FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 16, 2018

Contact: Catherine Tenuta, SBS Press Associate- ctenuta@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-618-8768

CITY ANNOUNCES BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS INVESTED OVER $147 MILLION IN NYC NEIGHBORHOODS DURING FY 2017, BOOSTING OVER 93,000 SMALL BUSINESSES

New Report Details Success of 75 BIDs in Providing Quality of Life Improvements and Innovative Solutions to Modern Challenges

New York - NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop today announced the City’s 75 Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) invested over $147 million in New York City neighborhoods during fiscal year (FY) 2017, boosting over 93,000 small businesses. The announcement is part of a new annual report highlighting the significant impact of BIDs in providing quality of life improvements and innovative solutions to modern challenges. $38.5 million of the BIDs’ investments were raised from external sources, including $1 million administered by SBS. BIDs are voluntarily-created, community-based organizations that partner with local stakeholders to deliver supplemental services that revitalize neighborhoods and foster vibrant commercial corridors.

“New York City’s 300 neighborhoods are as diverse as it’s over 8.5 million residents,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. “The City’s Business Improvement Districts are investing in the individual needs of neighborhoods to ensure that residents, business owners, and visitors can together enjoy a more vibrant city.”

The new report highlights the significant daily impact of BIDs on neighborhoods, businesses, and residents. During FY 2017, BIDs provided the following services in their districts:

• Collected 4.0 million trash bags;
• Removed over 108,000 instances of graffiti;
• Held 4,719 public events for 12.1 million New Yorkers and visitors;
• Maintained 127 public spaces; and
• Sponsored 147 public art installations. 

BIDs also developed and launched projects to address local and citywide challenges this past year. These projects include:

• Safeguarding Against Emergencies in Times Square by designing a communication system through which the Times Square Alliance can now provide real-time information to their district in instances of emergencies and extreme weather.]
• Promoting Inclusivity with the Hate Has No Business Here campaign in which 20 BIDS across the city hung posters in 10 different languages in storefront windows to rally against hateful rhetoric.
• Mapping out Future Neighborhoods with interactive 3D maps online that track upcoming projects. Both the Downtown Alliance and Meatpacking BID developed new, tech-driven resources to allow planners, residents, investors, and stakeholders to strategize and envision the neighborhood’s future.
• Activating Vacant Storefronts in the Bronx’s Third Avenue BID by launching a new holiday market of local artists, street vendors, and small businesses in a vacant 10,000 square-foot retail space. The BID used the market to showcase the vacant space as well as other vacancies along the corridor to potential tenants.

The SBS FY17 Business Improvement Districts Trends Report also features comparative expenditure data and details sources of BID revenue.

To view the full report and learn more about the local impact of BIDs, visit nyc.gov/site/sbs/neighborhoods/bids.

“A community is only as strong as the people who call it home and this year’s report shows that local BIDs have invested heavily in strengthening their local economies,” said Council Member Mark Gjonaj, Chair of the Committee on Small Business. “Last year our BIDs invested over $147,000,000 back into our communities, collected four million bags of trash, and removed over one-hundred-thousand instances of graffiti. As chair of City Council’s Small Business committee, I will continue to work with SBS and local stakeholders in our common goal of strengthening the city’s commercial corridors.”

“BIDs are proud to have facilitated over $147 million in investment in neighborhoods across all five boroughs,” said Meredith Phillips Almeida and Robert Benfatto, Co-Chairs of the New York City BID Association. “While supplemental sanitation might be the ‘bread and butter’ of BID services, this report showcases that public art projects, innovative marketing campaigns, neighborhood planning, and community events are among the many ways BIDs are serving our neighborhoods.”

“I have long been an advocate of BIDs, and this report further underscores their importance,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “It is the reason I convene all 23 Brooklyn BIDs on a biannual basis. These organizations understand the business community’s needs, and I believe in having an open line of communication to address small business concerns as the world of commerce continues to transition.”

 “Staten Island’s BIDs have done a wonderful job in preserving the character of our neighborhoods and making them an appealing place to shop,” said Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo. “The BIDs have been great partners in working to stem the tide of litter along our commercial strips, and helping us host community-based initiatives, like our SI Safe Ride promotion to curb drunk driving. I’m pleased to see the work these BIDs have done to boost small businesses on Staten Island.” 

About Business Improvement Districts
A BID is a geographical area where local stakeholders oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement, and promotion of their commercial districts. BIDs are located in all five boroughs and represent a diverse mix of NYC neighborhoods. BID services can include street cleaning and maintenance, public safety and hospitality, marketing and events, capital improvements, beautification, advocacy, and business development. The services provided are supplemental to those provided by the City and are not a replacement of City services. SBS provides oversight and support to the City's existing BIDs and to communities interested in creating new BIDs.

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.