It has affected everyone. The Alliance for Downtown New York’s President, Jessica Lapin recently articulated this sentiment when she said:
“There is not one storefront business in New York City that has been spared by COVID-19. Every one of them is struggling. We are stepping up to do what we can to help our stores keep their lights on.”
The Downtown Alliance was set up in 1995 in an attempt to “enhance the quality of life in Lower Manhattan.” This is exactly the time it is probably needed the most.
Now, the organization is working on a program that will help storefront businesses in Lower Manhattan. Through this it will offer grants worth up to $800,000. Known as the Small Business Rental Assistance Grant this will help shops that have been providing essential services to local residents and workers, it has been funded with significant contributions from: Brookfield Properties, the Howard Hughes Corporation and Silverstein Properties. The Downtown Alliance has also given a contribution of $250,000.