| Photo by J. Rodriguez on Unsplash
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has announced more than $8.4 million in grants to strengthen small businesses and revitalize commercial corridors across all five boroughs — a major investment with direct implications for Filipino American neighborhoods where immigrant entrepreneurs anchor community life. The funding, administered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), supports 46 organizations tasked with improving storefronts, merchant coordination, and local business resiliency.
In the press release, Mamdani emphasized the city’s commitment to equitable economic recovery: “Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, and this investment ensures they have the support they need to thrive.” He added that revitalizing commercial corridors is essential to maintaining the cultural and economic vitality of communities across the city.
A Targeted Boost for Immigrant Corridors
The grants expand SBS’s Commercial District Recovery and Neighborhood Revitalization programs, which have funded more than 200 projects since 2021. This year’s funding supports initiatives such as public‑realm improvements, marketing campaigns, merchant organizing, and technical assistance — areas where immigrant-owned businesses often face structural barriers.
SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya echoed the mayor’s message, noting that “community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to help small businesses navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.” SBS highlighted that the grants prioritize corridors with high storefront vacancies and underserved business populations.
For Filipino American enclaves — including Woodside’s Little Manila, Elmhurst, and Flushing — the funding aligns with long-standing needs: multilingual outreach, corridor beautification, and merchant coordination among micro‑businesses such as bakeries, remittance centers, restaurants, and specialty shops.
Who Received the Grants — and How They Were Selected
A total of 46 organizations received funding. According to the press release, recipients include Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), merchant associations, and nonprofits with demonstrated experience supporting local businesses. SBS evaluated applicants based on: strength of their corridor revitalization plan, organizational capacity and track record, ability to serve immigrant and minority business owners, and evidence of community partnerships and measurable outcomes.
“We focused on communities where small businesses face the greatest barriers to recovery,” an SBS spokesperson said in the release. The agency emphasized that the selection process was designed to ensure equitable distribution of resources across neighborhoods most affected by economic instability.
Brooklyn Receives the Most Grants
Brooklyn received the largest share of awards, followed by Queens and the Bronx. Manhattan and Staten Island received smaller but targeted allocations. SBS noted that borough distribution reflects need, organizational readiness, and corridor conditions — not population size alone.
For Queens — home to one of the largest Filipino American populations in the Northeast — the funding supports corridors where Fil-Am businesses cluster and where community organizations have been active in merchant support.
Raga’s Platform: Strengthening Immigrant Small Businesses
Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Legislature, has long championed policies that mirror the goals of the SBS grants. During his campaign and in office, Raga emphasized:
- Expanding access to capital and grants for immigrant-owned businesses
- Strengthening commercial corridor support in Queens
- Increasing language-access programs
- Supporting technical assistance for micro‑entrepreneurs
“Immigrant-owned small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods. When they thrive, our communities thrive,” Raga said in his economic development remarks in 2024.
A Shared Vision for Equitable Growth
City officials say the $8.4 million investment complements broader efforts such as the NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund and the Storefront Improvement Program. For Fil-Am communities, the alignment between Mamdani’s initiative and Raga’s platform signals a growing recognition of the role of immigrant entrepreneurs in shaping New York’s economic future.
As Mamdani noted, “This investment is about ensuring every neighborhood has the opportunity to grow and succeed”
