SBS Announces Over $4 Million Investment in Neighborhood Revitalization Grants - SBS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2024

SBS ANNOUNCES OVER $4 MILLION INVESTMENT IN NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION GRANTS

Grants Will Enhance Commercial Corridors and Neighborhoods in All Five Boroughs

Builds on $27 Million in Historic Investments in Developing City's Commercial Corridors

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Acting Commissioner Dynishal Gross today announced that the city is awarding $4.4 million in grants to 25 organizations to support projects designed to revitalize commercial corridors and enliven the public realm, including neighborhood food tours, street fairs, public murals, and marketing for local small businesses. Multi-year grants will be disbursed to community-based organizations (CBDOs) and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across the five boroughs. The new round of grants builds on the administration's historic investment of more than $27 million in neighborhood development since 2022.

The new grants reflect the Adams administration's commitment to community-centered neighborhood development and public realm improvements, and follow recommendations laid out in the "New" New York Action Plan by putting money directly into the hands of the residents, community leaders, and business owners who know the unique needs of their streets and commercial corridors. The additional $4.4 million in grants bolster the historic investments in neighborhoods made by the administration since 2022, which have promoted public safety, livability, and NYC's economic recovery following the pandemic, culminating in double-digit drops in crime and a record-number of private sector jobs in New York City history.

Additionally, these awards include the city's first-ever Public Realm Grants, designed to enhance public spaces through improved lighting, creative signage for improved navigation in commercial corridors, and public art installations across all five boroughs. Proposals submitted by the organizations receiving the inaugural round of Public Realm Grants include custom hanging lanterns, illuminated maps, murals celebrating neighborhood heritage, and custom LED tree wraps.

"Since day one of our administration, we have centered our economic recovery on bringing back the vibrancy of our commercial corridors and the livability of our neighborhoods," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. "This round of grants expands on our historic investments in neighborhood development with the inclusion of our first-ever Public Realm Grants, which will bring innovative and creative improvements to corridors that will enhance public safety and improve the street-level experience in neighborhoods across the city."

"New York is a beautiful city; now, with our first-ever Public Realm grants, the city is able to support those little touches that help our city really shine," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "Local communities know what will best elevate their neighborhoods, from custom Chinese lanterns and murals to LED tree wraps and food tours. With this multi-year grant initiative, we are celebrating culture and supporting local joy."

"I am so proud to announce SBS's next round of neighborhood development grants, including the first-ever NDD Public Realm Grants," said SBS Acting Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "Our city's commercial corridors aren't just places people shop, but places where people from all walks of life meet, mix, work, visit, and live. By investing in our city's diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, we are investing in everyone who calls our city home."

"Our public realm partners do so much to help the city, and it is so important that the city also helps them continue to do the critical work of creating lively and vibrant communities," said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. "I applaud SBS for providing millions of dollars in necessary grants to our city partners. I cannot wait to see the projects that will come to life from these grants providing much needed support to our community-based organizations and Business Improvement Districts."

"From public art and street fairs to small business promotion and professional development, these grants from SBS will enable our trusted community partners to do what they do best and further invigorate their neighborhoods," said "New" New York Executive Director B.J. Jones. "Commercial corridors throughout the city are being revitalized thanks to their efforts and the Adams Administration's continued historic investments to activate, program, and improve public space."

The $4.4 million will be distributed in four categories: $1.8 million for Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants, $425,000 for Avenue NYC Organizational Development Grants, $1.5 million in Neighborhood 360° Grants, and $650,000 for Public Realm Grants.

Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants will go to six organizations to fund and build the capacity of CBDOs, BIDs, local development corporations, merchants associations, and other locally serving nonprofits operating in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods to execute commercial revitalization projects. The following six organizations will receive a combined $1.8 million in grants:

BHALO (Bangladeshi Humanitarian Aid & Leadership Outreach), Jamaica, Queens

Boro Park Jewish Community Council, Borough Park, Brooklyn

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, New Lots, Brooklyn

HUB Third Avenue BID, Mott Haven, Bronx

Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation, East Tremont, Bronx

Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation, College Point, Queens

Avenue NYC Organizational Development Grants will be provided to six organizations that will help CBDOs build capacity through professional development, video storytelling, workshops, legal aid, and fundraising guidance. The following organizations will receive a combined $425,000 in grants:

Arts Business Collaborative, Citywide

BRIC Arts Media, Citywide

Cause Effective, Citywide

Community Resource Exchange, Citywide

Lawyers Alliance for New York, Citywide

Van Alen Institute, Citywide

Neighborhood 360° Grants will be disbursed to three organizations to help identify, develop, and launch commercial revitalization projects in partnership with neighborhood leaders, activists, and community stakeholders. The following three organizations will receive a combined $1.5 million in grants:

La Colmena, Port Richmond, Staten Island

Red Hook Business Alliance, Red Hook, Brooklyn

Staten Island Business Outreach Center, West Brighton, Staten Island

The new Public Realm Grants will go to 10 organizations to enhance public spaces through improved lighting, commercial corridor navigation, and public art. The following organizations will receive a combined $650,000 in grants:

Arts Gowanus, Gowanus, Brooklyn

Atlantic Avenue BID, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn

Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth Services, City Line, Queens

Fordham Road BID, East Fordham Road, Bronx

Fourth Arts Block, Lower East Side, Manhattan

Red Hook Art Project, Red Hook, Brooklyn

Sunnyside Shines BID, Sunnyside, Queens

Think!Chinatown, Chinatown, Manhattan

Uptown Grand Central, East Harlem, Manhattan

Van Alen Institute, Washington Heights, Manhattan

"Brooklyn nonprofits are the anchors of our communities, and the more support they receive, the more crucial services they can deliver for the borough," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "I'm grateful to SBS for providing a variety of grants to Brooklyn nonprofits and community-based organizations. These groups are doing the work, day in and day out, to improve the lives of our neighbors, and I am overjoyed to see their efforts recognized and encouraged."

"These grants will provide a big boost to Queens' commercial corridors, which are the lifeblood of our borough's vibrant neighborhoods," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "The organizations receiving these funds know their neighborhoods best, so they are well-positioned to put these funds to good use. I'm thrilled that significant improvements to our borough's commercial corridors are on the way thanks to this valuable investment."

"By bringing revenue back to our small businesses, we are not only enhancing the vibrancy of our neighborhoods but also ensuring our mom-and-pop stores thrive," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. "Investing in and beautifying our commercial areas is essential to making our borough a global destination. I want to thank NYC Small Business Services for their steadfast commitment to supporting and empowering our business community."

"Revitalizing commercial corridors is a multi-faceted endeavor that transcends mere aesthetics," said New York City Council Member and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala. "It is a powerful testament to leveraging our community's existing infrastructure to not just enhance the local economy, but also to create memorable experiences for residents, visitors, and workers alike. I am grateful for the work done to ensure we receive these investments and look forward its implementation."

"I congratulate all the recipients of the Neighborhood Revitalization grant, and I applaud the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation who were also awarded funding to do great work in my district as they do throughout the Bronx," said New York City Council Member and Committee on Small Business Chair Oswald Feliz. "This grant will allow the NIDC to do vital work organizing the business community in my district in the Bronx. We must continue to support programs like these that are designed to revitalize commercial corridors throughout the city, I thank SBS and Commissioner Gross for leading on this issue."

"I'm proud to announce a $1.8 million dollar investment into organizations working across the city, including our neighborhood of College Point through Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants and the Queens Chamber of Commerce," said New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino. "This money will be used for commercial revitalization projects in the neighborhood which I am excited to collaborate on, especially after our brand-new roads have been unveiled. Thank you to the Department Small Businesses and to Mayor Adams for your continuous support and work in our communities."

"I am grateful to the New York City Department of Small Business Services for the $4.4 million investment of neighborhood revitalization grants that will be distributed to organizations like the Third Avenue BID in my Council District," said New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. "With this new allocation of funding, these organizations that work so hard to service our lowest-income communities will be able to continue their programming services, including carrying out revitalization projects throughout our city."

"I am encouraged by SBS's announcement of a $4.4 million investment in neighborhood revitalization grants to 25 organizations, including the Staten Island Business Outreach Center, which will work in the West Brighton section of my district," said New York City Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks. "This investment will enhance public spaces and promote economic recovery, demonstrating the commitment to community-centered neighborhood development across all five boroughs."

"I am delighted to learn that SBS is making significant investments in our community, reinforcing Chinatown and the Lower East Side as thriving hubs for small businesses," said New York City Council Member Christopher Marte. "This initiative not only underscores the potential for economic growth but also strengthens the cultural and social fabric of our neighborhood. We're excited to see Think!Chinatown and FAB enhance their existing programs which provide so much enrichment and create a great sense of community."

"Congratulations to Sunnyside Shines for receiving SBS's new Public Realm Grant! This funding will ensure that Sunnyside Shines can continue its robust work to create a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful community for our neighbors," said New York City Council Member Julie Won. "From supplemental sanitation services to hosting cultural events, Dirk McCall de Palomá and his team provide crucial services that uplift residents and local businesses. We are excited to see Sunnyside Shines' upcoming improvements for our neighborhood!"

"The Boro Park Jewish Community Council is the flagship community building and neighborhood improvement organization in our Village of Borough Park, USA," said New York City Council Member Kalman Yeger. "I could not be prouder that BPJCC qualified for this important grant to help build and strengthen commercial enterprise in our community. Working with our local businesses, BPJCC will have greater capacity to showcase Boro Park's entrepreneurial spirit, our hard-working families and our get-it-done attitude. I’m grateful to the SBS team and Mayor Adams’ administration for giving voice to Borough Park’s potential."

About Avenue NYC
SBS's Avenue NYC program is a competitive grant program that funds and builds the capacity of CBDOs, including BIDs, local development corporations, merchants associations, and other locally serving nonprofits operating in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, to execute commercial revitalization projects. Avenue NYC is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. More information on Avenue NYC can be found at nyc.gov/avenuenyc.

About Neighborhood 360°
SBS's Neighborhood 360° program identifies, develops, and launches commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local stakeholders. Through proactive planning and targeted investments, Neighborhood 360° supports projects that strengthen and revitalize the streets, small businesses, and community-based organizations that anchor New York City neighborhoods. For more information on Neighborhood 360°, please visit nyc.gov/neighborhood360.

About the NYC 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 888-SBS-4NYC, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.