Although the Bronx accounts for under 8% of NYC's small businesses, the borough received just 2.2% of loans under the program, according to the report. Manhattan businesses received 56.9% of loans despite making up 41.3% of the city’s small businesses.
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
"It's kind of depressing,” City Comptroller Brad Lander said in an interview. “I don't think it was in any way the intention of the Department of Small Business Services , but Manhattan small businesses were significantly overserved and Bronx small businesses in particular were really significantly underserved."
Josh J. Jameson, deputy press secretary for the SBS, issued a statement for the agency noting that it sprung quickly into action in March 2020, when neither the geographical nor industrial impact of the pandemic was known, making it "impossible to plan ahead for changes in eligibility requirements." The statement continued: "Similarly, it would have been impossible to estimate where the pandemic would be most detrimental to small businesses and commercial corridors.
Lander said that while the audit didn’t explain the disparities in funding support, it possibly reflects “a higher percentage of white small business owners versus a higher percentage of Latino and Black small business owners of color.”“If you’ve got a real strong business improvement district or you’re tied in with a lot of other suppliers and they tell you, that’s one thing that’s really helpful,” he said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID tally: COVID-19 deaths are up about 63% over the last two weeksThe number of new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. is still rising, with about 65,000 people testing positive every two weeks, according to a New York Times...
Read more »
Streets deserted in China's cities as new COVID surge loomsChina is in the first of an expected three waves of COVID cases this winter, according to the country's chief epidemiologist. More waves will come as people return en masse to their home areas for the Lunar New Year holiday, he said.
Read more »
China Covid: Health expert predicts three winter wavesThe country is currently facing a spike in cases after restrictions were eased earlier this month.
Read more »
White House will mail more free COVID tests, plans for a potential surgeWashington— The Biden administration is again making some free COVID-19 tests available to all U.S. households as it unveils its contingency plans for...
Read more »
Chicago native creates inclusive skincare line 'Bronze Glory'Whitney Young High School graduate Cori Saulsberry used her time in the COVID-19 pandemic to create an inclusive skincare line, Bronze Glory.
Read more »
'Tripledemic' viruses still spreading. What the science shows about being contagious.How long do people remain infectious with respiratory viral diseases like Covid, flu and RSV?
Read more »