Program Description

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.

Program Guidelines (AMENDED 07/2009)

Program eligibility begins with street closures starting from July 1, 2007 and will continue until the earlier of the date when all funds are disbursed or December 31, 2010. In order to be eligible for the Program, firms must be located on an Eligible Street. An Eligible Street shall mean the one-block segment of any street within which all or a portion of such street or sidewalk has been closed or partially closed for at least fifteen days within any thirty consecutive day period due to a publicly-funded construction project. In recognition of the impact Eligible Street closures have on surrounding streets, the term “Eligible Street” shall be deemed to include (i) the additional one-block segments of streets that form the border around the city block(s) fronting the Eligible Street on which the closure exists and (ii) an additional one-block segment of street adjacent to either end of the Eligible Street on which the closure exists. Please click on the link below to see a more detailed description of the Program, including information on eligibility.

• Program Guidelines

Application

Eligible firms must submit a complete application to receive Program assistance. Please click on the link below to access the Program application and required documents.

• Application

List of Street Closures

To be eligible for a grant under this program, a firm must be located on an Eligible Street. Please click on the link below to access a current list of Eligible Streets. If you have any questions concerning this list, please contact LMDC.

• List of Eligible Blocks