New York Small Business Guide

Green Business Resources in New York

Learn how to lower energy costs and protect the environment.

• State Energy Resource and Development Office
• Financial Incentives for Renewables and Energy Efficiency
• Environmental Information for Small Businesses
• Green Cities: Albany | New York

Starting a Business

If you are thinking of starting a small business, or already own a small business, several free counseling and training programs are available to help you get started and expand your operations. Services cover all aspects of starting and running a business, from getting loans and financing for starting or expanding to developing business plans and marketing strategies.

• New York Small Business Development Center
  Provides free start-up advice, training and counseling services to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - New York District Office
  Offers business development counseling and training programs and information on SBA loan programs.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives Association) is a nonprofit organization and SBA resource partner dedicated to helping small business growth through free mentoring and business counseling and low-cost workshops. Contact your local SCORE for small business development programs in your area:

• Albany - Northeast SCORE
• Auburn - Auburn SCORE
• Bay Shore - Bay Shore/Islip SCORE
• Binghamton - Greater Binghamton SCORE
• Buffalo - Buffalo Niagara SCORE
• Kingston - Ulster SCORE
• Melville - Nassau County SCORE
• New York - New York SCORE
• Plattsburgh - Clinton, Franklin, Essex
• Poughkeepsie - Dutchess SCORE
• Riverhead - Eastern Suffolk
• Rochester - Rochester SCORE
• Spring Valley - Rockland County SCORE
• Staten Island - Staten Island SCORE
• Syracuse - Syracuse SCORE
• Watertown - Watertown SCORE
• White Plains - Westchester SCORE

There are also a number of local small business centers sponsored or partially funded by SBA that help women and minorities with start-up counseling and financial assistance:

• Williamsburg Minority Business Development Center
  Provides free business consulting services and financial management advice to minority-owned businesses in the state. Supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Business Outreach Center Network
  Helping entrepreneurs and organizations take the next step.
• Canisius College
  The WBC is a collaborative effort between the Small Business Administration and Canisius College.
• Community Action Agency of Franklin County, Inc.
  The WEBC assists current and prospective businesses in Franklin, Essex, Clinton and St. Lawrence counties, including the Akwesasne Reservation, providing business counseling and technical assistance and training to current and prospective businesses owned and controlled by women.
• New York Association of New Americans Business Center
  The Center assists over 400 immigrant-owned businesses at various stages of development each year with loans, training, and technical assistance.
• Queens Economic Development Corp. - WBC (Borough Hall)
  QEDC seeks to provide business owners with a greater range of choices and flexibility to locate or accelerate their businesses and to market Queens as an attractive destination.
• The Local Development Corporation of East New York
  Seeks to sustain and promote industry and commerce in East Brooklyn, in order to improve economic opportunities for businesses and residents.
• The Women's Business Resource Center (Hunts Point)
  An assistance division of the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation. WBRC offers individual business counseling, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to financial resources.
• WISE Center of Syracuse
  The WISE center provides counseling, coaching, consulting, and training as well as essential networking and mentoring opportunities.
• Women's Business Center of New York State
  This Center provides a variety of business skills and ongoing technical assistance to women in thirty-four counties.
• Women's Enterprise Development Center, Inc.
  Dedicated to helping women achieve economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship in Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley.
• Women's Venture Fund, Inc.
  A not-for-profit women's organization providing entrepreneurial skills training, business loans, and assistance.

Doing Business in New York

From getting a business license to filing your taxes, the following sites provides resources you need to start and manage a business in New York.

• New York Business Portal
  Resources you need to start and operate a business in New York, file your business taxes, get a business license and much more.