New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a Small Business Emergency Grant Program for small businesses who have been impacted by looting and experienced damage to their storefronts, with Bronx businesses receiving priority. The City will begin providing grants to small businesses of up to $10,000 per business, thanks to $500,000 in initial funds received from SOMOS Community Care.

 

The grants will help with recovery, including repairs, security systems, locks, and more. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will work with Small Business Services to assess the level of need throughout the city, with the intent to raise funds for repairs of businesses in other boroughs.

 

“The only way we will move forward and get small businesses back on their feet is by coming together as a community,” said de Blasio who came to witness the aftermath of the looting on Fordham Road on June 2. He had also driven around the borough the night before while the riots were taking place. “Our small businesses are not going anywhere. They are strong and resilient and they will be back, and we are here to help them do that.”

 

New York City’s Small Business Service’s Emergency response team is surveying damage in affected communities, and providing applications to apply for the grant to small business owners. The City is also providing emergency legal support, incident report support, and insurance claim support.

 

“SBS has been in the Bronx, speaking to small business owners impacted by looting and actively working to get them the resources and support they need to recover,” said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, who was recently interviewed by Norwood News to talk about his new appointment. “Our small businesses are tough and resilient. This resource will ensure that these Bronx businesses will receive direct support, and equip them with the tools necessary to come back.”

 

Meanwhile, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. highlighted the reinforced impact of the recent looting on businesses already struggling to cope with reduced business due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related statewide PAUSE order.  “Our Bronx small businesses and entrepreneurs are a key component of our economy, and aiding vulnerable local job-creators, such as the business owners on Fordham Road, is important as we look to help our small business community rebound,” he said.

 

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez also welcomed the news. “This is a much needed initiative to help curb the damages done to our business districts,” she said. “Many of our businesses in the Bronx are small, family-owned stores. It is important that we come together and support them so that they can get back on their feet as soon as possible.”

 

Council Member Fernando Cabrera saw first hand the damage done to the businesses from looting as he walked around Fordham Road, filming what was happening last Monday night. He said he was extremely pleased that $10,000 per store was being made available for communities hardest hit by the vandalism and looting.

 

“This is an unprecedented move in a most difficult time for the city,” he said, seemingly alluding to the City’s current, estimated $9 billion deficit. “I thank, and highly commend the Mayor for his timely action. This will go a long way in helping my district, which sustained extensive damage and theft, including Fordham Road, the largest and most diverse commercial district in the Bronx,” Cabrera said.

 

Council Member Andrew Cohen also thanked the Administration for taking swift action to protect small businesses. “The Bronx has always been defined by its capacity to persevere and come together in the darkest of times and this moment is no different,” he said. “These small businesses are the heart of our local economy and vibrant neighborhoods and they will help lead the way in our City’s recovery.”

 

Meanwhile Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson called out the looters for “the violent destruction of our neighborhoods”. She thanked he volunteers, youth leaders, business owners, and elected officials that were out helping to clean and show their support. She also said in relation to the protests that she was committed to the fight for racial justice and equality. “Together, we will not allow anyone to destroy the progress we have made as a borough, and I am hopeful that this grant program will provide much needed relief to our small businesses,” she said.

 

Dr. Ramon Tallaj is Chairman and Founder of SOMOS Community Care, the fund donors. “If our community is to heal, we must do all we can to help our local business prepare to reopen,” he said echoing Diaz Jr.’s remarks about the double impact of the pandemic and the looting.  “Through this grant, we can help essential business owners, including community practices, pharmacies, bodegas, and others, access the funding they need so that they can continue to rebuild our communities and provide for their families,” he said.

 

Dr. Henry Chen, President of SOMOS Community Care said now, more than ever, the city’s immigrant communities need all the support the City can offer, especially for the essential businesses that are the city’s lifeblood.

 

Drs. Chen and Tallaj continued: “We both came to this country and built practices to pursue the American dream. Now it’s time to help others trying to do the same under the hardest circumstances imaginable.”

 

Norwood News will provide a link to the application for the grants, once available.