Growth Workshops This Summer
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a statewide initiative designed to help small business owners start and grow their businesses in the state.
The team will consist of employees from at least six New York State agencies including the Departments of State, Labor, Taxation and Finance as well as Empire State Development, State Liquor Authority, and the Workers Compensation Board. The team will travel to every region of the state to meet with New Yorkers about the state’s rules and programs intended to help small businesses.
“This program is all about creating jobs because when small businesses do well, New York does well,” said Cuomo. “It so important for us to get out of the office and go into communities to see how we can help anyone who wants to start, grow or improve a business and that’s what this program will do.”
The workshops held in each region will be conducted in conjunction with local chambers of commerce. Representatives from the agencies will provide opportunities for business owners to speak to them after the main presentation and will direct them to state programs and services.
The program will begin with workshops in Utica and Schenectady and will continue throughout the spring and summer months.
Many business owners have contacted the state with questions about regulations, licenses and practices. Some of the topics the seminars will cover include: starting a business and adhering to regulatory timelines; how to obtain and file tax forms; first steps for hiring employees; and, how to become certified as an minority- and women-owned business (MWBE).
Information and materials designed to assist small businesses can be found at www.NYOpenforSmall- Business.com.
Locally, business outreach initiaives will be held in Brooklyn on Aug. 7 at 8:30 a.m. at Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Ave., Midwood; and in Queens on Aug. 22 at 8:30 a.m. at the Flushing YMCA, 138-46 Northern Blvd., Flushing.
Business owners and organizations interested in learning more about or getting involved in the Small Business Outreach Initiative should contact smallbusinessinfo@exec.ny. gov.
