Free help to open, operate & grow in NYC.
Harlem Commonwealth Council operates the NYC Business Solutions Centers of Upper Manhattan and Washington Heights on behalf of the NYC Department of Small Business Services — helping businesses open, operate, and expand across New York City. Every service on this page is free.
Start here — straight from the City.
These three guides are published and maintained by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the city agency behind NYC Business Solutions. They are the authoritative source for requirements, licences, and certification steps. Links open on nyc.gov in a new tab.
Start a Business
Choosing a legal structure, registering, licences and permits, and the paperwork the City requires before you open your doors.
Open on nyc.gov/sbs↗Grow a Business
Financing, hiring, training funds, incentives, and compliance support for a business that is already trading and ready to scale.
Open on nyc.gov/sbs↗Certify with the City
M/WBE certification — eligibility, required documents, and how certification unlocks City bidding and procurement opportunities.
Open on nyc.gov/sbs↗Help for businesses.
Assistance provided through NYC Business Solutions includes, but is not limited to, the following — delivered in person by our advisors at either center, at no cost.
Hiring
Assistance with your recruitment needs through access to a pool of pre-screened job candidates.
Training Funds
Access to matching funds for employee training — improving your team's skills and the overall quality of your operations.
Business Establishment & Contract Review
A network of pro-bono lawyers to help you choose a legal structure, register your business, and assess a lease or contract before you sign.
Financing
An assessment of the right lending opportunities for you, plus help packaging your loan application — leveraging our existing lender relationships to improve your odds of approval.
M/WBE Certification
Assistance completing the process to become certified as a Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise. Certified businesses gain access to exclusive support around bidding and procurement.
Navigating Government
Guidance through complicated government procedures so you can address requirements and regulations smoothly, without stalling your business.
Incentives
Help identifying and securing business incentives that save you money as you relocate, expand, or make capital improvements.
Business Courses
Free classes to unlock the economic potential of your business — developing a business plan, bookkeeping, marketing, government certifications, and much more. New sessions run throughout the year.
Register for an upcoming courseCome see an advisor.
Quick, reliable information is available online any time. For everything else — packaging a loan, reviewing a lease, walking through certification — in-person help is free at either center below, and at NYC Business Solutions centers in all five boroughs.
NYC Business Solutions of Upper Manhattan
NYC Business Solutions of Washington Heights
More ways the City backs you.
Eight programs run by the City of New York that our advisors regularly connect Harlem business owners to. Each link goes directly to the official City page.
NYC Business Solutions Centers
Access free services to start, operate, and grow a small business.
nyc.gov/sbsM/WBE Certification
Ensures minority and women-owned businesses have greater access to public contracting opportunities.
nyc.gov/sbs Verify linkImmigrant Business Initiative
Business resources that address the specific needs of immigrant entrepreneurs.
nyc-business.nyc.gov Verify linkNYC Love Your Local
Honors the independent businesses that make New York City a unique place to live.
cityofnewyork.us Verify linkAvoid Common Business Violations
Learn the basic rules that keep you clear of fines, tickets, and citations.
nyc-business.nyc.govEmergency Preparedness & Recovery
Prepare your business for emergencies, and get support after a disruption.
nyc-business.nyc.govCustomized Training Grants
A competitive grant program to help businesses invest in their employees.
nyc-business.nyc.govNYC SBS APEX Accelerator
Formerly NYC PTAC. Learn how to compete successfully for City, State, and Federal government contracts.
nyc-business.nyc.govWalk in. We'll take it from there.
Bring us the thing that's stuck — the lease, the loan packet, the licence, the hire you can't fill. Our advisors do this every day, and it costs you nothing.
A service of the City of New York · Delivered by Harlem Commonwealth Council · Always free