Mind Your Business…
A Resource Guide

With plenty of competition, doing business in Queens is no easy task, which is why a variety of organizations provide the support and services to help small business owners get on their feet and earn a buck. From entrepreneur programs to classes that let veterans spruce up their business strategies, Queens offers a wide spectrum of resources.

Getting Started
Learning business terms and processes is a great way to get started in opening up your own business. The Queens Borough President’s office has a Web page full of places to start looking for information. Log onto www.queensbp.org and click the “Economic Development” link for the following information and more:

York College
Small Business
Development Center
94-20 Guy Brewer Blvd.
Medical School, Room 107
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 262-2880
York College offers counseling, financial planning, export assistance, loan information, training programs, business plan development and certification programs.

LaGuardia
Community College
Adult Continuing
Education Division,
29-10 Thomson Ave.,
Long Island City, New York 11101
(718) 482-5330
This college provides courses including those teaching computer-related skills: programming, repair, software usage; real estate; telecommunications; quality management program to assist local businesses, adult career counseling and resource center.

Service Corps. of Retired
Executives, (SCORE)
120-55 Queens Blvd., Room 333
Kew Gardens, New York 11424
(718) 263-8961
This group offers individual counseling, sources for credit and financing, sales, advertising and promotion, international trade, accounting, office and plant management, personnel, and inventory control.

QEDC PRIME
For low-income business owners, the Queens Economic Development Corporation’s PRIME program includes training and technical classes. The QEDC notes that lack of starting resources is often the biggest obstacle to opening a new business, and the program is federally funded through the Small Business Administration. Disadvantaged business people are schooled in financial terminology, marketing, management, and bookkeeping. There are also grants available for low-income entrepreneurs, like the Trickle Up! Grant worth $1,400 the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund worth $1500. Call (718) 263-0546 to find out about the application process.

At the Women’s Business Center, QEDC offers workshops, classes and training programs to the more than 40,000 women-owned businesses in Queens. More than half of those are headed by minority women. The Women’s Business Center’s advisory board creates tools and resources for women to start or enhance their businesses. Call (718) 263-0546. See www.queensny.org for more information on QEDC services.

Queens Public Library
Business Division
89-11 Merrick Blvd.,
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 990-0760

For information on business and investment services you can call or visit the below organizations.

Jamaica Business Resource
Center
90-33 160th St.
Jamaica, New York 11432
(718) 206-2255
They have a business information center, a business advisory group, capital access, credit counseling and restoration; NYC licensing, permits, and other regulatory matters; workshops and seminars.

Queens County Overall Economic
Development Corporation,
120-55 Queens Blvd., Suite 309
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
(718) 263-0546
www.queensny.org
Check Out The Chamber
The Queens Chamber of Commerce (www.queenschamber.org) runs regular networking and business card exchange programs, as well as maintaining resource information for borough business. It was founded in January 1911 when 15 businessmen joined forces to bring it to life. Its website now contains a members resource directory linking to local businesses and business resources. Call (718) 898-8500

The Department of Small Business Services
110 William St., Third Fl.
New York, NY 10038
www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/home.html
This New York City agency maintains a Business resource directory, a Neighborhood Development Division and assists City businesses with problems they may have with City, State and Federal agencies. They also have a Business Assistance/Emergency Response Unit to help in a crisis and can assist your business through its Commercial Revitalization, Business Improvement District and/or Economic Development Zone certification programs.

The department also suggests the following organizations:

Department of Consumer Affairs:
www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dca/html/about.html

New York City Department of Finance:
www.nyc.gov/html/dof/home.html
Download more than 80 Tax Forms, Instructions and Application Forms from DOF’s 1999 “Booklet X”
www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/bookletx.html

NYS Department of Labor
www.labor.state.ny.us

NYS Department of Agriculture
& Markets
www.agmkt.state.ny.us
NYS Liquor Authority
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
11 Park Place, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10007
www.abc.state.ny.us

City Business Page
If you’re looking for the latest on running a business within the City limits, you can also log on to this link from New York City’s Official website for regular updates and easy access to information through www.nyc.gov.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) invites you to use its Business Information System (BIS) to check a building’s property profile overview, including reviewing the status of complaints. Also, check the status of DOB licensed tradespersons on-line 24 hours a day. The BIS is located at www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis.html

HPD Online
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s has a search engine to access information about residential buildings in New York City, including violations of the City’s Housing Maintenance Code and the State’s Multiple Dwelling Law as well as contact information based in the last valid building registration form: www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/data/hpd-online-portal.html

Department of Finance
‘E’-nitiatives
The Department of Finance provides information on charges that pertain to businesses like the Water & Sewer Charge, NYCeFILE for on-line tax filing system, NYCeREFUND for undeliverable business tax refund checks, and applications for the City Business Owner Tax Questionnaire and Abandoned Bail Search. NYCeFILE is located at www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/nycefile

 

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