MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS

Small business owners might benefit from becoming a member of a business organization. In addition to providing networking opportunities and advocating for business-friendly legislation and policies, these groups provide services and assistance to help their members build and maintain successful businesses.

In addition to those listed elsewhere in this brochure, there are a number of membership organizations which small business owners can join.

Among these are:

• Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is a boroughwide business organization that hosts networking meetings, special programs and seminars, publishes a quarterly newsletter and legislative updates and technology assistance (e.g. website development). Annual dues start at $230 for businesses with less than 25 employees. (212) 479-7772

• Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of businesses in Greenwich Village and Chelsea that facilitates networking among local businesses and advocates for their interests. Annual dues range from $150-$750 depending upon number of employees. (212) 255-5811 • www.gvccc.com

• The Business Council of New York State, Inc. is a statewide membership organization that offers seminars, hosts networking events and publishes updates regarding legislation initiatives affecting businesses. The Council also offers for purchase group life, disability and dental insurance for member businesses. Annual dues start at $300 for businesses with less than 15 employees. (518) 465-7511 • www.bcnys.org

BIDs

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) utilize a special assessment paid by property owners within a specified area to provide supplemental services such as sanitation, promotional programs and neighborhood beautification. To assist businesses in their district, BIDs may offer assistance with façade and streetscape improvement, graffiti removal, seminars and forums on issues of interest to small business owners, and other services.

The Downtown Alliance, for example, provides technical assistance to businesses renewing or considering new leases in the BID’s area, along with help in locating available financial incentives. The BID’s representing portions of my district, along with their contact information, are listed below:

The Downtown Alliance
Lower Manhattan South of Chambers Street.
(212) 732-2407
www.downtownny.com

The Village Alliance
8th Street from 2nd to 6th Avenue; Astor Place;
6th Avenue from West 4th to West 8th Street.
(212) 777-2173
www.villagealliance.org

Union Square Partnership
14th Street from 1st to 6th Avenue and the area in and directly opposite Union Square Park.
(212) 460-1208

NoHo New York
Mercer to Lafayette Streets from Astor Place to Houston Street
(212) 677-4579

COMMUNITY BOARDS

Community Boards serve as the community’s voice on a host of neighborhood issues and make recommendations regarding applications for liquor, cabaret and outdoor café licenses. In addition to requesting approval from your local Community Board on these matters, your local Board serves as a resource on local issues and assists residents and business owners in addressing their complaints. Each Board meets monthly and provides opportunities to meet other community members, possibly increasing your business’s visibility. Below is contact information for the five Community Boards serving parts of my district, along with the approximate boundaries of each.

Community Board 1
All of Lower Manhattan South of Canal Street
(212) 442-5050
www.cb1.org

Community Board 2
West of Fourth Avenue from 14th to Canal Street
(212) 979-2272
www.cb2manhattan.org

Community Board 3
East of Fourth Avenue from 14th Street to Brooklyn Bridge
(212) 533-5300
www.cb3manhattan.org

Community Board 4
West of 6th Avenue from 14th to 59th Street
(212) 736-4536
www.manhattancb4.org

Community Board 5
Between 6th Avenue and Irving Place from 14th to 59th Street
(212) 465-0907
www.cb5manhattan.org

TAX CREDITS

While there are a number of basic tax benefits from which businesses may benefi t, many larger tax credits are often awarded to larger businesses and corporations. However, there are some lesser known tax credits from which small business owners might benefit.

The New York City Department of Small Business Services has an Industrial Relocation Grant Program which provides grants to eligible relocating firms to help cover the cost of relocating within New York City. Grant awards are the least of 90% of eligible moving costs, $4.00 per square foot of the moveout location or a $30,000 grant. You may call (212) 487-3626 for more information.

New York State offers a number of tax credits as well. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program provides a tax credit of up to 5% in the first year for creating new jobs and investing in certain property and equipment. Businesses may also be eligible to receive an additional tax credit of 1.5 to 2.5% in subsequent years through the Employment Incentive Tax Credit (EITC).

The Research and Development Tax Credit is offered to emerging technology businesses with annual sales of $10 million or less. In addition, a credit is available for new investments in emerging technologies.

Finally, a Sales Tax Exemption is available to businesses that make investments in their business by purchasing manufacturing machinery, equipment, property, fuels and utilities, etc. Information on these and other State tax benefi ts is available on the internet at www.tax.state.ny.us or by phone at (518) 292-5300.

OTHER RESOURCES

Low-Cost Health Insurance

The Healthy NY program offers state-sponsored, reduced cost health insurance to assist small business owners (50 or fewer employees) in providing their employees and employees’ families with health insurance coverage. The program is also available for purchase directly from Healthy NY by sole proprietors and individuals whose employers do not provide heath insurance. In addition to helping small businesses recruit and retain employees and keep them healthy, significant tax advantages may be available to employers who offer health insurance coverage. You may call or explore the website below for more information about Healthy NY.
(866) 432-5859 • www.healthyny.com

Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

Minority or women business owners may benefit by certifying as such with the city, state and/or federal governments. Through certification, businesses can improve their customer base by receiving assistance in winning government contracts and sub-contracts, including being listed in special government directories. In addition, the state program helps in fi nding fi nancial assistance, and the federal program provides a mentor-protégé program. For eligibility guidelines and additional information, you may contact:

New York City’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program
(212) 513-6311 • http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/mwbe.htm

New York State’s Division of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Development
(also assists in accessing financial assistance)
(212) 803-2414 • www.nylovesbiz.com/default.asp (click on “small and growing businesses”)

United States SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program
(212) 264-2734 • www.sba.gov/8abd

• Information about starting a business, working with government regulations, selling to the government, obtaining Women and Minority-Owned Business status, etc.
• Free workshops, professional consulting and referral services.
• Microloans with 5-8% interest rates.

• ERU helps businesses gain access to their premises, apply for available emergency assistance -- including government programs and private insurance - and reopen as soon as conditions allow.

• Counselors provide referrals and assistance with growth and development (e.g. marketing programs).
• Training courses on all aspects of business development.

• Ombudsmen provide general and problem-solving assistance with government agencies.
• Referral services.

• 2-3% interest rate subsidies on commercial loans available through designated banks and institutions for businesses working on specified projects.
• Maximum borrowing amount of $500,000/four years.

• Counselors provide referrals and information regarding loans, improved profitability, launching a web site, etc.

• Workshops and training events on all aspects of business development.
• Referral services for loans.

• Retired small business owners and managers serve as mentors and advisors to current business owners on a wide range of issues.
• Answers to questions and other support offered via email (access through website).

• Large collection of business-related materials, along with reference assistance.
• Business counseling and classes.

• Counseling services at your place of business, including debt management, accounting, referral, and legal services.
• Outreach events and seminars on cash management, business development, women-owned business issues, etc.
• Microloans with interest rates ranging from 10.99-17.99%.

• Referral, consultation, business assessment and planning services.

• SBA backed loans with 10 year term limits and a minimum amount of $50,000.
• Refinancing available.

• Classes and seminars on issues facing women business owners, with an emphasis on established businesses.
• Qualifies members for discounts on health and dental insurance.

• Counseling services with professional CPAs, attorneys, insurance and computer technicians.
• Training classes and workshops on taxes, sales, etc.
• Microloans with interest rates ranging from 4-8%.

• Training classes and consultation services regarding all aspects of business development.
• Microloans with interest rates at prime+2.9%. (currently 9.15%)
• One-on-one mentoring services offered to loan clients.

• Training and workshops on refi nancing, marketing, planning, etc.
• Small grants available for workshop participants.
• Microloans of up to $100,000, with interest rates from 5- 8%.
• Counseling and referral services.

• Links NYC apparel manufacturers with contractors and provides export assistance (tariffs, etc.)
• Skills training and consulting.

• Assists in locating appropriate real estate for manufacturing firms.
• Connects manufacturing firms with other NYC businesses
• In-depth assistance to food manufacturers (e.g. caterers, bakeries).