The Second Annual

Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island (L.O.C.A.L.) Grant Program

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Since 2024, Optimum Business' partnership with the LIA Foundation has empowered small businesses through the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants. 90 small businesses across Nassau and Suffolk Counties have already been supported with $5,000 grants each, and now, two small businesses - Little Feet Big Steps from North Babylon and Freeport Ninja Academy from Freeport - are each being awarded $25,000 to help take their vision to the next level.​

The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants are made possible by Optimum Business and the Long Island Association to support the continued growth of our Long Island communities.
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Congratulations to our 2025 L.O.C.A.L. Grant Recipients

Nassau CountySuffolk County
Dee's Little Champs Daycare
Eaglewear Promotional Apparel
Engaging New Media
Fitness Fuel LLC dba B Empowered Studios
Glen Cove Massage
John Theissen Children's Foundation
Kalakriti LLC
Long Island Meal Prep
Lovers Lane Home Décor
Minime Kiddy Daycare Inc
Moore National Facility Service
My Happy Place Daycare
My Own Lane Aquatics LLC
NOM Studios
Out There Apparel Inc. DBA Wakes and Waves
Pickles Plus
Port Washington Twin Pines Consumers Association Inc.
Smusht LLC
TrueCare
Village Wine Merchant
American Kempo Martial Arts
Bee Bright Therapy
Cholados Y Antijitos Corp
Eastport General Store
Exoclean
Femme Sole LLC
Karen Lynch Inc. DBA Morgan's Swan River Marina
Little Feet Big Steps
Long Island Game Farm
Manantial Cleaning Services
Minieri Riding School
NCMB Inc., My Big Fat Cookie
Ocean Fog Farm
One Love Midwifery
Peconic Escargot
Roadhouse Food Corp dba Roadhouse Empanadas
The Northport Historical Society and Museum
Think Wellness
Verapaz Express LLC
Victoria's Helado

Voices of Impact: 2024 Grant Recipients Share Their Success Stories

Funds were used to help develop and produce Jodie'z, Twisted Cow Distillery's first canned vodka seltzer. It's broadened our target audience, allowing us to increase the reach of our products. Twisted Cow Distillery
Northport, NY
Thanks to this generous grant, Liddle Bites Play Cafe introduced new classes like Snapology, Twosdays, and Creative Girls Club, enriching our offerings and expanding our reach for local families. We also enhanced Liddle Explorers by creating a lively YouTube channel featuring “song adventures,” extending educational fun far beyond the cafe walls. Additionally, we introduced free crafts and new toys—like a train tabletop and a play nail care set—to spark more imaginative play. Liddle Bites Play Café
Long Beach, NY
The grant allowed me to relocate my business sign to the center of the building, add goose head lights for better visibility and street lighting, and install new signage facing the street. After expanding on 3/1/2020, right before the shutdown, I struggled to make these improvements. Thanks to the grant, my business is now more visible, and our neighbors benefit from the added lighting. I am forever grateful. Laura's Dance & Fitness Studio
Huntington, NY

Congratulations to our 2025 L.O.C.A.L. Grand Prize Winners

Little Feet Big Steps in North Babylon, in Suffolk County: A licensed day care center that used the initial $5,000 grant for a greenhouse program. The business intends to invest the $25,000 grand prize in replacing its broken, 25-year-old furnace and covering essential operational costs. This support will enable more children currently on the day care’s waitlist to enroll, expanding opportunities for local families.

Freeport Ninja Academy in Freeport, in Nassau County: As a 2024 grant recipient, the Ninja Academy used their $5,000 grant for marketing purposes to increase brand awareness. The additional $25,000 in funding will go towards making enhancements to the facility and replacing wear and tear, which the business has not been able to do since opening in January 2020 prior to the pandemic. 

See the 2024 L.O.C.A.L. Grant Recipients