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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 BOC network, with offices throughout the City, offers free counseling and referrals. After an initial intake and analysis of an ongoing or prospective business, counselors develop a needs assessment and work with clients to identify and take full advantage of specialized services, programs and financing sources offered by other organizations. BOC counselors also provide essential follow-up, looking for early warnings of problems, particularly in utilizing loans. The South Brooklyn BOC also offers grants for low-income entrepreneurs. Languages spoken include English, Russian, French, Hebrew, and Yiddish.
Note: Other BOCS are located in North Brooklyn, Chinatown, Harlem, Hunts Point, Queens, and Staten Island. Check listings in other boroughs or call the main office at 718-624-9115.
Affiliated with the Business Outreach Center [BOC] Network, and sponsored by the Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation, the Upper Manhattan Business Outreach Center [BOC] offers a variety of services to small business owners and to entrepreneurs. These services include one-on-one business counseling, business legal services, marketing, loan programs, business training and technical assistance referral, and business plan / financial statement review. For a complete list of programs and services, call the Center or visit their websites (www.bocnet.org/ or www.whidc.org).
Affiliated with the Business Outreach Center [BOC] Network and sponsored by the Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation, the Greater Newark Business Outreach Center [BOC] offers a variety of services to small business owners and to entrepreneurs. These services include business plan development, access to financing, marketing, import / export information, entrepreneurial training and licensing and permit information. For a complete list of Greater Newark's programs and services, call the Business Outreach Center or visit their website.
The City's Business Outreach Team provides business assistance services to all City businesses by deploying agents directly to business locations. Helps businesses resolve problems relating to delivery of government services and business-related issues. Also expanded to include the "Emergency Response Unit," which offers emergency assistance to businesses that are forced to interrupt their operations due to "unavoidable disasters."
Supported by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Business Resources and Investments Service Center (BRISC) offers start-up and/or expansion loans to qualified entrepreneurs in Upper Manhattan. $50,000 to $250,000 loan size; Competitive fixed rate; Maximum seven year maturity; and No job creation requirement.
BRISC technical assistance programs are available to ensure the sustainability, profitability and growth of small businesses in the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. Technical assistance includes consulting services, workshops, seminars and access to a large
Program staff at CAMBA assist Brooklyn entrepreneurs with all aspects of starting and expanding a small business. CAMBA Small Business Services (CSBS) promotes economic revitalization by providing services specially tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. CSBS offers FREE one-on-one counseling, entrepreneurial training and technical assistance, microloans, and linkages with other business development partners. Loans of up to $15,000 are available for working capital, equipment and leasehold improvements.
Program staff at CAMBA assist Brooklyn entrepreneurs with all aspects of starting and expanding a small business. They are actively lending to small businesses as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and also offer FREE individualized entrepreneurial training, counseling, and referrals. CAMBA EDC makes microloans to start-up and existing small businesses in Brooklyn. The program prioritizes the following zip codes: 11203, 11216, 11230, 11210, 11218, 11233, 11212, 11225, 11238, 11213, and 11226. Small business startups and existing entrepreneurs with limited access to credit located in Brooklyn are invited to apply. CAMBA EDC conducts monthly Loan Information Sessions to assist entrepreneurs in the application process with any question they may have. Since 1999, CEDC has approved more than $600,000 in loans which have created jobs and new investments. Business viability is as more important than credit history. Processing time for the microloan application is generally 6 to 8 weeks.
The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce
[CACCI] is a not-for-profit organization that promotes economic development among Caribbean-American / African-American, and other minority entrepreneurs. CACCI provides business development seminars, technical assistance, referrals, and training programs in how to start, operate, and manage a business. CACCI's Comprehensive Business Resource Center [separately listed and described] provides a variety of business services and programs. CACCI's international programs include trade missions and trade expositions to the Caribbean region, and international roundtable forums.
The Caribbean Trade Center's mission is to develop, promote and sustain trade and investment between New York, the United States, the Caribbean Region and the international community. Services include: Trade missions to the Caribbean Region and other international venues, meeting with key government and business leaders; Acting as a Clearing House for Trade and Investment Opportunities; Business-to-business interface via electronic membership database; Promotion of global e-commerce opportunities via CTC website; and Participation in specialty trade exhibitions, conferences and cultural programs in partnership with Caribbean trade promotion organizations.
Convene meetings for Caribbean business executives and government officials visiting the New York region
The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition [CALDC] works with approximately 1000 retailers and merchants on Steinway Street, Broadway, 30th Avenue, and 36th Avenue. Each of these groups has an active merchants' association and CALDC acts as an umbrella organization to provide technical assistance to each group.
Among first to enter action. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division.
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