Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) says that Governor Cuomo has launched the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership program. This program will provide Small Businesses and Landlords with Pro Bono Legal Assistance to Renegotiate Lease Terms in Wake of COVID-19.

“I appreciate that Governor Cuomo is initiating this program which will provide small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to help both parties reach equal and favorable lease agreements. This service will be available to all New York State small businesses and landlords. Small businesses and the economy have been impacted greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is very damaging,” Colton said.

“The Empire State Development Corp. is partnering with the New York State Bar Association and Start Small Think Big, a New York-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting small, under-resourced entrepreneurs with high-quality professional services. Start Small will be offering pro bono legal services from its network of more than 1,000 attorneys, to commercial tenants and landlords seeking lease amendments to cope with the impacts of COVID-19,” Colton continued.

“The Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership website includes information on the lease renegotiation process and details the different types of lease workouts available to help small businesses with the financial impacts of COVID-19. If you are interested in pro bono assistance to initiate a lease renegotiation, then you will need to complete the partnership's intake form. After completing the form, you will receive an email, and the volunteer attorney will email the applicant to schedule an appointment. My office is open to provide information to help small neighborhood businesses on this and other such programs in these difficult times. If you need any assistance, then please call 718-236-1598 or visit 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 1223,” Colton added.