Government & Community Affairs

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Part 2, Civic and Religious Services >

Business Development Services

• Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
  
  Kenneth J. Knuckles,
  Director
  
  290 Lenox Avenue
  New York, NY 10027
  
  Tel: 212-410-0030
  Fax: 212-410-9616
  
  Website: www.umez.org
  
  Hours: Monday through Friday:
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  
  The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) is a not-for-profit economic development corporation charged with investing approximately $250 million in capital. UMEZ invests in selected projects, ranging from grassroots initiatives to major economic development activities that meet specific investment criteria. UMEZ works to encourage investments in zones that will expand sustainable economic activity, enhance the ability of local residents, businesses and institutions to benefit from easy opportunities, and ultimately improve the quality of life in the community. UMEZ is particularly interested in receiving business plans to create or expand businesses in growth industries including entertainment and tourism, retail, health care and business services.



• Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation
  
  Dennis Reeder,
  Executive Director
  
  57 Wadsworth Avenue
  New York, NY 10033
  
  Tel: 212-795-1600
  Fax: 212-781-4051
  
  Hours: Monday through Friday:
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  
  The BO$$ Micro Development Program offered by the Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation provides one on one business counseling to those seeking to establish or maintain a business in Washington Heights and Inwood. The Contractors Loan Management Program (CLAMP) offered by the organization provides contract-based working capital financing to small construction contractors.



• Washington Heights Business Improvement District
  
  George Sanchez,
  Executive Director
  
  1456 St. Nicholas Avenue
  New York, NY 10033
  
  Tel: 212-928-3400
  Fax: 212-928- 3646
  
  E-mail: hgtsbid@juno.com
  
  Hours: Monday through Friday:
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  
  The Washington Heights Business Improvement District is a New York State not-for-profit corporation, financially supported by special real estate taxes, collected by the City of New York, on all property within the BID area. The BID area consist of properties facing 181st Street between Fort Washington and Amsterdam Avenues, those facing Broadway between 179th and 182nd Streets and those facing St. Nicholas Avenue between 179th and 183rd Streets. Owners of property and merchants within the BID district are automatically members of the corporation. The BID provides maintenance, holiday lighting, sanitation, public relations and security for all businesses in this area.



• 125th Street Business Improvement District
  
  Barbara Askins,
  President
  
  271 West 125th Street
  Suite #214
  New York, NY 10027
  
  Tel: 212-662-8999
  Fax: 212-678-5136
  
  E-mail: bid125thst@aol.com
  
  Hours: Monday through Friday:
  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  
  The 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID) includes a five block commercial area in Central and West Harlem. The mission of the BID is to expand sustainable economic activity in the area including the creation or expansion of businesses and the development of jobs for community residents. The BID’s goals are to maximize the ability of local residents, businesses and institutions to benefit from any and all opportunities created by commercial revitalization efforts and to improve the quality of life in the area. The 125th Street BID provides local businesses with technical assistance support through sanitation, energy conservation, and security programs.