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

40 small businesses across Long Island, New York to receive a $5,000 grant to support

"Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island"

NEW YORK (JUNE 9, 2026) - Optimum Business, a leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, alongside the LIA Foundation, the 501c(3) philanthropic arm of the Long Island Association (LIA), today announce the grant winners of the third annual 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.

Each small business will receive a $5,000 grant to help support their growth and long-term success while further expanding and contributing to the prosperity of the communities where they serve. Featured grant recipients include:

• 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 organization 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.

Follow along at optimum.com/business/local-2026 for the full list of grant recipients and more information on the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program. Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation expect to announce the two $20,000 grand prize winners later this summer.

As part of the 2026 Small Business Summit on June 16, 2026, hosted by Optimum Business in partnership with the LIA Foundation, the grant winners will be honored alongside fellow small business owners and community members from across Long Island.

"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."

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 (LIHCC) and Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC) to expand outreach to the region's community businesses.

"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 & 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."

"Small businesses comprise the majority of businesses on Long Island, and that's why it's so important to provide them with resources to help them grow and create new jobs across our communities," said Lawrence Waldman, LIA Board Chair. "We have a great partner in Optimum, and the LIA is deeply appreciative of their genuine commitment to boosting our economy through their continued support of this unique direct grant program."

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 communities unique. The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants 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.