Congresswoman Grace Meng joined members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Aug. 17, to announce the opening of The Small Business legal Desk at the Queens College Small Business Development Center. The program will connect small businesses in her district to consultants with expertise in human resources, finance and accounting, and legal issues such as contracts and leases.

Small businesses are essential for the economy in Queens. As the daughter of small business owners, Congresswoman Grace Meng understands their importance in the community. To support their growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Meng secured $1 million in federal funding for the Small Business legal Desk. This initiative will provide crucial resources, including multilingual assistance, to entrepreneurs in her district.

The Small Business legal Desk aims to address the diverse needs of the small business community by offering services in Mandarin, Korean, Bengali, Russian, and Spanish. By connecting businesses with consultants and professionals, the program ensures that entrepreneurs receive guidance on various aspects of running a small business, from finance to legal issues.

During the announcement, Congresswoman Meng presented a check for $1 million to Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech. Grech expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasizing the impact it will have on local businesses and their ability to serve the community effectively.

Various organizations, such as The Flushing Business Improvement District, the Bayside Business Improvement District, Queens Together, and multiple Chinese associations, participated in the ceremony. Their presence highlighted the collaborative effort to support small businesses in Queens.

Queens College also played a significant role in supporting the program. As President Frank H. Wu expressed, Congresswoman Meng’s previous funding allocations have benefited the college’s Small Business Development Center and various other initiatives. The collaboration between Queens College and the Small Business legal Desk ensures that students, faculty, and local businesses can thrive in the post-pandemic era.

The Small Business legal Desk offers participating businesses access to multilingual, pro-bono professional support through one-on-one consultations. Additionally, webinars will be hosted on a monthly basis, providing valuable information to entrepreneurs. The program will also serve as a referral source, connecting businesses to other available resources through the Chamber.

For small businesses interested in accessing these services, Suzan King, the contact person at the Queens Chamber of Commerce, can be reached via email at [email protected]