Brooklyn's Progress
June 2004

By Walter Maxwell
 
On April 27 New York City's Division of Economic and Financial Opportunity (DEFO) held it's first "Small Business Information Day" at KeySpan, located at One MetroTech in Brooklyn. The event is the first in a series of five events, whereby, small businesses in the five boroughs can meet and speak directly with representatives from various units of The New York City Department of Small Business Services.
 
The Brooklyn Small Business Information Day, which was attended by about 125 small businesses, gave participants the opportunity to have mini counseling sessions on how to become certified with the City of New York, how to sell goods and services to the government, how to start and grow a business, how to resolve business-related issues with the city, and how to access small business incentives and workforce assistance.
 
As part of Information Day, a table was setup to enable business owners to register onsite with The Mayor's Office of Contracts Financial Management System, a prerequisite to becoming MWBE Certified and with doing business with the city.  Attendees were also provided information on healthcare options from The Mayor's Office of Health Insurance Access.  Representatives from the Commission on Women's Issues were also present to give information on the requirements for their upcoming "Small Business Award."   Finally, Brooklyn business owners and many start-up companies also had the opportunity to speak with Rick Russo and Fredderick Graves, representatives from the Business Solutions Center.