FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

CITY LAUNCHES NYC BUSINESS EXPRESS SERVICE TEAM (BEST) TO SAVE SMALL BUSINESSES TIME AND MONEY, ACCELERATE PERMITTING AND LICENSING

NYC BEST Supports the Mayor's 'Blueprint for Economic Recovery' by Streamlining Interagency Contact for Small Businesses

NEW YORK, NY — NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim today announced the NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST) initiative, designed to provide small businesses with one-on-one expert support and cut time spent navigating City government.

The dedicated NYC BEST team will serve as a single point of contact between City agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs. The initiative aims to save small businesses time and money by streamlining the many interactions required with City agencies and providing key advice to help business owners expedite permit and licensing processes and resolve or avoid fines and violations.

No-cost services provided by NYC BEST's experts include:

• Assigned single point-of-contact to answer questions and advocate for your small business with City government, State government, and utilities
• Compliance consultations to identify and resolve issues before an inspector walks through the door
• Operations checklist to prepare to pass inspections
• Help to cure violations and avoid fines
• Step-by-step support to apply for and secure licenses and permits
• Services will be available in multiple languages

"As part of our plan for a strong economic recovery, we're making sure small businesses have access to all our resources when they need it the most," said Mayor Eric Adams. "NYC BEST will set small businesses up for success and help make New York City the easiest place to start a business and thrive."

"New York City's small businesses are the engine of our economy. As our city pushes toward full economic recovery, NYC BEST is going to help power that engine by improving efficiency in navigating government," said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development. "Our goal is to make sure every entrepreneur throughout the five boroughs looking to start a small business takes full advantage of the resources NYC BEST can provide."

"Small businesses are the foundation of our economy and our NYC BEST initiative is dedicated to providing small businesses with all the tools they need to navigate City government as they launch and grow," said Kevin D. Kim, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. "By working seamlessly with our sister City agencies to streamline the bureaucracy, we will accelerate our economic recovery and make New York City the most small business friendly city in the country."

To ensure the service reaches business owners in need and who have been historically underserved, SBS is also kicking off a major citywide outreach and advertising campaign, bringing SBS small business advocates, compliance advisors, and experts from sister City agencies together in each of the five boroughs over the next several months. Advocates and advisors will go door-to-door in business corridors to deliver SBS services deep into communities, with in-language services available for immigrant business owners and those with limited English proficiency.

Small business advocates will also host in-person "office hours" at SBS's 7 NYC Business Solutions Centers starting in the Bronx in September to meet business owners and provide more personalized support in navigating government.

"Since day one, the Adams Administration has been unwavering in its commitment to cutting red tape and clearing the path for small businesses in New York to thrive, NYC BEST provides a new opportunity to do just that," said Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich. "The Department is proud to support this initiative because it opens the doors to economic opportunity and provides a boost to our city's small businesses."

"Small businesses are the backbone of this city, and we are proud to partner in the NYC BEST Initiative," said Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. "The FDNY is committed to help small businesses thrive, by being a customer-centric agency and giving owners the tools, they need to succeed safely."

"Small businesses are crucial to this City and deserve all the support we can provide to help them not only survive, but thrive," said Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. "We are proud to work with Small Business Services and congratulate them on the launch of the NYC BEST program to help keep small businesses doing what they do best – running a business and contributing to a robust and energetic City."

"Providing support for our city's small businesses is vital to ensuring an equitable and just recovery," said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. "The NYC BEST Initiative will help small businesses navigate licensing processes and obtain educational support. We thank Mayor Adams and SBS for furthering our shared commitment to enhance the daily economic lives of all New Yorkers."

"The Health Department welcomes the launch of the NYC BEST program, which will help New Yorkers open their small businesses faster," said Ashwin Vasan, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "As shown during the pandemic, many of the businesses the Health Department regulates provide vital, essential services to New Yorkers. We look forward to working with SBS to make the NYC BEST program is a success."

"Thank you to SBS for creating the BEST Initiative that will help small businesses interact with many government agencies and allow them to spend more time running their business," said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.

"The NYC BEST initiative is a step in the right direction for the City and Small Business Services to consolidate bureaucracy and streamline applications for small businesses. It needs to be easier to open and operate a small business in New York City, as the current process is time-consuming and complex. Our small businesses, especially in the recovery phase of the pandemic, need all the support we can give," said NYC Council Member Julie Menin, Chair of the Small Business Committee.

"Assisting small businesses is a win-win," said NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "Following COVID-19's devastating impact on businesses and subsequent construction in Downtown Far Rockaway, I partnered with Commission Kim and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) to offer critical services, similar to the NYC Business Express Service Team, to keep small businesses stay afloat and thrive. Free one-on-one assistance that help small businesses navigate complex compliance regulations, grant opportunities and accelerate contracts and permits, is essential to a thriving local economy. I look forward to working with Mayor Eric Adams, SBS Commissioner Kim, and my local small business community to continue developing unique solutions that maintain the fabric of New York City's small businesses communities."

NYC BEST builds on the Adams administration's historic efforts to support the city's small businesses through City government efficiencies, as outlined in the Mayor's Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery. In the first days of the Administration, Mayor Adams signed Executive Order 2 (EO2) "Small Business Forward" leading to 118 regulatory reforms at DOB, DEP, DSNY, FDNY, DCWP, and DOHMH, saving small business owners up to $8.9 million annually by eliminating and amending fines and penalties. The Administration also suspended the City's liquor license surcharge, effective June 1, 2022, helping small businesses to save an estimated $6.5 million over the next year.

About the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information on all SBS services, go to nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

For more information on NYC BEST, visit nyc.gov/nycbest or call 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).