New Ads Encourage Eligible New Yorkers to Apply for Rent Relief and Small Business Relief Programs Totaling $3.8 Billion
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of two new ads to raise public awareness about rent relief and small business relief programs totaling $3.8 billion to help New Yorkers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ads, which are part of the «Reimagine, Rebuild, Renew» campaign launched by the Governor in May, are designed to encourage renters and small businesses to apply and will air on multiple platforms, including broadcast TV, Spanish-language stations, streaming services and online. The campaign will run statewide through the end of July.
«New York is beating COVID-19 and reducing restrictions, and to bring our economy back, we need to help the state’s renters and small businesses get back on their feet,» Governor Cuomo said. «These two new ads will promote $3.8 billion in state assistance for renters and small businesses so we can get our economy humming again and provide stable housing for New Yorkers. The pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on livelihoods across the state, but we’re recovering and these ads will spread the word that help is on the way.»
The ads promote the following COVID-19 relief programs:
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability may apply for rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. $2.7 billion program.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program: The small business recovery grant program makes up to $800 million in funding available for small businesses to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Applications for the program are open for small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.
- Restaurant Resiliency Program: $25 million in grant funding to support restaurants that provide meals to distressed and under-represented communities.
- Restaurant Return-To-Work Tax Credit: $35 million for small, independently owned restaurants within New York City or any area in New York State designated by the NYS Department of Health as either an Orange or a Red zone for at least 30 consecutive days.
- New York City Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit: For for-profit productions that will take place on a qualified stage with seating of at least 500 seats. $100 million in tax credits to jump start the entertainment industry and support tourism activity in New York City.
- New York State Biodefense Commercialization Fund: $40 million dedicated for a life science-specific initiative to capitalize on New York’s research and development assets and expertise in life sciences, biotechnology, and biodefense.
- New York Forward Loan Fund: A $100 million economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small residential landlords.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, «Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy, and the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program is the first step in ensuring that struggling businesses receive the support they need to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through extensive marketing efforts and outreach, ESD is ensuring that small businesses are aware of the assistance and opportunities New York State has specifically designed for them so that they too can grow as our economy reopens.»
State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, «The rental assistance program will help struggling New Yorkers alleviate the burden of past-due rent, so they can begin to recover from the financial toll of the pandemic. We applaud Governor Cuomo for highlighting this program and others that are getting critical funding into the hands of New Yorkers and communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.»
In May, Governor Cuomo announced the State was dedicating funding toward initiatives specifically designed to assist renters and small businesses who are still recovering from the devastating economic impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. On June 8, Governor Cuomo proposed legislation to waive taxes on grants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. On June 10, Governor Cuomo launched the opening of the program’s online application: NYSBusinessRecovery.ny.gov. The site also highlights various resources available to support small businesses seeking pandemic relief. It will be continuously updated by Empire State Development as more details and funding information become available. The application site for the program is being powered by Lendistry, a minority-led Community Development Financial Institution.