Meng Announces New Small Business Services in Flushing

After calling for another Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to be created in Queens, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that SBDC services will be available in Flushing for small businesses in the area.

Beginning this week, the SBDC at LaGuardia Community College will provide an advisor at the Flushing branch of the Queens Library every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Business advisor XiaoYuan (Wennie) Hanson will be available to assist small businesses in the library's downstairs meeting room. Appointments are required and can be booked by calling 718-482-5315 or by sending an email to xhanson@lagcc.cuny.edu.

The decision to provide additional services in Queens comes as a result of Meng's continued advocacy for another full SBDC center in the borough. At Meng's recent Congressional field hearing in Queens, witnesses testified that an additional SBDC is necessary to better serve the needs of local business owners who have been underserved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal programs. Queens presently has two SBDC's; the one at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City and another at York College in Jamaica. Witnesses said that another facility located in the vibrant northeastern part of the borough is desperately needed.

"Providing small business services at the library is excellent news for small businesses in the area," said Meng. "While this is not a full-fledged SBDC, it is a great first step to securing one in the future, and it will serve as an outstanding asset to local small business owners. I thank LaGuardia Community College for providing this valuable service, and for understanding the important needs of area entrepreneurs. I urge all small business owners to take advantage of this valuable resource to help grow their business and discover new opportunities."

"Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) have proven to be an effective way to help entrepreneurs learn how to access capital, market their business, and register as an minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE)" said Jack Friedman, Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "This new partnership between SBDC, Queens Library, and LaGuardia Community College, will reach even more small businesses in Queens, and teach them about the resources that are available to help them succeed. I would like to thank Congresswoman Grace Meng, the Queens Library, LaGuardia Community College, and SBDC, for continuing to help entrepreneurs in Queens."

Services at the library will include:

· One-to-one business advisement service

· Entrepreneurial training

· Advocacy for small businesses and entrepreneurs

· Assistance with access to capital

· Business plan and financial projections development

· Preparation of loan packages

· Marketing & advertising

· Referrals to lending institutions for SBA guaranteed loans, conventional loans and alternative lenders

· Research in support of small businesses through the New York State SBDC Research Network

· Assistance with sustainability, innovation and disaster recovery

· Assistance with veteran-owned businesses, older entrepreneurs and underserved immigrants, minority and women owned business enterprise (MWBE) and procurement

The Congressional field hearing, "Underserved Small Businesses: Providing Access to Federal Programs," was held at Queens College this past March by Meng's Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce. The hearing probed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) poor outreach to local small businesses, and examined why emerging businesses, startups and minority entrepreneurs struggle to use small business assistance programs that are provided by the federal government. The hearing included testimony from several witnesses including Michele Chang, the SBA's Acting Chief of Staff and the number-two person at the agency.

The Queens Library in Flushing is located at 41-17 Main Street.