Cultivating Manhattan's
Commercial Life.
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce represents the 125,000+ businesses that make this borough work. We know what they're up against, we help them grow, and we fight for them at City Hall.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who advocates for small businesses in Manhattan?
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce represents more than 125,000 businesses across the borough, which together employ 2.4 million people and generate $939 billion in annual GDP. Founded in 1920, the Chamber:
• Testifies before the New York City Council
• Publishes independent economic research on Manhattan's commercial economy
• Provides free one-on-one advising to business owners in every Manhattan neighborhood
What research does the Manhattan Chamber publish?
The Chamber produces original data on the health of Manhattan's commercial economy:
• State of Small Business in NYC — the 2026 report graded New York City's small business climate a C−
• Storefront Tracker — an interactive dataset on storefront vitality across Manhattan's 12 community districts
• Enforcement Uncovered — found that 62.3% of Department of Consumer and Worker Protection enforcement cases end in default judgment
All Chamber research is free and publicly available at our Economic Research & Data hub.
What is the Storefront Tracker?
The Storefront Tracker is the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's interactive dataset measuring storefront vitality in each of Manhattan's 12 community districts, updated twice per year. It tracks vacancy rates, foot traffic, and more so business owners, policymakers, and researchers can see how neighborhood retail corridors are actually performing.
What is the Main Street Deal?
The Main Street Deal is the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's policy agenda for saving Manhattan's storefronts. It covers:
• Commercial rent pressure
• Regulatory and permitting reform
• Enforcement practices that penalize rather than assist small businesses
How has the Chamber influenced New York City policy?
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce testifies at 10–25 New York City Council hearings each year. In 2026, the Chamber:
• Supported the repeal of the security grille fine, which passed the Council 51–0 as Int. 910-A
• Secured $400,000 in Wells Fargo Neighborhood Growth Grants for storefront businesses in Manhattan Valley
• Maintains a Legislative Action Center tracking bills that affect Manhattan businesses
I'm a small business—how can I get help?
The Chamber offers free support to any New York City business owner, whether or not you are a member:
• Business Help Desk — free one-on-one consultations; served more than 2,000 businesses in 2025
• Storefront Resurgence Project — retail-specific resources for brick-and-mortar businesses
• Storefront Business Coalition — organizes storefront owners around shared policy priorities
Who can join the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce?
Any business, nonprofit, or entrepreneur with interests in New York City can join the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber welcomes all industries and company sizes, from sole proprietors to corporate partners, with membership tiers to fit different goals.
How much does Chamber membership cost?
• Small business membership: ranges from $192 to $780 per year
• Chairman's Circle, the Chamber's premier partnership tier: from $5,000 per year, including closed-door policy meetings with city officials
What are the membership benefits?
Members receive:
• Policy advocacy at City Hall
• 80+ high value events per year
• Business workshops
• Promotional opportunities across Chamber channels
Where are you located?
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is located at 575 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
How do I contact you?
• Phone: (212) 473-7875
• Email: info@manhattancc.org