Saturday, December 13, 2008

A few hoops to jump through while streets are under endless construction


The City has created the small firm assistance program in an attempt to aid businesses suffering from construction adjacent to their business.
Here is the description as posted on the CB3 website:

The Small Firm Assistance Program (the "Program") has been established by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), in cooperation with the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), to promote economic development by assisting small firms that have suffered business disruption as a result of publicly-funded construction projects during the Program eligibility period. The Program seeks to assist eligible businesses affected by the temporary closure of streets or sidewalks and to address the potential for blight during the Program eligibility period. Grant awards will mitigate documented adverse effects and contribute to a firm’s working capital.

There are, however some "hoops" to jump through:
Summary of eligibility

"you have to be on the same street as the construction"

"there has to be a street or sidewalk closure of more than 15-days within a 30-day period"

"less than 50-employess"

"must be a first-floor business"

"show demonstrated impact"

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