The Department of Small Business Services and the city's Economic Development Corporation announced Monday the recipients of $500,000 in grant money meant to increase local commerce.

The city's Neighborhood Challenge Initiative invests in community organizations to create jobs and expand commercial neighborhoods.

Six community organizations received money this year. They include Made in Brownsville, a group planning to build lab space on Belmont Avenue to increase science, technology, engineering and math programs for young people.

Since 2012, the Neighborhood Challenge has doled out more than $1.7 million to organizations throughout the city.