New Yorkers are Invited to Nominate Local Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations for 2009 Neighborhood Achievement Awards
New York, Jan. 21, 2009 - The New York City Department of Small
Business Services is calling for the nominations of individuals, small
businesses and community organizations for the 2009 Neighborhood Achievement
Awards. New Yorkers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, educational
institutions, business improvement districts, local development corporations,
merchants associations and other neighborhood associations are encouraged to
apply and/or nominate others for awards in seven categories.
The New York City Neighborhood Achievement Awards, established in 2002,
honor organizations, businesses and individuals that have demonstrated
excellence in enhancing New York City neighborhoods by fostering economic
opportunity.
“The Neighborhood Achievement Awards recognize outstanding individuals,
businesses and groups who share our commitment to building neighborhoods,
creating jobs and opening opportunities for New Yorkers,” said SBS Commissioner
Robert Walsh. “I encourage New Yorkers to nominate those who are making a
difference in their communities.”
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Norman Buchbinder Neighborhood
Beautification Awardhonors an individual,
business or organization that has increased the visibility, stature, and overall
identity of a neighborhood by highlighting and enhancing its look and feel,
thereby increasing visitation or economic activity. The award is presented
in memory of Norman Buchbinder, a co-founder of the Union Square partnership,
the city’s first Business Improvement District (BID), and founder of the Village
Alliance BID.
The Re-adaptive
Use/Preservation Awardhonors a
business or organization that has transformed, preserved or restored an
underutilized space into a vibrant re-adapted development, serving the diverse
needs of the local community, delivering tangible benefits for the neighborhood
or contributing to the overall identity of the
neighborhood.
The Cultural Awardrecognizes a cultural institution that
has made a major contribution to a neighborhood, generating economic activity
and the growth of small business while employing local workers and adding to the
artistic and educational fabric of New York
City.
The Leadership
Awardhonors an individual or organization
who has demonstrated outstanding leadership over the course of their career in
advancing the development or overall economic welfare of a New York City
neighborhood. Candidates may be from the business or civic community, and must
demonstrate success at bringing together different
stakeholders.
The Small Business of the Year
Awardhonors an entrepreneur whose business
has significantly improved its neighborhood or demonstrated outstanding
commitment to the community through offering new or enhanced products and
services, generating new activity on a commercial strip, attracting new
businesses to the area, or providing exceptional employment
opportunities.
The Partnership
Awardhonors a joint endeavor between
businesses, or civic, commercial, or development organizations, whose
partnership has brought new benefit and services to the community. Examples
include local hiring programs, business/education partnerships, cultural events,
the rehabilitation of a park or public space, or a unique community outreach
effort.
The M/WBE Advocate of the Year
Awardhonors an individual, business, or
organization whose leadership within the M/WBE community has encouraged
entrepreneurship among other minorities and women and whose success has
strengthened New York City's small business landscape.
The Workforce Innovation
Awardhonors an organization or business
that, through pioneering a creative and effective approach to workforce
development (e.g. training programs, recruitment and hiring), has developed a
model that has enhanced their community and provided a model for others to
emulate.
To make a nomination visit www.
nyc.gov/sbs/awards. Application can also be mailed
to: Neighborhood Achievement Awards, 7th Floor, 110 William Street,
New York, NY 10038. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 6th, 2009
at 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Laura Postiglione (Press Secretary SBS) / 212-513-6318 / lpost@sbs.nyc.gov