MAY 2009

Reducing Brokers Fees for Small Businesses in Harlem

The Harlem Business Assistance Fund is a grant program intended to offset some expenses small businesses may incur in relocating to 125th Street and its vicinity. The $1 million program reimburses businesses for broker commissions paid in connection with new leases. The Harlem Business Assistance Fund complements Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone’s 125th Street Pilot Retail Incentive Program which provides “forgivable loans” to assist businesses seeking to expand or relocate to or on portions of 125th Street.

NYCEDC Held Workshop for Biotechnology Companies

The Small Business Innovative Research Proposal Preparation Workshop was developed to help small New York City biotechnology companies access Federal funding available for bioscience research. The one-day Workshop provided biotech entrepreneurs with assistance on the development, planning and submission of Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals, and better understanding of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) system. SBIR and STTR programs provide $2.5 billion in Federal funding for bioscience research conducted by small businesses.

First Store Opening in Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market

The Home Depot is the first store to open in the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market. It adds 200 new, permanent jobs – 75 percent of which are Bronx residents – and by this fall, the Gateway Center will have created 2,100 permanent retail jobs and 2,900 construction jobs in the South Bronx. Nearly 40 percent of all contracts have been won by Bronx-based companies and more than 10 percent have been won by Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises. The project will generate more than $20 million in annual tax revenue for the City.

1,673 Additional Jobs Created at the New Yankee Stadium

The completion of the new stadium for the Yankees has created construction and permanent job opportunities for thousands of New Yorkers. The new stadium will provide new positions that include year-round, full-time jobs in front office operations, in-season full-time, in-season part-time and contract positions. Working through Workforce1 Career Centers, NYC Business Solutions was able to assist in the hiring of local residents for these jobs. The new Yankee Stadium employs 4,047 total jobs, an increase of 1,673 over the 2,374 in the old stadium.

Jumpstarting Careers in NYC

The Jumpstart NYC program is a three-month educational program that helps professionals apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities in New York’s start-up economy, and/or other service firms. It is designed for people with at least 3+ years experience in financial services firms who have recently lost their jobs. Many projects offer sophisticated work opportunities, not only in finance, but in analytics, market research and business development. The partnering companies are in fields such as digital media, online marketing, financial services, clean technology, IT, and professional services.

A number of unique and exciting projects are available through NYCEDC, offering companies the opportunity to add to the changing face of the City. Respective RFP's can be found below and contain specific information related to the scope of service, scheduled site visits, Q&A's and submission deadlines.

From time to time, leasing opportunities become available for city-owned properties. Find more information about current opportunities below.