Optimum Business and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Announce the Founding of the Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx, New York Program
25 businesses will be awarded a $5,000 grant, with one additional business receiving a separate $20,000 grand prize grant to support
“Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx, New York”
NEW YORK (AUGUST 10, 2026) – Optimum Business, a leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is to advance economic opportunity, growth, innovation, and comprehensive business planning for the Bronx, today announced the founding of the Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx, New York program, which will directly fund 26 small businesses in the Bronx. The program will distribute $5,000 grants to 25 business recipients, as well as one separate $20,000 grand prize grant. The grants will help recipients expand their businesses and support the continued prosperity of the communities they serve.
Additionally, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce will offer a six-month membership to applicants and one-year complimentary membership to grant recipients who are new to the Chamber to further promote their growth, provide opportunities for operational success, and help them build their networks.
“Small businesses are essential to the Bronx’s identity, driving economic opportunity, creating jobs, and strengthening our neighborhoods,” said Jay Guy, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum New York. “Through this partnership with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Optimum Business is proud to help launch a program that provides meaningful support to local entrepreneurs and reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the communities we serve and delivering the connectivity, tools, and resources Bronx businesses need to grow and succeed.”
“The Bronx is home to a dynamic and resilient small business community that reflects the strength, creativity, and diversity of our borough,” said Lisa Sorin, President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “We are honored to partner with Optimum Business on this initiative, which is designed to meet Bronx entrepreneurs where they are by providing direct funding and resources that can help them build capacity, expand their reach, and continue serving as anchors in our neighborhoods.”
The Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx program is made possible by its Founding Partner Optimum Business and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. For more on the Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to apply, visit optimum.com/business/bronx.
“Our small businesses in the Bronx are the backbone of our local economy, and initiatives like the Lifting Up Small Businesses in The Bronx, New York program, help ensure our local entrepreneurs have access to the vital resources, capital, and support they need to grow and have longevity in our communities,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Optimum Business for their work on this incredible program, and I look forward to celebrating the award recipients who exemplify the resilience, innovation, and community spirit that define our borough.”
Optimum Business and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce expect to announce the grant recipients in late 2026. Once the winners are announced, Optimum Business will also host a recognition event with local officials and key community partners joining in on the celebration.
Optimum continues to find new ways to deepen its community presence and connect its customers to what matters most, which includes supporting, understanding, and celebrating what makes each of its local communities unique. The Lifting up Small Businesses in The Bronx is a concrete example of this very commitment to customers and businesses in the area.