Section 118 - Power and dutiesIn addition to the power and duties conferred by section one hundred sixteen of this article, the division shall have the additional power and duty to:
1. Coordinate with all state agencies performing functions affecting the operations of minority business enterprises, and women-owned business enterprises, as such terms are defined in section two hundred ten of this chapter;2. Receive complaints and inquiries of operators of minority and women-owned business enterprises and refer them to the appropriate federal, state or local agency for appropriate action on such complaints;3. Solicit recommendations from the operators of minority and women-owned business enterprises for improving existing state programs and refer such recommendations to the governor, the legislature and appropriate state agencies or authorities;4. Advise and make recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature on matters affecting the minority and women-owned business enterprises of the state and promote and encourage the protection of the legitimate interests of minority and women-owned business enterprises within the state;5. Conduct investigations, research, studies and analyses of matters affecting the interests of minority and women-owned business enterprises;6. Study the implementation of the laws affecting minority and women-owned business enterprises and recommend to the commissioner new laws and amendments of laws for the benefit of minority and women-owned business enterprises; and review pending legislation affecting minority and women-owned business enterprises and report its findings to the commissioner;7. Provide technical assistance and information to minority and women-owned business enterprises in the state on economic development programs administered by the department, including, but not limited to: (a) the empire zones program, established pursuant to article eighteen-B of the general municipal law, (b) the industrial effectiveness program, established pursuant to article seven of this chapter, (c) the economic development skills training program, established pursuant to article eight of this chapter, and (d) the entrepreneurial assistance program, established pursuant to article nine of this chapter; 8. Provide technical assistance and information to minority and women-owned business enterprises in the state on economic development programs administered by agencies other than the department, including, but not limited to programs administered by the urban development corporation, the job development authority and the science and technology foundation;9. Be responsible for conducting minority and women-owned business enterprise assistance programs and for coordinating the activities of all other state agencies acting within the scope of this section; and10. Carry out the activities to implement the minority and women-owned business enterprise assistance programs, to the extent practicable, within amounts appropriated therefor by; (a) collecting and maintaining information identifying certified minority and women-owned business enterprises within New York state;(b) collecting, maintaining, and providing information to potential users identifying existing contracting and procurement opportunities within and outside New York state;(c) maintaining, providing and marketing a compilation of existing programs providing assistance for minority and women-owned business enterprises;(d) identifying special needs and problems facing minority and women-owned business enterprises within New York state;(e) contacting institutions, organizations and commercial enterprises that are potential consumers of minority and women-owned business products and services; urging their expanded consumption of such goods and services;(f) facilitating the establishment of minority and women-owned business enterprises; and(g) providing information concerning local and regional opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises.N.Y. Economic Development Law § 118