New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer proposed a plan to support and promote small businesses during the upcoming holiday season as COVID-19 cases continue to surge. As New York City’s economy slowly recovers and tourism, a significant source of revenue for small businesses, continues to lag, Comptroller Stringer urged the City to launch a coordinated effort to help small businesses navigate the challenges posed by this holiday season and make it as easy as possible for New Yorkers to shop local and support community retail.

Comptroller Stringer’s recommendations include assisting small businesses with digital tools and developing an online presence, ramping up holiday markets and outdoor festivals where New Yorkers can shop outdoors, pedestrianizing neighborhoods, keeping business corridors accessible, easing regulations and prohibitive fees on awnings, and using LinkNYC terminals to promote nearby businesses.

“For so many retail stores and mom-and-pop shops, the holiday season is usually one of the busiest and most profitable times of year,” said Comptroller Stringer. “But this year, lagging tourism, slow economic progress and the threat of a second wave pose big challenges for small businesses already struggling from earlier shutdowns. We need to get creative about how we support and promote our small businesses this holiday season – that means cutting red tape, helping businesses develop a digital footprint, and pedestrianizing our neighborhoods and public spaces so New Yorkers are encouraged to walk, shop, and eat local. There is no economic recovery for New York City without our small businesses. I urge the City to embrace our recommendations to kickstart that recovery.”

Comptroller Stringer’s Save Main Street report found that more than 2,800 small businesses had permanently closed between March 1 and July 10, including at least 1,289 restaurants and 844 retail businesses.  Small businesses account for 39 percent of recent job losses. Immigrant New Yorkers and communities of color have been hardest hit; 73 percent of Main Street jobs in New York City are held by people of color, 53 percent by immigrants, and 29 percent by non-citizens. An analysis by Comptroller Stringer estimated that the city would forgo…