Budding small business owners and those who were shuttered during the Covid pandemic can now tap into a citywide concierge service that promises to cut bureaucratic red tape, and make it easy to open or reopen a business in the Big Apple. Mayor Bill de Blasio and city Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris launched NYC Business Quick Start, an $11 million concierge service, late last month.
NYC Business Quick Start will provide small businesses a sole point of contact to help navigate city regulations, as well as provide a public dashboard, according to City Hall. The program guarantees a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries and will cut processing time by 50%, said a statement from City Hall. The city expects 50,000 small businesses — many of which were closed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic — to benefit from the program.
“There’s no time to wait for our small businesses to return to the neighborhoods they serve. This is the moment to bring New York City back, and that starts with making this city the easiest place in America to open a small business’ doors,” said de Blasio. “This program will give business owners all the tools they need to run their businesses smoothly and build a recovery for all of us.”
NYC Business Quick Start is a collaboration between 100 city personnel across a host of agencies, including SBS, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
“NYC Business Quick Start demonstrates the city’s commitment to help small businesses navigate the regulatory environment,” said Doris. “Each agency will work hand-in-hand with our small businesses to make New York City a seamless place to start and sustain a business in a post-COVID-19 environment.”
“For decades, small business owners have had to navigate a complex, time-consuming and costly administrative process before they generate their first dollar of revenue. With the launch of NYC Business Quick Start today, the de Blasio administration has tackled what has been an endemic problem in many large cities all across the U.S.,” said Lorraine Grillo, Senior Advisor for Recovery. “By reducing the upfront burden of opening or re-opening a business, NYC Business Quick Start will benefit small retailers, bodegas and family-owned businesses – the lifeblood of New York City’s economy and key to achieving a recovery for all.”
“Our city’s recovery depends on small businesses,” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Laura Anglin. “NYC Business Quick Start is an unprecedented interagency effort to reduce barriers and help businesses serve their communities. This effort will speed New York City’s recovery and deliver the vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods New Yorkers deserve.”
“Since the beginning of this administration, the City has been committed to reducing the regulatory burden that exists on small businesses. This mission has remained alive, especially throughout the pandemic,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and Co-Chair of the Racial Inclusion and Equity Taskforce. “The NYC Business Quick Start will cut red tape and increase city government transparency, benefitting the many businesses that are reopening and new entrepreneurs that are seeking to make an impact.”
SBS has launched 29 recovery programs and campaigns to help reopen businesses and provide the necessary resources to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. In the last year, the agency assisted more than 4,000 businesses with over $305 million in PPP applications, connected over 5,000 businesses with $156 million in loans and grants, helped over 62,400 callers to the SBS hotline (888-SBS-4NYC), and assisted 90,000 job seekers. SBS is currently helping small businesses apply for the New York State Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program – a $5,000 – $50,000 grant for businesses with less than $500,000 in revenue; businesses that need assistance can visit nyc.gov/financingassistance.
“We are thrilled to join this initiative and continue to support New York City’s small business recovery,” said Melanie La Rocca, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Buildings. “Whether they are opening their doors for the first time, or welcoming their customers back, this program makes it easier than ever for small business owners to access the resources they need.”
“A healthy New York City economy relies on our thousands of small businesses and our business owners need the rapid support of government, including for critical water and sewer services,” said Vincent Sapienza, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. “I thank Commissioner Doris and the team at SBS for their leadership on this effort and am happy to report that DEP engineers are already expediting the review of small business applications.”
“Small businesses are essential to a thriving city, especially here in New York. Many of these mom-and-pop shops have struggled to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing these entrepreneurs with a central place to receive resources and cut through regulatory red tape is the least we can do to help them bounce back during these difficult times. Under those conditions, I support the NYC Business Quick Start Program, and I hope special attention will be given to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs) that have been hit hardest by the pandemic,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr.
“Small businesses are the foundation of New York’s economy, and the pandemic has left them in dire financial straits,” said Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers. “As the economy restarts, NYC Business Quick Start will help our local retailers and family businesses reopen, and connect them with the assistance they need. We are one step closer to ensuring our communities make a full recovery.”
“For independent entrepreneurs, New York City is often a place that stifles creativity. We need safety for our workers and neighbors, but the challenges of a small business cutting through the bureaucracy of DOB, DEP, DOHMH and FDNY can be insurmountable. As Chair of the Commission on M/WBE, I have seen over and over that this is especially difficult for Black-owned businesses. This new concierge service offers a way to level the playing field. It offers help that so many minority-owned and other businesses deserve,” said Council Member Robert Cornegy, Jr.
“Small Business is the very fabric of our neighborhoods, often being the place where neighbors meet for not just shopping but also socializing. We have seen the difficulties that our businesses have had during the pandemic and the effect it has had on keeping our neighborhoods safe and vibrant. As I continue to walk the shopping areas of my district, I know that there has been an outpouring of support for local shops,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “Centralizing business support services will help ease the burden on small businesses trying to navigate city rules and regulations. Thank you to SBS for addressing this common complaint and for looking to address inquiry processing times,” said Council Member Peter Koo.
“NYC Business Quick Start is exactly the kind of initiative that is needed as businesses, small and large, seek to fully participate in the recovery of New York City. Red tape and bureaucracy have long been a challenge for small businesses, and in particular, entrepreneurs whose native language is not English. Making it easier to own and operate a small business is key to not only their recovery but the recovery of the whole City. We look forward to seeing NYC Business Quick Start in action!” said Robert J. Benfatto, Jennifer Tausig, and Mark Caserta, NYC BID Association.
“The Bronx Chamber is a longtime advocate of increased access to business startup supports for our City’s entrepreneurs,” said Lisa Sorin, President of the New Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “As we rebuild toward a strong post-pandemic future, the Bronx Chamber is thrilled that this interagency initiative will alleviate red tape and make it easier to open or reopen a business.”
“Immigrant small business owners continue to experience distress and frustration trying to navigate the red tape and barriers that impede access to technology at various city agencies. We welcome this initiative that aims to accommodate the needs of small business owners, and look forward to working closely with SBS to create a meaningful program and increase access to its services for our community,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director, Asian American Federation.
For more information on NYC Business Quick Start, visit their website or call 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
