A new report supported by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, ACCION USA, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates that more than 90% of immigrant entrepreneurs have received no assistance from the New York city government to start or maintain their business. Half of those surveyed aren’t even aware of the over one dozen business programs provided by the city. Many of the outreach programs are administered online and through its network of Small Business Solution Centers, but these resources do not reach these entrepreneurs statistically. Immigrant business owners indicate that they most need assistance in the following areas: financing, marketing, and legal assistance.
Meanwhile, 87% of immigrant-owned business in New York city don’t even have a business website. On average, about half of all small businesses have a website.
Some advocates want to see more direct outreach, that is economic development staff, going into neighborhoods and discussing the available programs with business owners. This can help the businesses not only stay afloat, but grow, expand and add jobs.
What is the best way to inform immigrant business entrepreneurs, and other small business owners, about the assistance programs available to them?
Read more about this report at the New York Daily News.
