“Small businesses are the engine of the New York State economy, and helping them grow is among my highest priorities as Governor,” Governor Paterson said. “This directory will create a more open and helpful environment in which local businesses can grow and prosper, providing business owners and entrepreneurs with information on financing, tax breaks, and dozens of other topics. I would like to thank Chairman Grinker and all the members of my Small Business Task Force for their creativity and for their ongoing efforts to address the policy issues that affect the small business community.”

Chairman of the Small Business Task Force William Grinker said: “Governor Paterson has time and again shown his commitment to making New York a place in which small businesses can thrive. The directory we are unveiling today describes countless ways in which our State’s businesses – from the corner bodega to the high-tech startup – can find access to State resources, such as capital, employee training programs and technical assistance, that often spell the difference between success and failure. I am pleased to be a part of the Governor’s team, working with him to expand the opportunities for and capabilities of these engines of economic growth.”

The directory works as a clickable .pdf file with descriptions of 143 state programs from 28 agencies aimed at helping New Yorkers start and grow their businesses. These valuable resources for business planning and operations are organized into the following categories:

• Information Resources
• Technical Assistance
• Funding Incentives
• Industry-Specific Programs
• Workforce Recruitment, Development & Benefits
• Government Contracting & Market Expansion
• Mandated State Filings

For example, users interested in starting his or her own business can click on the “Technical Assistance” tab to learn about the State’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, its Small Business Development Centers or Empire State Development’s (ESD) Statewide Regional Offices. Under “Funding Incentives,” the directory lists more than three dozen ways in which small businesses can apply for grants, loans, tax incentives, rebates on energy bills and other financing options. The directory is available at:

The directory also highlights State programs that assist in workforce recruitment and training and gives a detailed description of how prospective business owners can comply with New York State permit and licensing requirements.

Functioning as a mini website with active Internet links to every listing, the directory can be saved to your computer or organization website for easy access for your employees, members or customers, or it can be printed and used as a booklet, as it is meant to be shared widely.