Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation Announce the Two Grand Prize Recipients of the Third Annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program
Two small businesses on Long Island, New York, to receive grand prizes of $20,000 each, recognizing their dedication for continued growth within their communities
NEW YORK (SEPTEMBER 22, 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 two grand prize winners of the third annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program, which will award one small business from Nassau and Suffolk Counties each a $20,000 grant. Grand prize recipients will also receive a $5,000 television advertising campaign from Optimum Media.
The grand prize grants will empower the local entrepreneurs to further expand their business and make a lasting impact in their communities. The grand prize grant recipients include:
Balance Mental Health Counseling in Huntington, in Suffolk County: A minority and women-owned business providing individual, family, and group counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, with specialties including anxiety disorders, OCD, and perinatal mental health. The $20,000 grand prize grant will be used to install a handicap accessible ramp at the front of the building, one of the final major improvements needed to make the property fully ADA accessible.
Barber & Beauty Institute of New York in Hempstead, in Nassau County: An accredited barber school that provides professional barber training. With the $20,000 grand prize grant, the business plans to invest in updated professional training equipment, student resources, instructional technology and expanded community outreach.
Follow along at optimum.com/business/local-2026 for more information on the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program.
“Optimum is proud to celebrate this year’s grand prize winners and the ambition they bring to Long Island’s small business community,” said Andrew Rainone, Senior Vice President of National Business Sales at Optimum. “The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is designed to give entrepreneurs the flexibility to invest in what matters most to their businesses – whether that means expanding operations, reaching new customers, purchasing equipment, or creating new opportunities in their communities. We are honored to continue our partnership with the LIA Foundation to bring this program to life, and we look forward to seeing how these resources help this year’s winners continue making a meaningful impact across Long Island’s neighborhoods.”
Since founding the grant program in 2024 and with this latest round of funding, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation have awarded nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in grants to over 130 small businesses on Long Island, 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.
“Now in its third year, the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program reflects a meaningful investment on main streets and in the downtowns that make Long Island’s communities vibrant and its economy strong,” said Stacey Sikes, Acting President & CEO at the Long Island Association. “By giving small businesses the resources to pursue their goals and expand, we are supporting their continued growth while helping to create jobs and strengthen neighborhoods. While the L.O.C.A.L. program has assisted more than 90 businesses to date, the grand prize is particularly impactful and we are proud to continue this work alongside Optimum Business, LIHCC, and LIAACC.”
“Small businesses are at the heart of Long Island’s economy, and their success has a ripple effect across the communities they serve,” said Lawrence Waldman, Chairman of the Long Island Association. “The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is a great example of what can be accomplished when the business community comes together to invest in local entrepreneurs. We congratulate this year’s grand prize winners and thank Optimum Business for its continued commitment to supporting small businesses and economic growth across Long Island.”
“On behalf of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I am overjoyed to congratulate the distinguished grand prize honorees of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program – two extraordinary businesses whose drive, creativity, and dedication embody the spirit of our entrepreneurial community, said Luis A. Vazquez, President, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "I want to extend a special and professional acknowledgment to Balance Mental Health Counseling and its owner, Tanairy Fernandez, a valued member of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to mental wellness reflects the heart of our mission. This grant, sponsored by the LIA Foundation and Optimum Business, will provide critical resources that help Hispanic and minority small businesses grow, create jobs, and build stronger, healthier communities across Long Island.”
“This grant program, founded by Optimum Business in partnership with the Long Island Association, Inc., the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc., contributes to the sustainability of Long Island's ecosystem by injecting capital into the regional economy,” said Phil Andrews, President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce. “Capital is the lifeblood of businesses in the region and companies such as Optimum are to be applauded for making a significant difference in shaping the region's economy.
As a company committed to supporting the local communities it serves, Optimum continues to find new meaningful ways to deepen its community presence and support its customers. Through initiatives such as the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program, Optimum demonstrates its ongoing dedication to fostering growth and making a positive impact throughout Long Island.