Partners & Affiliates: June News & Happenings

Above: The sixth annual LIC Springs! festival and street fair on Saturday drew hundreds of local residents and visitors for a full lineup of festivities. The event featured interactive art lessons, live music, food and more, showcasing the diversity and talent of Long Island City. The event was organized by the Long Island City Partnership with support from Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and local businesses and organizations.

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.

Recently, Queens Council on The Arts commissioned eight Queens-based artists to create temporary public artworks throughout Jackson Heights through their first ever, public art commissioning program, ArtSite. 

The 82nd Street Partnership is hosting several community wellness events this month in Dunningham Triangle, which is located at 82nd Street and Baxter Avenue in Elmhurst. On Saturdays in June (6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29) from 10 to 11 a.m. there will be meditation classes. On June 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. and June 7 from 10 a.m. to noon there will be free zumba classes. 

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.

On May 19, the BID hosted the popular Bell Boulevard Food & Music Festival, featuring live music, family activities and food tastings from 35 Bayside restaurants.

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. This month’s meeting will take place on June 26.

The next major event for the chamber is the Forest Hill Festival of the Arts on Sunday, June 9. On Austin Street there will be live music, unique merchandise, gourmet food and rides for the kids.

GATEWAY JFK

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon

[email protected]

GatewayJFK.org

QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.

GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors for banners on Rockaway Boulevard. Participating sponsors will have their logo displayed on the lower portion of the banners for one full-year. Sponsoring the banner will cost $1,000, but sponsoring three or more banners costs $750 per banner. 

Sponsors have the chance to make 57,000-plus daily impressions if located in the southern section of the district, and 24,000-plus in the northern section. If interested, contact GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or [email protected].

The BID will host its annual meeting on June 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the new TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. The meeting is open to the public and free dinner will be served, but you must RSVP via the BID’s website.

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce


Flushing welcomes Taiyaki NYC

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. 

In May, the chamber welcomed the greenmarket back to Maple Playground on Kissena Boulevard. It is open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Chamber is hosting its second annual Flushing World’s Fair expo to showcase the diverse business community in the neighborhood. It will also include presentations and workshops, as well as showcase resources for entrepreneurs and local businesses.   

At the event, the chamber will launch the Passport to Flushing 2019, a food and culture crawl with discounts and prizes. It will take place on June 28 and June 29 at both Queens College and the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel. Learn more at worldsfair.nyc.

Greater Jamaica 

Development Corporation

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432

President: Hope Knight

718.291.0282

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. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

Jamaica Center BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419

Jamaica, NY 11432

Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli

718.526.2422

jamaica.nyc

@JamCenterBID (Twitter)

@jamcenterbid (Instagram)

@Jamaica Center BID (Facebook)

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 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.

The BID recently announced that Jennifer Furioli will be the next executive director, taking over for Whitney Barrat. Furioli most recently served with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (NRBID), where she was responsible for overseeing the New Rochelle Grand Market, NRBID events and external NRBID communications.

The BID will be hosting its Sidewalk Sales Days 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. over three weekends this month: June 7-10, June 12-14 and June 19-21.

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:

• June 12, 8:30-10 a.m.: JFK CoC Directors General Monthly Meeting. JFK International Airport, Building 14 – Conference Room “A”. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served. Contact [email protected] to confirm the date.

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.

On June 25 from 8 to 10 a.m., the partnership will a Business Breakfast at the LIC Conference Center at 41-21 27th Street. In collaboration with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the event will feature a discussion on trade, tariffs and taxes. Registration required.

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.

• June 9 – The Maspeth Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the annual Maspeth Street Fair on Grand Avenue with vendors, food and rides for the kids.

• June 11 at 12 p.m. – The Maspeth Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting will take place at Connolly’s Corner at 71-15 Grand Avenue.

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 


Stringer tours businesses on Myrtle Avenue

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. 

The BID has also been involved in a zoning initiative for Myrtle Avenue. Executive Director Ted 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.

From June 13-16, the BID will host it Father’s Day Sidewalk Sales. BID merchants on Myrtle Avenue and adjacent side streets from Fresh Pond Road to Wyckoff Avenue will display their merchandise in front of their businesses.

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:

• June 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. – QEDC will celebrate the 8th anniversary of The Entrepreneur Space in Long Island City. It will take place at E-Space at 36-46 37th Street.

• June 20 from 10 a.m. to Noon – QEDC will host an 8(a) Certification Workshops. The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. It will take place at The Entrepreneur Space at 36-43 37th Street in Long Island City.

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.

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 Astoria Partnership 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.

The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family owned shops some of them fixtures on the street for some 50 years.

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: Vanessa Ceballos

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.

At its recent annual meeting, Chamber members elected Vanessa Ceballos, owner of Firefly Petite Cafe & Bistro on 43rd Avenue, to serve as 2019-20 president.

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.

This month, the Beats in Bliss Plaza returns to Sunnyside with free performances, crafts and games in the plaza at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard under the 7 train on select Thursdays. This month’s schedule includes Dance Matters NYC (6/6) and Rioult Dance Company (6/27).

Sunnyside Outdoor Movie Nights return to the neighborhood this month. On June 7 at 7 p.m. at Lou Lodati Playground at Skillman Avenue and 42nd Street there will be a screening of short films by Queens filmmakers. 

On June 14 at 7 p.m., there will be a screening of The Muppets Take Manhattan at 7 p.m. at Noonan Playground at Greenpoint Avenue and 43rd Street.

Sutphin boulevard BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C

Jamaica, NY 11435

Executive Director: Glen Greenridge

718.291.2110

[email protected]

QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Blvd. between Hillside and 94th avenues.

The BID is currently accepting applications for vendors interested in taking part in the 2019 Harvest Festival. It will take place on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

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