Relates to entrepreneurship assistance centers; repealer

14 Co-sponsors

• RoAnn Destito
• Kenneth Zebrowski
• William Scarborough
• Ellen C. Jaffee
• Joan Christensen
• William Colton
• Joan Millman
• David Koon
• Marcos Crespo
• Gary Finch
• Grace Meng
• Vanessa Gibson
• Jeffrion Aubry
• Nelson Castro

4 Multi-sponsors

• Francine DelMonte
• Janele Hyer-Spencer
• Nettie Mayersohn
• Keith L.T. Wright

BILL NUMBER:A11053

Title of bill

An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to establishing entrepreneurship assistance centers; to amend the economic development law and the labor law, in relation to making technical corrections relating thereto; and to repeal article 9 of the economic development law relating thereto

Purpose or general idea of bill

To repeal article nine of the economic development law to add a new article nine that would create 'Entrepren- eurship Assistance Centers'.

Summary of specific provisions

Combine section 211 and 212 of the economic development law into a new section 211 establishing entrepren- eurship assistance centers, which will support local development corpo- rations, chambers of commerce, community based business outreach centers and other community-based organizations. The purpose of these centers will be for training minority group members; women, individuals with a disability and dislocated workers in the principles and practice of entrepreneurship in order to prepare such person to pursue self-employ- ment opportunities and to pursue a minority business enterprise or a women-owned business enterprise.

Establish a selection criteria and designation of such centers for providing technical and financial assistance.

Provide guidelines for grant application that will be prescribed by the department. Eliminates the previously required sixty hours of classroom instruction and thirty hours of one to one counseling.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

The current law separates development centers and entrepreneurship support centers, the current statute would be amended by combining sections 211 and 212 of the economic development law.

Justification

The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) was created in New York State by the NYS Omnibus Economic Development Act of 1997. Since Its inception, the EAP initiative has helped entrepreneurs create new businesses and has provided in-depth assistance to minorities, women and dislocated workers interested in starting a business.

The EAP establishes centers in local communities to provide instruction, training, technical assistance and support services to individuals who have recently started their own business or are interested in starting a business. EAP assists new and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing ' basic business management skills, refining business concepts, devising early-stage marketing plans and preparation of action plans. In addi- tion, the program actively assists EAP client efforts to obtain business financing. Two thirds of the centers operate or are formally affiliated with a micro loan fund.

This does not currently reflect how the EAP functions. In order to streamline the current program and create a more effective and efficient program that accurately reflects the current practices of the Entrepren- eurship Assistance Program.

Prior legislative history

A11032/58293 of 200-2008 - Passed Assembly Referred to Rules in Senate,

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:; None to the state

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately