YONKERS, CITY OF (INC)

Funding provided to six food pantry programs that are operated by not-for-profit agencies and churches. Funding will be used for food purchases and improvements to the operations of the pantries, including purchasing refrigerators for food storage and making necessary repairs to kitchens and storage areas. This project maximizes economic benefits to those most affected by the recession by providing food to individuals who have seen a reduction in working hours or have lost their jobs. The economic benefit of receiving free food from these programs is that individuals will have money to pay for rent and/or other essential needs such as clothing, electricity and heating. Funding food pantries addresses the Recovery Act’s intent of assisting those most impacted by the recession and minimizing, or avoiding the reduction of essential services. As more people lose their jobs due to the economic recession, they seek assistance programs, like food pantries to supplement their income. We estimate that with additional funding the agencies receiving funding will be able to retain at least 4 jobs. The South Broadway and the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) will make improvements in the areas for the benefit of the retail merchants and the local residents. The Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID will install LED lighting in the downtown streetlights, by replacing the lights on the street light poles. The South Broadway BID will make improvements to the sidewalks in the area, by replacing sidewalks. By maintaining and improving the image of the City’s two districts, struggling business will be able to maintain and attract new businesses and consumers and retain employees. By improving lighting and replacing sidewalks the districts will be improved , thus creating additional foot traffic that will allow increased patronage for the over 525 merchants within these districts. Another intent addressed is investing in infrastructure that will provide long term economic benefits by replacing sidewalks which will enhance the public safety and continue the City’s commitment to improve the areas’ quality of life. With the installation of LED street lighting, the City will foster energy independence by increasing energy efficiency and provide long term savings. The installation of LED lighting for the downtown will improve night visibility; have a significantly longer lifespan than conventional lighting; lower energy consumption; reduce maintenance costs and contain no mercury, lead or other known disposable hazards The City will provide commercial loans to micro enterprises hit hard by the recession who are seeking funds for operating expenses. Loan terms and repayment schedules are flexible and will be customized to meet the specific needs of the borrower and the scope of the project. The City of Yonkers will partner with SCORE, a not-for-profit organization that provides free professional guidance and information to small businesses, to review applications and financial statements and assess the applicants’ ability to repay the loans. The City will model it’s program similar to the Small Business Administration’s, America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program, that provides short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. All businesses assisted will be micro-enterprises. This project will retain jobs in the City of Yonkers, by assisting small business owners, assisting those most impacted by the recession with needed loans in order to continue to operate their businesses. It is estimated that this project will retain 15 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs.

Clarification of Codes