Organizational innovation can include creative approaches to: financing, governance, group structures (networks, alliances, cooperatives, etc.), management participation and the role of investors. Information and resources are available for selecting various types of structures (such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, C Corporations, S Corporations, Cooperatives, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)).

The objective of the Business Structure component of the NY Ag Innovation Center is to increase the number of successful, value-added enterprises utilizing sound business and organizational structures for the benefit of NY agricultural producers.

For further information on business structure assistance through the NY Agriculture Innovation Center, contact either Jude Barry at 607-254-4741 (email: jab267@cornell.edu ) or Brian Henehan at 607-255-8800 (email: bmh5@cornell.edu).

For more information, please read our proposal. (Download PDF)
 

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RESOURCES

Barry, J.A. and B.M. Henehan. 2004 "Considerations in Establishing a New Business Structure for Farm Energy Enterprises." Fact Sheet, Dept. of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 3 pp. (pdf) (51k)

Anderson, B.L., B.M. Henehan, and C.J. Sullivan. 2004. "Doing Business in New York State: Structures and Strategies." EB2004-07, Dept. of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 40 pp. (pdf) (187k)

Henehan, B. and B. Anderson. 2001. "Considering Cooperation: A Guide for New Cooperative Development." EB2001-01, Dept. of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 49 pp. (pdf) (368k)

USEFUL WEB SITES RELATED TO BUSINESS STRUCTURE

State of New York (specifically)

	1.	"New York Loves Small Business" Websites
		Business Organization Technical Assistance I love NY Online
	2.	New York Secretary of State
	3.	NYC Small Business Resource Center
	4.	NYS Department of State – Filling Fees, Forms and Information
	5.	New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
	6.	Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform
	7.	New York State Small Business Development Center

General Business Structure Information

	1.	Entrepreneur.com
	2.	Choosing the Legal Structure of your Business (North Carolina State University)
	3.	US Small Business Administration “Selecting the Legal Structure for your business” Jocelyn West Brittin (pdf) (178 KB)
	4.	IRS Business Structure Information
	5.	My Corporation Business Forms and Structures
	6.	Business Law.gov
	7.	US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Export Trading Company Affairs

Other Useful Websites

	1.	Cornell Entrepreneurship and Personal Enterprise Program
	2.	New York State Bar Association
	3.	SCORE
	4.	USDA Office of Rural Development – Rural Business Services