Partners & Affiliates: December News & Happenings

82nd Street Partnership

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 

Executive Director: Leslie Ramos

718.335.9421

82ndstreet.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

Bayside Village BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361

Executive Director: Christine Siletti

718.423.2434

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members.

Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

There will be a Holiday Parade on December 2. Any community group that wishes to march should contact the BID office at [email protected] or contact Councilman Paul Vallone’s Office.

Business Center for New Americans (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Business Development: Tshering Gurung

347.730.6468

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).  BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders. 

Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375

President: Leslie Brown

718.268.6565

[email protected]

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members.  

Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills. 

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354

Executive Director: John Choe

[email protected]

646.783.8985

flushingchamber.nyc

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses. 

On Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamber-organized Greenmarket returns to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue.

Upcoming events include:

• Sunday, December 9, 1 to 5 p.m. – The ever-popular Holiday Market at Flushing Town Hall is where you can get jewelry, handcrafted goods, greeting cards, clothing, and arts & crafts for you holiday gift needs. 137-35 Northern Blvd. 

• Sunday, December 16, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Christmas Tinker Festival and Tree Lighting at Lewis H. Latimer House Museum. 134-41 137th Street. Music, hot cocoa and the annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. Free

Greater Jamaica 

Development Corporation

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432

President: Hope Knight

718.291.0282

www.gjdc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth. 

Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation – Woodhaven BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421

718.805.0202

[email protected]

woodhavenbid.com

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella.

On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street, the BID features six supermarkets. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

• The Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation will hold its first Charity Prize Event on Thursday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at Woodhaven Manor, 96-01 Jamaica Avenue. Tickets included wine, food and a chance to spin the wheel and reveal your gift certificate to a local business. Tickets are $25, and the money raised will be used to buy toys and food baskets for the need.

• The Woodhaven Business Improvement District’s Tree-Lighting and Menorah Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends will be there, and there will be live music.

• Have your free picture taken with Santa and Rudolph at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway on December 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free goodies will also be given to the children. The event is sponsored by the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation

Jamaica Center BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419

Jamaica, NY 11432

718.526.2422

jamaica.nyc

@JamaicaAvenue

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 500 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. The BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit. 

The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations. 

The BID is the proud recipient of a three-year, $300,000 Avenue NYC grant and is currently conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA), which will inform future programing.

JFK International Airport Chamber of Commerce

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590

Executive Director: Mercedes Altman

516.492.0513

jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year. 

Upcoming events include:

• Tuesday, December 11, at 9 a.m. Workshop on the new Anti-Sexual Harassment Laws. Contact them to register.

• Wednesday, December 12, at 8:30 a.m. – The JFKCoC Directors General Monthly Meeting at JFK International Airport, Building 14 Conference Room A. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served. 

Long Island City Partnership

President: Elizabeth Lusskin

718.786.5300

longislandcityqueens.com

Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

Upcoming events include:

• Tuesday, December 4, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Career Open House in partnership with Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, Urban Upbound and Queensbridge Tenants Association at Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement, 10-25 41 St. Sponsored with support from TD Charitable Foundation, The event is aimed at job seekers. There will be roundtable discussions and people will hear directly from business owners and employees.

Maspeth Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378

President: David Daraio 

718.335.1300

maspethchamberofcommerce.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

Maspeth Industrial Business Association (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368

Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 

718.205.3773

[email protected]

mibanyc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. 

They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

Middle Village Chamber of Commerce

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379

President: Salvatore Crifasi

718.894.8700

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

Myrtle Avenue BID 

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385

Executive Director: Ted Renz

718.366.3806 

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. 

Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district. 

Executive Director Ted Renz said this month the focus is on their Sales Booklet that goes to 40,000 households in Ridgewood and Glendale. The BID provides traditional holiday decorations and music for the shoppers on the Avenue from noon to 6 p.m. every day. 

The BID has also been involved in a zoning initiative for Myrtle Avenue. Renz is working with, and has the approval of the community board, to preserve the integrity of the business feel of Myrtle Avenue by making it a special zoning district. City Planning is looking at the request now. The plan seeks to keep the look of the two- and three-story commercial infrastructure in tact.

Queens Economic Development Corporation

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 

Kew Gardens, NY 11424 

Executive Director: Seth Bornstein

718.263.0546

queensny.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

Upcoming events include:

• Pitch Night, December 6, 5 to 8 p.m. – Teams will showcase and pitch their ideas to a panel of established entrepreneurs and industry leaders for seed capital and have an opportunity to turn their ideas into reality. Free. Queens College. Rosenthal Library 230, 65-30 Kissena Blvd.

Rockaway Business Alliance

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

President: Kevin Alexander

718.327.5300

www.rdrc.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies. RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board. 

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project. 

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts. 

To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts. 

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway. 

Steinway Street BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 

Executive Director: Marie Torniali

718.728.7820

[email protected]

steinwaystreet.org

QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

Board meetings are held seven times a year. The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way. 

Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104

President: Patricia Dorfman

718.729.4688

www.sunnyside-chamber.org

QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation.

Sunnyside Shines

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104

Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam

718.606.1800

[email protected] 

sunnysideshines.org

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

• December 8, 9, 15 and 16 from Noon to 6 p.m. – Bliss Plaza Pop-up Holiday Market. The outdoor market will have over 30 vendors, including local businesses and crafts people and popular food vendors. Bliss Plaza, 46th St. & Queens Blvd.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *