New City Program to Offer Free Design Services to Support Neighborhood Development

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 28, 2017

NEW CITY PROGRAM TO OFFER FREE DESIGN SERVICES TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ACROSS FIVE BOROUGHS

Neighborhood Design Lab Will Assist Community-Based Organizations Serving Low-to-Moderate Income Communities

Applications Also Open For Leadership Development Programs For Emerging Neighborhood Leaders

NEW YORK – The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) today announced the launch of Neighborhood Design Lab, a new City program offering free visual design services to community-based organizations (CBOs). The program is open to CBOs that undertake neighborhood development work along commercial corridors. Additionally, SBS has opened applications for two leadership development programs tailored to emerging neighborhood leaders. Together, these initiatives are part of SBS’ work to strengthen neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

Visual design is a critical programming component for successful CBOs, yet many organizations do not have in-house design expertise. Neighborhood Design Lab will provide strategic design assistance services, teach organizations how to develop internal design skills, and execute neighborhood-wide branding projects. This program will specifically target organizations serving low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Interested organizations may apply for Neighborhood Design Lab, and four CBOs will be selected to participate.

“Neighborhood Design Lab will provide support and expertise to help local organizations strengthen commercial corridors in their neighborhoods,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “With a focus on low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, the City is helping community-based organizations fulfill their mission in high-need areas.”

The four winning organizations will brainstorm, plan, and execute a creative design event or campaign. Each project will connect to its long-term vision for a commercial corridor. Interested community-based organizations can access the application on our website. Applications will be open until October 29, 2017.

In addition to this new neighborhood development initiative, SBS also announced the opening of applications for two additional capacity building programs to support community-based organizations. Applications are now open for CBOs to participate in the Neighborhood 360° Fellows program and for New Yorkers to participate in the Coro Neighborhood Leadership program.

Neighborhood 360° Fellows Program

Created by SBS, Neighborhood 360° is the first ground-up community engagement and planning process that proactively partners with local stakeholders to identify commercial district challenges while providing direct resources to follow-through on community-led solutions. The initiative includes a fellows program that places paid, full-time community development fellows at 10 CBOs citywide. The fellows provide support to CBOs in executing commercial district projects. Applications for organizations interested in hosting fellows are now open and will close on October 29, 2017. More information on the fellows program can be found here: nyc.gov/360fellows

Coro Neighborhood Leadership Program

SBS partners with the Coro New York Leadership Center to help staff from community-based organizations across New York City develop leadership skills, learn new approaches to commercial revitalization, and connect to key stakeholders and resources critical to leading change in their organizations and communities. The Neighborhood Leadership Program is made possible by Community Development Block Grant funding through the SBS Avenue NYC program.

The program teaches innovative management strategies, how to support small businesses and strengthen commercial districts, and provides access to a network of over 2,000 engaged alumni making positive change in New York City. Applications are now open and will close on November 20, 2017. More information on the neighborhood leadership program can be found here: nyc.gov/neighborhoodleadership

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.