Crain's New York Business articles from December 2008

Crain's New York Business archives from December 2008

L.I. brokers fill void with advice; Big drop in deals forces role change; fees fall far short.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Laura Koss-feder Like many companies in these somber economic times, Nu Horizons Electronics Corp. is keen to save every dollar it can. Late last year, that quest took the Melville, L.I.-based electronics distribution company to...

Workers take stock; Jobs gone, Wall Streeters reassess and retool.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: samantha marshall Eddie raychaudhuri knew the pink slip was coming. So when he got laid off from Wall Street equity research firm Guidepoint Global last month, he had a plan. He loaded up a U-Haul, drove to his parents' house in...

NO TIME FOR NEW DREAMS.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... While younger finance workers are turning mass layoffs into an opportunity for reinvention, Wall Street veterans have fewer options. With more obligations and less time to revamp before retirement, they're plunging straight into the job search...

New York, New York.(Briefs)
December 1, 2008... Byline: edited by Valerie Block The Week shows no weakness Newsweeklies have taken a pounding in 2008, with Time and Newsweek suffering double-digit ad page declines and No. 3 title U.S. News & World Report planning to go monthly....

Best of Bob Lape.(Business Lives)(Restaurant review)
December 1, 2008... Here's another local Italian option for a more formal occasion. Convivio (3) www.convivionyc.com 45 Tudor City Place (between East 41st and East 42nd streets), Manhattan. (212) 599-5045. Inspired new Southern Italian flavor hit...

Gov't comes to Citi's rescue.(Briefs)
December 1, 2008... Byline: from staff reports and bloomberg news reports The Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. agreed to bail out Citigroup Inc. The government will inject $20 billion into the struggling bank and...

Music mogul.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: sarah studley Ali Dee, 38, is giving Hollywood its groove. As the owner and president of DeeTown, he's written and produced songs for artists like Miley Cyrus and films from Transformers to August Rush. Bumpy ride The Upper...

WHERE'S THE SHOPPING?(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... A glaring problem is emerging as people move into the new apartments along Kent Avenue--the profound lack of essential services, including dry cleaners, drugstores and grocers. Developers expect a boom in waterfront retail, but no leases have...

TRANSPORTATION Toll politics.(Briefs)
December 1, 2008... A commission headed by Richard Ravitch is hard at work on a plan to raise revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is staring at a $1.2 billion operating deficit and is a cool $17 billion short of funding for its next...

Bioresearch firm counts on a cure; SIGA could reap millions from smallpox drug.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Gale Scott Smallpox has been all but wiped off the planet, but that doesn't mean the deadly disease is not a threat. When it comes to bioterrorism, it is still considered a dangerous weapon, primarily because countries have built...

Saying goodbye to so many greats.(Viewpoint)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Alair Townsend Some estimable figures exited the New York stage in 2008. I salute them. Two iconic companies lost past leaders when Bill Modell and Henry Steinway died. Frank Shattuck II was the last president of the...

E-tailer charms the pants onto men; Good design, unusual business choices pay off for trousers line.(Small Business)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Malika Zouhali-worrall While the cloud of takeovers and bankruptcies loomed over Wall Street in September, Brian Spaly and Andy Dunn were celebrating their personal silver lining: Their company, which designs men's trousers and...

SHOPPING PROGRESS.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Hunters Point is still an eternity away from ranking as a shopper's paradise, much less a place for trendy window-shopping. The main commercial thoroughfare, Vernon Boulevard, does boast authentic French bistro Tournesol, but beyond that,...

EARLY WARNING SIGNS.(News)
December 1, 2008... RETAILERS THAT ARE somewhat loss endangered, though still troubled, include Duane Reade and Macy's. The local drugstore company was recently downgraded by Moody's Investors Service. Though it is burdened with more than $550 million in total...

Help for rabbit-eared residents; Councilwoman urges city to aid seniors with switch to digital TV.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Amanda Fung New yorkers who still rely on television sets with rabbit ears to watch their favorite dramas or sitcoms have less than three months to upgrade their sets or be tuned out. To avoid viewing disruptions due to the...

Three Recent Additions.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... The biggest building boom to hit Harlem in decades has added several high-profile projects. 111 Central Park North Location Central Park North at West 110th Street Developer Athena Group Size 48 units Talking point All 48...

COMMERCIAL STRUGGLES.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... If only Harlem's commercial renaissance were going as smoothly as its housing revival. Sure, many restaurants, boutique stores and even chain stores have popped up over the past four years, but plans for hotels and office space have faced far...

All aboard the combo cafe; Mount Kisco station's Via Vanti! offers trattoria, pizzeria and gelateria `grazing'.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Via vanti! translates as "the way forward,'' and the dynamic new Italian cafe in the Mount Kisco train station might be just that. The founder of Via Vanti!, Carla Gambescia (below), a Chappaqua-based marketing expert and branding expert,...

Javits Center goes on the offensive; Makes marketing and pricing moves to help curb drops.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Lisa Fickenscher in early november, hotel and restaurant executives from around the world came to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to check out everything from the latest kitchen equipment to plushly upholstered armchairs. ...

By the Numbers.
December 1, 2008... The Giants and the Jets have never won their respective divisions in the same year. Moreover, there has never been a Super Bowl matchup between two teams from the same metropolitan area. The best chances came with Bay Area teams in 1972, 1990...

Shelter in the storm; Head of Hachette's new luxury group battles downturn with niche affluent titles.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Joyce Hanson Shelter magazine powerhouse Deborah Burns often wears sheath dresses made of her advertisers' upholstery fabrics to show that she lives and loves the Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home brands. Now, as the head of the...

A worthy successor to Hillary.(Viewpoint)
December 1, 2008... All the buzz surrounding whom Gov. David Paterson should name to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton centers on politics. Should it be a woman, a Hispanic or someone from upstate--all groups that are barely represented in the upper reaches of the...

Grayz fades to black; Midtown restaurant to close by end of year; chef Kunz looks to Asia.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Lisa Fickenscher Grayz, the upscale restaurant and lounge nestled in a townhouse on West 54th Street, will officially part with its celebrity namesake, chef Gray Kunz, this month. The restaurant's owner, Stephen Distler, plans...

Mortgage holders are marks; Loan modification specialists take money, do little in return.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Daniel Massey Shelly ann bell was only a month behind on her mortgage in August, but with the interest rate scheduled to adjust upward and $4,000-a-month payments staring her in the face, she knew it would soon be impossible to...

Economy puts chill into NYC; Poll respondents say city's economy is in poor condition; 40% fear for jobs.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Matthew Sollars Wall street's worst collapse since the Great Depression has put a scare into New Yorkers, with nearly 40% believing their jobs are at risk, a new Crain's New York Business poll shows. A growing fear that job...

The Insider.(Briefs)
December 1, 2008... Commingled deficits confuse school cuts Mayor michael bloomberg's aides continue to refer to a combined $4 billion city budget deficit for the remaining seven months of the fiscal year and the following full year. But the administration...

New Yorkers stick with mayor.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: matthew sollars Most in Crain's poll say he can lead city out of financial crisis new yorkers are putting their faith in Mayor Michael Bloomberg to rescue the city's economy, a new Crain's New York Business poll shows. ...

Gridiron threatens diamond dominance; Giants, Jets could boost marketing muscle, unseat NY baseball teams.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Hilary Potkewitz For the first time in recent memory, both the New York Giants and the New York Jets are favored to win their divisions, giving the National Football League its best chance ever to break Major League Baseball's...

Williamsburg waterfront vacancies soar; Luxury condos sit unsold as developers add yet more space.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Wendy Davis One northside piers seemed destined to be a winner when the project broke ground two years ago. The luxury condominium, on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, had sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, a rooftop...

Rebuilt L.I. City finds pricing edge dulled; Once-hot area cools as home buyers look elsewhere; builders offer more incentives.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Wendy Davis The night before the 45 condominiums at 10-50 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, Queens, hit the market, builder Craig Axelrod stopped by the sales office on his way home and got a shock. A dozen eager buyers were...

High-end office market in NJ grinding to a halt; The few major deals being closed involve lots of cash or cheap money.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Joe Cavaluzzi In august, KBS Real Estate Investment Trust agreed to pay $184 million for four buildings in Park Avenue at Morris County, a New Jersey office campus. The following week, KBS said it would pay $181 million for the...

CORRECTION.(Corrections)(Correction notice)
December 1, 2008... Although very small businesses may have difficulty getting approval for SBA-guaranteed loans, they are eligible for such loans and cannot be turned down for them because they have no collateral. The Nov. 24 story "Support for small firms lags''...

In Brief.(Late News)
December 1, 2008... In another sign that residential construction in the city is approaching a virtual standstill, the number of building permits authorizing housing units in October fell 70% compared with a year earlier. Developers say the leading factors in the...

Harlem's makeoverstalls out; Area altered by housing boom; offices, hotels, retailers lag.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Steve Garmhausen It wasn't long ago that people flocked to a gritty stretch of Harlem centered on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 118th Street to buy heroin. Today the area draws an entirely different crowd--a...

Executive Moves.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: maia blume Accounting & Consulting McGladrey & Pullen: Steven D. Schwartz, 31, was promoted to partner from director. Cristin Singer, 34, was promoted to partner from director. RSM McGladrey Inc.: Michael J. Grossman,...

The Weeks Ahead.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: maia blume This Week's Events December 2 Workshop in Business Opportunities and National Employment and Law Project hold a free legal clinic. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., 55 Exchange Place, fifth floor. Free. Preregistration...

Misery Meter; Weekly reading on the direction of the city's economy.(News)
December 1, 2008... -175,000 Forecast of New York City job losses, the bleakest assessment thus far (NYS comptroller) -50% Predicted drop in Wall Street bonuses, which totaled $33.2 billion last year (NYS comptroller) +58% One-day...

Boutique bankers make hay; Snap up talent, add clients and sidelines as big players collapse.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Aaron Elstein Greenhill & co. is exploding in size. The investment bank has just opened offices in Chicago and Tokyo, and it has expanded its roster of senior bankers by 40% this year--thanks in part to the recent signing of 14...

SEXTON MAKES RIGHT MOVES; President's pre-crash efforts keep New York University on course.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: AMANDA FUNG Luck or prescience? In March, New York University embarked on a plan to reduce administrative costs by 10%, putting it on track to save more than $25 million within 18 months. A few months later, the university...

Holiday Travel Bargain hunting.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Guests are particularly sensitive to high costs this season, so it's easy to find some great deals. Hotels are offering discounts, from parking rebates to complimentary gas cards. Look into joining loyalty programs with different hotel...

Hot Jobs.(Business Lives)
December 1, 2008... Byline: miriam kreinin souccar WANTED: director organization Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum JOB DESCRIPTION Running the institution, which is part of the Smithsonian MOST IMPORTANT TASKS Raising money for and overseeing...

What's the best way to raise revenue for the MTA? CRAIN'S ONLINE POLL.(Viewpoint)
December 1, 2008... 214 VOTES Date of poll: Nov 25 5% Increased vehicle registration fees 7% Higher gasoline taxes 12% A new lottery game 14% Tolls on East River bridges 18% A commuter tax 44% A combination of two or more of these...

Business group on Broadway; Renovations, location seal deal for minority supplier council.(Real Estate Report)
December 1, 2008... The national Minority Supplier Development Council, which links minority-owned vendors with major corporations, signed a 14,000-square-foot lease at 1359 Broadway, between West 36th and West 37th streets. The nonprofit inked a 10-year deal...

Support for small firms lags; Federal, local aid for jobs-generating firms an afterthought.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Judith Messina ***** Correction: Although very small businesses may have difficulty getting approval for SBA-guaranteed loans, they are eligible for such loans and cannot be turned down for them because they have no...

Suggestions for quashing cash-flow problems early; Quick, effective action becomes even more critical during a downturn.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Elaine Pofeldt It was late spring when patients at Dr. Catrise Austin's 10-year-old dental practice in midtown started canceling appointments for both routine care and cosmetic procedures. They had lost their dental insurance along...

Hits & Misses.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Green living in a blue economy Though three former WebMD techies were concerned about launching a green-lifestyle site during an economic downturn, they believe that the know-how they brought to Ecomii.com will make it a winner. "There...

Ousted workers start ventures of their own; Well-heeled trade deal-making for DIY.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Steve Garmhausen When a franchise broker suggested to Joe Cocomero and Daniel Quinn early last year that they get into the dog grooming business, the two men laughed in disbelief. The pair had only recently lost their...

A blogger's life; Tim Sykes.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Former career Hedge fund manager New business Blogs at www.timothysykes.com; publishes financial-advice DVDs Startup cost $50,000 Annual revenues $1 million (projected) Date that business was started October 2007 Advice...

Another age of excess bites dust; Luxury purveyors scramble to adjust in lean market.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Steve Weinstein Soothing the father of the bride is part of Josyane Colwell's job, so the owner of Le Moulin Ltd., a New York event planner and caterer, was not surprised to get a call from a Wall Street executive about his...

A place where entrepreneurs find the perfect (monetary) match.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Banks and venture capitalists aren't exactly giving away money these days. But entrepreneurs with a good idea, a tested product or a need for cash to expand might find a match on RaiseCapital.com, which connects entrepreneurs and investors. ...

Publishing industry writes dismal new chapter; Upheaval, consolidation as acquisitions for all but celebrity titles dry up.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Matthew Flamm Random house inc. shook the publishing industry last week when it broke up two venerable fiefdoms, the Doubleday Publishing Group and Bantam Dell, and parceled out the pieces to its other divisions. Meanwhile,...

Trattoria team retries East Side; New spot Opus serves both gluten-free and regular dishes; some steep wine markups.(Business Lives)(Restaurant review)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Bob Lape Restaurant success in today's economy takes more than a little creative tap-dancing. It may mean tapping new meal periods. As Tavern on the Green and Benjamin Steak House, among others, break out breakfast, Opus--a new...

Traders take up a heavy load; Bill Ellis and Pat Lackey.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Former careers Mr. Ellis--global equity sales executive; Mr. Lackey--institutional-sales trader New business Volvo Rents franchises, which rent out construction equipment Startup cost "Millions of dollars,'' says Mr. Ellis. Annual...

Big-time bartender.(Business Lives)
December 8, 2008... Byline: maia blume A successful tavern owner and event planner, Village Pourhouse owner Michael Sinensky, 29, has built an extensive business network here and around the world. STARTING YOUNG The New York City native started by hosting...

Betting on foreclosures; Smart buyers can find good deals among the lemons.(Business Lives)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Julie Satow Estee tobaly, a newcomer to the world of foreclosure auctions, had what one might call beginner's luck. During a recent auction at Manhattan's main courthouse at 60 Centre St., the Park Avenue doyenne outbid a...

Apollo falls to earth; Leon Black's LBOs flaming out; new investors undeterred.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Aaron Elstein Outside a Linens 'n Things store in Jersey City hangs a giant yellow-and-black "Going Out of Business'' sign. The shop, one of 371 Linens outlets across the country in liquidation, is slated to close immediately after...

A DOWNWARD SPIRAL, LED BY THE BIG BANKS.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... The number of SBA loans in the area dropped precipitously in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. The decline came from the top, as stalwart lenders such as J.P. Morgan Chase and BofA cut back. Citibank, which had been ramping up its small business...

Hard times and Wal-Mart.(Viewpoint)
December 8, 2008... Across the country, hard-pressed and out-of-work consumers are flocking to the retailer that gives them the highest-quality merchandise at the lowest prices. Sales at Wal-Mart Stores rose 7.5% in the third quarter as most of its rivals watched...

Will you donate the same amount to charity this year? CRAIN'S ONLINE POLL.(Viewpoint)
December 8, 2008... 254 VOTES Date of poll: Dec. 3 41% Yes. I plan to give the same amount as I did last year. 40% No. I'm putting on my Grinch hat and cutting back on everything. 19% No. I'm giving more, because I think it's more important...

High-flying developer faces loan deadline; $750 million due in January; is Lawlor the first of many?(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Theresa Agovino Time is running out for Scott Lawlor, one of New York's most prolific purchasers of prime real estate. Mr. Lawlor's firm, Broadway Partners, faces a January deadline to repay a loan of $750 million--one of many...

In the Markets; In a downright gloomy economy, Sterling Bancorp shines brighter.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Erik Ipsen Since the financial crisis broke last year, bank shares have been among the biggest losers, with most of them shedding more than half of their value. Not Sterling Bancorp. So far this year, its stock has sustained a...

WEEK IN REVIEW: U.S. recession is a year old.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... Byline: from staff reports and bloomberg news reports The National Bureau OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH confirmed that the U.S. is officially in a recession and that it started last December. Adding gloom to the announcement, the Labor Department...

A bad boy grows up; Effective, self-effacing AG may replace Clinton.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Erik Engquist When andrew cuomo dropped out of the race for governor in 2002, his political career seemed crushed. But in less than two years as state attorney general, he has reinvented himself and is now poised to become New...

The future of NYC; Crain's Feb. forum will address economy.(News)
December 8, 2008... j.p. morgan chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and Mayor Michael Bloomberg will headline a conference on the future of New York, to be presented by Crain's and the Partnership for New York City on Tuesday Feb. 3. The program is designed to...

Late News.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... The New York Botanical Garden is cutting its $64 million annual operating budget by 12% because of a steep drop in earned income--despite an 8% increase in visitors from last year--fundraising and government aid. To balance the budget, which...

Pair finds profits, if not passion; Joe Cocomero and Daniel Quinn.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Former careers NYSE specialists New business Aussie Pet Mobile franchise Startup cost $300,000 Annual revenues Not available Date that business was started June 2007 Advice for Wall Streeters launching a business Don't buy...

Best of Bob Lape.(Business Lives)(Restaurant review)
December 8, 2008... Italian neighborhood attractions: Convivio (3 stars) www.convivionyc.com (under construction) 45 Tudor City Place (between East 41st and East 42nd streets), Manhattan. (212) 599-5045. Inspired new Southern Italian flavor hit...

Proving that NY Cares; Popular insider takes helm at nonprofit with funding sources under severe stress.(Business Lives)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Theresa Agovino Though Gary Bagley will turn 50 on Christmas Eve, the new executive director of New York Cares won't be dancing the night away. That's because he'll be up early on Christmas Day to deliver coats to a homeless...

The Weeks Ahead.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... This Week's Events December 9 Crain's New York Business hosts arts and culture breakfast. 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Crowne Plaza Times Square, 1605 Broadway. Fee: $70 individual ticket, $650 table for 10. (212) 210-0257 or...

Sapient wisely opts for 1 Penn Plaza; Consultant expands at current location to save money, keep access to transit.(Real Estate)
December 8, 2008... Sapient corp., an international consulting and interactive marketing services firm, is adding 9,000 square feet at its New York outpost, bringing its total at 1 Penn Plaza to 22,000 square feet. After expanding into the additional space in...

Internet riding to radio's rescue.(Viewpoint)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Valerie Block Cbs radio eliminated several general managers' positions at its stations last week--just more budget-slashing as its main advertisers crumble in a heap of insolvency (Detroit, anyone?). The radio business is hell. ...

HOW FORECLOSURE AUCTIONS WORK; Lender sets minimum bid.(Business Lives)
December 8, 2008... After a borrower fails to make his mortgage payments--the traditional window is three months--a lender launches a foreclosure action. The home is listed publicly under "Lis Pendens,'' Latin for "suit pending,'' at which stage the homeowner may...

New York, New York.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... Byline: edited by Valerie Block Dining in style, old-fashioned way On jan. 12, diners at Cafe des Artistes may feel like they're on the set of Babette's Feast (above). That's because that night, the French restaurant will re-create the...

Retailers hope children will play Santa; With holiday purchases focused on kids, stores seek to put brakes on sales declines.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Adrianne Pasquarelli Part of sharon schoenberg's strategy for dealing with the recession is to eliminate Hanukkah presents for her siblings and her friends. But she's drawing the line when it comes to her 5-year-old daughter, Cate,...

Bitter pill.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... For most owners, layoffs are the most difficult option and the last step taken. But experts advise that delaying the inevitable is a bad move. Because labor costs rise as a percentage of falling revenue, postponing letting people go for...

DISCOUNT PERIL.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... Experts agree that businesses should forgo discounting merchandise or services and instead offer rebates and temporary promotions, such as a complimentary cocktail with a meal, or a free cut with color. "Do not [reduce] prices,'' says...

The Insider.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Erik Engquist and Matthew Sollars Maneuvering pays off in Senate In the deal brokered last week that will make Sen. Malcolm Smith (left) majority leader in the state Senate, Sen. Carl Kruger, D-Brooklyn, emerged as the biggest...

Car sales in a skid; A dozen dealers shut down over 3 months.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Adrianne Pasquarelli new york's car dealers are suffering along with Detroit as the crisis in the automotive industry deepens. Business at dealerships in the metro area dropped by nearly 50% in November compared with last year,...

High-stakes duel in Bronx park; Residents in middle as rowdy newcomers muscle in on old-timers' quiet game.(Neighborhood Journal)
December 8, 2008... Abronx community that fought long and hard to get its park renovated faces a battle against interlopers who have claimed part of the green space on weekends. Devoe Park, covering 4.5 acres along Fordham Road and University Avenue in...

Sling Media makes play to become household name; Launches Hulu rival; grander plans.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Amanda Fung Sling media is looking to break out. Last week, it launched Sling.com, an ad-supported video entertainment site like Hulu, in another attempt to turn itself into a household name. The move is part of the tech firm's...

Restaurateur scrambles to benefit from bad timing; Famed Chicago spot's NYC spinoff wins big price cuts.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Lisa Fickenscher Two months ago, a successful Chicago restaurateur took a leap of faith and a deep breath, and signed a lease for an enormous midtown space where she planned to open an upscale eatery--and where another pricey spot...

Misery Meter; Weekly reading on the direction of the city's economy.(News)
December 8, 2008... 533,000 Layoffs announced in November (U.S. Labor Dept.) -2.7% Same-store sales change in November (Int'l Council of Shopping Centers) -0.9 Bloomberg/ Crain's NY stock index weekly change Negative METER...

RAVITCH'S MTA PLAN The bottom line.(Briefs)
December 8, 2008... Business leaders are taking a cautious approach to last week's recommendation for a new regional payroll tax. The idea came from a commission headed by former Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Richard Ravitch (left). The tax would...

SMALL BIZ RESOURCES FROM CRAIN'S NEW YORK.(Small Business Report)
December 8, 2008... GROWING A BUSINESS GUIDE Crain's new list of more than 600 organizations with resources to help small businesses was published in the Nov. 10 issue. This year's edition includes a special section on resources to help small businesses cope with...