BEDC PRESENTING WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

BROOKLYN, NY, March 13, 2003-Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is presenting a series of workshops in March and April to encourage business development in New York City.

"Certification Workshop"

BEDC, the Boricua College Small Business Development Center, South Brooklyn Business Outreach Center, and Minority Enterprise Government Assistance- Woman Enterprise Government Assistance company will present a "Certification Workshop" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2003.

The free workshop, which is for entrepreneurs and small business owners, will be held at BEDC’s offices 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, downtown Brooklyn. To register, call the BEDC RSVP Line at 718-522-4600, ext. 15. RSVPs are required.

The "Certification Workshop" is designed to demystify the certification process. The Minority Enterprise Government Assistance-Woman Enterprise Government Assistance company, which specializes in assisting minority and women-owned businesses through the process of becoming certified with Federal, State, and City agencies, will conduct this workshop. Areas that will be covered include: meeting the legal requirements, business documentation preparation, identifying the right certification fit for your business, and how becoming certified can increase your business earnings as well as enhance your marketing efforts.

" Minority Women Business Seminar on Certification"

BEDC and the Opportunity Development Association (ODA) Minority Business Development Center will present a "Minority Women Business Seminar on Certification" from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2003.

The free workshop, which is for minority women entrepreneurs and business owners, will be held at BEDC’s offices 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, downtown Brooklyn. To register, call 718-522-5620. RSVPs are required.

The "Minority Women Business Seminar on Certification" is designed to help minority women business owners understand the government and private sector certifications available and whether they can help their business. The speakers for the program will include: Celeste Morris, director of the Minority, Women, and Locally Based Business Enterprise Program for the New York City Department of Small Business Services; Paula Tarlow, director of Economic Development for the ODA Minority Business Development Center; George Lazzari, director of marketing for ODA, and James Sanford, director of Community Development for BEDC. The speakers will discuss the government and private sector certifications for minorities, how to obtain them, and the benefits they offer. In addition, they will discuss how their respective agencies can assist business owners with the certification process.

"Real Estate Incentive Programs Seminar"

BEDC and the New York City Department of Small Business Services will present a "Real Estate Incentive Programs Seminar" from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2003.

The workshop, which is for representatives from local development corporations, business improvement districts, offices of elected officials, and real estate brokerage firms, will be held at BEDC’s offices 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, downtown Brooklyn. The workshop is free for nonprofits and government staff members, and $20 for others. To register, contact James Sanford, 718-522-4600, ext. 30, or Margaret Nelson, 718-522-4600, ext. 12. RSVPs are required.

The presenters for the workshop are Don Giampietro, director of the Incentives Programs at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, and Florence Adu, assistant vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

This workshop will help practitioners in the areas of community and economic development gain a better understanding of the investment/property development incentives and benefits available to small businesses in Brooklyn. The incentive programs to be covered include the New York City Industrial Commercial Incentive Program, the Commercial Expansion Program, Industrial Development Authority Bond Financing, Empire Zone benefits, as well as other incentive programs.

"Growing and Surviving in the Designing, Manufacturing, and Retail Business"

BEDC and ACCION New York will present "Growing and Surviving in the Designing, Manufacturing, and Retail Business" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003.

The free workshop, which is for entrepreneurs in the designing, manufacturing, and retail fields, will be held at BEDC’s offices 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, downtown Brooklyn. To register, please call the BEDC RSVP Line at 718-522-4600, ext. 24. RSVPs are required.

This workshop is geared for current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the fashion and apparel industry. The workshop will have a special focus on proper financial management. Special invited guests will include: representatives from the Romar Group Inc., John Berry of Exodus, an apparel manufacturing fashion designer, and David Z-Yorum, a fashion retailer. A free computer disk for managing financial information will be distributed at the workshop.

BEDC’s offices can be reached by taking the 2, 3, 4, 5 trains to Borough Hall, the M, N, R trains to Court Street, or the A, C, F trains to Jay Street/Borough Hall, or by taking the B25, B26, B37, B41, B45, B51, B52 buses to Borough Hall/Court Street.

BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn’s economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services. More information is available at www.bedc.org.