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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2002
PR-084-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, EDC PRESIDENT ANDREW ALPER AND DBS COMMISSIONER ROBERT WALSH
LAUNCH "Adopt-A-Company" INITIATIVE


Public-Private Program Designed to Help Small Businesses Affected by September 11th


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today launched Adopt-A-Company, a public-private initiative designed to support small businesses affected by September 11th. Adopt-A-Company is a voluntary, pro bono program which partners companies with small businesses recovering from losses due to September 11th. The program encourages support, or "adoption," of small businesses by giving them foot traffic, client referrals and other pro bono assistance. The terms of the "adoption" are discretionary, allowing companies to partner in a way that makes sense to both the adoptee and the sponsor, by providing business to the adoptee or by donating services or supplies.

Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Andrew M. Alper and Department of Business Services (DBS) Commissioner Robert W. Walsh joined Mayor Bloomberg in welcoming Christopher Jaskiewicz, an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP, Gloria Tarigo, owner of Let Them Eat Cake, LTD, and Julie Menin, President and Founder of Wall Street Rising, to the Adopt-A-Company program.

"Adopt-A-Company is a unique public-private partnership that is an excellent way for the business community to help small companies get back on their feet," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Unfortunately, September 11th caused many small businesses to close for extended periods of time and lose customer traffic. This program is designed to provide small firms with a boost of business activity and support to help replace lost revenue and customers. Whether your organization is located in midtown Manhattan or out-of-state, you can play a vital part in helping New York City by adopting some of the thousands of small businesses located here."

The program is a public-private initiative of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Business Services. Small businesses eligible for adoption need to be located in New York City, and have 50 or fewer employees. Sponsors can be located anywhere in the United States. Potential sponsors and adoptees will undergo a basic screening process before being registered for the program.

"Since September 11th, companies and individuals in New York and across the country have been looking for ways to support New York City," said EDC President Alper. "Adopt-A-Company facilitates direct relationships that will have a meaningful impact on the well being of small businesses. This program is a unique and simple way to bolster small companies that are looking to restore business. I want to thank the 28 corporations and organizations that have already generously committed to supporting Adopt-A-Company."

"Small businesses are a vital part of New York City's economy," said DBS Commissioner Walsh. "This program will be tremendously rewarding for many large companies and organizations that want to help rebuild our City. The program has already gained enthusiastic support from numerous potential sponsors and adoptees -- I urge the business community to support this initiative."

Adopt-A-Company is completely pro bono, where participants donate their services and assistance with no fees. The sponsor and adoptee work out the terms of their agreement and extent of an adoption with each other directly. It is flexible and can be tailored to specific needs. Potential participants can apply for the program by accessing the Adopt-A-Company website, www.adopt-a-company.org, and following the simple instructions. The website allows adoptees to register as well as tell their business story, while also giving sponsors an opportunity to find a company to adopt.

During its development stages, Adopt-A-Company recruited 28 sponsoring organizations and approved 203 businesses for adoption. The program has already made 29 successful matches between adoptable companies and sponsoring organizations. Examples include:

Interested participants should visit the Adopt-A-Company website at www.adopt-a-company.org, to register. Registration may also be completed through the WTC Business Rebuilding Center, located at 140 William Street (at the corner of Fulton Street). The Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Information is also available by calling (212) 618-5767.


www.nyc.gov

Contact: Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk
(212) 788-2958
  Lynn Rasic (EDC)
(212) 312-3523