There are numerous programs to assist business owners and start-ups.  In addition to the traditional financial incentives such as loans and grants, there are high quality non-financial resources.

Financial Resources

Empire State Development: is the parent organization for New York's two principal economic development financing entities: the Empire State Development Corporation and the Job Development Authority.  Empire State Development Corporation has programs designed to promote job growth by providing loans to assist New York companies to build and expand facilities and acquire machinery and equipment.

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Linked Deposit Program: is an economic development initiative created to encourage and assist small businesses within New York State to make investments and undertake eligible projects that will contribute to improving their productivity, performance and competitiveness by reducing the cost of capital through interest subsidies.  Empire Zone certified businesses may qualify for up to a 3% interest rate reduction on conventional bank loans.

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Statewide Zone Capital Corporation (SZCC): offers Empire Zone businesses a revolving loan fund that can help provide financing for working capital, machinery & equipment, and real estate financing.  SZCC is managed by the New York State Business Development Corporation.

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New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC): Created by an act of the New York State Legislature in 1955, NYBDC is a private corporation funded by over 160 New York State commercial banks and thrift institutions.  Its mandate includes promoting employment and economic development throughout New York State through long-term loans to creditworthy small and medium-sized businesses.

Through NYBDC, businesses in New York State have the opportunity to obtain financing that may not be available through conventional means.  Interest rates are competitive.

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Broome County Industrial Development Agency (BCIDA): offers tax exempt industrial development bonds, lease-back transactions, low interest loans, property tax abatements, and sales and mortgage recording tax exemptions.

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Binghamton Local Development Corporation (BLDC): Since 1892, the BLDC has offered business owners a low cost alternative to filing the gap in financing packages.  More than one hundred local companies have taken advantage of loans through the BLDC at below market rates for fixed assets and rehabilitation costs.

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Town of Union Local Development Corporation: The Town of Union Economic Development Department provides financial assistance to start-up and expanding businesses through the Local Development Corporation of the Town of Union.  Assistance in packaging deals with private, state, and local funds is also offered.

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Non-Financial Resources

Broome Tioga Workforce New York: is a unique partnering between the workforce development system and the regional business community.  Its focus is helping the business recruit and retain talented workers, assessing and responding to current and future workforce needs, and helping individuals obtain rewarding career opportunities.  The local office will recruit, screen and refer applicants free of charge to your specifications.

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Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The mission of the SBDC is to provide the entrepreneurs and small business owners with management and technical assistance.  Their services are free and strictly confidential.  The center is located in downtown Binghamton on the third floor of the Binghamton Artco Building (218-224 Water Street, Binghamton).

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Broome Tioga Small Business: The one-stop calendar for upcoming Broome Tioga small business programming and networking opportunities.  Using this calendar and centralized contact list will connect you to resources that are readily available to assist you in making your new and expanding small business a success.

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Greater Binghamton SCORE: provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives.  Greater Binghamton SCORE also offers workshops, for a modest fee, for both start-up entrepreneurs and in-business small business owners.  SCORE volunteers are real-world professionals with time-tested knowledge who donate thousands of hours to help small businesses succeed.  Counselors are experts in such areas as accounting, engineering, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation.

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MWBE Development Center: provides training, technical assistance and advocacy for minority and women owned businesses and entrepreneurs.  For qualified firms, subsidized services such as legal services, bookkeeping, tax preparation, market research and financial review may be available.

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Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T): is a non-profit devoted to improving the competitiveness and productivity of small and medium sized manufacturers.  One of 70 such centers across the country, AM&T is affiliated with the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and the New York State Science and Technology Foundation.  AM&T provides on-site business assessments, performance benchmarking, leadership and employee-involvement consulting, information technology support, and ISO 9000, 14000, QS 9000 and AS 9000 services.

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Southern Tier APICS: provides education and certification in methods of material movement, inventory management and manufacturing flow including Just-In-Time methods.  The Southern Tier Chapter of APICS provides training in resource management and offers career assistance in a professional forum for their members and the business community.  The Southern Tier Chapter serves Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga counties.

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