NY A02805

Repeals and replaces Article 9 of the Economic Development Law to establish entrepreneurship assistance centers at career education agencies and not-for-profit corporations to provide training in business development and self-employment to minority group members, women, individuals with disabilities, dislocated workers, and veterans.

Department of Economic Development shall establish selection criteria for centers including local support levels, financial assistance availability, understanding of program goals, plans to supplement funding through service fees, community need assessment, staff quality, and economic distress in the service area.

Each center must be operated by a board of directors, incorporated as not-for-profit, establish an advisory group with at least half representing the clientele served, and provide services including business concept analysis, market analysis, business and financial planning, financial referrals, and referral to business incubator facilities.

Grants to centers are capped at $75,000 per organization or consortium and must be used for program director salaries, instructor costs, and support personnel providing instruction and counseling services.

Department must monitor center performance through quarterly and annual reports, submit independent evaluations to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2018 and annually thereafter, and make reports publicly available on the department website.