Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that legislation he sponsored to create an easily accessible list of programs and resources available to small businesses has been signed into law by the governor (Ch.339 of 2020). The bill will make it easier for local businesses to access available resources, which are essential during these challenging economic times.

“The economic future of our communities depends on the success of small businesses, and it’s critical that we do everything we can to help them,” said Stirpe. “As the chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee and a former small-business owner, I know firsthand the amount of hard work and dedication it takes to keep these businesses afloat and flourishing. After hearing from local business owners, I crafted this bill to ensure our entrepreneurs can easily find the resources that will help them succeed. I would like to thank the governor and my Assembly colleagues for helping to make this possible.”

Stirpe’s law directs the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) to publish and maintain a list of programs available to assist small businesses. This will allow those businesses easier access to government resources that will help them weather the coronavirus pandemic.

As chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee, Assemblyman Stirpe held a series of roundtables last year where he was joined by various stakeholders to discuss existing resources and support available to small businesses, including the New York State Small Business Development Center and the state Department of Labor. This legislation would not be possible without the invaluable information provided by entrepreneurs and community leaders during these roundtables, Stirpe noted.