BEDC’s Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) is an intensive, 15-session, 60 hour classroom program which calls upon the expertise of a range of business owners and professional business counselors to walk prospective and existing entrepreneurs through the main topics critical to starting and operating a successful and profitable business. The vision of BEDC’s EAP Center is to be a one-stop shop where entrepreneurs at all stages of business development, from start-up to growth and expansion, will find the tools and resources to successfully manage their business, achieve profitability, and hire local employees. BEDC seeks to attain a “lifelong” relationship with our EAP clients, encouraging them to seek our support and services throughout the life cycle of their businesses. BEDC’s EAP program further seeks to reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of Brooklyn through our program, by reaching out to and working with entrepreneurs in communities throughout the borough. In so doing, we envision our EAP program as being a driver of local economic development, and being consistent with our overall mission of “implementing business development and planning activities to support and create sustainable jobs, industries and communities.” Since 1995, we have assisted over 1,000 clients who sought support in opening or expanding their businesses. We provided direct loans to over 100 clients, totaling over $2 million in lending under our REDAC and EUREKA! Loan Programs. Additionally, we have helped clients access hundreds of thousands of dollars of loan capital through banks and other non-traditional lenders. Through the EAP and lending programs, we calculate that BEDC has been instrumental in the creation of 275 businesses and the creation/retention of over 440 jobs. BEDC’s EAP Program is funded by New York State, Empire State Development.

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