faq

	Where can I obtain start-up business assistance?
	Where can I obtain a list of businesses in Westchester County?
	What are the major business membership organizations in Westchester?
	Who do I complain to regarding a business and/or products?
	Whom should I contact to do business with Westchester County as an outside vendor?
	How do I go about bidding on government projects or or sell products to county government?
	Where can I bid on federal government contracts?
	How does a business become certified as a minority and/or women business enterprise?
	Where can I find information about recycling?
	How can I obtain information about starting a business?
	What assistance is available for small businesses through Westchester Community College?
	Is there any start up business assistance for women?

Where can I obtain start-up business assistance?
There are several organizations that can provide one to one counseling. Two of them are: Warren Weil, NYS Small Business Development Center (914) 674-7485 and Bob D’Agastino, Counselors to America's Small Business (914) 948-3907.
Contact name:	Warren Weil, NYS Small Business Development Center Bob D’Agastino, Counselors to America's Small Business
Phone:	NYS Small Business Development Center (914) 674-7485 Counselors to America's Small Business (914) 948-3907
More info:	economic.westchestergov.com
	www.nyssbdc.org
	www.score.org
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Where can I obtain a list of businesses in Westchester County?
Westchester County publishes a list of major employers which can be obtained on the county Web site or by telephoning (914) 995-2988. Additionally, the Book of Lists may be obtained from the Westchester Business Journal at (914) 694-3600 or their Web site. See links below.
Contact name:	Terry Masterson
Phone:	(914) 995-2988
Contact email:	Tmm5@westchestergov.com
Dept:	Economic Development
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/business_majoremployers.htm
	www.westchestercountybusinessjournal.com
	www.westchestergov.com/business
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What are the major business membership organizations in Westchester?
There are many business membership organizations within Westchester. Some of the major ones are as follows:Business Counsel of Westchester, Westchester County Association, African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. For a complete listing check the Economic Development website at http://economic.westchestergov.com/resources/
Contact name:	Terry Masterson
Phone:	995-2988
Contact email:	tmm5@westchestergov.com
Dept:	Economic Development
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/business_businessassistance.htm
	www.westchestergov.com/business_countyresources.htm
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Who do I complain to regarding a business and/or products?
The Westchester County Department of Weights and Measures - Consumer Protection fights hard to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers. Complaints may be filed with the Department of Weights and Measures - Consumer Protection located at 112 East Post Road, 4th Floor, White Plains, New York 10601. The phone number is (914) 995-2155. A complaint may also be filed online at the Department of Consumer Protection.
Dept:	Law
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/consumer_fileconsumercomplaint.htm
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Whom should I contact to do business with Westchester County as an outside vendor?
Contact the Bureau of Purchase and Supply.
Dept:	Bureau of Purchase and Supply
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/rfp/defaultcontacts.htm
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How do I go about bidding on government projects or or sell products to county government?
All products and services are handled through the county Bureau of Purchase and Supplies. Companies can bid on work or find out what products are needed on the county's website. Forms for submitting bids are also available on line.
Contact name:	Denis Wedra
Phone:	995-5216
Contact email:	ddw7@westchestergov.com
Dept:	Bureau of Purchase and Supplies
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/bps
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Where can I bid on federal government contracts?
The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) can assist your business in bidding on federal government contracts. Please contact Ron Hicks, Director at (845) 735-7040.
Contact name:	Ron Hicks
Phone:	Phone: (845) 735-7040 Fax: (845) 735-5736
Contact email:	E-mail: ptac@redc.org
Dept:	Procurement Technical Assistance Center
More info:	www.redc.org
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How does a business become certified as a minority and/or women business enterprise?
Contact Tracey Mitchell, Liaison to the Minority and Women-Owned Business Community, 9th Floor, 148 Martine Ave, White Plains, New York 10601, e-mail tqm2@westchestergov.com or call (914) 995-2934 to obtain the required Westchester County Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise forms. Contact Empire State Development, Division of Minority and Women's Business Development in Albany at (518) 292-5250 or in New York City at (212) 803-2414. You can also contact the Westchester County Office for Women at (914) 995-5972.
Contact name:	Tracey Mitchell, Westchester County's MBE/WBE Program or Minority and Women's Business Development, NYS Empire State Development, Albany
Phone:	(914)995-2934 - Westchester. Albany at (518)292-5250; New York City at (212) 803-2414;
Dept:	Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/mbe
	www.empire.state.ny.us.
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Where can I find information about recycling?
We explain residential, business and commercial recycling in detail on our Web site. You'll also find Household Recycling Events dates and other useful materials to downlown and print. The county's recycling Hotline is (914) 813-5420. Or you can call United Way's help line: 2-1-1
Phone:	2-1-1
Dept:	Environmental Facilities
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/recycling
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How can I obtain information about starting a business?
The Office of Economic Development can provide you with assistance or SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) offers free assistance and information to people wishing to start a business.
Contact name:	Terry Masterson
Phone:	(914) 995-2988 or Counselors to America's Small Business at (914) 948-3907
Contact email:	tmm5@Westchestergov.com
Dept:	Office of Economic Development
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/business_businessassistance.htm
	www.westchestergov.com/business_developmentagencies.htm
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What assistance is available for small businesses through Westchester Community College?
Westchester Community College and its Small Business Institute offer a wide range of courses, seminars, on the job training and assistance programs. Please contact Anne Rubenzahl, Assistant Dean at (914) 785-6527
Contact name:	Anne Rubenzahl, Assistant Dean
Phone:	(914) 785-6527
More info:	www.sunywcc.edu
	www.westchestergov.com/business_developmentagencies.htm
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Is there any start up business assistance for women?
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center is a microenterprise development program designed to create business ownership for socially and economically disadvantaged women or try Westchester Community College's Professional Development Center courses for business and management.
Contact name:	Women's Enterprise Development Center, Anne Janiak, Executive Director (914)948-6098 WCC Professional Development Center, Harry Horowitz, Director (914) 606-6669
Phone:	Women's Enterprise Development Center: (914) 948-6098 WCC Professional Development Center: (914) 606-6669
More info:	www.westchestergov.com/mbe
	www.sunywcc.edu/continuing_ed/pers_prof_dev/pers_prof_dev.htm
	www.wedc-westchester.org/index.htm
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