{"id":34412,"date":"2024-09-17T20:46:53","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T20:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/?p=34412"},"modified":"2024-09-17T20:46:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T20:46:53","slug":"mayor-adams-appoints-dynishal-gross-as-small-business-services-commissioner-announces-new-tools-to-continue-driving-down-storefront-vacancies-and-keeping-commercial-corridors-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/archives\/34412","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Adams appoints Dynishal Gross as Small Business Services Commissioner, announces new tools to continue driving down storefront vacancies and keeping commercial corridors safe"},"content":{"rendered":"
NEW YORK \u2013 New York city Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Dynishal Gross as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Gross, a veteran of the department who previously served as acting commissioner and executive deputy commissioner, will lead the more than 350-person agency charged with creating the environment to support small businesses, spur job growth, and build thriving neighborhoods across the five boroughs.<\/div>\n
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Mayor Adams and SBS Commissioner Gross also announced new milestones in storefront vacancy declines, with new tools to continue the city\u2019s progress in making commercial corridors safer and more vibrant across the five boroughs.<\/div>\n
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Nearly 40,000 storefronts have opened since the start of the Adams administration, and the storefront vacancy rate has dropped for three consecutive quarters to 11.15 percent in Quarter 2 of 2024 from 11.6 percent in Quarter 4 of 2023, with storefront vacancy rates lower than pre-pandemic levels in several boroughs and neighborhoods.<\/div>\n
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To continue building on this work, the administration is awarding $4.8 million to 64 neighborhood organizations to bolster commercial corridors, improve quality of life, and help keep communities safe.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSmall businesses are the beating heart of our economy, pumping life into commercial districts and communities across the five boroughs,\u201d said Mayor Adams.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs we continue to break our own private-sector jobs records, improve Black and Latino unemployment, and drive down storefront vacancies, there has never been a more important time to double-down on our commitment to small businesses and connect them with the resources they need to thrive and grow in New York City. I cannot think of a better leader to steer SBS through this critical next chapter than Commissioner Gross, who is an economic development expert, battle-tested, and has served small businesses and New Yorkers well for her entire career.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe New York City Department of Small Business Services under the Adams administration has played a major role in driving the city\u2019s ongoing economic recovery, strengthening the city\u2019s commercial corridors, bolstering the city\u2019s small business community, and connecting jobseekers to opportunity, and I have no doubt that Commissioner Dynishal Gross will take the agency to even greater heights,\u201d said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u201cDynishal is a focused and compassionate leader who has shown, time and again, her unwavering commitment to improving the economic potential of the city\u2019s entrepreneurs and workers, and I am thrilled to work with her to continue delivering for the city\u2019s small business community.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhen diverse New Yorkers pursue and achieve their dreams of business ownership, New York City wins,\u201d said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u201cWhen our workforce system makes strong matches between businesses and jobseekers, New York City wins. And when commercial corridors across the five boroughs shine at the intersection of commerce and community, New York City wins.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0With mission-driven partners, inside and outside of government, and infinite good work to be done, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the work of the Department of Small Business Services, and its amazing staff, in pursuing equity of opportunity for all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/div>\n
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New York City has reached a record of 183,000 small businesses across the city \u2014 the most in its history \u2014 with 55,000 \u2014 one in four \u2014 small businesses created in the first two years of the Adams administration alone.<\/div>\n
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The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island all have vacancy rates below 9 percent with Manhattan seeing the biggest drop in vacancy over three quarters by nearly 1.3 percentage points.<\/div>\n
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The Bronx storefront economy has reached 91.8 percent occupancy, a full recovery from COVID-19. The new data, drawn from the city\u2019s data partnership with Live XYZ, indicates the robust business environment, revealing one in three active storefronts have been created since Mayor Adams took office.<\/div>\n
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Industries with the highest growth include restaurants and hospitality, with over 7,000 new storefronts since Quarter 1 of 2020; groceries and convenience stores with over 4,500 openings; and barber shops and hair salons, business and professional services, and health care storefronts with over 2,000 new openings each.<\/div>\n
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As part of today\u2019s announcement, the administration is awarding $4.8 million to 64 neighborhood organizations to facilitate merchant organizing and the development of small business improvement districts (BIDs).<\/div>\n
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Merchant Organizing Strategic Impact Grants will go to 11 neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations to both form new merchants associations and support existing ones.<\/div>\n
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Projects and services will align with best practices outlined in SBS\u2019s Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Merchants Association, and include initiatives such as merchant engagement and demonstration initiatives that showcase the long-term advantages of local organizing. These efforts may include supplemental sanitation, beatification, and business attraction strategies.<\/div>\n
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To date, SBS has awarded over $30 million in grants to neighborhood organizations citywide since the beginning of the Adams administration, bringing the current total to $35 million.<\/div>\n
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The latest round of grants reflects the Adams administration’s commitment to community-centered neighborhood development and public realm improvements, and follows recommendations laid out in the \u201cNew\u201d New York Action Plan by putting money directly into the hands of the residents, community leaders, and business owners who know the unique needs of their streets and commercial corridors.<\/div>\n
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Under the Adams administration, SBS has also helped deliver more than $265 million in grant and loan funding directly to small businesses; served more than 188,000 New Yorkers looking for work, skills training, and workshops through Workforce1 Career Centers; and cut red tape to help small businesses open faster and save millions in fines and violations.<\/div>\n
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In addition to providing more than $35 million in grants to support BIDs and other local organizations, city efforts have saved businesses $45 million to date by cutting fines and fees, supporting business compliance, and implementing a one-time liquor license fee waiver.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0SBS has also served 5,600 entrepreneurs with free legal support through its Commercial Lease Assistance program.<\/div>\n
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These efforts, combined with the administration’s \u201cCity of Yes for Economic Opportunity,\u201d reflect Mayor Adams\u2019 commitment to growing the city’s economy, promoting new small businesses and job creation, and filling vacant storefronts.<\/div>\n
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Under the Adams administration, one-in-six businesses in New York City have launched, small businesses with fewer than 50 employees account for approximately half of all new jobs created, and storefront vacancy rates in several neighborhoods and boroughs have fallen to pre-pandemic levels.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Dynishal Gross has held dual roles as Acting Commissioner and Executive Deputy Commissioner at SBS since June, responsible for overseeing the agency programs supporting small businesses, government contractors, jobseekers, and commercial corridors citywide.<\/div>\n
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Earlier in her SBS tenure, Commissioner Gross served as Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Economic and Financial Opportunity, and Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Business Services.<\/div>\n
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Commissioner Gross\u2019 career in public service includes five years of work for members of the New York City Council, including serving as Director of Legislation and Budget for the chair of the Committee on Small Business.<\/div>\n
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She holds a B.A. in Africana Studies from Cornell University, an M.P.A. from Baruch College, and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSmall businesses are an essential aspect of economic growth within our communities \u2013 particularly here in the Bronx,\u201d said New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWith the announcement of over $4.8 million in grants, our communities will be able to combat storefront vacancies, improve quality of life, and ensure commercial corridors remain vibrant. I am excited to work alongside newly appointed SBS Commissioner Gross to ensure commercial corridors have everything they need to thrive.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cI extend a big and well-deserved congratulations to Dynishal Gross on her appointment by Mayor Adams to Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services,\u201d said Andrew Rigie, executive director, NYC Hospitality Alliance.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve witnessed Dynishal tirelessly serve and support our city\u2019s small businesses for many years and have no doubt that she will continue to elevate SBS in this leadership role to ensure small businesses across the five boroughs have the support from local government they need to open, grow and succeed.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has developed a strong relationship with the Department of Small Business Services,\u201d said Linda Baran, president and CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.<\/div>\n
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\u201cDynashal Gross has demonstrated true leadership and possesses a strong grasp of the complex environment that surrounds the small businesses in our community. We look forward to continuing to work together in support of small businesses with Dynishal at the helm and congratulate her on the new position!\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cBrooklyn has been leading the way in new business formations since COVID-19, and we are excited that Mayor Adams has chosen Dynishal Gross as the next commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services,\u201d said Randy Peers, president and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.<\/div>\n
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\u201cNobody understands the better the challenges that our small businesses face better than Dynishal, and we are looking forward to strengthening our partnership under her leadership.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are thrilled to see the New York City Department of Small Business Services investing over $4.8 million into neighborhood development grants that will empower organizations across the city to strengthen their local economies,\u201d said Tom Grech, President and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIn Queens, our small businesses are the backbone of vibrant communities, and these resources will help them continue to grow, innovate, and thrive. The reduction in storefront vacancies across the city is a testament to the resilience of our business owners and the targeted support they\u2019ve received. We are excited to work with Commissioner Gross and her team to build on the progress we have made, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are thrilled that the mayor has formally selected Dynishal Gross as the new SBS Commissioner,\u201d said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u201cDynishal is a true veteran of the agency and knows it incredibly well. She is best positioned to maximize its capabilities and help small businesses flourish at this critical time, as evidenced by today’s exciting programmatic announcements.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe Bronx Chamber is delighted to see the positive impact of SBS’s initiatives, particularly in our borough,\u201d said Lisa Sorin, president, Bronx Chamber of Commerce.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0\u201cThese grants will empower local businesses and create a more vibrant community. We commend SBS for their leadership and commitment to the Bronx. We also want to congratulate our new SBS Commissioner; we look forward to working closely with you and your team in support of our small businesses.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe NYC BID Association applauds Mayor Adams for appointing Dynishal Gross as the new SBS Commissioner,\u201d said Robert J. Benfatto and Erin Piscopink, co-chairs, NYC BID Association.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe have worked with Commissioner Gross for years and are thrilled to have her experience, passion, and dedication in this role moving forward. We look forward to continuing to work with her to support small businesses, expand BID operations, and continue to reduce storefront vacancies across our great city.\u201d<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NEW YORK \u2013 New York city Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Dynishal Gross as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).\u00a0 Gross, a veteran of the department who previously served as acting commissioner and executive deputy commissioner, will lead the more than 350-person agency charged with creating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":24563,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1469,31,1378],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-york","category-news","category-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34412"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34413,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34412\/revisions\/34413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}