September 24, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON UNVEILS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ENTREPRENEURS
Small Business Task Force Directory Makes Navigation of State Regulations and Programs Easier
Governor David A. Paterson today unveiled the New York State Directory of Small Business Programs, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive and interactive guide that will assist entrepreneurs in starting new businesses and will provide current small business owners with invaluable information and resources.
The handbook is a direct result of the work done by the Governor’s Small Business Task Force, a group of statewide business leaders that convened this summer. Governor Paterson charged the task force with developing new strategies to address the concerns of small business in New York and to promote their growth and development.
“Small businesses are the engine of the New York State economy, and helping them grow is among my highest priorities as Governor,” Governor Paterson said. “This directory will create a more open and helpful environment in which local businesses can grow and prosper, providing business owners and entrepreneurs with information on financing, tax breaks, and dozens of other topics. I would like to thank Chairman Grinker and all the members of my Small Business Task Force for their creativity and for their ongoing efforts to address the policy issues that affect the small business community.”
Chairman of the Small Business Task Force William Grinker said: “Governor Paterson has time and again shown his commitment to making New York a place in which small businesses can thrive. The directory we are unveiling today describes countless ways in which our State’s businesses – from the corner bodega to the high-tech startup – can find access to State resources, such as capital, employee training programs and technical assistance, that often spell the difference between success and failure. I am pleased to be a part of the Governor’s team, working with him to expand the opportunities for and capabilities of these engines of economic growth.”
The directory works as a clickable .pdf file with descriptions of 143 state programs from 28 agencies aimed at helping New Yorkers start and grow their businesses. These valuable resources for business planning and operations are organized into the following categories:
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• Information Resources
• Technical Assistance
• Funding Incentives
• Industry-Specific Programs
• Workforce Recruitment, Development & Benefits
• Government Contracting & Market Expansion
• Mandated State Filings
For example, users interested in starting his or her own business can click on the “Technical Assistance” tab to learn about the State’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, its Small Business Development Centers or Empire State Development’s (ESD) Statewide Regional Offices. Under “Funding Incentives,” the directory lists more than three dozen ways in which small businesses can apply for grants, loans, tax incentives, rebates on energy bills and other financing options. The directory is available at: http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/pdf/DirectoryofSmallBizPrograms_F_09-09.pdf and is also posted on http://www.nylovessmallbiz.com/.
The directory also highlights State programs that assist in workforce recruitment and training and gives a detailed description of how prospective business owners can comply with New York State permit and licensing requirements.
Functioning as a mini website with active Internet links to every listing, the directory can be saved to your computer or organization website for easy access for your employees, members or customers, or it can be printed and used as a booklet, as it is meant to be shared widely.
Earlier this year the Task Force hosted 11 focus group meetings in every region of the State to hear directly from local leaders about the current small business climate. Regional business leaders have provided the administration with feedback on existing State programs and offered suggestions on additional steps New York can take to promote the development of small businesses. Small businesses, or enterprises that employ 500 or fewer people, comprise 98 percent of all businesses in New York and employ 52 percent of New York’s non-farm private sector workforce.
Empire State Development Chairman & CEO Designate Dennis M. Mullen said: “The New York State Directory of Small Business Programs Guide is a central first step towards the creation of a comprehensive small business policy agenda. Small businesses create jobs and opportunities for all New Yorkers, which is why we must continue to take aggressive steps to promote small business growth. This interactive guide will provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start and grow their own businesses. As a member of the Governor’s Small Business Task Force, Empire State Development will continue to work to create a comprehensive outline which addresses the issues small businesses face in today's economic climate and ensures that they grow and thrive in New York.”
Mike Elmendorf, New York State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said: “This directory will be an important tool for small employers who currently struggle to navigate the maze of State resources and agencies that impact their businesses. Governor Paterson is to be commended for compiling this resource and for recognizing how absolutely critical small business is to our economy.”
Dan Murphy, President of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, said: “Small business owners are so focused on successfully servicing their customers and attracting new business that they don’t have much time to research policy issues that could directly impact their bottom line. This is especially true in the lodging industry, where the business is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the busy hotelier who wants to make sure they are in compliance with state regulations or looking to secure financing to grow their business, this Small Business Directory is a must-have tool.”
Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy of the New York State Farm Bureau, said: “Farmers are always seeking ways to control costs, innovate, and grow their farms in New York. The Small Business Directory should help farmers to navigate the complex web of programs available to assist small businesses, and New York Farm Bureau is pleased that this valuable state resource is now available to our farm families.”
Brian T. McMahon, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council, said: “The Small Business Directory is a great resource for New York’s economic development professionals as they work every day to build diverse, sustainable economies in communities through the State.”
