Two Bridges Neighborhood Council (“TBNC”) will act as fiscal conduit for the creation of the Mulberry Street Partnership business improvement district on behalf of property owners, merchants, and residents located mainly along Mulberry Street.
TBNC was awarded a NYC Department of Small Business Services $20,000 grant to support early-stage planning and organizing of a BID for Mulberry Street in Little Italy: The Mulberry Street Partnership. TBNC and 9 such other grantees will also work in a cohort-based model with technical assistance provided by SBS to undertake and complete a variety of BID formation pre- and early-stage planning tasks in preparation for a formal formation or expansion effort.
Victor J. Papa, President of TBNC announced that “The Mulberry Street Partnership, a BID for “Little Italy”, will be an investment not only for the economic revitalization of this historic corridor but also because it will support many family-owned small businesses. Most assuredly, a BID will add important support to property owners that invest so much without the need to eradicate neighborhood characteristics that define the historic community as “Little Italy”, thereby preserving its iconic tenement structures.”
TBNC will work with the staff of Nicholas and Lence (NLC) which will serve as consultants to work closely with the now established BID Steering Committee and will spearhead the BID formation effort. NLC has deep knowledge of BIDS due to their work in NYC real estate, government, anti community affairs.
Kevin D. Kim, Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services said “SBS is proud to support the incredible work every single BID in New York City is doing to improve and maintain the city’s commercial corridors. Vigorous and dynamic BIDs are a catalyst to creating flourishing small businesses and good jobs — and we are taking every step to ensure any community that wants to form a BID has the opportunity and resources to get started.”
Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development said “The Adams administration is laser-focused on making sure that small businesses in every corner of our city have the resources they need to thrive. By supporting the formation and development of new BIDs, we’re harnessing the potential of commercial corridors across the five boroughs to drive our city’s economic recovery.
Two Bridges Neighborhood Council is dedicated to serving the many neighborhoods of Manhattan’s Lower East Side since 1954. They create equitable housing, celebrate cultural diversity through neighborhood-based programs, and work together with local residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, and leaders to stimulate and maintain economic vitality. Two Bridges is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation registered with the State of New York.
More information can be found on the NYC Small Business Services website: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/about/pr20220915-bidgrantees.page