The BPREP Grant Program Expands Eligibility and Raises Potential Grant Award

Background

According to the New York City Department of Small Business Services’ (NYC DSBS) Notice of Adoption of Rule, the Business Preparedness and Resiliency Risk Assessment and Grant Program (“BPREP Grant Program”) was created in 2015. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, small businesses impacted by the storm could receive up to $3,000 for projects that would make their buildings more resilient to extreme storms. When Hurricane Ida landed in NYC in 2021, dropping intense rainfall and causing severe flooding, an Extreme Weather Response Task Force recommended that the DSBS expand their grant program.

Who Can Apply?

The BPREP Grant Program is now available to eligible applicants within all geographically vulnerable areas in NYC. These vulnerable areas include areas that have a higher risk of flooding based on their location as indicated on the NYC Flood Hazard Mapper or in the NYC Stormwater Resiliency Maps. Businesses and properties within the applicable areas are allowed to apply for the grant.

Other important requirements for eligibility include:

• Ownership: The applicant must be either an owner or a tenant of the property. If the property is a commercial property, the small business must have been in operation for at least one (1) year.
• Revenue: The annual revenue of the applicant must not exceed $30 million dollars.
• Legalities: The applicant must follow all federal, state, and local laws. The applicant must pay all taxes and have all required licenses and permits that are related to the small business.
• Prior Grants: The applicant is not allowed to have received any other NYC grants or benefits related to storm resilience in order to apply to this program.

The Award Process

Once the application is submitted, the property will receive a risk assessment. This assessment determines the type of resiliency equipment needed for the property and the amount of the award, which could be up to $5,000. Rewards must be used for the recommended resiliency equipment.

There will be two rounds of award funding. If there is not enough funding for all applicants that are found to be eligible, awards will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis based on who submits the application first. If all funding is exhausted before the second round begins, the second round will be cancelled.

If you need assistance with your grant application, Walden’s experienced grant writers can help! Give us a call at 516-701-1681 or visit our website at https://waldenenvironmentalengineering.com/what-we-do/strategic-business-services/grant-writing/ for more information.