Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York City

Four Queens community organizations received a share of $1 million in grant awards to use to complete neighborhood development projects meant to boost commercial corridors in underserved neighborhoods as part of the city’s “Avenue NYC” Initiative.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is funding 34 total neighborhood development projects across New York City with grants up to $30,000 to help support and grow vibrant commercial corridors. The funding will be used for projects that include business attraction/retention, façade improvements, merchant organizing, and placemaking.

In Queens, the 82nd Street Partnership in Jackson Heights will use their funding to develop a rewards program with participating businesses and orchestrate seasonal events to encourage local residents to explore and shop at the many businesses within the district, which runs from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue along 82nd Street.

The Rockaway Business Alliance will begin recruiting members and organizing meetings to revitalize the existing merchants within the Arverne, Edgemere, Hammels and Rockaway Beach neighborhoods.

Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID) will create marketing collateral to promote and celebrate the diverse array of independent restaurants and cultural activities along Queens Boulevard.

Finally, the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) will use funds to coordinate interactive programming in Woodside and Corona Plaza to connect residents with businesses.

“The Avenue NYC initiative is investing in local, community-based organizations to help strengthen and preserve small business corridors across our city,” said Gregg Bishop, NYC Department of SBS commissioner. “Small businesses are an essential part of building vibrant neighborhoods, and the grants we are awarding today will help meet tailored, local needs.”