Forty LI small businesses get Optimum and LIA grants
Forty small businesses on Long Island each received a $5,000 grant from Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation, as winners of the third annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program.
Among the grant recipients are:
Barber & Beauty Institute of New York in Hempstead, an accredited barber school that will use the grant to purchase equipment, student kits, and supplies to support hands-on training and community outreach services. The funds will help enhance their learning experience for students while continuing to provide free haircut services to underserved populations.
Burger Boys Bar and Grill in Glen Cove, a neighborhood gastropub that will use the grant to fund the first phase of an outdoor patio project, creating additional seating and space for community gatherings and live events.
Pride Embroidery in Bay Shore, a full-service garment decoration and promotional products business that will use the grant to promote its new location, build an e-commerce site, and upgrade its server.
Save the Great South Bay in Babylon, a nonprofit focused on restoring water quality along Long Island’s South Shore that will use the grant to expand cleanup and oyster restoration programs, including equipment, supplies, and volunteer coordination.
“At Optimum Business, we’re proud to continue investing in the small businesses that help Long Island communities grow and thrive,” said Andrew Rainone, senior vice president of National Business Sales at Optimum. “These 2026 grant winners reflect the passion, innovation, and resilience of local entrepreneurs across Nassau and Suffolk counties. We’re honored to support their ongoing success through our grant program in partnership with the LIA Foundation and celebrate the meaningful impact they make in their communities every day.”
The grant winners were honored as part of the 2026 Small Business Summit on June 16, hosted by Optimum Business in partnership with the LIA Foundation (the charitable arm of the Long Island Association).
“As the Long Island Association celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, we are especially proud to recognize this year’s L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant winners and the important role they play in strengthening our region’s economy,” said Stacey Sikes, acting president and CEO at the Long Island Association. “These 40 small businesses represent the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and resilience that have long helped Long Island’s communities grow and thrive. We’re honored to continue this meaningful partnership with Optimum Business as we support local businesses and celebrate their impact across Nassau and Suffolk counties.”
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. With the program now in its third year, 130 businesses will have been impacted overall, further 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 and Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce to expand outreach to the region’s community businesses.
