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    Q&A
            Details and impact of the Small Business Opportunity Fund
1:23:41
·
95 sec
Council Member Feliz inquires about the Small Business Opportunity Fund, a public-private sector loan fund designed to help small business owners. Commissioner Kim provides details on the program's reach and impact.
- The fund has served 1,046 businesses with an average loan of $80,000 per business
- 15% of awardees are startups, addressing a critical need for new businesses to access capital
- The program has distributed funds to businesses in every city council district
- 14% of the funds went to businesses in the Bronx, ensuring fair distribution across the city
                                
                                    Oswald Feliz
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            1:23:41
                                        
                                        So that's obviously a program designed to to help small business owners.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:23:45
                                        
                                        By launching a public, private sector loan, fund directed at our small businesses.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:23:51
                                        
                                        How many businesses have been served by that them.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:23:53
                                        
                                        Over
                                    
                                
                                    Kevin Kim
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            1:23:54
                                        
                                        over a 1000 it's a 1046 businesses to be exact at an average of $80,000 per business.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:02
                                        
                                        The the favorable program that was that was created was because, again, no minimum credit score.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:11
                                        
                                        The other unique part of this program was that 15% of all the awardees are start ups.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:17
                                        
                                        And the start ups, as you all know, they have the toughest time accessing capital.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:22
                                        
                                        But what we're seeing in New York City is that there are a lot of women owned and minority owned businesses that were starting since the pandemic.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:32
                                        
                                        They came out and got creative.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:34
                                        
                                        They didn't wanna go work in an office setting necessarily.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:36
                                        
                                        So there were a lot of new law businesses that were starting, but they had no way to access capital.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:40
                                        
                                        And then our program addressed that need by making sure that it's 15%.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:47
                                        
                                        We think it's a very significant number compared to any other program out there of start ups received funding.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:53
                                        
                                        It's in every city council district has received this funding.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:24:56
                                        
                                        And as I mentioned in the Bronx, 14% of the funds went there.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:01
                                        
                                        And and traditionally, You've probably heard it many times.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:04
                                        
                                        The Bronx always felt like they weren't getting their fair share.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:07
                                        
                                        In this case, I think they did get their fair share.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:13
                                        
                                        Yes.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:13
                                        
                                        Of course.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:14
                                        
                                        I I don't know.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:15
                                        
                                        I can't I don't know.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:16
                                        
                                        Yes.
                                    
                                            
                                            1:25:16
                                        
                                        Yes.
                                    