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Use the search fields below to find hundreds of organizations in New York City that can provide you with help in starting or running your small business. Included in this searchable database are programs which offer business advice, loans, grants, location assistance, and a wide range of other services for small businesses throughout the city — often at no cost or for a low fee.
The Small Business Center is collection of over 1,400 circulating and reference books that cover the many categories of business start-ups. The collection's books range from general small business start-up information for all types of businesses to specific categories like starting a gift basket business or restaurant. These books have call numbers that start with [SBC] and are located in the small business center area.
The Queens Library Small Business Resource Center, located in the Far Rockaway branch has a collection of books, CD-ROM's, business periodicals, 11 personal computers with Internet access, 3 laser printers, access to online business databases, free scanner use, and wireless internet access for public use to develop entrepreneurial projects and small businesses. There is a librarian to assist the public.
Queens College offers a variety of courses for small businesses. These include: How to Start a Business, Legal Aspects of Running a Business, Contracts and Grants, and Quickbooks Pro 2001. Several business certificates are awarded: Business Development, Office Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Professional. There is a fee for each course.
Partnerships and individuals/sole proprietorships doing business under a name other than their own need a Doing Business As (DBA) Business Certificate. File a Business Certificate form with the Count Clerk's Office in the borough where your business is located. The Queens County Clerk has a new computer indexing system for business records.
The mission of the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) is to create and retain jobs through programming that stabilizes neighborhoods, assists small businesses and promotes tourism and business development. The Queens EDC is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a board of directors representing the many community and business sectors. It is a focal point for economic development efforts in a Borough that encompasses 2.3 million people from every corner of the world. The Business Services division provides one-on-one advisory services, specialized workshops and training courses on business planning and home improvement contractor licensing. Additional programs include: The Annual Queens StartUP! Business Plan Competition, The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program,, The Queens Women's Business Center, The Marketing Accelerator Program, and the Home Improvement Contractor Training course.
Workforce1 Career Centers are a one-stop shop for employers and jobseekers. Services to businesses may include human resources consulting, job-candidate screening and customized training for employees. For jobseekers services include resume and interview preparation, job-search coaching and access to educational and training opportunities. NYC Workforce1 Career Centers are located in all 5 boroughs see separate program listings for additional information.
The Refugee Microenterprise Development Program helps eligible refugees and asylum-seekers start and expand small businesses throughout New York City. The program is designed for individuals with special immigration status, including eligible refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as Cuban and Haitian entrants, eligible Ameriasians from Vietnam, and lawful permanent residents who have previously held one of these statuses. These program offer short- and long-term entrepreneurial training, one-on-one business counseling, matched savings accounts and access to micro-loans of up to $25,000. Services are delivered by culturally appropriate staff in the languages of the communities served. For more information about the BOC's Refugee Programs, contact: BOC Network, Inc., 718-624-9115 (Spanish, French) or Queens BOC 718-205-3773 (Spanish, Russian, Tibetan).
Renaissance Economic Development Corporation [REDC] provides direct financing and technical assistance services to all the boroughs of New York City, with an emphasis in Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Flushing, Queens and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and other low-income immigrant neighborhoods in New York City. REDC offers Small Business Loans ranging from $5,000-$100,000. REDC focuses on small and start-up businesses owned by immigrants, minorities or women; that demonstrate significant potential to create jobs for lower-income individuals or minorities; or that lack access to conventional sources of capital. REDC also offers a program where volunteering professionals offer free legal assistance and financial counseling to clients. Contact REDC or visit their website for additional information about their programs and services.
The REDC Small Business Loan Fund is a financing program available to small business owners or entrepreneurs whose businesses are located in New York City. They make short-and intermediate-term loans available to businesses that may require additional funding to start a new enterprise or grow an existing one. Loans of up to $100,000 can be used for working capital, the purchase of supplies, inventory or equipment or for renovations in commercial real estate. REDC's experienced staff will work closely with you to provide technical assistance custom-tailored to your business needs. No prepayment penalties. Quick Loan approval. $100 Business contribution for loans less than $35,000. 1% of approved loan amount for loans over $35,000. Terms of up to 5 years. Simple Documentation. Credit report, lien search and UCC filing costs paid separately.
The Restoration Capital Fund offers a wide spectrum of financing for start ups and established businesses regardless of your credit history. Terms and eligibility requirements include: 12.25% fixed income rate; Terms up to 5 years; Businesses must be located in Brooklyn; Applicant must be a member of the Credit Union during the life of the loan; Collateral required; Applicants must have equity equal to 10% of the project's cost; and $100 application fee; 2% administration fee at the time of loan closing.
Shadows (1826). NYPL Art and Architecture Collection.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery