Business Assistance

Programs to help your business prosper and grow are offered by a range of city, state and federal government agencies.  Now you can find them all here, in one place. Search for Programs by Type Financing Incentives Hiring and Training Planning and Management Regulations and Contracts Search for Programs by Agency Alliance for Downtown New York Empire State Development Corporation Mayor's Office for Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses Minority Business Development Agency New York City Department of Finance New York City Department of Small Business Services New York City Economic Development Corporation New York State Banking Department New York State Department of Labor Small Business Administration Statewide Zone Capital Corporation

SMALL BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS:                        

• The Business Council of New York State - the largest broad based organization representing small and independent firms throughout the state.
• National Federation of Independent Business - the largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals.
• New York Business Development Corporation - is a privately-owned company in which New York financial institutions pool their resources and share risks to help diverse small businesses obtain financing to expand in New York State.
• NYS Chambers of Commerce - a comprehensive list of New York State Chambers of Commerce
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• Retail Council of New York State, Inc. - the statewide advocacy organization offering retailers of goods and services a variety of money-saving programs and benefits.
• S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired Executives)- a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The program consists of retired business executives who volunteer their services to small businesses.
• U.S. Small Business Administration - America's small business resource has programs and services located throughout the United States for small businesses.

SITE LINKS:

• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY) - this program provides specialized help to women, minority group members and persons with disabilities who are starting a business or own a firm in the early stages of business development.
• U.S. Small Business Administration  - America's small business resource has programs and services located throughout the United States for small businesses.
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• Service Corps of Retired Executives - a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  The program consists of retired business executives who volunteer their services to small businesses.

Business Plan – 

• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY) - this program provides specialized help to women, minority group members and persons with disabilities who are starting a business or own a firm in the early stages of business development.
• U.S. Small Business Administration - America's small business resource has programs and services located throughout the United States for small businesses.
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (sample business plan)
  New York Public Library - sample business plan

Business Organization – 

• County Clerks - contact information on county clerks in New York State to file your "Doing Business As" paperwork.
• NYS Department of State - filing information, fees and publications for Business Corporations, Not-For-Profit Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships.
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance - Business Taxpayers Page with information on State business taxes.
• Internal Revenue Service - Federal tax information for businesses.
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.

Financing – 

• NYS Department of Banking - Small Business Directory with small business loan programs by region.
• U.S. Small Business Administration   - America's small business resource with loan programs for small businesses.
• New York Business Development Center - The NYBDC mission is to promote economic activity within New York state by providing innovative loans to small and medium-size businesses; to assist our partner banks in making such loans; and, particularly, to assist minority and women-owned businesses by offering credit opportunities not otherwise available to them
• Community Dev. Financial Institutions Fund - created to expand the availability of credit, investment capital, and financial services in distressed urban and rural communities.
• Venture Capital - Venture capital funds invest in promising companies that have potential for future profit, but often are not profitable yet. Venture capital funds provide emerging enterprises with capital, in return for debt or partial ownership.
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY) - this program provides specialized help to women, minority group members and persons with disabilities who are starting a business or own a firm in the early stages of business development.
• Business Plan - link to section that explains the business plan and shows samples
• "Your Business" - link to downloadable pdf version of Owning and Operating A Small Business in New York State publication.

Marketing – 

• U.S. Small Business Administration - America's small business resource has marketing plan examples.
• New York State Public Library  - sample marketing plan
  To research your market, refer to the Demographics & Economic Data section.
• NYS Small Business Development Center - are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY) - this program provides specialized help to women, minority group members and persons with disabilities who are starting a business or own a firm in the early stages of business development.

Licenses & Regulation – 

• NYS Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform If you want to start a new business or expand your current business, this site will help you find the NYS business permits you will need.
• NYS Department of State License applications, exams, and publications for licensed professions and occupations.
• NYS Insurance Department issues licenses to insurance agents, brokers, consultants, reinsurance intermediaries, adjusters, and bail bondsmen.
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Environmental Conservation Law.
• NYS Department of Children And Family Services can assist you in starting or growing your own Day Care Center.
• New York State Banking Department issues licenses to Check Cashing businesses and to Mortgage Brokers.
• New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets serves agricultural producers. They promote agriculture through various industries and export development programs.
• New York City Business Guide general business information for start-ups in New York City
• New York City Restaurant Guide outlines the general requirements for opening and operating a restaurant in New York City.
• New York City Environmental Guide This guide provides information for businesses in New York City that must comply with local environmental regulations and permitting requirements including: electroplaters; printers; autobody shops; dry cleaners; jewelry manufacturers, metal fabricators; woodworkers; surface coaters.
• U.S. Department of Justice oversees the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.
• BusinessLaw.gov online resource guide designed to provide legal and regulatory information to America’s small businesses.
• County Government citizen's online access to county information.
• City Government citizen's online access to New York State cities
• New York City Government citizen's online access to New York City
• Federal Government citizen's online access to federal government
• NYS Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.   SBDCs can assist you with licensing/permitting requirements.
• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY) Entrepreneurial centers can assist you with licensing/permitting requirements.

Insurance – 

• NYS Insurance Department supervises all insurance business in New York State.
• Small Business Property & Casualty Guide  Property insurance protects your business against loss caused by the destruction of a part or all of your property by fire, windstorm, explosion, falling aircraft, riot and other disasters.
• Healthy NY state run program to ensure that affordable health benefits are accessible to the State's small business owners and working uninsured individuals.
• Small Business Health Insurance Guide Providing health insurance coverage can be a challenge for small businesses in today's competitive environment. If you have employees, you should review the Employer Obligation section for other insurance requirements.
• National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) is the largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals.  Another source for health insurance.
• Business Council of NY is the largest broad-based organization representing the interests of large and small firms throughout the state.  Another source for health insurance.
• Retail Council of New York State, Inc. the statewide advocacy organization offering retailers of goods and services a variety of money-saving programs and benefits.  Another source for health insurance.
• NYS Chambers of Commerce some Chambers issue health insurance to small businesses.
• NYS Small Business Development Center are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide free counseling assistance to current and prospective small business owners through a network of offices conveniently located throughout New York State.
• Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (1-800-STATE NY)

Environmental - 

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Environmental Conservation Law.
• Empire State Development (ESD) New York State's economic development agency.
• New York State Environmental Assistance Network Service Providers Directory a list of government agencies and not-for-profit environmental service providers. fill out our survey If you provide environmental services within New York State, are a government agency or not-for-profit organization and would like to be included in the directory.
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Pollution Prevention Unit - pollution prevention announcements and events.
• New York State Environmental Facilities Corp (EFC) - Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) - EFC's Clean Air News News Newsletter.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 2 News and speeches for Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and 7 Tribal Nations).
• The Empire State Development Environmental Investment Program (EIP) provides funding for capital investments, research, development and demonstration, and technical assistance projects that produce measurable results in pollution prevention, reuse, and recycling.
• The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation - Financial Assistance to Business (FAB) Program was created by the Clean Water/ Clean Air Bond Act of 1996. The FAB program helps businesses cope with the cost of complying with environmental protection mandates.
• The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)  administers a range of financial incentive programs to businesses that achieve increased energy efficiency or environmental performance in New York State.
• The State of New York Banking Department - Small Business Financing Assistance provides a listing of directories of Public /Nonprofit Financing, Private Financing and Equity Providers for Small Business.
• The New York State Small Business Development Centers through direct counseling provide a wide range of management and technical assistance services, including loan information assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration Pollution Control Loans are intended to provide loan guarantees to eligible small businesses for the financing of the planning, design, or installation of a pollution control facility. This facility must prevent, reduce, abate, or control any form of pollution, including recycling
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Grants and Fellowship Information   Listing of information on Grant Programs Administered by EPA.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 2 Grants Listing of information on Grant Programs Administered by EPA Region 2.
• The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance - Environmental Quality Information on funding programs for Water Pollution Control, Air Pollution Control, Solid Waste Management, Pesticides Control and Research, Education and Training.
• The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for administration and enforcement of the Environmental Conservation Law.
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation -  Pollution Prevention Unit Small business manuals and other reports with useful pollution prevention information.
• Empire State Development - Small Business Environmental Ombudsman (SBEO) Through its Small Business Environmental Ombudsman (SBEO) program, Environmental Services Unit (ESU) provides businesses with free, confidential assistance to better understand and comply with air quality regulations.
• New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation - Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) provides free, confidential technical assistance to small businesses in New York State to help them comply with federal or State air emission requirements.
• New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit Centers in over 400 locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed.
• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority - Energy and the Environment Uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State's economy.
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection Primary mission is to protect the environmental health, welfare and natural resources of the City and it's residents.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water, and land — upon which life depends.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Small Business Ombudsman Established in 1982, the Office of the Small Business Ombudsman serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Small Business Assistance Program The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required that all States develop a program to assist small businesses in meeting the requirements of the Act.

Taxes – 

• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance Business Taxpayer Page a portal on the Department's Web site that provides businesses with quick access to innovative e-Tax services and tax information tailored to their needs
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance online services
• Empire State Development Empire Zones tax benefits for small businesses located within an Empire Zone
• NYBIZTAX a joint initiative with the New York City Department of Finance that provides information about New York State, New York City, and federal business taxes.
• Internal Revenue Service has a "Before Starting Your Business" area that offers web sites to visit and recommended readings before you start your business.

Finding Employees – 

• NYS Department of Labor is New York's primary source for information on locating, hiring and retaining a high-quality workforce.
• State Education Department’s Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) The Department offers access to a pool of job-ready workers
• High Tech NY is an online listing of the latest high-tech jobs available in New York State.
• US Department of Labor is charged with preparing the American workforce for new and better jobs, and ensuring the adequacy of America's workplaces.
• Career One Stop - Identify job-ready workers with the right skills.
• US Department of Labor elaws Advisor helps you understand your rights and responsibilities under the employment laws and regulations administered by the Department of Labor (DOL).

Employer Obligations – 

• NYS Insurance Fund New York State Workers' Compensation insurance supplier.
• NYS Workers' Compensation protects workers from non-occupational injury or sickness. If you employ one or more employees (in covered employment) for 30 days in any calendar year, then you are subject to this law and must get protection.
• NYS Department of Labor to determine whether or not you are liable for unemployment insurance in New York State.
• NYS Department of Labor Posing Notice New York State posting requirements
• Federal Department of Labor Posting Notice Federal posting requirements
• NYS Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform for assistance in  what permits and/or licenses need to be posted.
• NYS Small Business Development Center for assistance in  what permits and/or licenses need to be posted.
• Internal Revenue Service The unemployment insurance program is operated jointly by the state and federal governments, and the federal tax due may be reduced, within limits, by a portion of the unemployment taxes paid to the state.
• Social Security both employers and employees bear the cost of federal social security.
• Immigration all employers are required to verify employment eligibility of new employees
• Internal Revenue Service Small Business One-Stop Resource provides links to information on employment taxes, wage reporting requirements, employer identification number (EIN) and other items of interest to businesses with employees.
• Healthy NY state program to ensure that affordable health benefits are accessible to the State's small business owners and working uninsured individuals.
• Small Business Guide to Health Insurance  Providing health insurance coverage can be a challenge for small businesses in today's competitive environment

Demographic & Economic Data – 

• Empire State Development Data Center is New York's primary repository of economic and demographic data.
• NYS Library research library
• Local Public Libraries find yours
• U.S. Small Business Administration America's small business resource offers research project studies on economic, census and financial statistics.
• NYS Small Business Development Center(SBDC) The Research Network, a team of professional librarians who search the Web to find information on any small business topic, serves SBDCs.
• Federal Statistics is the gateway to statistics from over 100 U. S. Federal Agencies
• US Census Bureau has timely, relevant data about the people and economy of the United States
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance provide tax data on sales and purchases by county.
• NYS Department of Labor provides state-wide data on the labor market, present and future economic trends, economic conditions, wages and health-related statistics.

Seminars & Training - 

• Empire State Development Events Calendar a guide to workshops and seminars available around the state designed to help entrepreneurs, small business owners and their employees get the training they need to start or grow their businesses.
• NYS Small Business Development Center are administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and provide a wide range of information and guidance. Services include targeted business training seminars and classes that are offered through their Centers.
• NYSTAR Regional Technology Development Centers designed to create and support statewide network of business assistance centers especially suited to help high technology and manufacturing companies thrive in New York.
• NYS Department of Taxation and Finance sponsor educational outreach events in your area. These events can help you understand New York State tax law and develop tax planning strategies.
• NYS Small Business Development Center can help you find out more about industry specific business trade associations.
• NYS Chambers Of Commerce check with your local Chamber for available programs.
• NYS Community Colleges check with your local Community College for available programs.
• NYS Board of Cooperative Educational Services check with your local Board of Cooperative Educational Services for available programs.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Training Network is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops and knowledge resources.