$5K Grants, $20K Prize Offered To Long Island Small Businesses

LONG ISLAND, NY — Small businesses across Long Island will soon have another opportunity to secure funding for growth as Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation announced the relaunch of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program, which will award $5,000 grants to 40 businesses in Nassau and Suffolk counties, along with two $20,000 grand prizes for one recipient in each county.

Additionally, the LIA will offer a six-month membership to applicants and one-year complimentary membership to grant recipients who are new to the LIA to further promote their growth, provide opportunities for operational success, and help them build their networks.

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, supporting their growth and helping the region thrive.

Centerreach resident Raymond Morgan, received a $5,000 grant last year through the Optimum Business and Long Island Association program.

When Morgan learned that he had been selected as a grant recipient, he said the moment felt deeply meaningful and validating.

It was really heartfelt. I did all these things — blood, sweat and tears — and it was really nice to get some recognition and know I was on the right path," he said.

Morgan owns EXO Clean, a Suffolk County–based exterior cleaning company that specializes in pressure washing, roof cleaning, and cleaning for sheds, fences and other outdoor structures. The company also offers shrink wrapping and holiday light installation services. He said he started the business because he did not have a college background and was looking for a business with a low cost of entry where hard work could lead to success. Morgan began with basic equipment and gradually expanded the business, eventually building up a full trailer of specialized tools and cleaning equipment.

Morgan grew up on Long Island and graduated from Longwood High School in 2009. He spent nearly a decade working as a truck driver. Eventually, he moved into the office at the company where he worked, beginning in customer service before transitioning into sales and later working in logistics and purchasing.

"I was getting tired of being a truck driver, so I talked to my manager and said, “Hey man, I really want to get off the road. Is there a sales position I can have?” he said. "Eventually I got into the office. They started me in customer service because there wasn't a sales position yet. Slowly I worked my way into sales. I learned a lot of different aspects of business in a short amount of time."

He said those experiences helped him learn multiple aspects of business operations and gave him the confidence to eventually start his own company. In addition to learning on the job, he said he educated himself by studying the industry, connecting with other contractors on Long Island and even working alongside them on job sites to gain experience. Morgan said he officially launched EXO Clean in February 2022.

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.

“At Optimum Business, we understand the vital role Long Island’s small business community plays in the region’s growth, and we’ve witnessed the significant difference that financial support can make for these businesses and the neighborhoods they serve,” said Andrew Rainone, Senior Vice President of National Sales at Optimum. “We are proud to strengthen our ongoing partnership with the LIA Foundation, helping foster an environment where small businesses on Long Island can flourish – both through this grant program and by providing exceptional connectivity services and resources.”

Morgan said the financial support helps relieve stress for business owners by helping cover expenses such as bills and operational costs. Even a relatively modest grant, he said, can provide support and allow business owners to focus more on growing their companies.

"Being able to cover operational costs helps relieve stress for business owners," he said. "Even a little outside help like that can make a big difference."

Looking ahead, Morgan said his long-term goal is to build the business into a company generating more than $1 million annually, with multiple trucks and employees working under him. He emphasized that he hopes to create a workplace where employees are paid livable wages and receive benefits such as insurance and retirement plans, something he feels many small service companies do not provide.

“The Optimum L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program serves as vital resource for small businesses across Long Island. The grants provide much needed resources to help stimulate the local economy and to help businesses thrive in today’s economy,” said Phil Andrews, President, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Optimum Business and the Long Island Association expect to announce the grant recipients later this year after a competitive application process. Applicants must demonstrate how they will use the funding to help their business expand, among other eligibility requirements. Once the winners are announced, Optimum Business will also host recognition events with local officials and key partners joining in on the celebrations.

"The worst they can say is no, and you can try again next year," Morgan said. "As long as you're doing things legitimately and running your business properly, there's no reason not to try."

Morgan business can be found at exo-clean.com. For more on the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to submit an application, visit longislandassociation.org/localgrants.