From Brownfields to Broadband, NYC Helps Businesses

A former brownfield site in Brooklyn, NY that Ayton Performance, an Indy car engine design company, is building on. The site was remediated by the NYC Brownfield Cleanup Program. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—City initiatives launched last week to help new and small businesses were the focus of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s weekly radio address Sunday morning.

First, Bloomberg mentioned the Brownfield Cleanup Program, which he established in January 2011 to reclaim formerly polluted sites. The program has 30 sites under construction or completed, and another 45 enrolled.

A brownfield site is one that has been contaminated with toxins and deemed unsuitable for development. In addition to costly cleanups, businesses may face liability for the damage.

“Even if they had no role in polluting the areas in the first place,” Bloomberg said. “That’s changing. We are making reclaiming these sites a real priority.”

Through the cleanup program, developers can receive up to $85,000 to investigate and clean up a brownfield site.

Ayton Performance, a firm that provides engine consulting to major racing manufacturers such as Honda Racing, GM, and Porsche, received nearly $80,000 for its development. Ayton will build its new shop on a former brownfield site in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Second, Bloomberg highlighted two small-business initiatives announced last week that are to be launched in September: a small-business tool kit to help businesses use the Web more effectively, and a coalition to help small businesses from low-income neighborhoods.

The small business digital tool kit was developed with Tumblr, Weebly, Google, and Mashable, and the city will provide businesses with free classes, focusing on customized website templates and engine searching techniques. Classes begin in September.

“Any New Yorker can download content on everything from how to build a Web page, how to drive traffic to your site, [and] how to sell your products online,” Bloomberg said.

The second small-business initiative, the coalition, is a partnership with Citi Community Development, where five local nonprofit community organizations will form the New York City Small Business Technology Coalition. This coalition will reach out to entrepreneurs in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods and provide in-person classes at their locations.

“From brownfields to broadband, we are supporting more entrepreneurs and connecting New Yorkers with the tools and finances they need to create jobs,” Bloomberg said.

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