Today, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced major progress in the administration’s work to make it easier and less expensive to open and operate a small business in New York City. Since the start of the administration, the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has helped more than 3,000 small businesses obtain licenses and navigate licensing and permitting — including 97 businesses opening their doors for the first time.

SBS has more than doubled its New York City Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST), adding 17 new Small Business Advocates to help owners navigate City requirements and avoid costly fines and fees. The agency has also recommended more than 50 reforms to eliminate outdated permits, redundant paperwork and unnecessary fines. SBS also advocated for the law that made outdoor dining on City streets permanent and year-round.

Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya recently convened the first quarterly meeting of City agencies under Executive Order 18, which Mayor Mamdani signed to speed up licensing and permitting reforms and improve how City agencies work with small business owners.

“Small business owners already work long hours on thin margins. They should not have to spend those hours navigating City bureaucracy or paying fines that have nothing to do with making their business better,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Our job is to make City government easier to deal with. That means cutting unnecessary paperwork, eliminating outdated rules and making it more affordable for working people to open a business in New York City.”

“If you own a small business in this city, you should be able to get a straight answer from the City, no matter which agency you call,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice…