Mayor Eric Adams. Photo Credit: facebook.com/NYCMayor

On July 26, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a $1.5 million investment in the NYC Small Business Resource Network. Building on commitments from the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Blueprint, this investment will allow the resource network to extend programming through 2023. (more…)

Image Credit: SBS

Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. (more…)

The Life Sciences sector has seen incredible growth in the NYC metro region. The Zoning for Economic Opportunity text amendment may change restrictions that make it easier for life sciences industries to expand and continue to grow. Image Credit: Tory Williams/EDC.

On Wednesday, June 1, Mayor Eric Adams outlined his, “City of Yes” initiative. This initiative is the next phase of his, “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent,” plan to stimulate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “City of Yes,” is built around a series of three as-yet-unwritten zoning text amendments to modernize and simplify zoning resolutions to encourage business growth, stimulate housing creation, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. (more…)

Mayor Adams announces the new proposed zoning text amendments. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The zoning text amendments are in development and will be drafted with input from stakeholders before undergoing public review later this year. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan for a series of new zoning text amendments and programs aimed at removing obstacles for the recovery of small businesses, increased affordable housing, and the expansion of green technology to promote sustainability. The three zoning text amendments – the Zoning for Economic Opportunity, Zoning for Housing Opportunity, and Zoning for Zero Carbon aim to reduce bureaucracy within the City’s zoning text to make room for the City’s continued growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. (more…)

Mayor Eric Adams with the signed “Small Business Forward” Executive Order. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

The executive order requires agencies to evaluate their most common summonses issued. On January 4, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to help small businesses face fewer fines and penalties as they continue to recover from the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order requests that agencies like the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, Department of Consumer Worker and Protection, Department of Sanitation, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene examine their business regulations to reduce fine schedules, allow cure periods, or provide warnings for first time violations.  (more…)