Made possible through funds from Community RenaissanceInitiative, Fulton First (Fleet Initiative for Retail Services andTrade) has been organized by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce toassist small businesses along a two-mile stretch of Fulton Street."The $750,000 three-year grant will be used to attract newbusinesses to Fulton Street and help existing ones stabilize theirfinancial situation and provide technical and marketingassistance," explains Mike Haberman, director of communications forthe Chamber.

"As the title implies, this program is geared more towards theretail sector than it is to manufacturing or corporate. All thebusinesses are located on Fulton Street from Flatbush Avenue afterthe Fulton Mall District up to Saratoga Avenue and encompassing theneighborhoods of Ft. Greene, Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant,"Haberman notes.

"Many of these businesses need be trained in how to properlymarket their business and some need to be urged to relocate asopposed to have them close their stores, which some might do. Wecan advise them on budgeting and where to look for financing.Mortgages through the US Small Business Administration and Fleetare two financial sources that will be available," he says.Otherorganizations involved include the Bogolan Merchants Association,the Central Brooklyn Partnership and the Business OutreachCenter.