Partners & Affiliates News – February

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.

Bayside Village BID
213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361
Interim Executive Director: James Ellis
718.423.2434
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.

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 chamber is currently planning a new event, the “Forest Hills American Music Festival,” an all-day event highlighting American music from jazz to country.

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce
135-32 38th Ave., Suite 25, Flushing NY 11354
Executive Director: John Choe
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.
On Thursday, February 8, at 6:15 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, the Chamber will be hosting a Lunar New Year event. The celebration will include food from award-winning dumpling chef Helen You, as well as dance performances by Mui Fa Lion and Unicorn Dance Team, Korea Taekwondo Martial Arts Studio and the Chinese Cheongsam Association in New York. Tickets for the event are $28 at the door.
The Chamber’s annual Membership Meeting will take place on Friday, March 9.
The Chamber will march in the annual Lunar New Year Parade in Downtown Flushing. The parade will take place this year on February 17 at 11 a.m.

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.
A joint venture has been formed between BRP Companies and Wharton Properties to purchase and develop a site located at 90-02 168th Street. The open-air parking lot north of Jamaica Avenue will become a 500,000-square-foot development with 300 mixed-income residential units.
In addition, the team will develop more than 70,000 square feet of retail space. The project is slated to break ground in the second half of 2018. President & CEO Hope Knight says it will create jobs and fill a need in Jamaica.
On February 2 at 7:30 p.m., explore the music of Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Maury Yeston with cabaret artist Jackie Schiffer at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Avenue.

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.

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.
On Wednesday, February 14, at 8:30 a.m., the Chamber will hold is monthly directors meeting at JFK International Airport Conference Room A. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served.
IATA and The Wings Club have joined forces again to host an Aviation Day in the United States, bringing together industry experts, senior airline and airport executives, and government authorities to discuss aviation’s largest opportunities and key challenges across the New York area and the rest of the United States. The event will take place on February 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register, call 212-867-1770..

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 is also currently conducting a survey for their general comprehensive plan for LIC. See the plan or complete the survey on their website. People who fill out the survey will be entered in a raffle to win airline tickets courtesy of JetBlue.
On Wednesday, February 7, at 3:30 p.m., the Partnership will hold a Smart Money Workshop to help people manage their credit card or student loan debt and learn how to budget their money. The workshop takes place at LaGuardia Community College, 31-10 Thompson Avenue, C-Building, Room 103.
On Wednesday, February 28, at 5:30 p.m., there will be a free seminar entitled Tax Considerations for Real Estate Brokers/Agents. Hosted by Quontic Bank and resented by Andy Presti, Managing Partner, Presti & Naegele Accounting Offices, the discussion will include choosing an entity, avoiding an audit, maximizing your tax deduction, and health and pension plan tax deductions. The seminar will take place at Quontic Bank, 31-05 Broadway in Astoria.

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 Chamber meets the second Tuesday of each month at noon at Connolly’s Corner at 71-17 Grand Avenue. The next meeting is on February 13. 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.

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.

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.
On Thursday, February 8, at 8:30 a.m., QEDC will host the Women’s Power Networking Breakfast: A Panel with Food Entrepreneurs. There will be a presentation from food consultant Terry Frishman as well as a panel discussion with other food business entrepreneurs. It will take place at The Local, 13-02 44th Avenue in Long Island City.
Also on February 8 at 6:30 p.m., QEDC will host a workshop entitled Legal Considerations for Start Up Businesses. It will go over the rules and regulations on starting a business with a focus on forms, paperwork, and labor laws. It will take place at Flushing Library, 41-17 Main Street.

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.

Rockaway Business Alliance
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.
RBA’s annual meeting and small business mixer will take place on Wednesday, February 28, at 6:30 p.m. at Rise Institute, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard. Guest speaker is Rob Walsh, professor, announcer on 1010 WINS Radio Station and former Commissioner of NYC Small Business Services. Please RSVP by 2/21 at rba2018annualmeeting.eventbrite.com.

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.
In addition to merchant organizing and business attraction initiatives, RDRC is also engaged in place-making activities utilizing the Beach 20th Street Pedestrian Plaza to draw several thousand of local residents, day travelers and area workers to outdoor concerts, community outreach events, health fairs and summertime concert series annually.
On May 16, RDRC will be hosting its 32nd Annual Community Builders Award Gala at Russo’s On the Bay located in Howard Beach. This years honorees include Tyler Morse, CEO & managing partner, MCR; Victoria Schneps, president & CEO, Schneps Communications; and Cassandra Hill, MWBE/Outreach Coordinator, Regional Alliance for Small Contractors.
Applications for the Summer youth Employment Program are being posted to RDRC’s website in the month of February.

Steinway Street BID
25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103
Executive Director: Tony Barsamian
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.
The BID is hosting a free Children’s Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 13, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Sol Dance Center at 30-16 Steinway Street.

Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104
President: Patricia Dorfman
718.729.4688
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.
On January 9, the Chamber honored Tony Tang as the Sunnysider of the Year, and gave Impact Awards to Manny Gomez, Meredith Maskara, Ramiro Mendez, Melissa Orlando and Sherilyn Jo Sabba.

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 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.

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