April 21, 2025
PSEG Long Island announced several programs available to business owners in Franklin Square that offer financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades, beautification projects, business relocations and more.
Christine Bryson, an economic development specialist for PSEG, presented three programs funded through the Long Island-based energy company during the Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce meeting at Trotter’s Bar and Grill on April 2.
“These are great programs,” said Santino Sarrica, president of the FSCC. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of them.”
According to Sarrica, the FSCC is looking into new initiatives to support local businesses and the community by revitalizing town infrastructure, promoting aesthetic improvements and encouraging economic growth.
The three programs presented by Bryson were the Main Street Revitalization, Vacant Space Revival and Community Thrive Program.
The Main Street Revitalization program, Bryson said, is aimed at new businesses, existing businesses, businesses relocating to the area, and expanding businesses.
It awards up to $25,000 for building façade renovations, interior upgrades, and streetscape enhancements, according to the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
The grants, some of which are administered by the state, were introduced by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation in 2004 and are managed by the Office of Community Renewal. Businesses interested in the localized program can apply at PSEGLINY.com.
Businesses already awarded grants through the program are Issi Beauty Spa in Port Washington, Zuzu in Farmingdale and Harborfields Music Center in Greenlawn.
Bryson said many downtowns on Long Island are doing very well as a result of grants awarded through the program, which also serves as an employment generator to local communities.
The Vacant Space Revival program, Bryson continued, is available to new businesses opening a location in a space that has been vacant for at least 12 months. The program provides bill credits for the business’s first year in the location— up to $3,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for medium-sized businesses.
The application is only one page, Bryson said, making it an easy way to help businesses open in the town.
The program was introduced in 2018 and is administered directly through PSEG. According to their website, they have awarded over $350,000 in Vacant Space Revival grants as of last December.
The last program, Bryson said, is the Community Thrive Program, which is currently offering $10,000 annually to chambers of commerce, business improvement districts and civic associations.
According to their website, these grants were also introduced in 2018 and provide reimbursement for community projects that include items such as benches, bike racks, garbage cans, information kiosks, plants, public art, and welcome signs.
The FSCC is already taking advantage of the Thrive Program and will be using grant reimbursement for new welcome signs. As of now, the Town is still approving possible locations for the signs.
PSEG is accepting applications for the Thrive Program through September 30. Bryson said there is additional Thrive Program reimbursement available for Disadvantaged Communities, as per the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which provides the communities with a 10 percent bonus.
According to Bryson, PSEG has given out $3 million in grants through these three economic programs since 2018, making PSEG a reliable partner for local businesses.
“We know how difficult it is to start a business,” Bryson said. “This is one nice way to give them a little bit of help.”
There are also programs available to large businesses in Franklin Square. These programs include the New York State Excelsior Jobs Program, which offers tax credits to large businesses that relocate to the state and create new jobs.
Details on the jobs programs are available on the Empire State Development website, ESD.NY.gov.
Bryson concluded her presentation stating Business First Advocates are available to provide one-on-one assistance to businesses in neighborhoods like Franklin Square. Advocates can advise business owners on issues such as streetscaping, business accounts, and attaining energy assessments.
Bryson specifically encouraged business owners to receive energy assessments because lowering energy consumption can save them a significant amount of money. Popular projects include replacing existing lights with LED lights and changing HVAC pumps, she said, which businesses are then provided a rebate for.
Domenico Ciaccio, the secretary for the FSCC, said a lot of towns are already taking advantage of the programs.
Business owners should review the current programs, Ciaccio recommended, and determine whether or not they could benefit from any of them. Then, he said, if any business owners have ideas for future projects to look into, they can email the FSCC at info@FranklinSquarreChamber.com.
“You never know if there’s something out there you think we should consider,” Ciaccio said. “We’ll consider anything.”
Sarrica said he hopes to transform the FSCC into a hub for local businesses and residents that benefits the community by building connections and fostering economic growth. Getting the word out, he continued, is an important part of his goal this year, and he emphasized that their website, FranklinSquareChamber.com, contains a calendar with upcoming news and events so residents can stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the town.
As of now, Sarrica said, their next event will be a community cleanup day Sunday, April 23. The event is in response to numerous requests by residents for help cleaning up their business fronts, he continued, and will go hand-in-hand with the PSEG programs presented during the meeting.
“We want to see Franklin Square thrive,” Sarrica said. “The more people that participate, the more the word gets out.”
