SMALL & COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

CAMBA's Small Business Services (CSBS): CSBS promotes economic revitalization by providing services specially tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. CSBS offers one-on-one counseling, entrepreneurial training and technical assistance, access to low-income grants, microloans, and linkages with other business development partners:

Table of Contents

Small Business Loans

Free Business Consulting

Entrepreneurial Training

Small Business Grants

Business Improvement District

Small Business Loans

• Micro loans - CSBS provides loans of up to $15,000 for Brooklyn-based entrepreneurs who have strong business ideas but lack appropriate financing. Click here for more information
  • Up to $15,000 at prime plus 4% for up to 36 months
  • New and existing businesses are encouraged to apply
  • Business viability is more important than credit history
  • Preference is given to businesses in Central Brooklyn

Free Business Consulting

• Individual Consultations CSBS offers intensive individual assistance to qualified entrepreneurs in several areas including:
  • Identifying and applying for business loans;
  • Business Cost Analysis and Reduction;
  • Developing a Management Team;
  • Preparing viable business plans;
  • Developing Marketing Plans;
  • Technology and Business;
  • Management Strategies;
  • Loan Packaging;
  • Record Keeping;
  • Credit Repair

Entrepreneurial Training

• Free Monthly Small Business Workshops - Each month, CSBS holds several, two-hour workshops on a variety of business topics including: (Pre-registration is required)
  
  

  Spring 2008 Calendar:

  • April
    • Attend OUR FREE OPEN HOUSE: April 7th from 6-8PM
    • Successful Business Plans: Secrets & Strategies: April 1 – Tuesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
    • The Entrepreneurial Toolkit: Starting a Business: April 8 – Tuesday, 3PM – 5:30PM
    • FREE Money for Your Business: April 9 – Wednesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
    • Taking Care of Business: April 14 – June 25, 6PM – 9PM, 10-Week Workshop meets every Monday and Wednesday
    • Marketing Like a Pro!: April 22 – Tuesday, 3PM – 5:30PM
    • Navigating the Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (M/WBE) Certification Process: April 29 – Tuesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
  • May
    • First Time Homebuyer Education: May 6 – Tuesday, 6:00PM – 8:30PM
    • How to Become a Licensed Childcare Provider: May 7 – Wednesday, 6PM – 9:00PM
    • Credit Repair & Money Management: May 13 – Tuesday, 10AM – 4PM
    • Starting a Home-Based Business: May 28 – Wednesday, 3PM – 5:30PM
  • June
    • Surviving Debt & Rebuilding Your Credit: June 3 – Tuesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
    • Recordkeeping & QuickBooks: June 10 – Tuesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
    • Create Your Website and Internet Marketing: June 17 – Tuesday, 6PM – 8:30PM
  
  
• Entrepreneurial Assistance Program – Small Business Services offers an intensive training program for individuals committed to starting, growing or expanding their own business. The Entrepreneurial Assistance Training Program (EAP) may be able to assist you. CSBS offers a 10-week 60hr program with a classroom curriculum designed to teach you the essentials of business development. Specifically, you will learn to.....
  • Determine feasibility of your business idea
  • Refine your business concept
  • Write a compelling and professional business plan
  • Market and develop your product(s) or service(s)
  • Develop Management Principles and Practices
  • Manage your cash flow
  • Develop a customer base
  • Evaluate your competition
  • Study economic trends
  • Apply for minority certification
  • Identify and access capital and credit for your business
  • Loan Packaging Assistance
  • Gain linkages to other small business services

  Space is limited in each entrepreneur training group. Please call (718) 282-2500 ext 242 or send an e-mail to smallbiz@camba.org for training program availability and registration information.

  Pre-registration is required and the class cost is $300.

Small Business Grants

• Idea Cafe's Small Business Grants
  Click here for more information
• NYC Business Solutions Training Grant Application
  Click here for more information
• Women in Business Contest
  Click on Image for Details
• Small Business Research Funding Opportunities
  Click here for more information
• Child Daycare Center Grant (Non Residential)
  Click here for more information
• Foundation Grants for Individuals
  Click here for more information
• Grant Opportunities for Artist
  Click here for more information

Business Improvement District: CAMBA administers the Church Avenue District Management Association, which operates the Church Avenue Business Improvement District (BID). The BID promotes the economic stability of 165 merchants on Church Avenue between Flatbush and Coney Island Avenues.  The BID’s mission is to enhance the quality of life on Church Avenue, a goal which in the long run aims to bring benefits to the entire neighborhood, both locally and on a more regional level.  The BID provides services such as sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal, marketing, promotions, business retention and recruitment.  The BID advocates on behalf of the businesses on Church Avenue with local government agencies on issues that aid the district’s revitalization.  The BID also researches and evaluates economic and demographic data in order to develop and implement a multiyear strategic plan.