161st Street Business Improvement District Awarded Multi-Year Grant Opportunity Through City

 

Funds are Part of $4.8 million the City is Awarding Including the First-Ever Commercial District Lighting Grant

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced yesterday it will award a total of $4.8 million in Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360° grants, Strategic Development Grants, and the first-ever Commercial District Lighting Grants to 44 community-based development organizations (CBDOs) working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.  

“The 161st Street Business Improvement District is ecstatic to be part of the 2023 Avenue NYC cohort,” said 161st Street Business Improvement District Executive Director Trey Jenkins. “Having a Program Manager dedicated to surveying our small businesses and the community not only in our district but throughout the South Bronx will do wonders for our area and will allow our BID to continue serving our stakeholders at a high level.”

"Our Administration is committed to implementing new, innovative ways to revitalize our neighborhoods, and the investments we are making through Avenue NYC, Neighborhood 360°, and now the Commercial District Lighting Grants will help strengthen commercial corridors citywide, including in areas that have historically not seen City investment," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. "Partnership is the way we get things done, and I want to thank our community partners for their steadfast work in promoting thriving neighborhoods and equitable development."

"I am pleased to announce the recipients of our next round of grants for our Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360° programs, Strategic Development Grants, and the brand-new Commercial District Lighting Grants," said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. "These grants aren’t just numbers with a dollar sign next to them—they are investments in people and in communities. They are critical to making New York the City of Yes, and to making our commercial corridors not just spaces for small businesses to be in, but spaces for them to thrive in."

The Avenue NYC grant program includes:

•   Helping the 161st Street Business Improvement District, develop, design, and deliver commercial revitalization programs and services as part of the BID's three-year Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization grant funded by the New York City Department of Small Businesses Services (SBS).

•   Strengthening community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to carry out commercial revitalization programs in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities.

•   Leading a commercial district needs assessment process in the relevant commercial corridor(s) and spearheading a process to analyze the data collected through the needs assessment and engage community stakeholders.

•   Following the completion of the needs assessment, the the grantee will work in partnership with the BID's leadership to develop and implement various commercial revitalization projects that will address the needs identified by the assessment.

About the 161st Street Business Improvement District:

Founded as the Capitol District Management Association in 2009, the 161st Street Business Improvement District (BID) was created to provide a vibrant commercial district and improve the quality of life for those who live, work, visit and shop on 161st Street in the Bronx. The 161st Street BID aims to keep the streets clean, promote commerce and enrich the area through special events and cultural projects. The BID is in the heart of the Bronx Capitol District, located on and around 161st street in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. In addition to Yankee Stadium, the district contains many municipal buildings, recreation sites, community organizations, unique shops, restaurants and services. To learn more about the 161st Street BID and stay up-to-date on all happenings in the area, make sure visit 161bid.org and follow the BID on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

About Avenue NYC 

SBS’ Avenue NYC program is a competitive grant program that funds and builds the capacity of CBDOs, including business improvement districts (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’ 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 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.