Topic

Small Businesses

July 29, 2005 - June 15, 2023
32 posts

Small businesses in New York are a vital component of the local economy, supported by a variety of state and city programs, tax policies, and recovery initiatives. This page covers CBC’s work on small business financial assistance, unemployment insurance tax burdens, economic development subsidies, commercial waste collection, and strategies for inclusive economic growth.

This page was created with AICBC Insights uses AI to group, analyze and present data and recommendations from CBC's publications. Always reference the cited sources to verify important details..


Latest Recommendations

  • The State could pay off the debt over time with higher tax rates, which is the standard practice.
  • The State could partially accelerate repayment of the debt using State revenues.
  • The State could rapidly pay off the debt using State revenues, which would provide immediate tax relief to employers.
  • The State could provide additional targeted relief to small- and mid-sized employers through business tax credits that offset higher UI tax payments.
  • Lawmakers should reform the UI system to ensure it is better equipped to meet claims during economic downturns and not be forced to borrow from the federal government regularly when a recession occurs.

Key Data

  • As of June 2022, New York State owes more than $8.1 billion in outstanding unemployment insurance debt to the federal government, which is the second-highest balance of any state.
  • As of June 2022, the State has provided more than $1.0 billion for business recovery programs, including $800 million for the Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program and $200 million for a small business seed funding program.
  • As of January 2022, the City reported to the U.S. Treasury that it was directing $172 million for Small Business Financial Assistance, which funds seven separate initiatives including small business grants and loan funds.
    Track to Have Impact January 24, 2022
  • As of April 2021, employment in NYC's accommodation, food service, and entertainment sectors was 43 percent below its February 2020 level, compared to 9 percent below for the rest of the private sector.
  • In fiscal year 2020, the City saw a four-fold increase in businesses served and receiving financial assistance through the Department of Small Business Services, with a 61 percent increase in the value of financial assistance from $76 million to $123 million.

Publications that Discuss Small Businesses

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Video | June 15, 2023

Conversation with Hope Knight, ESD President, CEO & Commissioner

At Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency, Commissioner Knight is dedicated to policies that advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth. She has been instrumental in the creation of the state’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development and has focused efforts on supporting New York State’s small businesses and…

Podcast Episode | July 6, 2022

28, with Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer

28 is the number of core strategies and initiatives in Mayor Eric Adams' recently unveiled plan - "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for NYC Economic Recovery." The blueprint focuses on small businesses, entrepreneurship, an equitable economy and inclusive growth, connecting New Yorkers to quality jobs, and more. At an event…

Video | June 21, 2022

Conversation with Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer

Maria Torres-Springer is New York City's Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, charged with spearheading the Administration’s efforts to strengthen and diversify the City's economy, invest in emerging industries, bolster small business, connect New Yorkers to family-sustaining jobs and expand access to arts and culture. Previously, Maria served as…

Report | June 14, 2022

Options to Address NYS' Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Debt

New York's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt, exacerbated by the pandemic, has led to significantly higher tax burdens for employers, particularly impacting small businesses with tighter margins. To address this, the state could utilize federal aid or tax receipts to pay down the debt or provide targeted tax relief, though these actions require balancing trade-offs with other public funding needs.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The State could pay off the debt over time with higher tax rates, which is the standard practice.
  • The State could partially accelerate repayment of the debt using State revenues.
  • The State could rapidly pay off the debt using State revenues, which would provide immediate tax relief to employers.
  • The State could provide additional targeted relief to small- and mid-sized employers through business tax credits that offset higher UI tax payments.
  • Lawmakers should reform the UI system to ensure it is better equipped to meet claims during economic downturns and not be forced to borrow from the federal government regularly when a recession occurs.

Key Data

  • $1,393 — Annual per employee tax for employers whose employees file UI claims more frequently and have high experience ratings by 2025.
  • $395 — Per employee UI tax burden for employers at the low end by 2025.
  • $800 million — Amount provided for the Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
  • $200 million — Amount provided for a small business seed funding program for newer businesses affected by the pandemic.
  • $2,275 to $3,605 — Range of total UI tax increase for a small business with eight employees from 2019 to 2025.

Report | January 24, 2022

Track to Have Impact

New York City received significant federal COVID-19 aid, including $172 million allocated for various small business financial assistance initiatives. However, current reporting lacks the necessary transparency to identify specific program impacts, necessitating a more robust public tracker to manage these resources effectively.

Key Data

  • $172 million — funding for Small Business Financial Assistance, which supports seven separate initiatives including the NYC Business Quick Start, Commercial Lease Assistance Program, and Small Business Grants Programs.
  • $500,000 — payment to a Department of Small Business Services contractor that is not accompanied by information specifying which small business assistance programs it supported.

Presentation | September 1, 2021

Overview of the Fiscal Year 2022 Enacted Budget

At this time last year, New York State estimated that tax receipts would fall short of pre-pandemic estimates by $15 billion annually on average, totaling $60 billion over four years. Receipts, however, have been much stronger than expected. By April 2021, the State reduced its four-year tax receipt shortfall estimate by 80 percent, to $11.8 billion. Over the four-year period, the State also will receive at least $21.1 billion of targeted and general federal fiscal…

Blog | June 21, 2021

Complement, Don't Duplicate

New York City's proposed small business recovery programs risk duplicating existing federal and state initiatives, potentially diverting resources from more effective recovery efforts. The City should prioritize identifying and filling coverage gaps and assisting businesses in accessing current programs rather than creating redundant new ones.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • To maximize impact, City programs should focus on filling gaps left by the federal and State programs, assisting eligible businesses to access programs as needed, and providing additional support for already eligible businesses where the federal and State programs do not provide a reasonable amount of needed support.
  • It is critically important for the City to identify potential gaps first by determining which businesses are eligible for which existing programs and whether those programs reasonably meet their needs.
  • As the City both finalizes programs in budget adoption and determines the details of eligibility during implementation, it should avoid these potential redundancies to maximize the value of its efforts.
  • The City already is supporting small businesses in accessing federal support and should consider whether increasing these efforts may be an efficient use of resources, and whether to expand this to State programs when they begin accepting applications.
  • As the City adopts its fiscal year 2022 budget and then finalizes program eligibility, it should clearly identify gaps left by the multiple federal and State programs, where federal and State programs do not provide sufficient needed support, and where City technical assistance to leverage those programs would be most valuable.

Key Data

  • 43 percent — NYC employment for accommodation, food service, and entertainment sectors below February 2020 levels as of April 2021.
  • 9 percent — NYC private sector employment below February 2020 levels as of April 2021.
  • $813 billion — Total appropriation for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
  • 350,500 — Number of PPP loans received by New York City businesses as of May 10, 2021.
  • $30 billion — Total value of PPP loans received by New York City businesses as of May 10, 2021.
  • $800 million — Total grant fund established by the State's Small Business Recovery Grant Program (SBRG).

Letter | June 16, 2021

Prominent Business & Civic Leaders Call For More Strategic Use of Federal Aid in City Budget

New York City has received a $6 billion infusion of flexible federal aid that should be strategically allocated to support economic recovery rather than expanding long-term city payroll commitments. This funding must be prioritized to restore 500,000 lost private sector jobs and sustain small businesses and cultural organizations through the ongoing recovery period.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • Federal aid from the American Rescue Plan should be concentrated on strategic interventions with a focus on sustaining small businesses through a period of prolonged recovery.
  • The administration and City Council should adopt a process for greater transparency and consultation with affected industries, including small businesses, on how American Rescue Plan funds are invested to leverage the strongest and fastest recovery.

Key Data

  • $6 billion — One-time infusion of flexible federal aid available to New York City for recovery efforts.
  • $98 billion — The proposed Executive Budget that requires amendment to ensure funds are not used for long-term program commitments.
  • 500,000 — The number of lost private sector jobs that federal aid should be focused on restoring.

Report | May 24, 2021

Federal Aid Now, Fiscal Cliffs Later

New York City allocated $178.6 million in federal COVID-related aid to support small business programs, including $103.7 million for a grant program and $30 million for a loan fund. These funds, distributed between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, also provided $20.2 million to support the permanent open restaurants initiative.

Key Data

  • $178.6 Million — Total federal COVID-related aid allocated to small business programs between fiscal years 2021 and 2025.
  • $103.7 Million — Funding dedicated to the Small Business Grant Program.
  • $30.0 Million — Funding dedicated to the Small Business Loan Fund.
  • $20.2 Million — Funding allocated to the Permanent Open Restaurants initiative.

Video | May 4, 2021

Comptroller Candidate Forum

The next New York City Comptroller will play a critical role not only in holding the next Administration and agencies accountable, investing and managing five pension funds with $248 billion in assets, and partnering in $13 billion City debt issuance, but also in spotlighting and promoting New York City’s fiscal…

Video | February 25, 2021

Managing NYC’s Fiscal Crisis

Managing the City’s fiscal crisis well will be a critically important duty of the next Mayor and a primary determinant of how the city survives the current crisis, and ultimately thrives in the future. Managing NYC’s Fiscal Crisis: A CBC Mayoral Candidate Forum featured a 10-minute conversation with each candidate,…

Blog | October 20, 2020

How the Pandemic Has Affected NYC’s Public Services, Activities, and Residents

The economic shutdown caused by the pandemic led to a four-fold increase in the number of businesses receiving financial assistance through the Department of Small Business Services. This surge in demand resulted in a 61 percent increase in the total value of financial aid provided, rising from $76 million to $123 million.

Key Data

  • four-fold — Increase in the number of businesses served and receiving financial assistance through the Department of Small Business Services.
  • 61 percent — Increase in the value of financial assistance provided to businesses.
  • $76 million — Value of financial assistance provided to businesses prior to the increase.
  • $123 million — Value of financial assistance provided to businesses following the increase.


Blog | July 9, 2019

Governor Cuomo Should Veto 3 Economic Development Bills

The 2019 Economic Development Sweetener Scorecard tracks 69 legislative bills aimed at economic development, many of which provide tax incentives, grants, or loan programs for small businesses and specific industries. These proposed measures include various tax credits and exemptions, such as a $275 million property tax relief program for small businesses and a $10 million pilot program for technical assistance.

Key Data

  • $275 Million — Fiscal impact of the School Tax Relief (STAR) program making real property owned by small businesses eligible for property tax exemptions.
  • $10 Million — Fiscal impact of the GrowNY pilot program, which provides annual grants for entities offering technical assistance to growing small businesses.
  • $0.21 Million — Fiscal impact of a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners and potential small business owners.
  • $140 Million — Fiscal impact of extending the zero-percent Corporate Franchise Tax rate to qualified pass-through manufacturers.

Blog | June 6, 2019

6 New Bills Added to Economic Development Scorecard

New York state legislative proposals include a $275 million property tax exemption for small businesses with 100 employees or fewer and a $10 million economic gardening pilot program to provide technical assistance to growing businesses. Additional initiatives include a $0.21 million pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners.

Key Data

  • $275 Million — Fiscal impact of the School Tax Relief (STAR) property tax exemption for small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
  • $10 Million — Annual grant funding for the GrowNY pilot program to provide technical assistance to growing businesses.
  • $0.21 Million — Appropriation for a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners.

Blog | April 24, 2019

NYS Legislature Introduces 61 Economic Development Bills

The New York State Legislature introduced 67 economic development bills in 2019, many of which provide tax incentives, grants, and loan programs specifically aimed at supporting small businesses. These legislative proposals include initiatives like property tax exemptions, technical assistance programs, and funding for small business growth and innovation.

Key Data

  • $275 Million — Fiscal impact of the School Tax Relief (STAR) program extension to small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
  • $10 Million — Fiscal impact of the GrowNY pilot program, which provides annual grants for technical assistance to growing small businesses.
  • $0.21 Million — Fiscal impact of a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners.
  • $8.25 Million — Fiscal impact of the Capital Investment Jobs Retention Program, a refundable tax credit for eligible businesses making significant capital investments.

Report | April 24, 2019

2019 Economic Development Scorecard

The 2019 Economic Development Sweetener Scorecard tracks 69 legislative bills aimed at economic development, many of which provide tax incentives, grants, and loan programs for small businesses and specific industries. These proposed measures include initiatives ranging from small business tax credits and energy efficiency grants to specialized programs for agriculture, manufacturing, and technology sectors.

Key Data

  • $275 Million — Fiscal impact of the proposed School Tax Relief (STAR) property tax exemption for small businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
  • $10 Million — Annual grant funding for the GrowNY pilot program to provide technical assistance to growing businesses.
  • $8.25 Million — Fiscal impact of the Capital Investment Jobs Retention Program, a refundable tax credit for eligible businesses making significant capital investments.
  • $1 Million — Fiscal impact of the Transitional Green Development Program to assist upstate communities with development planning.
  • $0.21 Million — Appropriation for a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners.

Blog | November 7, 2018

Commercial Waste Zones

New York City's proposed commercial waste zone program aims to improve collection efficiency and reduce environmental impacts by limiting the number of private carters operating in specific areas. This shift is expected to lower truck traffic by 18 million miles annually while addressing the current price disparity where small businesses pay 38 percent more for waste collection than large enterprises.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The City should implement the Commercial Waste Zone (CWZ) program to divide the city into 20 zones, which will rationalize collection routes and increase efficiency.
  • The City should require carters to offer recycling and organic collection at a lower rate than refuse collection to incentivize waste reduction.
  • The City should mandate that carters comply with Local Law 145 regarding minimum vehicle emission standards to address environmental impacts.
  • The City should limit the number of carters serving each zone to three to five, which will increase efficiency by having more customers per route mile.
  • The City should cap the number of zones in which any one carter can operate to prevent a monopoly in commercial carting and support a competitive sector.

Key Data

  • 18 million — The reduction of truck traffic miles resulting from the new commercial waste zone routes.
  • 38 percent — The amount more that small businesses pay on average for waste collection compared to large businesses.
  • 90 — The number of licensed commercial carters currently operating in New York City.
  • 108,000 — The number of customers currently served by licensed commercial carters in New York City.
  • $13.20 — The average price per 100 pounds paid by small customers for commercial waste collection.
  • $9.60 — The average price per 100 pounds paid by large customers for commercial waste collection.

Letter | August 14, 2018

Veto Ten Bills That Expand Economic Development Programs

New York State legislators proposed numerous bills in 2018 aimed at expanding economic development programs, including various tax credits, grants, and loan funds targeting small businesses and microbusinesses. These legislative efforts represent a significant fiscal commitment, with several individual programs carrying multi-million dollar price tags that warrant careful scrutiny regarding their economic efficacy.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The Governor should veto the ten bills that expand economic development programs.

Key Data

  • $1.5 million — Fiscal impact of the proposed Microenterprise Development Fund.
  • $1-$2 million — Fiscal impact of the Small Business Innovation Research program.
  • $10 million — Fiscal impact of the GrowNY pilot program.
  • $20 million — Fiscal impact of the HIRE NY act.

Letter | July 26, 2018

New York State Should Create an Unincorporated Business Tax

New York should implement an Unincorporated Business Tax to help pass-through entities mitigate the federal $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions. This tax structure should be optional, include an exemption for businesses with net income below $500,000, and be carefully aligned with other states to prevent double taxation.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • Expanding the proposed UBT to include S-corporations and sole proprietors, and conforming the UBT income apportionment formula as closely as feasible to each business organizational form’s existing formula for sourcing revenues under the personal income tax.
  • Making the UBT optional by an election at the entity level to reduce risk to the taxpayer by providing choice.
  • If the State decides to proceed with a mandatory UBT, it should exempt lower net income unincorporated businesses to address circumstances when the burden and costs of filing and administration would outweigh the UBT’s benefits.
  • Preserving the proposed 5 percent rate to provide significant benefit—substantially more than half of the SALT cap impact for the applicable income.
  • Preserving the proposed 93 percent personal income tax credit which, combined with the 5 percent rate, will provide significant benefit.
  • Expressly reflecting in law that the UBT is not added back for taxable State income purposes to ensure it is not treated like the New York City UBT.
  • Making the UBT credit non-refundable because reducing the risk of a legal challenge to the tax outweighs the benefits of making it refundable.
  • Modifying statutory language to strengthen the case for deductibility by expressly stating that the UBT is a tax imposed on the net business operations of the unincorporated business itself.
  • Working with other states to align tax provisions to maximize the UBT’s benefits and minimize cases in which multiple states tax the same income.

Key Data

  • $10,000 — The federal cap on a taxpayer’s deduction of state and local taxes (SALT cap) that the proposed tax aims to blunt.
  • $500,000 — The suggested threshold for State taxable net income at which to impose the tax for unincorporated businesses.
  • 5% — The proposed rate for the Unincorporated Business Tax.
  • 93% — The proposed personal income tax credit rate to be combined with the 5 percent tax rate.

Blog | June 25, 2018

Governor Should Reject Ten Economic Development Bills

New York state legislators introduced numerous economic development bills, many of which target small businesses, startups, and specific industries with tax credits, grants, and loan programs. The Governor is advised to reject ten of these bills to avoid the proliferation of targeted economic development subsidies.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The Governor should reject the ten economic development bills listed in the report to prevent the proliferation of inefficient targeted subsidies.
  • Policymakers should avoid creating new targeted economic development programs that provide narrow tax credits and grants to specific industries or business types.
  • The state should prioritize broad-based economic policies over the expansion of fragmented, industry-specific loan and grant programs.

Key Data

  • $7 million — Annual cap for the Empire State Commercial Production Tax Credit through 2023.
  • $1.5 million — Fiscal impact of the proposed Microenterprise Development Fund.
  • $65 million — Proposed increase for the Excelsior Linked Deposit Program.
  • $140 million — Fiscal impact of extending the zero-percent Corporate Franchise Tax rate to qualified pass-through manufacturers.
  • $25 million — Annual cap for the video game production tax credit available through 2022.
  • $500,000 — Annual grant amount for the proposed GrowNY economic gardening pilot program.

Report | June 22, 2018

Economic Development Scorecard

New York state legislators introduced numerous bills in 2018 aimed at supporting small businesses through tax credits, grants, and loan programs, though many faced legislative hurdles or were vetoed. These proposals sought to address challenges ranging from energy costs and pollution compliance to technical assistance and innovation funding.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • Requires state economic development agencies to give preference to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the programs they administer.
  • Creates a division within ESD on small business crime prevention, and allows for loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies and grants to benefit small businesses and crime prevention strategies.
  • Provides financial assistance to small business for pollution prevention, control and compliance.
  • Creates a Small Business Electric Energy Tax Credit, equal to two cents per kilowatt hour for electricity usage at the primary business location.
  • Creates the Main Street Center Grant Program, for renovations at small businesses, and expands services to microbusinesses (fewer than five employees).

Key Data

  • $1-$2 Million — Fiscal impact of the Small Business Innovation Research Program, which provides funds for outreach, counseling, and proposal preparation assistance.
  • $10 Million — Fiscal impact of the GrowNY pilot program, which provides annual grants to entities capable of giving technical assistance to growing businesses.
  • $0.21 Million — Fiscal impact of a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners and potential small business owners.
  • $5 Million — Amount microbusinesses are eligible for in the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund and the Linked Deposit Program interest rate reductions.

Report | May 8, 2018

Economic Development Scorecard

This scorecard tracks various New York State legislative proposals aimed at economic development, with many initiatives specifically targeting small businesses through tax incentives, grants, and loan programs. These bills seek to foster growth across diverse sectors by providing technical assistance, reducing regulatory burdens, and increasing access to capital for startups and microbusinesses.

Key Data

  • $1-$2 Million — Funding provided for outreach to small businesses to increase awareness of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
  • $10 Million — Annual grants authorized for a period of 5 years for entities capable of giving technical assistance to growing businesses under the GrowNY pilot program.
  • $20 Million — Funding provided for loans for microbusiness hiring under the HIRE NY act.
  • $1.5 Million — Funding for the Microenterprise Development Fund.
  • $0.21 Million — Appropriation for a pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners and potential small business owners.

Report | April 26, 2018

Economic Development Scorecard

This scorecard tracks various legislative proposals in New York aimed at economic development, with many specifically targeting small businesses and microbusinesses through tax credits, grants, and loan programs. These initiatives seek to provide financial assistance, reduce regulatory burdens, and incentivize job creation across diverse sectors including manufacturing, technology, and retail.

Key Data

  • $1-$2 Million — Fiscal impact of the Small Business Innovation Research Program, which provides funds for outreach to small businesses.
  • $10 Million — Fiscal impact of the GrowNY pilot program, which provides annual grants for technical assistance to growing businesses.
  • $20 Million — Fiscal impact of the HIRE NY act, which provides loans for microbusiness hiring.
  • $1.5 Million — Fiscal impact of the Microenterprise Development Fund.
  • $0.21 Million — Fiscal impact of the pilot program to train and counsel small retail business owners.

Report | November 2, 2017

BIDs - Organization, Oversight, and Transparency

New York City's 74 Business Improvement Districts serve 85,000 businesses and collect over $100 million in annual assessment fees, which function as a tax on property owners. To ensure accountability, the City should mandate transparent performance reviews, public comment opportunities, and annual oversight hearings as part of the contract renewal process for these districts.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The current contract should be revised to specify that BID contract renewal is conditioned upon a thorough performance review and analysis of progress in implementing the BID's strategic plan.
  • The contract should also require BIDs to survey their members at least once every five years to determine satisfaction with the BID's strategic plan and performance.
  • Elected officials, property owners, and business owners should be given the opportunity to comment during this periodic review process.
  • The additional performance measurement data, combined with the data SBS already collects, should be included in the annual BID Report for every BID for which a contract is renewed in that year.
  • SBS should also disclose any written notices of violations it has issued to BIDs, as well as the actions taken by BIDs to correct these concerns.
  • The City Council should hold oversight hearings at least once each year to review the SBS’s oversight of BIDs with contracts up for renewal.
  • Care should be taken during the formation process that new ones will have sufficient size and resources to operate efficiently.

Key Data

  • 74 — Number of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) currently operating in New York City.
  • 85,000 — Number of businesses served by BIDs in New York City.
  • 42,000 — Number of properties served by BIDs in New York City.
  • $100 million — Total BID assessment revenues collected in fiscal year 2016.
  • $134 million — Total revenue collected by BIDs from all sources in fiscal year 2016.
  • $838 — Median BID assessment fee for properties.

Podcast Episode | August 31, 2017

30%, with Deputy Mayor Richard Buery

This week's data point is 30% - the share, based on dollar value, of city contracts to be awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses by fiscal year 2021, according to a goal set by Mayor Bill de Blasio in September 2016. New York City Deputy Mayor Richard Buery joins the…

Blog | June 13, 2017

Mixed Marks on NYC Adopted FY2018 Budget

New York City's fiscal year 2018 budget includes increased reserves and retiree health benefit funding, though concerns remain regarding rising headcount and compensation costs. Implementing operational efficiencies could generate savings to support a reduction in the Commercial Rent Tax, which would provide relief to small businesses.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The City should implement operational efficiencies to generate savings that could be used to enable a reduction in the Commercial Rent Tax to benefit small businesses.

Testimony | January 30, 2017

Comments on Proposed Small Business Services Rule on Bus Contracts

The New York City Department of Small Business Services is proposing to extend a grant program for school bus transportation companies for a third year, despite the program originally being intended as a one-time measure. This supplemental funding undermines the integrity of the competitive bidding process by providing payments to contractors beyond their agreed-upon contract terms without requiring additional services.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The administration should discontinue the Department of Small Business Services program that provides grants to companies that provide school bus transportation.


Report | February 6, 2013

Competitiveness Scorecard

New York City remains a highly competitive destination for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, though it faces significant challenges in entrepreneurship and quality of life compared to other major metropolitan areas. To maintain its economic standing, the city must prioritize policies that foster emerging industries and address infrastructure weaknesses like lengthy commutes and high housing costs.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • New York City must pursue policies to expand human capital development to maintain a competitive position.
  • New York City must foster emerging industries to ensure future economic prosperity.
  • New York City must address weaknesses in quality of life, such as lengthy commutes and high housing costs, to remain a desirable place to live and work.

Key Data

  • 1 — New York City's rank for the <b>number of self-employed individuals</b> among the 14 largest domestic metro areas.
  • 7 — New York City's rank for the <b>rate of business creation</b> based on the Kauffman Index.
  • 3 — New York City's rank for <b>venture capital dollars invested</b> between 2008 and 2012.
  • 3 — New York City's rank for the <b>number of venture capital deals</b> between 2008 and 2012.

Op Ed | July 4, 2007

Overtaxing New York's Businesses

New York City's business tax burden is significantly higher than that of its competitors, with a property tax structure that disproportionately favors homeowners over commercial property owners. To improve economic competitiveness and prepare for potential downturns, the city should establish a commission to develop a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for reforming business taxes and incentives.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • The Mayor and City Council should appoint a blue-ribbon commission to map a multi-year strategy relating to the whole range of taxes and tax incentives.
  • The city should continue efforts to reform business taxes beyond the initial steps taken in the recent budget.
  • The commission should provide estimates of the fiscal impact in time for the mayor's January 2008 financial plan and specific recommendations for his executive budget in April 2008.

Key Data

  • 7.5% — The average effective state and local tax rate on businesses in New York City.
  • 4.5% — The comparable effective state and local tax rate in eight other competitor locations.
  • $2.3 billion — The annual cost to city businesses from excluded taxes like the commercial rent tax, real property transfer tax, and mortgage recording tax.
  • $240 million — The value of the deal struck with JPMorgan Chase for the construction of a new office tower.
  • $41 — The amount paid per thousand dollars of property value by an owner of an office building.
  • $6 — The amount paid per thousand dollars of property value by the average homeowner.

Report | July 29, 2005

Encouraging Small Business Success in New York City and Northern New Jersey

Small business owners in New York City and northern New Jersey identify the overall cost of doing business, proximity to markets, and access to skilled labor as the most critical factors for their success. While these leaders are generally satisfied with their current locations, they express dissatisfaction with regional business costs and suggest that government policies regarding taxes, fees, and regulations require renewed attention to support economic growth.

Recommendations related to Small Businesses

  • Policymakers should give renewed attention to costs that can be controlled through government actions, such as taxes, fees, zoning rules, and utility regulations, to address business dissatisfaction.
  • Regional leaders must foster a favorable business culture and public policies that encourage enterprising individuals to start businesses to sustain employment growth.

Key Data

  • 96 percent — of New York’s small firms have fewer than 50 employees.
  • 82 percent — of firms in northern New Jersey have obtained bank credit, compared to 72 percent in New York City.
  • 40.0% — of New York City business leaders would require a cost savings of 20 percent or more to relocate.
  • 39.3% — of all surveyed business heads report that their operations are routinely hampered by transportation congestion or delays.
  • 15.3% — of New York City business leaders would move for a cost savings of less than 10 percent.

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