Back to Business Small Business Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Lower Manhattan small businesses located within Flood Zone A below Chambers Street

Background: Established by the Alliance for Downtown New York following Superstorm Sandy in November 2012. The program aimed to support small businesses damaged by the hurricane.

Funding:

• Downtown Alliance contributed $1 million initially
• Additional contributions totaled over $500,000
• Total in first round: $266,269 in grants to 17 businesses, plus $120,000 in deferred grants to 6 businesses

Contributors: Goldman Sachs, Trinity Church, Citibank, The Durst Organization, The Howard Hughes Corporation, AT&T New York, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, CBRE, FiDi Association, Platinum Properties, Cushman & Wakefield

Eligibility: Qualifying small businesses damaged by Superstorm Sandy located in Flood Zone A below Chambers Street

Note: Applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis and the filing period closed due to overwhelming demand.

Application Process

• Applications were submitted through the Downtown Alliance
• Processing occurred on a first-come, first-served appointment basis
• Filing period opened November 30, 2012 and closed December 13, 2012 due to overwhelming demand
• Applications received after closure were held but not processed unless additional funds became available

Additional Resources

• Small business recovery resources available at: https://downtownny.com/businessrecovery