SoBRO: South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation

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In 2007, SoBRO initiated the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) certification process for an empty lot at Boston Road and E 175th Street, just east of Crotona Park in the Bronx. ULURP is a major step toward getting property rezoned and ready for mixed-use development.

The area currently surrounding this lot is characterized by storage facilities, gas stations and vacant, contaminated lots (or “brownfields”). The current zoning, C8-3, even allows for junkyards in this area.

U.S. Census 2010: The Bronx Counts!

Every ten years, the United States mounts a massive effort to count each and every one of its residents. The tallies determine how government and private agencies allocate resources and levels political representation, among other things. An accurate census count is critical to ensuring balanced democratic representation and fair funding levels for our communities.

SoBRO was recently awarded a contract from the NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to offer 100 young adults (ages 16-24) from the South Bronx basic education and career development services. The new program will include a vocational training component in the health and environmental sectors. The environmental track that will prepare participants to work on Brownfield sites located throughout the city, as well as green construction and deconstruction projects.

In October 2009, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded SoBRO a grant as part of its "Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs" (PRIME) funding opportunity.

The program will offer micro-entrepreneurial assistance to 36 individuals over the course of its 1 year duration. The program differs from SoBRO's current Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) in that it will specifically target “Low and Very Low-Income” Individuals residing in public New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments interested in starting or who already own a business.

The Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation (DBAF) announced that SoBRO will participate in their new Green Carts Microenterprise Intermediary Program. DBAF and SoBRO—which received lead agency designation for the program—have a twofold purpose for the program: to provide fresh produce to the City’s low-income “food deserts” and to offer entrepreneurial opportunities for those interested in operating Green Carts.

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Miriam Johnson, 718.292.3113

SoBRO Receives M/WBE Grant From NYC Dept. of Small Business Services

In September 2009, SoBRO welcomed Lourdes Zapata back to take charge of the Community and Economic Development Department. She is taking over the day to day management of the Department from Senior Vice President Neil Pariser, who will remain with SoBRO part time to focus on real estate development projects.

January 4, 2010: SoBRO announced today that a grant of $18,000 was awarded by Con Edison to SoBRO to support the Green Vocational Training component of SoBRO’s Disconnected Youth Training Program. The Green Vocational Training component is targeted to 20 youth between the ages of 18-24 who are out of school and unemployed. The track will prepare participants to work on green construction and deconstruction projects as well as Brownfield sites—vacant or underutilized properties whose reuse is complicated by the presence of contamination—located throughout the city.

SoBRO celebrated its 37th Anniversary Gala on Dec. 3rd, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. This year's theme, "Standing at the Crossroads of Challenge and Opportunity" was a celebration of the success that comes from hard work and perseverance--a reflection of both the hard work that SoBRO staff puts into pursuing our mission and the success of our program participants once they embark on their own.