Borough President Vanessa Gibson sounds off on Bronx COVID business relief shortfall

NEW YORK — Hundreds of apps to get smaller enterprise loans in the Bronx in the course of the pandemic ended up turned down by the town.

Only a little handful of loans went through in comparison to many additional in Manhattan. CBS2 has figured out a large amount about the fallout, the outcry and research for alternatives.

“In fact, I had to walk absent from it,” said Tyrone Robinson, operator of The Dugout.

Robinson blames shedding his small business to a mix of undesirable politics, governmental purple tape and COVID-19. Those people elements compelled him to stroll absent from the bar ideal throughout the avenue from Yankee Stadium.

Someone else just lately took about the spot he opened in 2004.

“I tried out like every single avenue,” Robinson stated.

He states all through the pandemic he was consistently denied grants and loans.

Money owed, such as again hire, multiplied to $500,000, even though purposes were rejected once more and again.

“I bought quite a few excuses. One particular currently being, oh my company didn’t exist. One more 1 is that I filed much too lots of programs. A different one particular, I did not have ample staff,” Robinson said.

Now he learns two new audits by City Comptroller Brad Lander uncovered “insufficient oversight by the Department of Little Organization Services,” with two COVID-19 guidance applications for “zero-fascination financial loans” and “partial payroll grants.”

As the metropolis mobilized in 2020 and kept thousands of regional enterprises afloat, the Bronx bought the smallest piece of the pie.

“It is really a reminder of some of the gaps in solutions and deficiencies,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson claimed.

Gibson mentioned what also angers her about the comptroller’s audit is the acquiring that Manhattan bought additional than its reasonable share. Manhattan enterprises received shut to 57% of the loans, in comparison to 2.2% in the Bronx.

Part of the trouble, in accordance to Landers’ business, is hundreds of loans and 1000’s of grants had been delivered on a initially-come, first-serve foundation, which may have favored the extra organization-savvy functions in Manhattan.

“I have pals that bars throughout Manhattan and all of them are nevertheless flourishing,” Robinson reported.

“We will right this improper. I am not going to accept Bronx enterprises remaining shortchanged, dismissed and denied alternatives,” Gibson included.

Gibson stated she’s looking to get funding restored for entrepreneurs unfairly denied in 2020.

The auditors suggested secondary reviews of all purposes to be certain workers members are adhering to methods and figuring out eligibility properly.

Dave Carlin

Dave Carlin serves as a reporter for CBS2 News and handles breaking news tales and main occasions in the Tri-State Area.