Bronx, NY: On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation, and local elected officials joined the six businesses whose spaces were destroyed by a devastating fire on March 13, 2025 to announce grants to support their relocation.
BACKGROUND
On March 13, a five-alarm fire devastated the Burnside/Jerome commercial corridor, completely destroying 6 businesses, who have since been unable to operate. With these local businesses at the center, NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez, with the support of the Office of First Deputy Mayor and the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), have secured $96,000 in grants that will be distributed through the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), to support the affected businesses. Each business will be eligible to receive up to $16,000 and have until February 27, 2026 to apply with SBS.
The six businesses destroyed by the Bronx fire on March 13, 2025, and unable to currently reopen, will be paired with a dedicated NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) member to support their reopening. The NYC Business Express Service Team provides personalized guidance to help businesses navigate permits, licenses and inspections required to operate in NYC (learn more here). SBS’s Emergency Response Unit, who are tasked with supporting businesses before, during, and after an emergency or other disruptions to operations (learn more here), has already informed impacted businesses of free resources and services available, will also support.
“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 NYC 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 7 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, Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión, SBS, and Bronx EDC to ensure a smooth application process for the affected businesses.”
“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.”
“In the aftermath of a disaster, no New Yorker should have to go it alone, and that includes the small business owners that make our city the greatest in the world,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Workforce, and Economic Development Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Our administration is committed to helping everyone affected by this devastating fire get back on their feet. This grant program will not only help these small business owners recover but allow them to come back stronger than ever. Thank you, First Deputy Mayor Mastro, Commissioner Gross, Council Member Sanchez, and our partners at BXEDC for coming together to make this happen.”
“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.”
“BXEDC is proud to partner with the City to support the recovery of the small businesses impacted by the Burnside fire. 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,” said Luis Garcia, Chief of Staff, Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC).
“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 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, $96,000 in funds have been secured through the Bronx Economic Development Corporation to support the businesses affected by the devastating fire this past March,” said 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. 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,” said Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia.
“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of meaningful progress in supporting the Bronx businesses impacted by the devastating five-alarm fire on March 13. We stand in full solidarity with our business owners, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the resources they need to rebuild and continue contributing to the long-term vitality of our West Bronx community. I want to thank Council Member Pierina Sanchez, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation, and everyone else who played a vital role in ensuring our Bronx entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to reopen and have longevity in our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To qualify, the affected businesses will have to apply through the NYC Department of Small Business Services.
The application asks for items including proof of business ownership, a budget breakdown, and an executed lease or occupancy agreement for a new space. Once SBS has approved the business’ application, SBS will notify BXEDC to distribute adequate funds. The application deadline is February 27, 2026.
About Council Member Pierina Sanchez: Pierina Sanchez represents the 14th District, where she was born and raised. She grew up watching her elders sell oranges, drive taxis, clean buildings, to ensure her generation had a fighting chance at higher education and opportunity. From the community board to the White House, and from work in advocacy organizations to the mayor’s office – Pierina continues to advocate for immigrant families, racial justice, affordable housing, good jobs, community safety and meaningful investments in our children, families and seniors. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every resident can thrive in a neighborhood that is safe, stable, and full of opportunity.
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