Borough President Diaz and BOEDC Announce that The Bronx is Open for Business!

  

Bronx Economic Development Corporation is providing support and information to businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, made clear today that BOEDC's office is open to support the area's businesses.

"While my office is working with the residents of the Bronx and the area's infrastructure, BOEDC is working on getting our businesses and its workers back to work," stated Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz.

All Bronx businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy by loss of property and or loss of business are encouraged to immediately call the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) at (800) 621-3362 or (800) 462-7585 TTY. Those who have access to the internet can register their claim online at www.disasterassistance.gov. There are operators who will assist you from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

FEMA funds can be used to cover rental payments for temporary housing for those homes that are unlivable, grants for home repairs and replacement of household items as well as unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who have temporarily lost their jobs due to the disaster.

Small Businesses that have registered with FEMA may also apply for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) who will provide low interest loans to cover up to $2 MM in loss of property, damage or loss of cash flow. In order to apply for the SBA loans, call (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 TTY, or register online at www.sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan or apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center.

"If you are overwhelmed and need assistance to get your business back on its feet, contact my office at (718) 590-6252. We will walk you through the process to insure that you get the help you need and get it fast," stated Marlene Cintron, president of BOEDC.

"We have been working with the City of New York and SBS and are very pleased with the response we have gotten on issues we have raised to them," she added.

In addition to the resources cited, BOEDC is providing the following listing that can help Bronx businesses in need:  

Red Cross: Provides assistance to displaced residents. Call (877) 733-2767

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Helps in the recovery of natural disasters as well as other emergencies. The Hurricane Sandy Helpline is (888) 769-7243 or (518) 485-1159  

NYC Office of Emergency Management: Coordinates emergency response and recovery in NYC. For the latest on utility and transportation service restoration, go to  www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/home/hurricane_sandy_businesses.shtml or call 311

NYC Small Business Services (SBS): Provides assistance to small business owners post Hurricane Sandy. Call 311

Con Edison: To report down lines, outages and check service restoration status by computer or mobile devices do so at www.coned.com. You can also call (800) 752-6633.

"You are not alone. You are a Bronx business where help is just a phone call away. Call BOEDC for any kind of assistance your business needs," concluded Ms. Cintron.