Citibank, EDC assisting small businesses

Real Estate Weekly, August 14, 2002

New York City Economic Development Corporation president Andrew M. Alper and New York City Department of Businesses Services commissioner Robert W. Walsh announced today that the city is collaborating with Citibank to provide assistance to businesses affected by Sept. 11.

EDC has been working closely with Citibank to expand 9/11 business assistance outreach through the company's downtown branches. Approximately 75 Citibank branch and relationship managers recently completed EDC's grant program training session, and joint flyers, signage and other collateral material will be used at the company's downtown bank locations to notify customers of the grant programs.

EDC business assistance specialists will also be present at Citibank's' main branches downtown one day per week to help educate branch managers and bank customers about the grant programs and the assistance available at the city's Business Assistance Centers. DBS staff will be. available to assist business owners with any problems related to the delivery of government services or issues involving public utilities. Business assistance and information can be found at the following Citibank Financial Centers: 120 Broadway; 250 Broadway; 164 Canal Street; 2 Mott Street; and 108 Hudson Street.

In addition to Citibank's downtown branches, business owners may visit the city's and state's Business Assistance Centers at 140 William St. (corner of Fulton Street) and 2 Rector St. The Asian-American Business Development Council has also opened a walk-in center in Chinatown at 150 Lafayette St., which offers similar City and State assistance.

Trained, multi-lingual (Spanish and Chinese) representatives are. available for consultations and information on all available grants, financing, federal programs, low-interest loans,' and non-profit programs, plus resources for real estate, professional services, donated goods;. and other business services. Notary services: are also available to meet the -needs of business owners. The city's and state's Walk-In Business Assistance Centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.--5 p.m. and Wednesdays until 8 p.m.

Business owners may also call New York City's Business Assistance Hotline at 866-227-0458 or the state's Business Assistance Hotline at 800-ILOVENY, or visit www.newyorkbiz.com and www.nylovesbiz.com for information on. the assistance programs. Another city as sistance program for affected businesses is Adopt-A-Company, a public-private initiative which matches small companies with large companies offering pro bono support. To date the program has attracted more than 430 adoptees and sponsoring companies, including Citibank. The sponsors provide the "adoptees" with professional advice, business orders, increased foot traffic, client referrals and other pro bono assistance. Companies interested in providing assistance, as well as those seeking assistance, can register at www.adopt-a-company.org.