Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation Announce the Relaunch of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program

Now in its third year, the "Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island" will award 40 small businesses each a $5,000 grant

Two grand prizes of $20,000 will also be awarded to further empower Long Island business owners with new opportunities to grow and succeed

NEW YORK (MARCH 2, 2026) - Optimum Business, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, and the LIA Foundation, the 501c(3) philanthropic arm of the Long Island Association (LIA), today announced the relaunch of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program, which will directly fund 40 small businesses in communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Applicants can receive up to $25,000 in total for their business, with the program distributing $5,000 grants to each selected business recipient as well as two $20,000 grants to one recipient in Nassau County and one in Suffolk County. The grants will assist the businesses with their expansion and help them support the prosperity of the communities where they serve.

Additionally, the LIA will offer a six-month membership to applicants and one-year complimentary membership to grant recipients who are new to the LIA to further promote their growth, provide opportunities for operational success, and help them build their networks.

Since founding the grant program in 2024, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation have awarded half a million dollars in grants to 90 small businesses on Long Island, supporting their growth and helping the region thrive. The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is made possible by its Founding Partner, Optimum Business, and the LIA is continuing to collaborate with the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) and Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC) to expand outreach to the region's community businesses.

"At Optimum Business, we understand the vital role Long Island's small business community plays in the region's growth, and we've witnessed the significant difference that financial support can make for these businesses and the neighborhoods they serve," said Andrew Rainone, Senior Vice President of National Sales at Optimum. "We are proud to strengthen our ongoing partnership with the LIA Foundation, helping foster an environment where small businesses on Long Island can flourish - both through this grant program and by providing exceptional connectivity services and resources."

This year also marks a significant milestone for the Long Island Association, as 2026 is its 100th anniversary of supporting the region's business community. Optimum, proud to have served Long Island for more than 50 years, continues its longstanding commitment to helping local businesses prosper.

"As we celebrate the LIA's 100th anniversary, it is especially meaningful to continue our partnership with Optimum Business and mark the third year of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program," said Stacey Sikes, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications at the Long Island Association. "This ongoing initiative reflects the LIA's enduring commitment from 1926 to 2026 and into the future - to support Long Island's small business community. By helping local business owners, we continue to strengthen our region, create new jobs, and build a thriving future for residents and businesses alike."

For more on the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to submit an application, visit www.longislandassociation.org/localgrants.

"The Optimum L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program serves as vital resource for small businesses across Long Island. The grants provide much needed resources to help stimulate the local economy and to help businesses thrive in today's economy," said Phil Andrews, President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

"This grant program from Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation is a lifeline for our Hispanic minority-owned small business community, providing crucial support as they continue to survive the current economic challenges. For our previous member recipients, this isn't just funding - it's hope, and a tangible chance to invest, adapt, and remain competitive. To support a minority-owned small business is to strengthen the very fabric of the community it calls home," said Luis Vazquez, President of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Optimum Business and the Long Island Association expect to announce the grant recipients later this year after a competitive application process. Applicants must demonstrate how they will use the funding to help their business expand, among other eligibility requirements. Once the winners are announced, Optimum Business will also host recognition events with local officials and key partners joining in on the celebrations.

Optimum continues to find new ways to deepen its community presence and connect its customers to what matters most, which includes supporting, understanding, and celebrating what makes each of its local neighborhoods unique. The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is a concrete example of this very commitment to customers and businesses on Long Island, furthering the company's commitment to making a positive impact in the communities it serves.