New York City is home to the nation’s largest, most comprehensive network of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the country. The City’s BIDs annually contribute over $120 million worth of services to more than 85,000 businesses in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
A Business Improvement District is a formal organization made up of property owners and commercial tenants who are dedicated to promoting business development and improving an area’s quality of life. BIDs deliver supplemental services such as sanitation and maintenance, public safety and visitor services, marketing and promotional programs, capital improvements, and beautification for the area – all funded by a special assessment paid by property owners within the district. Since its inception over twenty years ago, the City’s BID program has contributed over $930 million in supplemental services to invigorate our neighborhoods.
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is the lead agency responsible for BID creation and oversight. To learn more about SBS and the BID creation process, visit the Resources page here.