APPLICATIONS OPEN: CITY WILL OFFER FREE DESIGN ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Contact: Catherine Tenuta, SBS Press Secretary- ctenuta@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-618-8768

APPLICATIONS OPEN: CITY WILL OFFER FREE DESIGN ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS IN LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES

Program has Already Helped Community-Based Organizations Successfully Implement Branding Campaigns Worth Up to $20,000 Each

New York – NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop today announced that the City will offer free design assistance to promote commercial corridors in low-to-moderate income communities. Design services will be offered through SBS’ Neighborhood Design Lab program, which has already helped community-based organizations (CBOs) successfully implement branding campaigns worth up to $20,000 each. Neighborhood Design Lab teaches CBOs how to design marketing campaigns that promote local businesses, engage local residents, and attract customers.

While visual design is a key component in boosting neighborhoods, many CBOs lack the necessary funding to put towards design expertise. CBOs can apply now through October 12th, 2018 to join Neighborhood Design Lab’s second cohort.

“Neighborhood Design Lab supports community organizations in promoting their neighborhoods in their own words,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “Through visual design, community organizations can share the value of their neighborhood with fellow New Yorkers and global visitors.”

About Neighborhood Design Lab

Neighborhood Design Lab works in partnership with the Worldstudio to pair CBOs with a professional designer to brainstorm, plan, and carry out a creative design event or campaign that connects to a long-term vision for a commercial corridor. The following fiscal year 2018 participants successfully completed design projects.

Alliance for Coney Island launched the Coney Island for Everyone! marketing campaign;

Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation created a logo and branding for the newly established Marble Hill Merchants Association;

Northfield Community Local Development Corporation introduced a marketing campaign highlighting Port Richmond Avenue on Staten Island aka “The Avenue”; And

Union Settlement built the East Harlem | Working Together marketing campaign.

For more information or to apply, visit nyc.gov/neighborhoods. Four CBOs will be selected to participate in this next round of the program.

Neighborhood Design Lab Success

Union Settlement joined Neighborhood Design Lab with a long-term goal of branding East Harlem as a destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the longstanding history, culture and tradition. Union Settlement found that East Harlem was being perceived as unsafe by potential visitors, which hurt local business. Through Neighborhood Design Lab, Union Settlement launched a promotional campaign called East Harlem | Working Together which included banners, information brochures, and window decal to create a welcoming environment. The campaign created a East Harlem | Working Together YouTube channel to promote local businesses. Pablo Guzman of Union Settlement’s Business Development Center stated the following regarding Union Settlement’s experience with the program:

“It was a great pleasure for Union Settlement to be part of this program,” said Pablo Guzman. “The beautiful design materials created through Neighborhood Design Lab help us bring merchants of East Harlem together.”

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, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.