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Buffalo Business Assistance Center Profile

1. Type of Facility

The Business Assistance Center provides information to new and existing businesses in the Erie and Niagara County region in meeting numerous reporting requirements. The center assists any business which needs guidance in federal, state, county and local government obligations. In cooperation with both governmental and non-governmental agencies, the center also acts as a clearinghouse to assist businesses in obtaining essential information.

As background, the National Office Research Division and Taxpayer Service Division asked the Buffalo District to participate in a test program to help small businesses. The original idea was to provide Internal Revenue information to businesses through telephone and walk-in service. A decision was made between the National Office and the District to invite other federal, state and local agencies to create a "one-stop" center. Although it was agreed that all agencies would share in the expenses for office space, equipment and staffing, most agencies did not have these financial or personnel resources. However, the New York State Taxation and Finance agency provided a representative to work in the center each Wednesday.

2. Participating Agencies

Although a pledge of staffing and resources was not provided through other agencies, the Buffalo District decided to open the center on October 13, 1993 with one Coordinator, three Specialists, and a temporary clerk. Attachment 1 lists agency participation with the center. The staff is familiar with the functions of each agency, compliance issues and how these are of concern to the business customer. When appropriate, the customers are referred to an agency for more in-depth assistance. The specialists have a working relationship with agency representatives and receive continual updates and interpretations.

3. Type of Services Offered

Services offered by the center include:

Internal Revenue Service Tax Assistance
Referrals to other Agencies
Processing IRS Employer Identification Numbers
New York State Tax Assistance
Quarterly Newsletters
Free Forms, Publications
Videotapes Available For Viewing
Business Library
Computer Access to On-Line Services
Workshop/Seminar Offerings and Public Speaking Engagements

Free presentations are offered on such topics including: Recordkeeping, Corporations/Partnerships, Business Use of Home/Car, Depreciation, and Business Expenses. Staff members have also become very active in addressing community business groups. These appearances have resulted in over 3300 additional customer contacts.

4. Facility Design/Equipment/Staffing/Financing

On October 13, 1993 the Buffalo District opened the "Business Assistance Center" with one Coordinator, three Specialists, and a temporary clerk. The staff (specialists) met with representatives from other agencies to receive basic training on how that agency affects the small business owner. This training enables the specialist to give basic information to the business owner regarding their agency. The specialist can contact a representative from another agency while the business owner is still in the office. The center stocks a wide range of New York State Department of Tax and Finance forms as well as basic forms and informational materials from several other agencies.

The original start-up cost for furniture, videos, equipment and telecommunications expenses was $80,000.

An "Advisory Board" consisting of representatives from governmental and non-governmental agencies provides advice to the center. Several of the representatives and agencies have changed since the original board, but meetings continue to be held every 6 - 8 weeks. The goal of the Board was to assist with the office location and design of the space, to determine the services offered, and to help promote the center in the community. The Board continues to provide feedback and advice, assists in conducting seminars in conjunction with the center and reviews the progress of the center. These members are very dedicated to the continued success of the center.

5. Customer Input

The Business Assistance Center tracks monthly customer contacts, which have increased significantly since the opening. Customer contact can be walk-in business, or over the telephone or in writing. In addition, the volume of customer contact through seminars, outreach efforts and speeches is also tracked. Information is gathered on a Business Assistance Center Information Checklist.

6. Press Coverage

The Business Assistance Center was recently awarded the prestigious Hammer Award for reinventing government. On April 30, 1996 the center was honored by Vice President Gore's National Performance Review Board for helping eliminate governmental red tape and for providing an atmosphere that empowers employees to improve services to customers.

In addition to the Hammer Award, the staff of the Business Assistance Center has received the District Director's Award in recognition for their efforts in making compliance easier for small business owners.

The center publishes a newsletter entitled "Simply Business" and there are an estimated 586 subscribers on the mailing list. In addition, the center publishes informational flyers.

7. Lessons Learned

Advertising and marketing are extremely important to promote the existence of the center.

8. Contact for Further Information

Focal Point:

Business Assistance Center Coordinator
Linda Dipasquale (Acting)

PHONE : (716) - 551 - 4793
FAX : (716) - 551 - 4796

Attachment 1

AGENCY PARTICIPATION

Our staff is familiar with the functions of each agency, compliance issues and how these are of concern to the business customer. When appropriate, the customers are referred to an agency for more in-depth assistance. The specialists have a working relationship with agency representatives and receive continual updates and interpretations.

City of Buffalo Alliance for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Buffalo Enterprise Development Corporation City Commerce Office, Community Development

Erie County Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, County Clerk's Office Department of Environment and Planning, Industrial Developmental Agency Buffalo Enterprise Development Corporation

New York State StateTax and Finance Income Tax and Sales Tax. The office is staffed with a NYS Tax representative each Wednesday

New York StateLabor Unemployment and Disability Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Empire State Development

New York State Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance, Small Business Development Center (Erie & Niagara Counties), Urban Development Corporation

United States Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, SCORE, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, US Commerce, US Customs, US Labor

Other Agencies Buffalo Urban League, Greater Buffalo Partnership, Hispanics United of Buffalo, Minority Business Development Center, NYS Society of Enrolled Agents, Western New York Technology Development Center, Inc.

City of Buffalo	Alliance for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises Buffalo Enterprise Development Corporation City Commerce Office, Community Development
Erie County	Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, County Clerk's Office Department of Environment and Planning, Industrial Developmental Agency Buffalo Enterprise Development Corporation
New York State StateTax and Finance	Income Tax and Sales Tax. The office is staffed with a NYS Tax representative each Wednesday
New York StateLabor	Unemployment and Disability Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Empire State Development
New York State	Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance, Small Business Development Center (Erie & Niagara Counties), Urban Development Corporation
United States	Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, SCORE, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, US Commerce, US Customs, US Labor
Other Agencies	Buffalo Urban League, Greater Buffalo Partnership, Hispanics United of Buffalo, Minority Business Development Center, NYS Society of Enrolled Agents, Western New York Technology Development Center, Inc.