Free Engineering Consulting from SATOP
The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) is a NASA funded initiative that can provide your business with up to 40 hours of FREE technical assistance from an expert in the aerospace industry. Applying to SATOP is very simple. Just visit www.SATOPNY.com and complete a Request for Technical Assistance using the online form. A SATOP engineer will call you to discuss your request. SATOP will then work to match your request with a technical expert who will provide up to 40 hours of free assistance. SATOP’s areas of engineering expertise include: manufacturing, materials, mechanical, electrical, chemical, structural, and many more. (Please note that SATOP cannot address software or Internet challenges.)  Please contact LICBDC at 718.786.5300 x 27 or danminer@licbdc.org.

Reporting Potholes to NYC DOT
In March 16, LICBDC staff spent a day driving around Dutch Kills looking for potholes. Over 100 significant to severe potholes were identified and reported to the NYC Department of Transportation, which will attempt to repair each one as soon as possible. Two streets with especially high incidence of potholes were 36^th Avenue between 35^th and 36^th Streets, and 22^nd Street between 38^th and 39^th Avenues.  

They went out again in early April, finding over 50 potholes south of Queens Plaza and by Court Square.  Clusters of potholes were reported on Starr, Greenpoint, Jackson, Borden and 51^st Avenues, and 21^st, 27^th 35^th and 36^th Streets.  To report potholes, contact 718.786.5300 x 27 or info@licbdc.org, or call 311.

Free Energy Services from Con Edison
Con Edison is offering businesses with an average monthly peak demand of less than 100kw (most small businesses) free energy surveys; free energy conservation measures, such as CFL's (compact fluorescents) and water heater thermostats; and incentives up to 70% of installed cost for major heating, cooling, and lighting upgrades. If you've been considering greening your business, now is the time to take advantage of big incentives to upgrade your lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling systems and refrigeration. Save money, save energy, and help the environment: the power of green. Visit conEd.com/energyefficiency or call Con Edison's contractor at 1-888-willdan (1-888-945-5326).

NYC Community Cleanup is a new citywide initiative designed to address neighborhood hot spots and eyesores. NYC Community Cleanup puts low-level offenders to work repairing conditions of disorder throughout New York City. The goal is to create meaningful community service work projects that emphasize the values of immediacy (tying a crime to its consequences); visibility (showing New Yorkers that the justice system is responding to neighborhood problems); and accountability (ensuring high compliance rates).

NYC Community Cleanup projects include picking up trash, sweeping streets, cleaning up local parks, graffiti removal and improving blighted waterfront areas. The group recently completed a trash pickup on Hunter and 24th Streets in Long Island City.  See before and after pictures of their work here.  To report trash problems, contact info@licbdc.org or 718.786.5300 x 27, or Queens Borough Manager Manuel Lariño at (917) 679-9336 or mlarino@cleanupnyc.org.

Cut Parking Tickets with the NYC Fleet Program
The Fleet Program is a free service of NYC Department of Finance which reduces the cost of some parking tickets while dismissing others. To apply contact contact info@licbdc.org or 718.786.5300 x 27.

“Thanks for telling us about the NYC Fleet Program. As a small business owner it is a constant struggle battling the PVB officers while making deliveries in Manhattan! We immediately enrolled and have already saved hundreds of dollars in parking tickets.” - Michael Nasoff, The Ravioli Store. They have been providing hand crafted artisanal pasta products to wholesale and retail customers for over 20 years. www.raviolistore.com

Free Summer Interns

Henry Street Settlement’s Summer Youth Employment Program will offer free interns between July 6 and August 21. They are suitable for clerical assistants, sales associates, and maintenance positions.  HSS will match Queens residents with Queens workplaces.  Contact Kristina Sepulveda at KSepulveda@henrystreet.org  or (212) 254-3100 x215.

Has the economic downturn affected your business?
Get turnaround consultant at no cost through NY State Dept. of Labor
Is your company in financial distress from the economic downturn? Are you considering layoffs or plant closures? Businesses in the manufacturing, construction, transportation or wholesale sectors, based in NYC, Long Island or Westchester, are eligible for Layoff Aversion Services, a new pilot program.  Contact us for immediate referral to a NYS DOL turnaround consultant.  If they determine they can help you, the consultant will work with management at no cost to return the company to sound financial footing, coordinating a rapid response team from Dept. of Labor and partner agencies.  Contact info@licbdc.org or 718.786.5300 x 27.

Apply for NYC Employee Training Grants

Businesses can receive up to $400,000 in matching funds to cover up to 70% of the costs of training. To get funding from NYC to train your employees call Deb Mesloh at (718) 786-5300 x 32. Start your application now for the round of funds to be awarded in spring 2010. 

NYC Business Express is the one-stop online tool for the license, permit, tax, incentive information and applications you need, for any business in NYC.  The NYC Business Express Incentives Estimator can even provide a customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives for which your business may qualify.

www.nyc.gov/BusinessExpress

NYC Nonprofit Assistance

NYC has a new section on its website to provide up-to-date resources for NYC nonprofits including technical assistance referrals, capacity building training materials, assistance with City Contracting, and information about upcoming events that focus on nonprofits. Recognizing the importance of the nonprofit sector, the City's strong partnership with the nonprofit sector supports the efficient delivery of quality services to all New Yorkers. Click here to find out more. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nonprofit/html/home/home.shtml

New Con Edison Energy Efficiency Programs
Energy efficiency is the smart way to save energy, save money and help the environment. Con Edison’s commercial and industrial customers are eligible for new energy efficiency programs, with rebates and performance-based incentives for equipment upgrades.  Call 1-877-870-6118 or Con Edison’s Economic Development team at 718-298-7646.  Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $33 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Con Edison helps you succeed by delivering the most reliable electric service in the country. 

LICBDC Member Directory

Looking for a vendor or service provider? Start your search at our online Member Directory.  Members can publish a profile in our newsletter each year, can attend our Members Only networking events, and if they exhibit at our Annual Luncheon and Trade Show, get a big discount. 

What do you think? Join the discussion at our LinkedIn site.