Downtown BID Will Award Two $10k Grants To Local Businesses

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — Lower Manhattan's business improvement district is offering $10,000 grants for local storefronts to improve businesses' digital presence.

Last year, when the Alliance for Downtown New York awarded a grant to Martin Busch Jewelers on John St. improved their website and Instagram. The family-owned business since 1954 and saw a 50 percent increase in web traffic in the past few months, according to the Alliance.

Martin Busch Jewelers, a mother-daughter duo, worked with a consultant to increase social media followers and is able to sell products through the business's Instagram.

"Local businesses are the backbone of New York City and we're doubling down on this grant to help them succeed in Lower Manhattan," Jessica Lappin, the alliance's president, said in a statement. "We saw what an incredible impact the grant had on Martin Busch Jewelers and we're hoping to replicate that success."

The Downtown Digital Innovation Grant will be awarded to two local businesses in order to invest in digital improvements — from social media and marketing to providing employees with upgraded technology for improved checkout options. The goal? Improve their bottom line, the Alliance says.

Applications are due March 20, 2019.