Klein Helps Constituent Cut Red Tape

Helps Local Businesswoman Obtain Needed State Certificate

MORRIS PARK, BRONX, N.Y. – State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein announced today that his office has been successful in helping local Morris Park businesswoman, Jaime Garry of Cybermania LLC, clear the bureaucratic hurdles that prevented her from receiving her Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise Certification (MWBE).  Prior to contacted the Senator's office, Garry had spent more than a year trying to obtain this deserved certification from the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD). The program is intended to assist small businesses in their growth by ensuring that entities that are either New York State Agencies or those engaged in contacts with New York State Agencies are awarding a fair share of state contracts to MWBEs, thus promoting a diversified workforce.

Garry contacted Senator Klein’s office after ESD had sent her back a request asking for 20 detailed items within 20 business days. Many of the items they had requested were either very labor intensive, or not-applicable to Garry's business.  The Senator’s office succeeded in reviving her application and then wrote a letter on her behalf to the New York City regional director asking that consideration be given to her business and its unique circumstances.

In January, Garry received another letter from ESD asking for an additional 20 pieces of information that had not been requested the first time.  

Senator Klein then reached out and was able to arrange an on-site meeting between ESD officials and Garry. They were able to cut through the bureaucracy and complete the process.   The result was Garry receiving her MWBE certification two weeks ago.

“The MWBE program was developed precisely for businesses just like the one Jamie owns," Senator Klein said. "I'm proud to have helped her cut through this red tape and am working to ensure that other business owners are not forced to  jump through hoops every time they have to deal with our state bureaucracy."  

“ Even after providing more than the requested documentation and resubmitting my application multiple times throughout the course of over a year, I was unable to successfully receive MWBE status as a woman-owned business.” said Jaime Garry. “Without the help of Senator Klein, I would have not only given up on achieving MWBE certification, but would have also lost a client as a result. They were more than just instrumental in helping push the process along - they were inspirational in continuing to assure me that I should retain a positive outlook and that we would reach our goal.”

Small businesses who are encountering difficulty with obtaining state certifications are encouraged to contact Senator Klein’s Office at (718) 822-2049 or jdklein@nysenate.gov. 

-30-