Zohran Mamdani’s administration announced a new Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and outlined small-business relief measures including an expanded Business Express service team, free legal help for commercial tenants, and an executive order to inventory and reduce fines and fees for small businesses. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0; Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
# What’s happening
– Kenny Maniah was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS). (Source: https://youtu.be/p0zqCs4f7Gk&t=2693)
– The administration announced growth of the Business Express service team in the executive budget. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
– Executive Order 11 directs a citywide inventory of fines and fees facing small businesses. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
# Why it matters
– About 180,000 small-business entrepreneurs citywide could use SBS programs and outreach. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
– Reduced fines, expanded one-on-one services, and free lease legal help can lower operating costs. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
# Key details
– Date: Announcement made during Small Business Month event, May 31, 2026. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
– Dollar amount: Administration reported nearly $6 million saved for small businesses in the first 100 days. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
– Program: Business Express service team expansion announced in the executive budget. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
– Executive action: Executive Order 11 creates a comprehensive inventory of city fines and fees that affect small businesses. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
– Services: Free legal services for small-business tenants with commercial lease issues. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
– Contact: SBS hotline 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) and nyc.gov/business for assistance. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I)
Zohran Mamdani’s May 31, 2026 Small Business Month event reiterated city plans to support neighborhood businesses year-round. The mayor said the administration helped small businesses save nearly $6 million in fines and fees and named a new small-business commissioner during the administration’s first 100 days. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
**Kenny Maniah**
– Role or jurisdiction: Commissioner, Department of Small Business Services (SBS). (Source: https://youtu.be/p0zqCs4f7Gk&t=2693)
– Action taken or responsibility: Appointed by the Mamdani administration to lead SBS. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0; Source: https://youtu.be/p0zqCs4f7Gk&t=2693)
– Relevant numbers or dates: Appointment announced within the administration’s first 100 days. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will run the expanded programs announced. SBS provides direct support to neighborhood businesses and operates the Business Express service team, which offers one-on-one help with investigations, inspections, and city processes. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
**Department of Small Business Services (SBS)**
– Role or jurisdiction: City agency that supports small businesses across New York City. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I)
– Action taken or responsibility: Will expand Business Express service team and provide legal help and outreach. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
– Relevant contact: SBS Hotline 888-SBS-4NYC and nyc.gov/business. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I)
At the event, city officials described operational changes to reduce burdens on small businesses. The executive budget includes funding to grow the Business Express service team so staff can provide more one-on-one assistance with investigations, inspections, and other city processes. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
The administration also described expanding free legal services to help small-business tenants with commercial lease disputes and announced a “mom-and-pop start” program aimed at the smallest businesses. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0)
Executive Order 11 directs every city agency to create a single inventory of fines and fees that small businesses face. The order aims to identify and reduce unnecessary penalties and confusing charges across more than 6,000 regulations. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57)
In earlier coverage, at a March 19, 2026 preliminary budget hearing, Mayor Mamdani described Kenny Maniah as his “former colleague, first deputy” and identified him as the city’s new small-business commissioner. This earlier statement names Maniah as the person filling the role announced during Small Business Month. (Source: https://youtu.be/p0zqCs4f7Gk&t=2693)
How to get help: SBS directs small-business owners to call the SBS Hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) or visit nyc.gov/business for information on Business Express services, legal help, and outreach events. (Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I)
Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=0; Source: https://youtu.be/TzYb7x0L5-I&t=57; Source: https://youtu.be/p0zqCs4f7Gk&t=2693
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