A business improvement district in Bay Ridge has been awarded thousands of dollars to revitalize the community, with a focus on helping small businesses.

The Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District applied for a grant through the city's Avenue NYC Program. It secured $100,000 a year for three years.

Fifth Avenue, which is lined with businesses, will be the focus of the improvement plans.

The BID and the city's Small Business Services will assess the area using surveys from the community. Business owners will also have a chance to weigh in on areas for improvement, like advocacy, marketing, storefront beautification and more.

Businesses are welcoming the initiative. The owner of Bay Ridge Bakery, which has been in the community for nearly five decades, says it will be beneficial.

"It's going to help me identify new needs, new directions that we'd like to see move forward," says owner Nick Nicholopolous.

Officials hope the revitalization efforts will attract more people to the shops and restaurants along Fifth Avenue.