Small Business Services Program

The Small Business Services Program comprises of three (3) program services that include Merchant Organizing, Entrepreneur Assistance Workshops, and One-on-One Small Business Counseling.

  • Merchant Organizing:  As part of its program initiative to reconnect people and businesses to the waterfront, Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. provides organizing support to the Columbia Waterfront Merchants Association throughout the year. In November 2013, CGA co-hosted a Columbia Waterfront District Commercial Corridor Vision workshop with the Columbia Waterfront Merchants Association. Since the workshop, the merchants have had two goal setting meetings, secured NYC DOT coordination on metered parking along three commercial blocks and are collaborating with the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) to bolster area businesses during the Tour de Brooklyn, the Red Hook Playgroup on traffic safety improvements, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park on cross-marketing with neighborhood guides and kiosks. Merchants meetings bring about a working group of local small businesses to create market brand for the neighborhood and revitalize local economy by attracting visitors and residents to the area. Local merchants have also set as priority the development of a Neighborhood Business Guide that will feature local businesses and attractions in the Columbia Waterfront District. The meetings are held every 6 weeks with organizing, communication and action on priorities taking place as needed.
  • Entrpreneur Assistance Workshops: CGA has partered with the US Small Business Adminstration (SBA) to bring small business workshops and resources to entrepreneurs throughout Brooklyn. Entrepreneur Assistance Workshops have the primary objectives of fostering small business development and expanding entrepreneur capacity, thus creating and retaining job opportunities for local residents. The workshops are offered once a month, with 2 hours per session at the CGA Training Center. Each workshop includes a lecture on a specific topic, a question and answer portion, and opportunities for networking. Workshops include a diverse array of topics with a focus on the strengthening of existing businesses and the development of entrepreneurship in Brooklyn. Topics include Business Plan Development; Business Legal Structures; Loan Packaging & Negotiation; Business Licensing from NYC Department of Consumer Affairs; Buying a Franchise; Credit Management; NYS/NYC Tax Compliance; NYS/NYC Contract Procurement; Emarketing; Ecommerce; Social Media; Minority/Women Owned Business Certification and others that may be of interest to local businesses.
  • One-on-One Small Business Counseling: CGA has partnered with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide one-on-one counseling to small businesses on topics such as: reviewing business plans; identifying and accessing capital and credit; marketing and sales; assistance with filing NYS/NYC business tax returns; accessing business networks and support groups; assistance with applying for business licenses; and general management consulting.

Please get in touch with our Program Staff at (718) 243-9301 or send an email to info@carrollgardensassociation.com, if you wish to avail of our small business services.