Call it outer-borough politicking, but Mayor Bloomberg – in the midst of seeking to overturn the term limit law so he can run for a third term — came to Downtown Brooklyn to hype an existing agency that helps small businesses.
The agency is the NYC Business Solutions Centers, which in this borough is administrated through the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce with the help of the city’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
“The impact of the turmoil in the financial markets goes well beyond Wall Street – businesses of all sizes and virtually all industries are already feeling the brunt of this economic downturn, and the challenges are likely to get far greater before they recede,” said Bloomberg.
Bloomberg noted that small businesses employ half the city’s workforce and the solution center offers a wide range of services to help businesses grow.
These services include several alternative loan programs as opposed to standard bank loans, he said.
“We know accessing capital is going to be increasingly difficult for small businesses, but we want them to be in the best position possible to weather the storm,” said Bloomberg.
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carl Hum said that since the solution center opened its doors in 2005, the agency has served over 5,000 borough businesses.
“This includes help in getting loans, business plan development, accessing qualifying for government incentives and being that helping hand and sympathetic ear that every business owner needs,” said Hum.
“Additionally the business solution center works in conjunction with our Workforce One Centers to find qualified employees for the businesses,” he added.
The solution centers also connect businesses to a network of pro-bono lawyers that can help with the legal process to establish a business, develop sound contracts and leases and protect their ideas.
Allison Fisichelli, co-owner of Robicelli’s Gourmet Market in Bay Ridge, said without the NYC Business Solution Center she might not have been able to open her shop.
“When my husband and I first tried to open our market, we could not get a loan from a bank — we were considered too risky,” said Fisichelli.
“An NYC Business Solutions account manager helped us refine our business plan and prepare all the financial documents that lenders require, and referred us to lenders who would finance our business. We were able to receive three loans from Credit Unions,” she added.
The Brooklyn NYC Business Solution Center is located on the 5th floor at 9 Bond Street. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For further information call (718) 875-3400.
