Partners & Affiliates News – April

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.
The 82nd Street Partnership has a robust schedule of events throughout the year, including Viva La Comida, Halloween parade, holiday tree lighting, back-to-school activities, the “A Walk With A Doctor” event. The latter takes place in October through a partnership with Elmhurst Hospital. Doctors demonstrate life-saving tips in cases of disasters and everyday accidents.
But currently Leslie Ramos is concerned with what she says is the city’s lack of understanding of the needs and concerns of small business owners. In mid-March, the city eliminated parking on Roosevelt Avenue between Broadway and 90th Street between 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. for a six-month pilot program aimed at mitigating traffic and congestion.

Bayside Village BID
213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361
Interim Executive Director: Christine Silletti
718.423.2434
info@baysidevillagebid.com
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.
The first-ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bayside took place on Saturday, March 24, on Bell Boulevard.

Business Center for New Americans (BCNA)
78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Manager of Business Development: Tshering D. 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.
Loans range from $500 to $50,000 with terms up to three years. Loan officers help clients with creating business plan and financial statements, and offer credit counseling to help clients understand, improve and repair credit. They offer workshops on small business management, social media, credit building and home ownership.
The 7th Annual Immigrant Heritage Week Awards is on Thursday, April 19, from 8:30-10:45 a.m. at SIFMA Conference Center, 210 Broadway, 2nd Floor (photo ID required). The event includes keynote speaker Aline Sara, co-founder of Na Takallam, and Gregg Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Small Business services, and honors outstanding refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs. To register call (212) 898-4195 or email [email protected].

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.
The next event on the Chamber’s calendar is the Forest Hills Festival on Sunday, June 10.

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce
135-32 38th Ave., Suite 25, Flushing NY 11354
Executive Director: John Choe
john@flushingchamber.nyc
646.783.8985
flushingchamber.nyc
QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.
Litter in the area is rampant, and the chamber is making it a priority. The chamber is partnering with the city for locations for up to 50 new garbage cans in Downtown Flushing.
Queens SOUP 2018 is on Sunday, April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Flushing Meeting House, 137-16 Northern Boulevard. Queens SOUP provides an opportunity for any community project based in Flushing to get no-strings-attached money. Projects can focus on arts and culture, civil rights, small business assistance, children’s programming, neighborhood beautification, environmental remediation, and more. Four projects will be chosen to present their plans during Queens SOUP. Tickets are $5. For more information, contact the chamber at (646) 820-5163.
The Chamber recently welcomed several new board members. They include Reverend Richard McEachern of Macedonia AME Church; COTS Travel owner Bianca Ng; Queens College vice president Elizabeth Hendrey; Austin Yeung, managing director of Capital Partners Accounting; EZ Tax owner Carlos Bustamante; and Kevin Louie, senior associate at Cushman Wakefield.

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.
GJDC, in conjunction with Bellmore/Merrick School District, Patrol Borough Queens South and Jamaica YMCA, will host the Annual Prom Dress/Suit Giveaway on Saturday, April 21, at The Harvest Room at 90-40 160th Street. Event doors open at 11 a.m., early arrival is suggested. In order to register please visit sayyes2thepromdress2018.eventbrite.com. The event is hosted by Oceana Porter and coordinated by Vignike Anderson (718-291-0282 ext 127).

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.

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 district includes 300 stores on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 160th Street in Jamaica. They offer a value card and support business owners in their expansions and openings.
Valerie Stevens is director of Business Services and Operations, supporting member businesses in their marketing efforts. Stevens has been focusing on social media to assist with branding and expansion. The BID is currently looking for a sponsor for their banners and trash can program along Jamaica Avenue.
The BID is helping to promote the York College Summer Camp. There are two schedules offered, both which includes breakfast and lunch. They are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enroll by April 15 and receive a $100 discount on each enrollment. More info at [email protected].

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:
• The JFKCoC Directors General Monthly Meeting is on Wednesday, April 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at JFK International Airport, Building 14, Conference Room A. Guests welcome, but RSVP required.
• The JFK Runway run will take place on April 15 from 7 a.m., to noon. Learn more at jfkrunwayrun.org.

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.
The Partnership will host the 13th Annual Real Estate Breakfast: LIC-Open For Business on Thursday, April 12, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Ravel Hotel, 8-08 Queens Plaza South. Join over 250 leaders in real estate and finance to learn about current projects underway in LIC.
The event is moderated by David Brause, president of Brause Realty and chair of the LIC Business Improvement District. Previous panels have highlighted a mix of residential, commercial, retail, cultural and industrial developments. This year, they are focusing on the new and exciting business tenants shaping the neighborhood.

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.
The next chamber meeting is on Tuesday, April 10, at noon at Connolly’s Corner, 71-15 Grand Avenue. The majority of their budget is spent on holiday lights, banners, beautification and festivals, including replacing the street banners on Grand Avenue. There has recently been a push to form a BID on 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.
The next MIBA Breakfast will be held on May 18 at 8:30 a.m. at Petro Heating at 55-60 58th Street. The guest speaker will be OSHA compliance associate specialist Heinz Wardoff. RSVP at [email protected].

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.
The next Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association meeting will take place on April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church at 66-05 79th Place.

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. There are currently ten stores looking for tenants.
Upcoming events include the Myrtle Avenue Street Fair on April 15 from noon to 5 p.m. on Myrtle Avenue from Wyckoff to Forest avenues, and Sidewalk Sales Days from April 19 to 22.

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 event include:
• New Idea to New Venture Workshop on April 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, Room G110, 120-55 Queens Boulevard. This workshop helps participants develop their business idea, organize their start-up process and create a strategy to launch their business.
• Doing Business With The Government: Getting M/WBE Certified with NYC & NYS on April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Borough Hall, Room 200, 120-55 Queens Boulevard. Learn about getting certified as a Minority/Woman Business Enterprise with the city and state, what you will need to do to obtain government contracts, and how you can leverage your certification to get more business.
• Doing Business With The Government: Getting M/WBE Certified with NYC & NYS on April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Entrepreneur Space, 36-46 37th Street, Long Island City.

Rockaway Business Alliance
info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org
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.
The Alliance will be hosting a corridor cleanup on Saturday, April 14, at 9 a.m. on Rockaway Boulevard from Beach 90th to Beach 94th streets.

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation
1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
President: Kevin Alexander
718.327.5300
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.
RDRC 32nd Annual Tribute and Gala Dinner is on Wednesday, May 16, at Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach. Cocktails at 6 p.m. Deadline for submitting journal ads and payment is April 24. RSVP form is online at rdrc.com or contact Valerie West at (718) 327-5300.

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.
The BID works to improve sanitation, marketing, security, holiday lighting, beautification and Internet access along this famous street in Queens.

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.
Upcoming events include:
• City Resources for Community Leaders & Small Businesses Lunch, April 25 from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Join Sunnyside Shines for an informational workshop with Department of Small Business Services. Presenters will speak about the array of business resources and services offered by the agency and how you can help equip your constituents with them. There will also be a deep dive into SBS’ new business portal. Lunch will be served. RSVP required.
• Online Verified Listing Day, April 26
In an effort to increase the presence of Sunnyside businesses online, we will be holding a day of outreach to help businesses obtain and verify their online listings on platforms like Google and Yelp.
• Greenpoint Avenue Community Mulching, April 28 & 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Spruce up the Sunnyside streetscape by adding mulch to tree beds on Greenpoint Avenue with your neighbors and the Parks Department. Roll up your sleeves and join us for a weekend of public service. RSVP required.

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