Long Island Small Business Grant Winners 2026

Two Long Island small businesses are getting a significant boost this year. On September 22, 2026, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation announced the two grand prize recipients of the third annual L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program. Each winner received a $20,000 grant plus a $5,000 TV advertising campaign from Optimum Media, a combined value of $25,000 per business.

This year's grand prize winners are Balance Mental Health Counseling in Huntington and the Barber & Beauty Institute of New York in Hempstead. Here is a closer look at both businesses, how they plan to use their awards, and what the program means for Long Island's small business community.

Grand Prize Winner: Balance Mental Health Counseling (Huntington)

Based in Huntington in Suffolk County, Balance Mental Health Counseling is a minority- and women-owned practice led by owner Tanairy Fernandez. The practice offers individual, family, and group counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, with specialties that include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and perinatal mental health.

Balance Mental Health Counseling plans to use its grant to install a handicap-accessible ramp, making its office fully ADA accessible. It's a practical investment with a clear community benefit: removing a physical barrier so that more people who need mental health support can walk, or roll, through the door.

Grand Prize Winner: Barber & Beauty Institute of New York (Hempstead)

The Barber & Beauty Institute of New York, located in Hempstead in Nassau County, is an accredited barber school that prepares students for careers in the barbering profession through hands-on professional training.

The school plans to put its grant toward updated professional training equipment, new student resources, instructional technology, and expanded community outreach. Those upgrades will help students train on the tools they will use in the field and help the school reach more aspiring barbers across Long Island.

What the Program Leaders Are Saying

Andrew Rainone, Senior Vice President of National Business Sales at Optimum, explained the thinking behind the program's flexible design: "The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is designed to give entrepreneurs the flexibility to invest in what matters most."

Stacey Sikes, Acting President and CEO of the Long Island Association, highlighted how giving small businesses the resources to pursue their goals helps support growth and job creation across the region.

Both winners illustrate that flexibility in action. One business is investing in accessibility for its clients, while the other is investing in education and workforce training. The needs are different, but the goal is the same: helping a local business serve its community better.

Three Years of Supporting Long Island Small Businesses

The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant program is now in its third year, and its impact continues to grow. Since 2024, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation have awarded nearly $750,000 to more than 130 small businesses across Long Island.

The program is a collaboration among several organizations that represent the region's diverse business community:

• Optimum Business, the program's founding partner
• LIA Foundation
• Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC)
• Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC)

By working with chambers that serve Hispanic and African American business owners, the program helps extend opportunities to even more entrepreneurs.

Why the Advertising Prize Matters

In addition to the cash grant, each grand prize winner received a $5,000 TV advertising campaign through Optimum Media. For many small businesses, television advertising can feel out of reach. This part of the award gives both winners a chance to raise their visibility, reach new customers or students, and build brand awareness across the local market, benefits that can last well beyond the initial campaign.

Preguntas frecuentes

Who won the 2026 L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant grand prizes?

Balance Mental Health Counseling in Huntington and the Barber & Beauty Institute of New York in Hempstead.

What do grand prize winners receive?

Each grand prize winner receives a $20,000 grant and a $5,000 TV advertising campaign from Optimum Media.

How much has the program awarded overall?

Since 2024, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation have awarded nearly $750,000 to more than 130 Long Island small businesses.