A group of small businesses in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx is getting help after being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The city reached out directly to Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corporation about taking a strategic impact grant.
Starting with 12 founding members at the first meeting in April, the Bailey Avenue Merchants Business Alliance (BAMBA) was born.
Using the grant, KRVC has been able to educate the businesses about laws that protect them, put them in touch with services to help with problems, teach them about social media and talk directly to landlords and get extensions on rent.
Business owners say it's given them a sense of community and has shown them that they are not alone.
While the original grant only runs until September, people involved say it's already been successful enough. They believe BAMBA will keep going past that.