The Peru Gazette

 April 29 Through May 5 is National Small Business Week

This week, April 29 through May 5, has been designated as National Small Business Week and Empire State Development (ESD), and the Departments of Labor, Taxation and Finance, and Agriculture and Markets are encouraging all New Yorkers to support local small businesses. A cornerstone of the state’s economy, the more than 530,000 small business proprietors across New York account for 98 percent of all businesses and employ more than 3 million people, which is 40 percent of the state’s private sector workforce.

ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “New York State’s small businesses support millions of jobs and remain crucial to the continued success of state and local economies. ESD works with small businesses every day, helping them grow and create new jobs to strengthen communities across the state.” 

ESD and its Small Business Division assist companies of all stages, whether they are just starting or looking to expand. Various programs and initiatives have been designed to encourage small business growth and help entrepreneurs maximize their opportunities for success. ESD offers loans, venture financing, tax credits and incentives to qualifying businesses of all stages, including those designated as Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). For more information, visit ESD’s website atwww.esd.ny.gov or https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/small-business-hub.

State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Small businesses are vital to the economic tapestry of our great state, and the Department of Labor is proud to support them through the many services we offer to help them with everything from finding employees to applying for tax credits and incentives.” 

The New York State Department of Labor offers a multitude of free services for businesses of all sizes, including job postings on Governor Cuomo’s Jobs Express website, access to thousands of qualified candidates in our talent pool, career fairs and customized recruitments, and even Human Resources consultation services. These services are available to help businesses list their jobs, find the right candidates, access hiring and training incentives, obtain business tax credits and incentives, access HR service and technical assistance, and find layoff aversion resources. For more information, visit:https://www.labor.ny.gov/businessservices/landing.shtm. 

Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Nonie Manion said, “Local businesses drive the economic vitality and success of communities across New York State. To help these entrepreneurs thrive, the Tax Department provides convenient access to information about a range of tax credits and other resources through its Online Services portal. Please visit our website www.tax.ny.gov to learn more.”

Small businesses can work directly with the Tax Department at their convenience 24 hours per day, seven days per week. A dedicated section of the Tax Department website allows business owners to seamlessly navigate their online services. This application provides access to a variety of resources and programs, including information about important tax credits and incentives. Business owners can also make payments online through Online Services as well as response to notices and much more.

Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Every day, New Yorkers can make an easy choice that will support small businesses: They can choose to eat and drink food and beverage products grown and made in New York. Our farmers and processors make some of the best food in the world. Our agency supports those small businesses with efficient services and programs that help them prosper. I encourage all New Yorkers to look for Taste NY stores or the New York Grown and Certified label on food products to be sure that they are helping their neighbors while improving the state’s economy.”

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets supports New York’s nearly 36,000 farms, 700 farmers markets and thousands of agribusinesses across the State through its various programs, including its New York State Grown & Certified initiative and Taste NY marketing program. The NYS Grown & Certified program markets local growers participating in safe food handling and environmental sustainability programs, helping them better compete in the marketplace. The Taste NY program promotes New York food and beverage industries of all sizes and encourages consumers across the globe to buy local products. The program has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at large public events, and at Taste NY stores, displays and concession opportunities located at more than 60 locations in New York.State