NYC Helps Area Businesses Recover from Hurricane Sandy

It’s been six months since Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast, but for some New York City businesses, full recovery still remains far away.

Fortunately, the City of New York is providing a number of relief services to businesses affected most, largely spearheaded by the newly-formed NYC Restoration Business Acceleration Team (RBAT). This organization, an offshoot of the New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT) aids businesses with a team of client managers that act as liaisons between business owners and a variety of city agencies, including the Department of Buildings, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Department of Sanitation. To date, this organization has helped 1,000 businesses employing more than 10,000 people reopen more quickly in the wake of massive hurricane damage.

Beyond the direct assistance provided by organizations like RBAT, there are a number of online resources available both to impacted businesses and concerned citizens who want to help these businesses rebuild. The “Support NYC Small Business” website provides a “Restarter Guide” with all the information necessary for reopening a business. Consumers can take advantage of an interactive map of reopened businesses in the areas hit the hardest, like the Rockaways and Redhook in Brooklyn, South Street Seaport in Manhattan, and Staten Island, so that they can spend their dollars where they’re needed most.

For more information on how NYC is helping small businesses reopen and rebuild, inspiring stories about businesses that have persevered in the face of devastation, and ways to support businesses that still need a helping hand, visit Support NYC Small Business on Facebook and online.