The Department of Small Business Services makes it easier for companies in New York City, to form, do business and grow by providing direct assistance to business owners, fostering neighborhood development in commercial districts, promoting financial and economic opportunity among minority- and women-owned businesses, and linking employers with a skilled and qualified workforce.

To learn more about each item listed below, call 3-1-1 and mention any of the programs that you are interested in and say they are offered by the Department of Small Business Services.

The Division of Business Assistance promotes the development and economic well-being of growing businesses by providing answers to questions, offering classes, making referrals, coordinating SBS services and leveraging government and community resources and contacts.

City Business Assistance Program – connects small business owners to available public- and private-sector business development resources; provides information in such areas as procurement, training, marketing, tax identification numbers, insurance, and financing; offers free one-on-one counseling to New York City small businesses and entrepreneurs; helps small businesses navigate government, resolve issues with other City, State, or Federal agencies or utility companies; assists businesses when they are forced to interrupt their operations as a result of disasters (e.g., fires, water main ruptures, explosions or natural disasters), by helping them gain access to their premises, apply for available emergency assistance -- including government programs and private insurance -- and reopen as soon as conditions allow; leads special effort to help small businesses in Lower Manhattan through a grant provided by the National Football League.

Division of Economic and Financial Opportunity – administers the Minority- and Women- Owned Business Enterprise Program (MWBE) which works to ensure the participation of minority- and women-owned businesses in the New York City procurement process; the Procurement Outreach Program (POP) which identifies Federal, State and City contracting opportunities for New York City businesses, and provides technical assistance to give businesses the tools they need to bid successfully; the Locally- Based Enterprise Program (LBE) which helps eligible small construction and construction-related firms to do business with the City by certifying them as LBEs; and the Bonding Technical Assistance Program which helps New York City's small construction firms obtain surety bonds and identify sources for working capital loans for construction and construction-related contracts.

The Division of Neighborhood Development ensures the long-term vitality of the City’s diverse commercial districts, by creating greater opportunity for neighborhood-based small businesses and ensuring that communities are well served by small businesses.

Business Improvement District (BID) Program - A Business Improvement District (BID) is a designated commercial or industrial area in which property owners agree to pay a special assessment to underwrite supplemental services such as sanitation, marketing and security. SBS works with commercial property owners and community stakeholders to develop new districts, and manage the ongoing partnerships between BIDs and City government. There are 46 BIDs in New York City, providing over $75 million in supplemental services.

Commercial Revitalization (CR) Program - makes seed investments to stimulate activity in underperforming commercial districts. Program goals are to attract private investment to underwrite the ongoing supplemental needs of the district and grow the number of community-based small businesses.

Empire Zones Program - encourages business development in designated areas by offering targeted incentives and benefits to new and expanding businesses. Eligible companies can take advantage of employment, investment, real property, sales and wage tax credits, as well as utility cost discounts. There are currently 10 Empire Zones in New York City, throughout the five boroughs.

The Micro-Enterprise Program - provides entrepreneurs and business owners with training in basic business and computer skills. Training programs are offered at various times throughout the year and at sites throughout the city.

NYC Business Solution Centers- Business Solutions Centers are neighborhood-based satellite offices of the Agency where the local business owner can receive assistance in his or her own neighborhood. 

Business Incentives - connects eligible businesses to City, State, and Federal programs that promote investment; encourage employment, relocation and retention; and reduce operating costs. SBS also administers the following incentive programs: Energy Cost Savings Program (ECSP); Industrial Relocation Grant Program (IRG); Lower Manhattan Energy Program (LMEP); Printers Relocation Fund (PRF).

The Division of Workforce Development connects employers with a skilled workforce and provides employment services to the City’s adult private-sector workforce.

The New York City Workforce1 Career Centers – are the centerpiece of the adult workforce system. The New York City Workforce1 Career Centers are operated by the New York City Department of Small Business Services, the New York State Department of Labor and the City University of New York, combining the expertise of many different organizations to provide a seamless network of employment services and business development resources. The Centers provide jobseekers with a full array of employment services including career advisement, job search counseling, skills training and job placement. Services for businesses include human resources consulting, customized training, access to skilled workers and retention enhancement services. There are Workforce1 Career Centers in Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, with centers in Staten Island and Lower Manhattan scheduled to open in the summer and fall of 2004.

Business Workforce Partnerships – creates partnerships with private employers and community- based organizations that SBS trains and places individuals with employers who are hiring in all five boroughs; works with the Workforce1 Career Centers and creates customized training initiatives tailored to the specific needs of employers to meet their workforce needs; monitors the Individual Training Account Program (ITA), which gives vouchers to individuals to receive employment training.

Policy and Planning- oversees efforts to partner with foundations and coordinates long-term strategy in Workforce Development for the City of New York; develops demonstration projects and manages SBS’ role in the One-Stop System operator consortium which includes the New York State Department of Labor and the City University of New York. 

Contracts and Reporting – oversees 39 employment service providers that serve dislocated workers and special adult populations, including through targeted outreach and occupational skills training, and generates State-mandated reports.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff

Commissioner Robert W. Walsh