logo

small business


CUF report influences City Council bill to create Small Business Digitization Team

Impact - September 2022

CUF report influences City Council bill to create Small Business Digitization Team

Council Member Julie Menin introduced a bill to establish an Office of Small Business Digitalization to help many more small businesses in the city get online. This initiative follows CUF's event on how to help more minority-owned businesses get online and our report No Small Relief, which included recommendations for city leaders to help small businesses adapt to the digital world.

CUF shapes Mayor Adams's economic recovery blueprint

Impact - March 2022

CUF shapes Mayor Adams's economic recovery blueprint

Mayor Eric Adams released “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” which outlines the mayor’s vision for an economic recovery focused on equity and economic mobility. Several of the mayor’s proposals align with recent research and recommendations from the Center for an Urban Future.

State Increases Investment in CDFIs, Echoing CUF's Recommendation

Impact - February 2022

State Increases Investment in CDFIs, Echoing CUF's Recommendation

New York State will allocate $150 million to CDFIs to boost immigrant- and minority-owned businesses, reflecting a key recommendation from CUF's December 2021 report, No Small Relief: Strengthening NYC’s Most Vulnerable Small Businesses.

CUF inspires pilot program to open up streets and public spaces for outdoor commerce

Impact - July 2020

CUF inspires pilot program to open up streets and public spaces for outdoor commerce

Staten Island Economic Development Corporation piloted a new program this past weekend that closed down a busy street in the New Dorp Lane District to allow for outside dining and outdoor shopping, inspired by recent CUF recommendations.

CUF Report Sparks New Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Women 50+

Impact - February 2020

CUF Report Sparks New Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Women 50+

NYC's Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Small Business Services have launched a new bootcamp for women entrepreneurs over 50, closely following recommendations from CUF reports in 2018 and 2016 calling on the city to support older women entrepreneurs and the growth of women-owned businesses.

CUF Elevates Challenges Facing NYC’s Nonprofit Sector

Impact - March 2016

CUF Elevates Challenges Facing NYC’s Nonprofit Sector

The Comptroller’s Red Tape Commission used our Creative New York report to highlight challenges and make recommendations for strengthening the city’s nonprofit sector.

Women-Owned Businesses in the Nation’s 25 Largest Cities

Data - March 2016

Women-Owned Businesses in the Nation’s 25 Largest Cities

This index provides data on women-owned businesses in each of the nation’s 25 largest cities, including the overall number of women-owned firms, the growth rate for women-owned businesses and male-owned businesses, and average revenues per women-owned business.

Following CUF's recommendation, city requires companies to offer pre-tax transit benefits

Impact - October 2014

Following CUF's recommendation, city requires companies to offer pre-tax transit benefits

Following a recommendation from our Innovation and the City report, the Mayor and City Council implemented legislation mandating that New York City companies offer full-time employees access to pre-tax transit benefits.

Data from Smarter Small Businesses

Data - August 2012

Data from Smarter Small Businesses

Selected charts and graphs from the Center for an Urban Future's August 2012 report on technology use among NYC's small businesses. The report found that far too many of NYC's small businesses still aren't using websites, online ads and other technology tools, a huge missed opportunity at a time when small firms face increasing competition from national chains and online companies.

Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Technology Toolkit for Small Businesses

Impact - August 2012

Mayor Bloomberg Unveils Technology Toolkit for Small Businesses

Just over a week after our Smarter Small Businesses report demonstrated the need to help more of the city's small businesses integrate technology into their daily operations, Mayor Bloomberg launched a set of free tools to help small businesses in New York City use digital technologies and social media to grow their businesses and create jobs.

 1 2 >