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Washington Heights & Inwood Online
Resource Directory
Business Development (15) 
Audubon Partnership for Economic Development
513 West 207th Street, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-544-2400.
Fax: 212-544-0248.
Email: info@audubonpartnership.org.
APED's mission is to increase opportunities for economic growth and development of local residents and small business owners.
Business Resource and Investment Service Center (BRISC)
290 Lenox Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10027.
Tel: 212-410-0030.
UMEZ has re-established a small business support service that had been shut down in 2002. BRISC provides technical assistance and financing to Upper Manhattan small business owners and entrepreneurs interested in expanding or relocating, as well as to residents (with experience) who want to start new businesses.
Chamber of Commerce of Washington Heights and Inwood
751 West 183rd Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-928-6595.
Fax: 212-928-4177.
Works to promote economic development and community growth in Northern Manhattan. They advocate for an attractive environment, participate in community collaborations, conduct events and forums where noteworthy speakers discuss relevant topics, and facilitate communication between the business community, government agencies and elected officials. Presently they are developing a tourist guide for Washington Heights and Inwood, since most of the available guides barely mention our communities or get it wrong.
Christ United Church
4140 Broadway, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-568-6700.
Fax: 212-781-6500.
Email: gdiaz@revike.org.
Offers business seminars on grants and commercial loans, and a youth group.
Computer Technology Center at Audubon Partnership
Audubon Partnership for Economic Development, 513 West 207th Street, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-544-2400.
Fax: 212-544-0248.
Email: KBrea@audubonpartnership.org.
Open to the public Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Provides bilingual computer training free of charge to neighborhood small businesses and their employees. They also have video conferencing technology available for their use. Training classes include: Introduction to Computers, MS Word I, MS Excel I, Navigating the Internet, QuickBooks, and more. Contact the center for a complete schedule of classes.
Dominican Women's Development Center
519 West 189th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-994-6060.
Fax: 212-994-6065.
Email: guzmany@dwdc.org.
"El Centro" stands as an epi-center of women, children, youth, and family-focused activity in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. They counteract gender subordination by promoting self-sufficiency, advancing educational goals and engendering the necessary skills and self-esteem to transform individual lives and community. They offer free services to women residing in Washington Heights/Inwood and other NYC communities, including: educational development, GED preparation, ESL and BENL classes, citizenship preparation, child care and day care services, ESOL, computer technology training, after-school programs, economic development, home health aid training/placement, domestic violence program, parenting group, educational/support groups for adolescents and children, health promotion, vaccination outreach, advocacy and organizing, youth programs, information and referrals.
Empire State Development Corporation (ESD)
210 Sherman Avenue, Suite B, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-304-2299.
Fax: 212-304-2225.
ESD's Washington Heights/Inwood Community Network Office provides direct access to information about New York State business assistance programs and refers clients to other financial and technical assistance providers. ESD programs include: assistance in selling to government, bank loans at reduced interest rates, Economic Development Zone opportunities, emerging technology resources, energy cost savings, entrepreneurial assistance program, environmental assistance, financial incentives, assistance to minority- and women-owned businesses, productivity enhancement, research and development support, small business development, tax assistance, workforce training, and much more.
Inwood Business District
c/o Michael Mckeon, 631 West 207th Street, B1, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-569-3643.
Email: info@ibdnyc.org.
An online directory of businesses and professionals serving the Inwood community, as well as local information for the neighborhood.
Northern Manhattan Coalition for Economic Development
600 West 185th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-543-0010.
Fax: 212-543-1308.
Email: nmced@nyc.rr.com.
The NMCED's mission is to promote economic development that will result in the creation of a living environment that is conducive to thriving rather than simply sustaining survival. NMCED achieves its mission through an array of services to increase and promote economic development and self-sufficiency in Northern Manhattan. Some of their services include, but are not limited to: technical support to small business owners, Capital Investment Opportunity Forums, and lectures on basic business management strategies. NMCED collaborates with government and private institutions to provide educational services to the unemployed, recently arrived immigrants, welfare recipients and low-income residents, which will allow them to successfully compete in the job market. NMCED offers technological education courses such as basic computer and Internet accessibility training, English as a Second Language for people with limited English proficiency, childcare provider classes, and GED Classes. Currently, NMCED is involved in two major projects that will capitalize on the area's diversity, human capital, and entrepreneurial ingenuity. (1) Casa Duarte Cultural and Performing Arts Center is one of the most comprehensive and complete plans for the development of arts and culture in Northern Manhattan. (2) The Commercial Street and Revitalization Plan will create guidelines to improve and develop the pedestrian sidewalks of
the Inwood community. NMCED believes these projects will improve the commercial thoroughfare by enhancing the development of businesses and encouraging upcoming artists to participate in our community.
NYC Business Solutions
Tel: 311; ask for NYC Business Solutions.
Holds free seminars and answers your questions about starting a new business in NYC or expanding, helps you develop a business plan, secure financing and access city benefits. They support expansion of your business by working with you to locate available space, identify money-saving incentive programs, access procurement opportunities and recruit qualified employees. Also has an extensive online library of small business resources.
Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN)
519 West 189th Street, Suite F, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-568-2791.
Fax: 212-568-2795.
Email: Info@ucanny.org.
UCAN's mission is to enhance the local community and build the capacity of Northern Manhattan neighbors, small businesses and community-based organizations. UCAN targets the underserved Latino, immigrant and low-income communities of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill. Programs focus on community and economic development, education, housing, and arts and culture.
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
290 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027.
Tel: 212-410-0030.
Fax: 212-410-9616.
Email: mortiz@umez.org.
UMEZ is charged with investing approximately $250 million in capital in zones that will expand sustainable economic activity, enhance the ability of local residents, businesses and institutions to benefit from easy opportunities, and ultimately improve the quality of life in Upper Manhattan. UMEZ is particulary interested in receiving business plans to create or expand businesses in growth industries, including entertainment and tourism, retail, health care, and business services.
Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation
57 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-795-1600.
Fax: 212-781-4051.
WHIDC's BO$$ Micro Development Program provides one-on-one business counseling to those seeking to establish and maintain a business in Washington Heights and Inwood. The Contractors Loan Management Program (CLAMP) provides contract-based working capital financing to small construction contractors. WHIDC is also the organizer of the annual Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park.
Washington Heights Business Improvement District
Tel: 212-928-3400.
The Washington Heights BID office promotes the economic development of Washington Heights. They provide advocacy for the interests of the local businesses, information to enhance economic development, and public improvements.
Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO)
220 East 23rd Street, Suite 309, New York, NY 10010.
Tel: 212-684-0854.
Fax: 212-684-1096.
WIBO is a private, nonprofit organization that conducts one of the city's most comprehensive entrepreneurial training programs. Their 16-week workshop titled "How to Build a Growing Profitable Business" is held twice a year in underserved communities around New York City, including Washington Heights, and develops more than 300 entrepreneurs every year. Visit the Web site for details about their program and to sign up.