City Announces New Grant Program for Small Businesses Affected by Devastating Fire in the Bronx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

CITY ANNOUNCES NEW GRANT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY DEVASTATING FIRE IN THE BRONX

Victims of March Fire in Burnside Will Receive up to $16,000 in Grants

NEW YORK - Today, New York City First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Workforce, and Economic Development Adolfo Carrión Jr., New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Dynishal Gross, New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, and Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC) Chief of Staff Luis Garcia announced $96,000 in new grants for the six businesses destroyed in a five-alarm fire on March 13, 2025, along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and Council Member Pierina Sanchez partnered to secure the funds, which will be distributed through BXEDC with administrative support provided by SBS. Each business will be eligible to receive up to $16,000 and must submit applications online to SBS to verify eligibility by February 27, 2026.

"Small businesses serve as the foundation of our neighborhoods and city's economy," said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. "When the core of that foundation was shaken here by a tragic fire, we knew we had to act on behalf of these six businesses. So we partnered with the Bronx Economic Development Corporation to provide direct financial relief to these business owners so they can fully return as cornerstones of their neighborhood."

"SBS is committed to helping small businesses affected by disasters restore normal operations and come back stronger and more resilient than before," said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "In addition to helping to manage the grant, our team will continue to help these six businesses as they recover from the effects of this devastating fire. As we navigate the aftermath of this tragedy, I encourage all small business owners to assess their own vulnerabilities and resilience through our free, online Business Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool."

"With $96,000 in targeted support, local businesses destroyed by the five-alarm fire on March 13 will finally have an opportunity to rebuild," said New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez. "Burnside is the heart of our district, and its businesses reflect years of hard work, trusted places for neighbors to shop, and job opportunities for community members. This fund is essential to help the area recover, thrive, and continue uplifting our community by bringing much-needed aid to the businesses who have been inoperable for seven months. Thank you to the mayor and his team, who answered our call for help, and of course to the businesses who have been incredibly resilient during this uncertain time; without their leadership, this would not have been possible. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Office of the First Deputy Mayor, SBS, and BXEDC to ensure a smooth application process for the affected businesses."

"BXEDC is proud to partner with the city to support the recovery of the small businesses impacted by the Burnside fire," said Luis Garcia, Chief of Staff, Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC). "Through the distribution of these recovery funds, we're helping ensure that local entrepreneurs have the resources they need to rebuild, restore operations, and continue serving their communities. This effort reflects our shared commitment to the resilience and vitality of the Bronx's small business economy."

Grants will be distributed on a rolling basis by BXEDC as approved by SBS. Businesses can use the grants for renovations or buildouts of newly leased space, new equipment and machinery, inventory restocking, and onboarding new employees.

In the aftermath of the fire, all six affected businesses have been served by SBS's Emergency Response Unit (ERU). ERU helped the businesses navigate insurance and financing and connected them to pro-bono legal services.

SBS will also provide one-on-one assistance to all grant applicants, including referrals to SBS's Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST), which provides one-on-one help navigating city government, permitting and licensing processes, and inspections required to operate in compliance with city code.

"The strength of a community is measured by its support of small businesses and local families during times of hardship," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "After the fire that occurred along the Burnside/Jerome commercial corridor, our community rallied behind the impacted businesses whose spaces were destroyed as a result of the incident. I commend Council Member Sanchez, First Deputy Mastro, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the Bronx Economic Development Corporation for their collective efforts to ensure ongoing support to help these businesses build back stronger than ever."

"Thanks to the leadership of New York City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, $96,000 in city funds have been secured through the Bronx Economic Development Corporation to support the businesses affected by the devastating fire this past March," said New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "Our small businesses and workers are the heart of this neighborhood and an integral thread to the fabric of the Bronx, so I am proud to stand with them as they rebuild. The road to recovery has not been easy, but I have no doubt that together we will come back stronger than ever.

"The Burnside and Jerome corridor is the heart of our Bronx community, a place where hardworking small business owners have served our neighborhood for years," said New York City Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia. "When the devastating fire struck this past March, these businesses lost not only their storefronts but also their livelihoods. While this funding cannot replace everything that was lost, it demonstrates what we can achieve when all levels of government work together to deliver for the Bronx. This initiative will help ensure impacted businesses can recover from this fire and begin to rebuild."

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.