PSEG Long Island Announces First-Ever Business First Award Winners

Awardees from Bellport, Copiague, Glen Cove, Lindenhurst, New Hyde Park, Northport, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, Syosset-Woodbury and West Babylon

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – June 24, 2026) PSEG Long Island recently presented its first ever Business First Awards to small business owners and business organizations for encouraging downtown shopping and helping their communities flourish. 

In 2018 PSEG Long Island created several grant programs designed to foster vitality and growth of a business district and create jobs. Through these Business First financial incentives, PSEG Long Island has distributed more than $3.5 million in grants to hundreds of local small businesses on Long Island and in the Rockaways to support the economy, communities and the local workforce.
These awards recognize those who have received grants and incentives with these financial programs and encourage business owners in their communities to participate. 

"We are thrilled to partner with and recognize small business owners who are making a difference in our communities. These new awards are another way PSEG Long Island is saying thanks and supporting business owners and their commitment to creating jobs in our communities and improving the local economy.”

-   Veronica Isaac, Senior Manager of Customer and Community Partnerships, PSEG Long Island

The awards were presented at PSEG Long Island’s Business First Workshop, an event to connect business owners to grants, financial incentives, rebates, partnerships and other programs offered by PSEG Long Island, held last month during National Small Business Week. 

PSEG Long Island granted its “Community Thrive Recognition Projects Award” to the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce and Copiague Chamber of Commerce for beautifying their communities – Syosset with a mural, walkway, benches and plantings at Syosset Memorial Park and Copiague with the installation of a gazebo at Gateway Park. Both Chambers of Commerce received PSEG Long Island Community Thrive grants to fund these projects. 

PSEG Long Island’s “Best All Time Community Thrive Participation Award” was given to the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce to acknowledge the organization’s participation in PSEG Long Island’s Community Thrive projects every year since the financial incentive program began in 2018. 

The “Best All-Time Community Thrive plus Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space Revival Referrals Award” was given to the Port Washington Business Improvement District (BID). Over the eight years these three financial incentive programs have been active, the Port Washington BID has participated, earning tens of thousands of dollars in financial incentives for its community. In addition, the BID shares information about these incentives to new businesses to further support downtown growth, commerce and employment. 

Community Thrive grants provide incentives of up to $10,000 per chamber or BID, with a 25% bonus for projects located within a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority-deemed disadvantaged community (NYSERDA DAC).

The “Most Active Organization for Economic Development Program Referrals since 2020 Award” was given to the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and Lindenhurst BID. Both organizations were honored for consistent referrals to PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space projects. 

PSEG Long Island’s Main Street Revitalization grant provides a direct-to-business award of up to $100,000 for customers undertaking renovation or expansion projects to start or grow their business. An additional 25% bonus may apply for businesses located in a NYSERDA DAC. Nonprofit organizations may qualify for a 10% award bonus. 

PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival Program provides qualified new business customers up to $10,000 in electric bill credits for their first 12 months in business. Designed to encourage occupancy of commercial space that has been vacant for a period of one year or more, this program supports a new business’ first, often most difficult, year in business.
 
The Baking Coach in Bellport and Brick and Minifigs in West Babylon both received PSEG Long Island’s “Best New Business with Community Focus Award” because both companies provide services and trainings for people with special needs. Studies have shown that teaching skills like baking or LEGO building can be highly beneficial for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays and other conditions affecting cognitive, motor, communication or social skills. This award recognizes their focus on these specialized communities.
 
PSEG Long Island’s “Best Main Street Projects to Create New Jobs Award” was given to T. F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating in New Hyde Park because its expansion into Garden City Park enables the 90-year-old company to train a new generation of technicians in the field. The Electrical Training Center in Copiague also received a “Best Main Street Projects to Create New Jobs Award” because its expansion to its new location in Bellport will train more skilled workers for careers as electricians and in other trades. Both companies received PSEG Long Island Main Street Revitalization grants for their own construction projects and regularly share information with their own customers about PSEG Long Island’s energy efficiency rebates.          
 
PSEG Long Island’s “Best Conversion of a Building in Disrepair” was given to Plado Hospitality in Glen Cove and Blackfish Tavern in Northport. Both restaurants moved into buildings that were in disrepair. Their extensive renovations have created inviting space for indoor and outdoor dining, along with new apartments in Blackfish Tavern building. Both businesses qualified for both PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival program and Main Street Revitalization grants.

For more information on PSEG Long Island financial incentives for business owners, visit psegliny.com/BusinessFirst.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured (l-r) Veronica Isaac and Alex Nyilas, PSEG Long Island; Rachel Joffe, Bricks and Minifigs; Christine Bryson, PSEG Long Island; Jason Kontakis, Lindenhurst Business Improvement District (BID), Steve Veccia, PSEG Long Island; Cheryl Fajardo, Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce; Chris O’Brien, T. F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating; Lisa Basini, The Baking Coach; John Anthony Ferrara, Electric Training School; Holly Byrne, Port Washington BID; Russell Green, Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce; Barbara Ransome, Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. 

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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract.  PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.