Cut the Red Tape, Not the Ribbon: Nassau’s Small Businesses Deserve Better
By Legislator Seth I. Koslow
Nassau County is home to over 200,000 small businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These aren’t just statistics on a spreadsheet—they’re the lifeblood of our economy and the soul of our neighborhoods. From barbershops and bakeries to auto repair shops and dog groomers, these businesses do more than sell products or provide services—they create jobs, sponsor Little League teams, donate to food drives, and define the character of our communities.
So why is Nassau County treating them like ATMs?
Right now, small business owners looking to open or renew a license in Nassau are often hit with fees that range from exorbitant to downright absurd. In some cases, entrepreneurs are being charged up to $1,300 per year just to operate legally. That’s not a startup-friendly environment, that’s a hostile one.
It reads less like a licensing schedule and more like a shakedown list.
Want to hang a sign over your storefront? That’ll cost you. Want to clip a poodle? Open your wallet. Want to fix locks for a living? Get ready to unlock your savings account. These fees can be three to five times higher than what our neighbors in Suffolk County charge for the exact same services.
This is the opposite of what we should be doing.
In May I introduced legislation to slash more than 30 types of business licensing fees that are disproportionately burdening local entrepreneurs. The goal is simple: foster growth, not fear. We should be encouraging economic development, not making it harder for people to follow their dreams.
This isn’t about handouts. It’s about fairness.
And it’s about priorities, because while our small business owners are struggling to get permits and pay fees, County Executive Bruce Blakeman seems more focused on hosting political rallies and posing for photo ops than addressing the real economic challenges facing our communities.
When local leaders choose PR over policy, it’s the people who suffer, especially the small business owners who are doing everything right but getting punished for simply trying to make a living.
I’ve spoken to countless business owners throughout Nassau who are frustrated and fed up. They want to grow, expand, and hire, but they’re being priced out before they even get started. And in an era where e-commerce giants and national chains already have the upper hand, why is Nassau County making it even harder for the little guys to compete?
The legislation I’ve proposed would cut licensing fees down to reasonable, market-competitive levels. It’s designed to give small businesses a break during uncertain economic times, when inflation is high, costs are rising, and every dollar matters. And just as importantly, it would send a clear message that Nassau County values the people who power its economy.
Our proposal also has built-in flexibility. It’s not a blanket repeal; it’s a recalibration. We’re targeting the licenses that have been out of step with regional norms and have become barriers to entry. This is about striking the right balance between public oversight and economic vitality.
Now, some may argue that these fees generate important revenue for the County. But nickel-and-diming our local businesses is a shortsighted strategy that stunts long-term economic growth. When businesses thrive, they generate sales taxes, hire more workers, and reinvest in their neighborhoods. Cutting fees now can yield a greater return later—in both dollars and community stability.
We need to stop looking at small businesses as revenue streams and start treating them as partners. Because that’s what they are. They’re the ones who open before dawn and close well after dark. They’re the ones who take the risk and shoulder the uncertainty. The least we can do is remove unnecessary obstacles from their path.
As a County Legislator, I believe government should be a bridge, not a barricade. My colleagues and I in the Legislature have a responsibility to act, and I urge every one of them to join me in passing this legislation swiftly and unanimously. If the County Executive won’t lead on this issue, then we will.
Let’s stop squeezing the small businesses that keep Nassau running. Let’s give them the fair shot they’ve earned. And let’s build a county where entrepreneurship is rewarded, not penalized.
Seth I. Koslow is the Nassau County Legislator representing District 5.
Introduced Legislation