Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation

Business assitance - the b0$$ program focuses on the delivery of capital, technical assistance and referral services to businesses with 10 employees or less an annual gross income of less than $500,000 (micro enterprises). The organization is a certified community Development financial institution ("cdfi") and has made over 370 loans totaling over $5.6 million since the loan programs inception in 1995. Loans range from $100 to $50,000. Two thirds of the loans have gone to small storefront businesses with the balance going to street vendors and in-home businesses. A third of the loans go to startup businesses. Of the loans to individuals, 96% have gone to minority and women owned businesses. These loans have created over 420 full-time jobs and 130 new businesses in the community.entrepreneurial assistance assists over 200 clients annually with one on one business counseling and technical assistance

Other programs -laplaza de las americas whidc administers the year round la plaza de las americas street vendors market on west 175th st. Between wadsworth and broadway. La plaza serves as a micro business "incubator" for up to 50 vendors. The organization was also the sponsor of the new plaza that was constructed as part of the "plaza nyc" program. The new pedestrian plaza is closed to traffic and gives vendors access to electricity and water. The plaza also features trees, lighting, benches, tables, chairs, and a fountain.medieval festival an annual medieval festival at fort tryon park since 1983. This one day festival attracts visitors from throughout the tri-state region spurring economic activity in the area. Admission is free and over 60,000 people attend the festival annually.