Ruby, New York Local Business Exchange

Mental health technology company Grow Therapy is expanding its New York City operations with a new Manhattan office, additional research and development spending, and plans to create 123 full-time jobs.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the expansion November 4, identifying a new office location at 145 Delancey Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The company plans to invest approximately $15 million in developing the new office space and another $9.9 million in research and development.

The expansion builds on an earlier investment announced in November 2025 and reflects the company’s continued growth in the technology-enabled health care sector.

New Office Planned for Manhattan’s Lower East Side

Grow Therapy plans to occupy more than 78,000 square feet at 145 Delancey Street.

The office expansion represents an additional investment beyond the company’s previously announced New York City headquarters project.

In November 2025, Grow committed to relocating its headquarters from SoHo to 100 Broadway, creating at least 186 jobs over five years and investing $16 million in research and development.

The November 2026 announcement adds another 123 planned positions.

Together, the two expansion projects represent commitments to create 309 jobs, retain 94 existing positions, and invest approximately $40.9 million in New York operations.

The employment figures represent company commitments associated with the expansion projects, rather than confirmation that all positions have already been filled.

Hiring Expected Across Technology, Marketing, and Operations

The latest expansion will support additional positions in several business functions.

According to the governor’s office, the 123 planned jobs will include opportunities in technology, marketing, and operations.

These departments support the development, administration, and expansion of Grow Therapy’s digital health care platform.

The announcement does not provide a detailed hiring schedule, salary ranges, or a breakdown of positions by department.

It also does not establish that all 123 positions are currently open for applications.

For professionals working in software development, digital marketing, and business operations, the expansion represents a potential source of future employment opportunities in Manhattan.

Company Plans Additional AI and Technology Development

Grow Therapy operates a platform connecting patients with mental health professionals offering in-person and online therapy and psychiatric services.

The company intends to use its additional $9.9 million research and development investment to continue improving its technology.

That work includes artificial intelligence tools designed to assist clinicians and support the delivery of mental health services.

The announcement did not identify specific new AI products or provide a timetable for their introduction.

The investment illustrates how companies in the health care sector are continuing to develop technology intended to support professional services.

State Incentives Support the Expansion

New York State is supporting the project through Empire State Development, the state’s primary economic development agency.

The company may receive up to $1.4 million in performance-based tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program.

These incentives are connected to the company’s expansion commitments.

The $1.4 million figure represents the maximum potential tax-credit assistance identified in the announcement, not a payment already made to the company.

The state has not announced a separate grant application opportunity for other businesses associated with this project.

Continued Investment in New York City’s Technology Sector

The expansion adds to New York City’s employment and investment activity in technology-driven industries.

Grow Therapy’s planned spending includes both physical office development and research intended to support its digital platform.

For Manhattan’s business community, the project could create additional demand for professional services and support employment in technology, marketing, and operations.

However, the November 4 announcement did not identify construction contractors, suppliers, or ...

Businesses affected by severe storms and flooding in Western New York will have access to in-person federal disaster loan assistance beginning November 2, 2026.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced October 29 that it is opening a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Tonawanda, Erie County.

The center will help business owners, nonprofit organizations, and residents understand available disaster financing and complete applications.

Qualifying businesses may be eligible for loans supporting property repairs or financial losses associated with the September 3 storms and flooding.

New Assistance Center Opens November 2

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will operate at the Township of Tonawanda Fire Training Facility.

The address is 100 Fire Tower Drive, Tonawanda, New York 14150.

The center is scheduled to open at noon November 2.

Regular operating hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The facility will be closed November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

It is scheduled to close permanently at 5 p.m. November 16.

Walk-in assistance will be available, and applicants may also schedule appointments in advance.

Business Property Loans Available

Qualifying businesses and private nonprofit organizations may apply for federal disaster loans to repair or replace damaged property.

Eligible expenses can include commercial real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets affected by the disaster.

Business physical disaster loans may provide up to $2 million, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.

These funds are loans rather than grants and must be repaid according to the approved terms.

The amount available to an individual applicant depends on verified losses and the SBA’s financing determination.

Businesses Without Property Damage May Also Qualify

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides another form of assistance.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans, commonly called EIDLs, are intended to help eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations address financial losses directly connected to a declared disaster.

Businesses do not necessarily need to have experienced physical property damage to qualify.

Eligible working capital expenses may include payroll, accounts payable, fixed debts, and other obligations that cannot be met because of the disaster’s economic effects.

Eligibility depends on demonstrating qualifying financial injury.

Six New York Counties Covered

The disaster declaration covers Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Wyoming counties.

Businesses within these counties may apply if they satisfy the applicable disaster assistance requirements.

The availability of assistance does not mean every business operating in the designated counties automatically qualifies.

Applicants must establish a qualifying connection between their losses and the September 3 disaster.

Loan Terms and Application Deadlines

According to the SBA, interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations.

Loan terms may extend up to 30 years.

Interest does not begin accruing, and payments are not required, until 12 months after the first loan disbursement.

The deadline for physical property damage applications is December 18, 2026.

Economic injury applications are due July 19, 2027.

How Businesses Can Apply

Applicants may submit requests through the SBA’s online disaster assistance system.

Businesses can also visit the Tonawanda outreach center for assistance with program requirements and application preparation.

The SBA recommends that applicants review the documentation required to establish their losses and financing needs.

For Western New York business owners recovering from the September storms, the temporary assistance center provides an additional opportunity to obtain information and apply for federal disaster financing.

Four New York City entrepreneurs are receiving temporary retail space without rental charges at one of Manhattan’s major holiday shopping destinations.

Bank of America announced October 29, 2026, that Rolly Poly Studios, Pan De Arwah, SouveDeer, and Lewis Cho were selected for this year’s Small Business Spotlight program.

The participating businesses will sell products at the Winter Village Holiday Shops in Bryant Park.

Each business will operate the featured retail booth for more than two weeks, with Bank of America covering rent and booth construction expenses.

Program Supports Local Entrepreneurs

The Small Business Spotlight program provides selected New York City businesses with access to temporary retail space during the holiday shopping season.

The initiative began in 2020 and has supported more than 25 entrepreneurs.

The program is now in its seventh year.

Participating businesses receive space within Bryant Park’s Winter Village, which opened October 28 and features more than 180 holiday shops.

The market is scheduled to operate through January 3, 2027.

Queens Ceramics Business Opens the Program

Rolly Poly Studios, a Queens-based business founded by sisters Mara, Caitlin, and Theresa, is the first featured retailer.

The company creates handcrafted ceramics, illustrated stationery, and decorative products.

Its merchandise includes mugs, vases, and other small home accessories.

Rolly Poly Studios will occupy the featured booth from October 28 through November 13.

Brooklyn Bakery Follows in November

Pan De Arwah, a Brooklyn bakery founded by Samanta Birto, will participate from November 14 through November 30.

The business produces sourdough bread and other baked goods using ingredients selected by its founder.

Its products include traditional sourdough loaves, Dominican-style bread, brownies, cookies, and cinnamon rolls.

The temporary retail location will allow the bakery to introduce its products to holiday shoppers visiting Midtown Manhattan.

Two Additional Businesses Scheduled for December

SouveDeer, a Queens business founded by I-Chieh Wu, will operate the booth from December 1 through December 17.

The company produces handcrafted home décor and fragrances inspired by East Asian cultural themes.

Its merchandise includes small-batch candles and decorative products.

Lewis Cho, a Manhattan-based womenswear and accessories business founded in 2005, will occupy the space from December 18 through January 3.

The company sells seasonal accessories including scarves, hats, gloves, socks, and slippers.

Holiday Market Generates Substantial Retail Activity

According to Bank of America, the more than 180 Holiday Shops operating at Bryant Park during the previous season generated approximately $64 million in combined sales.

That figure represents the broader holiday market rather than sales generated exclusively by the Small Business Spotlight participants.

The company did not disclose individual sales projections for the four selected businesses.

Participation also does not guarantee a particular level of revenue.

Temporary Retail Offers Another Sales Channel

Seasonal retail markets provide businesses with an opportunity to sell products directly to customers outside their usual locations.

For businesses that primarily operate online or through smaller retail channels, temporary storefronts can introduce products to additional shoppers.

The Small Business Spotlight program reduces certain participation expenses by covering rent and booth construction.

However, the October 29 announcement does not establish an open application period for additional businesses during the current season.

For New York City’s small-business community, the program highlights four local entrepreneurs participating in a major seasonal retail event.