Governor Cuomo recently announced a new “one-stop” website that consolidates in one location information about several programs intended to help businesses “open and grow in New York.”  The website can be found at http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10172013-business-services-initiative.
 
The categories of assistance offered include:
 
Find the Right Candidates for Your Business

• List Your Job Openings
• Access Hiring & Training Incentives
• Obtain Business Tax Credits and Incentives
• Secure Business Capital
• Learn About Small Business Training & Counseling
• Become MWBE Certified (Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises)
• Access HR (Human Resources) Services & Technical Assistance
• Find Layoff Aversion Resources
• New York State Business Compliance 

The New York State Business Compliance category, for instance, links users to State web pages that provide information on:  obtaining permits and licenses; employer requirements, employee rights and other labor information; and business taxes and mandated tax filings.  The Access Hiring & Training Incentives category includes information related to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (a federal tax credit of up to $4,800 to promote hiring from target groups such as veterans and youth); the Workers with Disabilities Tax Credit; the VOW to Hire Heroes federal tax credit (credit of up to $9,600 to hire qualified veterans).
 
The Governor’s announcement also states that New York State Business Service Team members are available to assist businesses at no cost with creating and reviewing employee handbooks, developing HR policies, reviewing employee turnover and offering alternatives to downsizing.