FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 28, 2017

Contact: Nick Benson, SBS Press Secretary - nbenson@sbs.nyc.gov, 212-618-6778

NYC DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES LAUNCH LINK LOCAL L.E.S.

Small businesses on the LES to receive free advertising on LinkNYC kiosks’ 55” digital screens

Businesses across the city encouraged to apply for ads through the Link Local program

NEW YORK—Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications Commissioner Anne Roest and Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop announced the launch of Link Local L.E.S., a dedicated advertising campaign promoting small businesses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Link Local L.E.S. will feature several businesses on LinkNYC’s 55-inch digital screens for 30 days across 5 kiosks in the neighborhood, providing promotion and visibility for businesses, a valuable avenue for the City to support its mom-and-pop stores and restaurants, and an additional community benefit for Link kiosks. Commissioners Roest and Bishop were joined by Christine Leung, owner of Jia NYC, a small multi-ethnic restaurant receiving free ads on two kiosks, for the unveiling of the campaign.

“LinkNYC is bringing more than just the world’s fastest, free municipal Wi-Fi to New York City’s neighborhoods,” said Anne Roest, Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. “We’re proud to have Links support the small businesses that are part of the heart and soul of the Lower East Side, and our entire city.”

“LinkNYC offers a great way for New Yorkers to access information and services, and I’m pleased that it will now be used to boost area small businesses,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “I hope the ads on LinkNYC kiosks will encourage people to shop local and to take advantage of the free services available at SBS.”

“We’ve heard that many small businesses have become LinkNYC evangelists in their own communities, letting their customers and neighbors know about the free services Link offers and how to connect,” said Jen Hensley, General Manager of LinkNYC. “We are thrilled to support them through the Link Local initiative and encourage business owners to take advantage of our advertising platform that reaches thousands of L.E.S. residents and visitors each day.”

Link Local L.E.S. has launched with ads featuring the following businesses:

• Jia NYC, a multi-ethnic restaurant at 23 Essex Street
• Zenchai, a matcha tearoom at 94 Rivington Street
• Tramezzini, a Venetian sandwich shop at 309 East Houston Street
• Doka Square, a modern Asian fusion restaurant at 53 Delancey Street

Ads for these businesses will run on Link kiosks at 84 Delancey Street; 18 Delancey Street, 145 Orchard Street; 122B Orchard Street, and 70 Stanton Street. Additionally, each of these Links will feature information about how small business owners may access one of SBS’s nearby Business Solutions Centers. These centers offer programs and services to help small businesses start, operate, and grow.

“As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Small Business, it is my mission to make New York City a better place to own and operate a small business. Advertising local small businesses on LinkNYC kiosks is an excellent way to promote our City’s mom-and-pop shops and exemplifies the City’s commitment to finding new ways to bolster small businesses,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy. “I commend Commissioners Roest and Bishop for this innovative approach to supporting our small business owners and look forward to working with both of them to bring similarly innovative solutions to bear in promoting small businesses in all of New York’s neighborhoods.”

“Our small businesses need all the support they can get, which is why it's so helpful that we are maximizing their exposure through LinkNYC kiosks on the Lower East Side,” said New York State Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou. “Whether it’s brunch or dinner with friends, the Lower East Side has so much to offer, and I encourage folks to check out the great options being featured in our local LinkNYC kiosks!”

“Community Board 3 is very happy to participate with LinkNYC in promoting our local businesses. Working to retain and advocate for our local mom-and-pop businesses is a top priority for CB 3. The businesses serve our community, provide jobs in our community, and create the unique character of our community,” said Jamie Rogers, Community Board 3 Chair.

“Small businesses form the bedrock of the Lower East Side’s local economy and utilizing LinkNYC for targeted promotions will ensure they continue to grow and thrive,” said Tim Laughlin, President of the Lower East Side Partnership. “This joint initiative between DoITT and SBS is yet another example of how city government is working to support small businesses here in the Lower East Side and in communities throughout the five boroughs.”

LinkNYC is a first-of-its-kind communications network that will replace over 7,500 pay phones across the five boroughs with Link kiosks. Links provide high-speed Wi-Fi, phone calls to anywhere in the U.S., device charging, a touch screen tablet for access to city services, maps and directions, and a 911 Emergency Call button. All of these services are free to use. Links also have two 55” high-definition digital screens used for public service announcements and advertising.

To date, Link Local has run in the neighborhoods of Midtown Manhattan, Harlem, Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Park Slope, Prospect Park South, Ft. Greene, Astoria, Jamaica, Kew Gardens, and Fordham Heights.

Small businesses everywhere in New York City are encouraged to apply for Link Local at any time by emailing linklocal@link.nyc.

About the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT)

DoITT is the technology core of New York City government, working with over 100 city agencies and entities to deliver the tech they need to serve and empower New Yorkers. DoITT’s technology solutions help keep the five boroughs safe, strong, and vibrant. For more information, visit nyc.gov/DoITT or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.