Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the city’s Economic Development Corporation and Department of Small Business Services have joined together to provide a workshop to guide small businesses on how to receive federal stimulus money.

The workshop, which will focus on new government loan guarantee programs, will be in Room 213 on Tuesday, June 23rd from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Borough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.

Marshall, who has initiated a series of economic incentives in the wake of the current recession, noted that recent data on the country’s jobless and unemployment rates – while distressing –indicate that the government’s package of spending measures was helping to stimulate the economy. “Here in Queens, our small businesses, many with fewer than ten employees, continue to keep us strong, despite the local effects of the national recession,” said the Borough President.

Marshall added that the workshop will include experts on a variety of topics, including how struggling businesses can make use of no-interest, deferred payment loans, how to obtain lines of credit up to $250,000, how to develop a “turnaround” plan and how to learn more about adjustments to the federal tax code that can benefit small businesses.

EDC President Seth Pinsky noted that, “Small businesses, which account for almost half of the City’s workforce, are at the heart of our City’s diverse economy.” Pinsky, commenting on Tuesday’s workshop, stated, “We are pleased to be a part of this important initiative that will provide the necessary information to enable our city’s entrepreneurs to take advantage of federal programs that have been designed to help them survive and thrive during these difficult times.”
Speakers lined up for the information forum include: Man-Li Lin, business development specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration; Maureen Babis, senior vice president with the City’s Economic Development Corporation, Brian Gurski, director of LaGuardia Community College’s Small Business Development Center and Alexandra Simon, senior business analyst with the Economic Development Corporation.
Anyone who wishes to attend the event should call the Office of the Borough President ahead of time at (718) 286-2655. Seating is limited.