More Assistance Offered to Small Businesses

Three assistance programs for small Downtown businesses were expanded or created in May.

The nonprofit organization Seedco, partnering with the Downtown Alliance, announced that it had received $1.53 million to extend its program and was accepting new applications for grants, loans, wage subsidies and insurance and real estate consultation services. For information call 473-0255.

The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation approved $350 million to expand assistance programs to include businesses with fewer than 10 employees, making them eligible, if they sign or renew a lease, to receive grants of $3,500 or $5,000 per employee. Visit the LMDC website for more information.

And New York City Civil Court, the Legal Aid Society, the New York Bar Association and two law firms created the 9/11 Small Business Court Assistance Project, to help businesses that are facing eviction or other legal problems by providing mediation and pro bono lawyers. The Project aims to help commercial tenants and landlords find legal solutions and avoid business displacements, and has created a special court calendar, beginning on June 4, to deal with these cases. For more information call 382-4763.