FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 13, 2022

NYC Department of Small Business Services Announces Formation of Small Business Advisory Commission

Commission to Identify Opportunities to Cut Red Tape, Improve Business Services, and Promote an Equitable, Economic Recovery

NEW YORK – The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) today announced the formation of the Small Business Advisory Commission. The Commission, which meets today for the first time, builds on Mayor Eric Adams' commitment to forge strong partnerships with the City's business community and slash through regulatory barriers to accelerate the economic recovery. Mayor Adams established the Commission in Executive Order 15 to improve the regulatory ecosystem impacting small businesses, outlined in the Mayor's economic recovery plan, Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City Economic Recovery.

The Commission will deliver input on new policies, laws, and regulations, as well as on existing rules, fines, fees, and violations. It will serve as a critical link between business leaders and City government, and support business growth while preserving public health and safety.

"New York City is a powerhouse of economic diversity, forged by small businesses," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "Through the Small Business Advisory Commission, small business owners from across the five boroughs will have a direct role in cutting through the red tape and turning our city into a 'City of Yes.'"

"We make New York City friendlier for small businesses by listening to them – and that's exactly what this Commission is all about," said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development. "New York City's economic recovery is driven by the diverse small businesses that employ locally, enliven our neighborhoods, and provide New Yorkers and tourists alike with the greatest our city has to offer. The members of the Small Business Advisory Commission will ensure that small businesses continue to power our economy for the next generation."

"We're a big city of small businesses, and this Commission brings our small businesses to the table to take our recovery forward," said NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. "From improving inspection processes to analyzing rules and regulations, we are eager to take our efforts to overhaul how City government interacts with the small business community to the next level."

Chaired by SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim, the Commission is comprised of small business owners, community associations and industry groups, and administration members, representing the diversity of businesses across the five boroughs, including by industry and years-in-operation. The Commission will meet on a regular basis throughout the year.

The Commission further builds on groundbreaking achievements of the Adams' Administration to break-through bureaucratic barriers, including Small Business Forward (Executive Order 2), which launched more than 100 reforms to reduce fines, extend cure periods, and eliminate violations at the NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Department of Environmental Protections, NYC Department of Sanitation, the Fire Department of New York, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Commission will continue to review burdensome regulations while examining licensing requirements, enforcement operations, the City's communication with businesses, and more.

About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.