Brooklyn's Progress
February 2004

In an effort to spread the word about their services and programs, ACCION New York and the New York City Business Solutions Center at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce partnered to give an informational presentation to tenants at the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center.  This is the first presentation in what will be an ongoing program of outreach to small business owners in Brooklyn.

ACCION New York is a non-profit community development organization that has been providing credit and technical assistance to small businesses in all five boroughs of New York for over 13 years.  Located at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the New York City Business Solutions Center is an initiative of the NYC Department of Small Business Services, bringing the services of SBS to the five boroughs of NYC. 

The Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center houses over 150 small, medium and large businesses dedicated to metals, wood, and crafts work.  The GMDC established itself in Greenpoint 12 years ago, taking over and renovating abandoned warehouses to be used for manufacturing companies that were having trouble locating affordable space to house their operations.  Today, the GMDC is an integral part of the Greenpoint community and is the largest employer in Greenpoint, according to Tom Nackliki, Operations Manager at GMDC. 

Fred Graves, Manager of the NYC Business Solutions Center at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Becky Pear from ACCION New York spoke to woodworkers and designers that use space at the GMDC.  Mr. Graves spoke and answered questions about various services and benefits currently being offered to small businesses, including access to incentive programs and procurement opportunities.  Ms. Pear then reviewed ACCION’s financing program to small businesses and answered questions on managing and accessing one’s own credit information.  “It was an informative event for all involved, and we expect to do similar marketing initiatives in the future,” said Ms. Pear.

As part of their partnership, ACCION New York loan consultants have been holding office hours between 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the NYC Business Solutions Center at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  To obtain additional information regarding ACCION’s microlending program, or about the services offered at the NYC Business Solutions Center, visit the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce at 25 Elm Place in Downtown Brooklyn or telephone (718) 875-3400.