SERINO TO STATE: PUT SMALL BUSINESS FIRST

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today announced that her bill to empower New York’s small businesses and ensure they remain a priority passed in the Senate.

“As a small business owner, I understand just how challenging it can be to navigate through New York’s endless red tape,” said Senator Serino. “Too often, it can feel as though the odds are stacked against you. We should be working to empower our entrepreneurs and ensure that they have just as much of a shot at securing state funds as our large companies so that they can continue to succeed and create the jobs that we need to move our state forward.”

While many state economic development programs are created specifically to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs, the reality is that larger companies have the resources and institutional know-how to take advantage of these important programs, giving them a distinct edge in the process.
 
Senator Serino’s bill (S. 6588) would ensure that each State Economic Development Agency and their programs work to ensure that small businesses and entrepreneurs have the resources and support they need to take advantage of programs that could provide them with critical resources to maintain and create new jobs. Further, and most importantly, it would ensure that small businesses receive priority consideration when limited state funds are awarded in order to ensure that businesses in greatest need of assistance and those poised to create the most jobs receive the funds they need to succeed.
 
“Too many small businesses are missing the boat when it comes to competing for limited state funding that could help their businesses thrive. Small businesses often do not have the bandwidth to compete against larger companies for those dollars,” said Senator Serino. “This bill is about leveling the playing field and sending a strong message that New York is working to ensure that innovative, successful small businesses continue to operate in our economy.”
 
The bill is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Robin Schimminger.

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