Green Incubator: NY Designs Business Center in Long Island City

NY Designs is a program sponsored jointly by the CUNY Economic Development Corporation and LaGuardia Community College. Housed on the seventh floor of one of LaGuardia’s buildings in Long Island City, the $6 million, 35,000-square-foot space opened in 2006 with a number of green design features, including recycled tire carpet. Its mission? To "grow New York design firms." Current tenants include graphic design outfit Tribecca Designs, fashion designers eenamaria, and AR Architects. Lease terms range from six months to three years at an extremely affordable $2.50 to $3.00 per square foot (thanks to grants from NYSERDA, HUD, and ConEd, among others). In order to apply, firms must submit a business plan and demonstrate "the potential to grow in revenues, employees and use of capital." Tenants enjoy seminars on small business planning and receive free Internet connections and discounted phone rates. Interested businesses can apply for space through the NY Designs web site here.

• NY Designs Business Center