Page 18 - The Indian EYE 051724

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 17, 2024 | The Indian Eye 18

Mayor Adams announces Investments to

Strengthen Commercial Corridors, Cut Red

Tape for Business Improvement Districts

Over $1 Million for Public Realm Design Support Will Be Provided

to Underserved Commercial Corridors Through Public-Private Partnership

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Adams and New
York City Small Business Services (SBS)
NCommissioner Kevin D. Kim have an-
nounced a series of new investments and programs
to support and cut red tape for Business Improve-
ment Districts (BIDs) and community-based orga-
nizations as the Adams administration continues
to strengthen commercial corridors across the five
boroughs. Mayor Adams specifically announced
nearly $7 million in investments that will drive tour-
ism and economic impact, support eligible BIDs
with rising insurance premiums, and help develop
public realm vision plans. New York City is cur-
rently celebrating “NYC Small Business Month,”
and today celebrates its second-annual “NYC BID
Day” — a day for BIDs to conduct business out-
reach, neighborhood clean-up events, and open
street and public space activations, among other ac-
tivities to drive economic opportunity across their
communities.
“Small businesses and commercial corridors You’ve done this sometimes in spite of the chal- es, and neighborhood institutions. Specifically,
are the lifeblood of New York City’s thriving econ- lenging layers of bureaucracy that city government Mayor Adams’ executive budget invest in three
omy,” said Mayor Adams. “Since the start of our has historically provided. You are great partners programs: Merchant Organizing, BID Formation,
administration, we have invested more than $27 to us and now we must be great partners to you. and Small BID grant programs. These grants —
million in BIDs and other community develop- That means giving you the space to do what you do launched for the first-time in FY23 — support eco-
ment organizations through SBS, and today, we best, enlivening our streets for everyone who lives, nomic vitality in small and underserved commer-
are investing almost $7 million more. As we cele- works, and travels in wonderful New York.” cial corridors. This builds on long-standing grant
brate New York City Small Business Month, we’re “SBS is proud to oversee New York City’s 75 programs for BIDs, including through the Avenue
proud to strengthen our decades-long partnerships BIDs, which serve over 300 miles of commercial NYC Commercial Revitalization and Neighbor-
with New York City BIDs, make our commercial corridors and provide crucial support for the small hood 360° programs.
corridors more vibrant and safer, and drive eco- businesses that form the foundation of our city’s “It’s fantastic that New York City is recogniz-
nomic opportunity across our communities.” neighborhood economies,” said SBS Commission- ing the essential role that BIDs play in building
“Our small businesses and commercial corri- er Kim. “This ‘NYC BID Day’ we aren’t just cele- thriving neighborhoods all across the city,” said
dors are a big part of what make this city so great, brating 40 years of partnership with our BIDs, but Samara Karasyk, chief executive officer, Hudson
and the Adams administration continues to act ensuring that their impact and reach continues to Square BID. “BIDs do work, often out of public
on its commitment to support them in every cor- grow through important and innovative programs. view, that ensures New Yorkers have access to the
ner of the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, I want to thank Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor kind of vibrant public spaces, experiences, and
Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor Joshi, ‘New’ New businesses that make New York City the best place
Torres-Springer. “Today and every day, I am grate- York Executive Director B. J. Jones, and Chief to live on the planet.”
ful to the BID community for their partnership in Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu for continuing to “BIDs are critical to keeping New York City
driving traffic to our storefront businesses, enhanc- invest in the BIDs that have done so much to make neighborhoods safe, clean, and enjoyable for New
ing commercial district vibrancy, and fueling our New York the ‘City of Yes’ for small business.” Yorkers and visitors from all over the world,” said
ongoing economic recovery.” Cementing the Adams administration’s first- Madelyn Wils, interim president, Fifth Avenue As-
“Our city would not be half as dynamic and half of-its-kind support to expand services in smaller sociation. “Since the pandemic, marketing our local
as welcoming without the hard work that our BID BIDs and cultivate the formation of new BIDs businesses and creating a safe and beautiful pub-
partners do day-in and day-out,” said Deputy May- and merchants associations, the Fiscal Year (FY) lic realm, have become a growing need for many
or for Operations Meera Joshi. “You provide the 25 Executive Budget includes $5.3 million in grant BIDS. The work we do every day wouldn’t be possi-
magic of the public festivals and the dynamic retail funding to help drive visitors and New Yorkers ble without the support of SBS and we are looking
and dining that puts our city a cut above the rest. alike to commercial corridors, storefront business- forward to continuing to build on our partnership.”

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