New ‘One-Stop Shop’ Launches To Help NYC Small Businesses

NEW YORK CITY — A new effort aims to provide a “one-stop shop” for New York City’s 236,000 small businesses navigating a difficult future thanks to the coronavirus crisis.

The NYC Small Business Resource Network launched Wednesday with the help of a $2.8 million grant from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a release states.

The effort is a public-private partnership that will embed a new team of 22 small business specialists within the city’s five chambers of commerce. It’s all part of an effort to support those businesses, especially in the city’s hardest-hit communities, as the city’s recovery from the pandemic moves forward, the release states.

“New York City’s diverse small businesses are an essential part of our community and a powerful engine of employment and economic growth,” said Michael Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation, in a statement. “By sustaining and supporting these entrepreneurs, we can help accelerate the renewal of our economy and help build a better and more inclusive future for New York City.”

Minority-, women- and immigrant-owned businesses will receive special focus from the effort, a release states. Those businesses, and small entities, will get advisory help on technology, real estate, legal and accounting services, procurement opportunities, marketing and sources of loans and grants.

They’ll also get advice on the tangled web of new regulations designed to stop the coronavirus’ spread, according to the release.

The effort is put together by the Peterson Foundation, the Partnership for New York City and the Partnership Fund, New York City Economic Development Corporation, with help from the New York City Department of Small Business Services and the Chambers of Commerce of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, according to the release.

It also received a shout out from actress Sarah Jessica Parker who has a shoe business and shop in Manhattan.

“As a small business owner and a committed New Yorker, I believe our city’s future depends on how we mobilize to support the entrepreneurs who bring unique products and services to our neighborhood shopping districts,” she said in a release. “They make New York City infinitely exciting and special. We cannot let them down.”

Businesses can sign up for support here.