Small businesses can take advantage of business assistance offered through the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Business Improvement Districts such as the MetroTech BID, Fulton Mall Improvement Association (FMIA), and the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID, and New York City's Department of Small Business Services.
Small businesses fill Downtown
Local retailers can benefit from façade improvement programs, marketing support, relocation, and general business assistance through the MetroTech BID, FMIA, and CLS BID. These BIDs have helped numerous businesses in the district and will be happy to work with you.
In addition, the City of New York offers many useful resources and programs that are aimed directly at small businesses. The Business Solutions Center, sponsored by the NYC Department of Small Business Services and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, offers free technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Center is located at 9 Bond Street in Downtown. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce also has programs that help market locally-made products nationally and internationally.
NYC Business Express, developed jointly by 20 City agencies, is the one-stop online tool for the license, permit, tax, incentive information and applications you need for any business in NYC. The NYC Business Express Incentives Estimator can even provide a customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives for which your business may qualify.
NYC Health Insurance Link is a web site designed to help individuals and small businesses in New York City find affordable health insurance options that meet their specific needs and budgets. The site shows a wide range of plans and enables users to compare the benefits and costs of available plans offered by every NYC insurance carrier, all in one convenient location. The user will also find comprehensive educational information on health insurance basics along with important news alerts. All information is current and is provided on an impartial basis.
The Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West
The Brooklyn Public Library's Business Library offers individuals and entrepreneurs resources to help them start a business, find work or just get the information they need to succeed. In addition to a collection of more than 40,000 business books, the Library has online resources, free WiFi and public use computers, over 800 magazines and newspapers, and extensive real estate materials. It also houses the Small Business Information Center and offers free counseling with SBA's SCORE representatives. Since 2003 the Library has run the annual PowerUP! business plan competition, and awarded over $55,000 to Brooklyn start-ups.
If you have any questions, contact us at info@dbpartnership.org or 718.403.1600.