NY A04246

Repeals and replaces Article 9 of the Economic Development Law to establish Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers that provide business training and assistance to minority group members, women, individuals with disabilities, and dislocated workers.

Authorizes the Department of Economic Development to establish and support centers at career education agencies and not-for-profit organizations, with grants capped at $75,000 per applicant or consortium.

Requires each center to be operated by a board of directors, establish an advisory group with at least half representing target clientele, and provide services including business planning, financial planning, market analysis, and referrals to financing and training resources.

Mandates the Department to monitor center performance and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by October 1st starting in 2016, and independent evaluations to the budget director and legislative committees by September 1, 2017 and every four years thereafter.

Makes technical corrections to the Economic Development Law and Labor Law to reference the new entrepreneurship assistance centers in self-employment assistance programs.