Better Assisting our Small Businesses

"Survey finds 30% of small businesses forced to wait six months or more to get necessary approvals from City. 58% say agencies fail to communicate expectations adequately. 60 recommendations include replacing private expediters with professional staffers, establishing clear timelines for permit approvals." - Comptroller Stringer

Helping our small businesses is essential to creating the type of vibrancy that Manhattan is famous for. Businesses with less than 20 employees account for over 90% of employment opportunities in the city. This makes them an invaluable asset in neighborhoods experiencing high population growth rates.

Throughout all neighborhoods in Manhattan there has been a population influx. As populations rise, so does rent, and with the increase in rent, more and more small businesses are being pressed out of our communities. This is not helped by the the meticulous amount of inspections and harsh fines that are associated with the failure to comply with a myriad of agencies and inspections.  Comptroller Scott Stringer has published a report that shows how the city could become more lenient and efficient in dealing with its small business community.

You can find the full study here.