This is Queensborough - April 2019

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April 2019 . Volume 15 . Issue 4

QUEENS TAKES OVER

ALBANY

FULL COVERAGE OF THE CHAMBER’S ANNUAL DAY OF ADVOCACY

ALSO

• HISTORIAN PENS THANK YOU TO AMAZON • M&V MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE • INSIDE LIC’S ANDROMEDA TRAINING FACILITY

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April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

THE POWER OF A CONNECTED COMMUNITY Foster connections, educate for whose views and platforms strongsuccess, develop/implement pro- ly impact not only our communigrams and advocate ties, but the businesses for members’ interest. we own and operate.

That is the mission of Queens Day in Queens Chamber of Albany placed us front Commerce. and center with those On March 19, that we elect to serve as our mission was put into voices at the state level. action as Queens Day I stepped into my in Albany, a day that role as chairman of afforded members a the Board of Directors unique one-of-a-kind almost one year ago. experience to visit our TOM SANTUCCI During that time, CHAIRPERSON State Capitol.

I’ve witnessed the Every two years, Queens Chamber of Queens residents go to the polls to Commerce’s mission in action. cast our ballot for elected officials This year was my first time expe-

riencing Queens Day in Albany as chairman. As an invited guest on the floor of both the Assembly and State Senate chambers witnessing the process of bills being passed, I reflected on the magnitude of the lives these measures will impact.

Being at the Capitol in Albany last month also reminded me of the importance of community engagement.

I’m passionate about community involvement and I live by that philosophy that has been instilled in me for decades. Our elected officials help shape our communities, and it’s our responsibly to ensure their voices reflect our voices.

As Queens Chamber of Commerce members, you have the opportunity to make a difference in your community by becoming a recipient of the key components of the Chamber’s mission. Fostering connections, building success from the education of the programs they develop and implement, and sharing your interests, which gives us reason to advocate on your behalf.

Contact the chamber staff to be kept apprised of upcoming events, development strategies, and business information. Thank you for being a member and supporter of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO UNITED AS ONE QUEENS, CHAMBER HEADS TO ALBANY On March 19, hundreds of close as we celebrated with elected Queens Chamber of Commerce officials from throughout the entire members representstate at a reception ing every facet of with food direct from the Queens business Queens. Over 50 community boarded food purveyors, winbuses, drove themeries, and distilleries selves, took the train treated us to a wide and made their way range of their finest to our State Capitol offerings. to celebrate the 3rd Borough President Annual Queens Day Melinda Katz proin Albany. vided remarks, as did Watching our local THOMAS J. GRECH numerous other New Queens community York State elected PRESIDENT & CEO interacting with our officials who were elected officials and proud to see Queens expressing their concerns on mat- represented at the Capitol. These ters effecting their businesses was included Lieutenant Governor priceless.

Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker It was a full day packed with Carl Heastie, and Comptroller group meetings with 23 of our Tom DiNapoli. elected officials from the Assembly Queens Day in Albany holds a and State Senate, floor introduc- special place in my heart because tions in both chambers, and the it’s people connecting with people witnessing of the passing of sev- to bring about change in their eral important bills. businesses, communities and the We also enjoyed a lunch at borough itself that we all know Cornerstone with remarks by and love. assemblymen Clyde Vanel and I’m proud to serve as president David Weprin. One of many and CEO of the Queens Chamber highlights was the gathering for of Commerce in the most ethniour group photo on the “Million cally diverse borough in our great Dollar” staircase in the Capitol. city.

The day drew to an exciting I share the events of our day in

Albany with hopes of inspiring those who have never experienced it. This is the highest level of engagement you will have as a Queens Chamber of Commerce member.

I get inspired every time we make this trip, walking those historic halls where the future of Queens and our state rest in the hands of the ones we entrust to be our voice.

This day could not be possible without the efforts of many. Our elected officials, Queens food purveyors, Borough President Melinda Katz and her amazing staff, who volunteered throughout the day, our wonderful Queens Chamber members who made the trip and, of course, the small but mighty staff at the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks to everyone of you, and all who made this day one for the record books.

Throughout Queens Day in Albany, I proudly wore my “NY Loves Amazon” button in support of the non-stop effort to recapture 25,000 jobs that would greatly impact Queens. I plan to fight the good fight to bring back Amazon to Queens.

The efforts the Queens Chamber

and the other chambers in the City of New York go through to keep and retain jobs would astound you.

We are going to use the same grassroots effort that drove Amazon out to bring them back.

We are also taking this effort to businesses and government officials at the “grasstop” level as well. Stay tuned.

I’ve said it numerous times: the Queens Chamber is about participation and involvement. As members, it’s truly important that you take advantage of every opportunity afforded for your business to grow and thrive.

Queens Day in Albany is a perfect example of how engagement directly impacts your business.

There’s no better time than now to get actively involved with Queens Chamber.

We have events planned that will impact your business and provide a return on your membership investment. Visit our newly relaunched website at queenschamber.org for details.

Contact me by phone or email to begin making a difference in your business and community. We are always available to assist with your needs. Your membership is greatly appreciated!

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS QUICKLY JFK REDEVELOPMENT CENTER OPENS DOORS

Members of the public can now access information about the $13 billion JFK Airport redevelopment project at the new JFK Redevelopment Community Outreach office in Jamaica.

Port Authority executives, elected officials, the JFK Redevelopment Advisory Council and community leaders unveiled the office at 144-33 Jamaica Avenue on Friday.

The office’s five staff members will host certification workshops, roundtables, office hours for terminal developers and more.

The office will also primarily serve as the hub for career opportunities for local residents and businesses with a focus on Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

“The opening of this office symbolizes our commitment to transparency and accessibility for the local community,” said Nantasha Wil-

liams, manager of External Affairs and Community Outreach for the JFK Redevelopment Program.

Williams pointed to Huntley Lawrence as an example of “what can happen when you mix good economic development, good projects, private and public partnerships with the community.”

Lawrence was raised in Queens and attended August Martin High School, where he first got involved with the aviation industry. He interned as a high school student with the Port Authority and is now Aviation Director for the same agency.

“We’re taking another step to further strengthen our bonds with the community and our neighbors,” Lawrence said. “We will be leveraging the enormous talents of the community that surrounds us to fulfill this vision.”

In 1997, the Port Authority built a similar office when they began discussions on the AirTrain.

Like the AirTrain, Congressman Gregory Meeks said, the current redevelopment project can also be beneficial for the community.

“We want to set the example that those who have been here for a long time and have suffered and put together their businesses will be the first ones to have the opportunity to receive the benefits of the project like his,” he said.

CITY TO OFFER LOANS TO WOMEN BIZ OWNERS

The de Blasio Administration launched a new program designed to help women entrepreneurs access affordable lines of credit to start, grow and sustain their businesses.

The new program, called WE Credit, will provide up to 250 women entrepreneurs with lines of credit averaging $50,000 at below-market interest rates.

WE Credit is made possible through a publicprivate partnership between the City, Goldman Sachs, Squarespace and Fundation.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses will provide $5 million to finance lines of credit to women entrepreneurs. This investment is accompanied by a $1 million loan loss reserve fund provided by Squarespace and the Economic Development Corporation, which will cover potential defaults.

Fundation, a credit solutions provider, will provide the platform through which women entrepreneurs can access and manage the lines of credit.

Interested women entrepreneurs can visit we.nyc to learn more.

BIG FLUSHING PROJECT FINALLY COMPLETE

One Flushing has been an affordable housing project decades in the making that has finally become a reality.

Last MONTH, elected and city officials joined the development team to officially open the

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

Chamber to Host First Eat & Greet in April ..........................................................21

Queens Historian Thanks Amazon for Putting Spotlight on LIC ......7

MTA Executive Urges Chamber Members to Bid on Projects ........................22

Andromeda Prepares Students for Careers in Construction ................8

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29

Chamber Hosts Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon ............................10 Ridgewood’s M&V Provisions Celebrates 75 Years .............................12 Queens Takes Over Albany for the Day .............................................14-17 EXPERT ADVICE: Why You Should Incorporate ..............................18 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS QUICKLY 10-story, 231-unit building.

As the first project under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, all of the apartments will be affordable, including 66 units reserved for very low-income seniors.

The building was developed

by Monadnock Development and two nonprofit community organizations: Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and HANAC. “We’ve created a project that reflects the best of Flushing,” said Frank Dubinsky, vice president of Monadnock Development. “A multi-use, multicultural affordable community asset.”

In addition to the housing, the project also features 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, which will be leased to local businesses.

It also contains a 15,000-squarefoot community facility space on the ground floor, a children’s playroom, gym, and terraces and

farm on the roof.

One Flushing, which was built on the former site of a municipal parking lot, will include a 156-space public parking garage underneath the building.

HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer said One Flushing reflects the mayor’s commitment to build affordable housing on every underutilized lot in the city.

“That is a boon not just to this community, but to this city, for generations,” she said.

According to Councilman Peter Koo, the 231-unit development fielded more than 84,000 applications.

When added together with the 40,000 applications for 144 affordable units at the Macedonia Plaza project, more than 124,000 people in Flushing applied for just 375 units.

“Clearly there’s a desperate need for real affordable housing in our community,” Koo said.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS in private practice on cases involving to brand and expand the Northwell Health Eye Three added to beep’s worked all aspects of family and matrimonial law.

Institute, which plans to He holds a degree from the Maurice A. Deane open a destination eye leadership team School of Law at Hofstra University and a bach- center in Bethpage in the Borough President Melinda Katz announced several appointments to her senior leadership team. Shurn Anderson will serve as director of Economic Development, Brent Weitzberg as director of Health & Human Services and Seniors, and Anayeli Gomez-Brittain as policy advisor to the Borough President.

“Shurn, Brent and Anayeli have long demonstrated themselves to be exceedingly capable in serving the people of Queens with integrity, experience and professionalism,” said Katz.

“Their commitment to the empowerment of the growing families and communities across Queens is second to none.”

ANDERSON Anderson executes the borough president economic development initiatives and priorities, including the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, Willets Point Redevelopment, Western Queens Tech Zone Strategic Plan, Sunnyside Yard, and more.

Anderson also oversees the operations of the Borough President’s Economic Development team, which provides assistance to the borough’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, local development corporations and 13 Business Improvement Districts.

Anderson is a 17-year veteran of the Borough President’s Office, serving as special assistant to former borough president Helen Marshall from 2002-2013. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Weitzberg will monitor the borough president $33 million in capital investments across 18 hospitals and health care facilities, as well as $10 million in investments for 84 senior centers and service providers.

Weitzberg will also oversee initiatives with the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Safe Horizon and Barrier Free Living under WEITZBERG the $900,000 three-year federal grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.

Prior to Borough Hall, Weitzberg served as chief of staff to Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi from 2015 to 2018. Previously, Weitzberg

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elor’s degree in Political Science from Hofstra University.

As policy advisor, Gomez-Brittain will be charged with advancing the top priorities of Katz’s policy agenda and managing outreach strategies on matters including labor, prevailing wage, immigration, human trafficking, domestic violence, hate- and biasrelated crimes, community relations and more.

Prior to Borough Hall, Gomez-Brittain worked in the Public Affairs Bureau for Comptroller Scott Stringer, organizing outreach, town halls, roundtables and stakeholder meetings in various neighbor- GOMEZ-BRITTAIN hoods.

Previously, Gomez-Brittain specialized in membership, capacity building and advocacy initiatives for the New York Immigration Coalition, La Fuente, and the New York DREAM Act Coalition.

Working with grassroots organizations, Gomez-Brittain brings a wealth of expertise in civic engagement, community organizing, issue-based campaigns and program management.

She was named to the New York State Hispanic Coalition’s “40 Under 40 Latino Rising Stars” in 2018, and serves on the Board of Directors of Mixteca Organization.

Gomez-Brittain is an MPA candidate from Baruch College, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education from Brooklyn College and an associate’s degree in Educational Studies from Kingsborough Community College.

Braunstein to lead Northwell eye dept.

Dr. Richard Braunstein has been appointed senior vice president and executive director of Northwell Health’s ophthalmology service line.

Braunstein, who joined the health system in 2012, previously served as the vice president of ophthalmology services and executive director of the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH).

Braunstein will also assume the role as chair of ophthalmology at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell on July 1.

In his new role, Braunstein will oversee efforts

fall and recently added seven physicians to its Independent Physician Association (IPA).

The subspecialty IPA has brought together 51 physicians – both employed and voluntary BRAUNSTEIN specialists – along with eight practices at 20 locations into a clinically integrated network stretching from Manhattan and the Bronx to Queens and Long Island.

Hart joins NYPD Judge Ernest Hart has been named the Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters for the NYPD. The NYPD Legal Bureau provides assistance to law enforcement personnel regarding department legal matters.

Hart joins the Department from the New York State Supreme Court, having previously served as a New York City Criminal Court Judge. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Queensborough Community College.

Hart earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Villanova University School of Law, Master’s Degree in Theology from Saint Joseph’s Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fordham University. He was born and raised in Queens, and currently resides there with his three children.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2019 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT

THANK YOU AMAZON, YOU PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON LIC During my undergraduate years (1959-1963) Island City. as a chemical engineering student at Cooper This proved to be an advantageous and unchalUnion, I passed under and over Long Island City lenged area for industrial transshipment, and the on the 7 train commuting to classes. It was not Long Island Rail Road soon built a competitive until my senior year that I actually visited LIC. line from Jamaica to the same waterfront.

In a class called “Plant Trips,” we went In 1870, before Queens became a part of New to the National Sugar Co. York City, a consortium of (Jack Frost brand) refinery railroad and industrial magon the East River shoreline. nates came together to incorIt was an aging factory built porate a new municipality. in the 1890s. We saw tarantuThe communities of Hunter’s las crawling in the raw sugar Point, Astoria, Dutch Kills, dumped in an adjacent shed.

Blissville, Ravenswood and In the factory, many were Sunnyside merged to become nauseated by the overpoweran independent Long Island ing sweet odor generated in City, separating from the the refining process. town of Newtown.

I left New York City in 1963 DR. JACK EICHENBAUM Nearly 30 years later, the after graduation. I returned to QUEENS BOROUGH HISTORIAN area bustled with factories the city again in 1976 after and jobs. One of the leaders of acquiring a Ph.D. in urban this effort was the industrialist geography. The city was at a low point in it his- Henry S. Anable, for whom Anable Basin—the tory, hemorrhaging industrial and office jobs, inlet on the waterfront and the proposed location high-crime rates, and decaying public education of Amazon’s northeast headquarters—is named. and transportation.

But LIC was poorly managed and in debt.

I looked at the city through different lenses. Consolidation into Greater NYC in 1898 erased Much of Manhattan suffered from ecological that debt, but ended self-determination for the problems and high living costs. The new energy municipality. of the city in the form entrepreneurial immiLong Island City of the late 1800s through grants was already established in Queens and the 1950s was a busy hive of activity, the indusBrooklyn, and the artists were beginning to trial heart of the metropolis. Factories produced move across the East River. staplers, pasta and chewing gum. Oil and sugar Lost in the discussions, speeches, and protests refineries dotted the shoreline. Freight and pasgenerated when Amazon expressed interest in senger rail brought goods and people by the establishing a stake in LIC has been the impor- carload. tant historical context.

Through a series of enormous public works While some are concerned about the financial projects, including the excavation of Sunnyside incentives and others are worried about infra- Yard by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the area structure, access to jobs and unionization, we was converted from swamps and wetlands into would be wise to bear in mind that the arrival of a sculpted landscape of industry. major new employers in Western Queens could Tens of thousands of workers—many of be a positive step towards returning Long Island them immigrants—went to work daily in this City to its long-held status as a bustling hub for bustling jobs mecca. Workforce housing at jobs.

Queensbridge, Sunnyside, Astoria and beyond In the early 19th century, industrial activ- housed these workers, and their jobs were a ity in NYC was confined to the South Street walk or quick transit ride away.

Seaport area of lower Manhattan. After frequent Beginning in the 1960s and accelerating fires forced legislation to build buildings more through the 1980s, Long Island City’s industrial expensively out of brick or stone, industry landscape shifted, as many jobs went to lowermoved across the East River to Brooklyn, which cost environments out of state and overseas. The had the advantage of the Long Island Rail Road population of the entire borough contracted, and terminating at the waterfront at Atlantic Avenue. the working class struggled mightily.

But by mid-century, the growing city of Long Island City became known for crime, Brooklyn forced the railroad back to its current prostitution, and abandoned buildings. A dediFlatbush Avenue terminal. By 1854, investors cated group of artists and creatives, many of built a rail connection from Flushing to the whom still live and/or work in LIC and are Queens waterfront in the area we now call Long devoted to its growth, adopted some of the

retired factories, and many businesses survived and endured.

Beginning in the late 1980s and until the present, New York City attempted to bring commercial space to Long Island City in an effort to replace jobs lost from the industrial era with the jobs of the new economy.

Despite Long Island City’s exceptional transit access and proximity to Manhattan, these efforts were largely unsuccessful. The Citi Tower stood alone for many years, and the 2001 LIC rezoning failed to induce any new commercial development.

Instead, New York City’s insatiable housing market resulted in thousands of new units of housing for the upper-middle class in gleaming towers that sprouted along the waterfront and throughout the area wherever rezoning permitted.

But now, given the spotlight shone by the proposed Amazon deal, we are arguably at the precipice of a new era for Long Island City.

Amazon recognized the potential of LIC to absorb thousands of new high-tech jobs at Anable Basin.

That potential will now be recognized by other high-tech and creative firms. A welldesigned campus at Anable Basin can build upon the recent successes of reclamation and remediation of the entire Long Island City waterfront for public use, a process that started with the Queens West development in the 1980s and continues with Hunters Point South today.

People raised legitimate concerns about the Amazon project, and our leaders must be held to account that any promotion of LIC is advanced with a consideration for the infrastructure needs of the local neighborhood—particularly its creative community—and concerted steps are taken to provide local Queens residents with access to new jobs.

In New York City, the story of our neighborhoods is one of constant evolution and multiple chapters. The next chapter in Long Island City will be about its reemergence within New York City and around the world as a place that drives innovation and employs New Yorkers.

Thank you Amazon for considering LIC! It was a positive development in the context of the area’s long history.

Dr. Jack Eichenbaum has served as Queens Borough Historian since 2010, has a doctorate from the University of Michigan in Urban Geography, and is a lifelong observer of NYC.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

LIC FACILITY TRAINS FOR CONSTRUCTION TRADES

BY BENJAMIN FANG As the construction industry continues to grow, a group of Long Island City-based companies is offering New Yorkers a chance to join the multi-billion dollar field.

The Andromeda Community Initiative, a nonprofit workforce development organization, provides training, career advancement and relationshipbuilding in the building restoration industry.

Along with its sister companies, the Andromeda Academy of Construction Trades, an accredited training school that offers Department of Buildings and OSHA certifications, and Andromeda Advantage, a logistics support company for the industry, the three are housed together in a new, award-winning facility at 49-12 31st Place.

On March 7, Andromeda and the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a open house for local businesses, schools and interested community members to tour the building.

According to Rachel CharlopPowers, director of the Andromeda Community Initiative (ACI), the nonprofit has a “tremendous commitment” to innovation, quality and safety.

“The foundation of the construction industry is safety and skills,” she said. “Every single person who accesses a job site is entitled to go home healthy, well and with fair pay in their pocket.

“We’re committed to catering to that need,” Charlop-Powers added, “supporting it and ensuring that the opportunity to get the training required is available.”

The training courses, provided in-house, are developed from industry needs. The curriculum for certification courses are “in dialogue” with the certifying entities, which are either DOB or OSHA. Andromeda also works closely with employment experts to understand what employers are

8

looking for.

Charlop-Powers explained that job projections in the next decade or two show that there will be increasing opportunity for employment in construction.

“There are a lot of people who are now leaving the trades or are retiring,” she said. “There’s a real need for the next generation to come in to replace them.”

While Andromeda provides training broadly on construction trades, including plumbing, electrical and carpentry, it has a specific program on building restoration.

She said that component of the field is a $1.5 billion industry.

“We estimate there are about 20,000 jobs in the field,” CharlopPowers said. “The opportunity for employment is only going to grow as people leave the field.”

ACI also has a focus on serving underrepresented New Yorkers who want to pursue a career in the field. Charlop-Powers said every person, regardless of their background, deserves a career path

Pictured from left to right are Jason Geraghty of Andromeda, Queens Chamber Business Development Manager Brendan Leavy, John Metekidis of Andromeda, Queens Chamber CEO Thomas Grech, and Rachel Charlop-Powers and Jake Toth of Andromeda. that will allow them to support a family.

“We’re committed to finding the right match, people who want to do this work with the employers that

want to have qualified workers,” she said. “We are looking to provide opportunity to those who would otherwise have a challenge accessing those opportunities.”

John Metekidis leads open house attendees on a tour of Andromeda’s facility in Long Island City.

Queens Chamber

Business Expo BIGGER BOLDER BETTER and Luncheon 2019

Thursday May 16, 2019 Citi Field 123-01 Roosevelt Ave Queens, NY 11368 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Don't miss this opportunity to have your company at the biggest event in Queens County!

T housands of people attend this show every year to exhibit and meet the companies that call the world's borough home.

Space is limited so book your table today!

To request an invoice e-mail jpersad@queenschamber.org

Queens Business Expo and Luncheon 2019 Business Expo Table

(Member Rate)...........................................................$695

Business Expo Table (Future-Member Rate).................................................$795 Non-Profit Organizations Table ..............................................................$245 Electricity (If your table requires electricity an additional fee is required) ............... $75 Luncheon ...................................................................................................$125 You may charge $ _

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ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

PICTURED (CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT) ARE GLORIA WEBB & MANUELA SENATORE; MARZENA GRODZKI, JOE FRISCIA & CHRISTIAN HERNANDEZ OF MASPETH FEDERAL; RAYMOND IRRERA & NEIL LEVIN; TOMMY DIMISA & VANESSA ENDARA; SAL CRIFASI, HOWARD GRAF & JEFF OWEN; LYLE SINCLAIR OF NATIONAL GRID & DARRYL HOLLON OF BOC NETWORK; AND CHUCK CALLAHAN & LEO FAKLER.

BOTTOM TWO PHOTOS: DOMINICK TOTINO

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April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

O’DWYER SHARES IMMIGRATION STORY

BY BENJAMIN FANG As one of the founders of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center in Woodside, attorney and advocate Brian O’Dwyer has been a longtime champion of immigrants.

O’Dwyer served as the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Fifth Avenue on Saturday, March 16, which he called “the greatest honor that any Irish-American can have in this town.”

Three days before the parade stepped off, O’Dwyer spoke at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon at Antun’s in Queens Village about what this honor means to him and his advocacy.

“My selection, in a lot of ways, represented a championship of this

community, pushing back against those that hate our immigrants and hate immigration,” he said. “Those that despise immigration despise their ancestors.”

He shared his family’s personal immigration history, which dates back to when his grandmother, Mary Agnes Rowan, came to the United States at the turn of the century.

The oldest of five siblings living in a farmhouse in Galway, Ireland, Rowan was just 16 years old when she left her homeland. The move was endorsed by her parents.

“They understood that her trip to America was the difference between starvation and not having hunger in that house,” O’Dwyer said.

Despite not knowing anyone in a strange, new land, Rowan made

Nash Roe, left, introduced his friend Brian O’Dwyer at the event.

Pictured with them are Chamber CEO Tom Greach and Board Chair Tom Santucci (far right). a living and sent back remittances every month “from the day she landed” until her death at age 88, O’Dwyer said.

“That sacrifice fed a family of

five,” he said. “But that sacrifice also brought her to this country and made a life for my mother and now CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

M&V PROVISIONS CELEBRATES 70 YEARS COMPANY HEADS TALK LONGEVITY, CHALLENGES & THE FUTURE

BY BENJAMIN FANG On April 5, wholesale food distribution company M&V Provisions will celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Based in Ridgewood, M&V is a third-generation, family-run business that is now helmed by Michael Ciuffo and Joe Vallario, whose fathers operated the company before them.

Ciuffo, executive vice president of the company, said reaching this milestone gives him a sense of pride.

“Very few companies can actually say they’re still a family business,” he said. “We know our business and we’re here to stay.”

For its 50th anniversary, M&V Provisions hosted a large celebration that Ciuffo likened to a wedding. While they may save another big party for the 75th year, they’re still highlighting 70 years through promotions.

Ciuffo said they’re taking a photo of their former building from 1949, the year M&V was established, to put on cookies, coffee mugs and other items to hand out.

They will also work with vendors to come up with special promotions to mark the occasion. M&V has highlighted the anniversary on their website, invoices and even inside their building on Flushing Avenue.

“We’re really just trying to solidify with everybody that they’re dealing with a company that’s been around,” Ciuffo said.

THE EARLY YEARS

The company was founded in 1949 when Joseph Vallario, Sr., a provisions truck jobber, and Joseph Mello, a wholesale food distributor,

12

came together to start a business.

Their business on North 6th Street in Williamsburg manufactured and sold only three products: ham capicola, prosciutino and cooked corned beef rounds.

Vallario and Mello served as the salesmen and production managers for the small company, which maintained a niche in the Italian specialty market.

But in 1962, the two co-founders split after differences in the direction of the business. Mello created his own company and competed directly for the same customers.

In response, Vallario recruited his son, Paul, and his nephew, Tony Ciuffo, to join the company the following year. They took down Mello’s company, which folded shortly thereafter.

Through the 70s, 80s and early 90s, M&V Provisions expanded its manufacturing from five to 14 items.

The company also opened a retail outlet store in Long Island.

But after Vallario Sr. passed away in 1989, the company decided to consoli- date operations and sell off the manufacturing and retail operations. Instead, M&V primarily focused on buying and selling products to other wholesalers moving forward.

In 1986, Ciuffo’s son Michael joined the company, followed by Vallario’s son, Joseph, in 1997.

Today, they run the company from their 40,000-square-foot facility in Ridgewood, which they purchased in 2003.

“HARD WORK PAYS OFF”

Everyday, Ciuffo and Vallario are in by 3 a.m. Their staff of over 40 employees arrive by 4 a.m., if

Michael Cuffio and Joseph Vallario are third-generation owners. not earlier, and work until the doors close at 2 p.m.

Despite the early mornings and long hours, Ciuffo said they work hard because that’s what they were taught by their fathers.

“Hard work pays off, that was my father’s saying,” he said. “That’s what we do.”

Ciuffo said the company takes pride in taking care of their employees “like they’re family.” They pay overtime, and give them flexible morning schedules. The workers get cash bonuses based on their speed and accuracy for orders.

M&V also takes care of 80 percent of their staff’s medical costs and offers paid vacations. Every year, the workers get a raise “as long as the business stays strong.”

They even enjoy profit-sharing.

Some employees have been around for so long that every year, during the Christmas party, Ciuffo reads off anniversary milestones that workers have reached.

“They get a sense of pride that this isn’t just a show where you show up,” he said. “We run a pretty tight ship, and we take care of employees the way you’re supposed to.

“The way I feel is, you surround

yourself with the best people that you can,” Ciuffo added. “If you don’t have a good team, the business is only as good as your weakest link.”

FACING CHALLENGES

Throughout the company’s 70 years in business, it has had to overcome different hurdles. When M&V first started, Ciuffo said, the owners were concerned about paying employees and their bills.

Especially during the “lean years,” when competition was fierce, Ciuffo recalled that they had to really plan out who was paid when.

When the company was much smaller, each person had to play bigger roles and took up more responsibilities.

“I remember my father running the cash register, being out on the sales floor, and at the same time, calling his two employees who didn’t show up that day,” Ciuffo said.

They also had to deal with theft and even corrupt inspectors.

“When they were manufacturing, they had inspectors that wanted to be bribed,” he said. “That’s why eventually, they got out of manu-

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS facturing.”

Nowadays, Ciuffo said, the company faces more modern challenges like business regulations. Food safety laws are more stringent. M&V has to follow specific procedures for quality control, temperature control and product returns.

Everything has to be meticulously documented, Ciuffo said. In the past, “there was no documentation.” Sometimes, deals were made with just a handshake.

Other challenges include collecting from customers and taxes.

But above all, the biggest challenge is keeping employees happy, Ciuffo said.

“We go to great lengths to try to make it as profitable for them, but also as enjoyable as possible,” he said, “without becoming too much of a burden on them.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY

To achieve longevity in a family business, Ciuffo said the key is communication and unity.

He said most family businesses that fail have a common characteristic: somebody is taking advantage of the other.

“We don’t have that. We both show up, we both put the work in,” he said. “We may disagree on some things, but our disagreements may last 30 seconds because eventually we work it out.”

“You have to really be pulling for the same common good,” Ciuffo added, “and that’s what’s for the best of the business.”

Part of that communication is presenting a united front to the employees. So far, Ciuffo said he and Vallario are “pretty good at that.”

Though M&V Provisions operated in Williamsburg for decades –– and that’s where both families grew up –– they decided to move to Ridgewood in 2003 because they needed a bigger facility.

Ciuffo said one of the reasons why they chose Ridgewood is because they service a lot of Boar’s Head distributors, and Boar’s Head is located within a mile of their current location.

But they also liked that Flushing Avenue was an “up and coming” area with a mix of industrial and residential. When they left Williamsburg, the north Brooklyn neighborhood was beginning a complete shift to what it is today.

“You could never put this business on North 6th Street now,” Ciuffo said.

When M&V moved in, Ciuffo said, they wanted to “bring a sense of class” to the facility. They cleaned up the building, and continue to keep it bright and welcoming.

“I think we came in and we’re part of the turnaround,” he said.

“This community is on the up.”

The company also pushed hard for the city to install a muchneeded stoplight by their building. They worked closely with the Queens Chamber of Commerce, which brought the Department of Transportation (DOT) to the table.

The measure was installed last March.

“We needed it because we saw that the community was struggling out there,” Ciuffo said. “Not just with our trucks. You can stand on that corner and you would see trucks flying by because there’s no stoplight on Flushing Avenue for half-a-mile.”

He noted that there’s also a bus stop in front of the building.

Before the light, pedestrians trying to catch the bus had a hard time crossing the street.

“It would be like the old Frogger game,” Ciuffo said. “They would come halfway and run back.

“We love being here,” he added.

“I think we’re bringing something to the community.”

LOOKING TO 100

Both Ciuffo and Vallario are just 52 years old. Ciuffo has three children, including a 14-year-old son who has been talking a lot about M&V Provisions. Vallario also has two older daughters.

Ciuffo said there’s a “good possibility” their children could come in and one day lead the company into a fourth generation.

But right now, they’re still focusing on growing the company. With many competitors going out of business, M&V Provisions is in a position to expand even more.

Ciuffo said he’s looking forward to keep plugging away, and eventually mark the centennial celebration.

“We’re going to hit 75 for sure,” he said. “Then we’re going to work on 100.”

M&V Provisions has kept many of their original store items, including this cash register.

13

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY

QUEENS TAKES OVER ALBANY FOR A DAY

BY ANTHONY SANTINO The Queens Chamber of Commerce (QCC) hosted its third annual Queens Day in Albany on March 19, offering a chance for chamber members to network with the elected officials.

“Queens has really started to arrive,” said Chamber president and CEO Thomas Grech. “It’s gone from being an outer borough to being considered a great destination.”

Attendees met with elected officials from Queens throughout the morning. Popular topics included the recent Amazon deal falling through, the opioid epidemic, and concerns over marijuana legalization.

Kumar Araja, an Arverne resident who owns an IT company, saw the occasion as a valuable opportunity to make sure the elected officials who represent him have his business interests in mind.

“We want to tell our elected officials how important it is to support small businesses because they contribute so much to their communities,” he said.

Thelma Young, who works for Century 21 in Fresh Meadows, has been to all three Queens Day in Albany events.

“One of my motives for coming up here is to let the politi-

Queens Chamber of Commerce members broke into smaller groups and met with various elected officials. cians know what’s going on in Queens real estate,” said Young.

“In Queens, we have a lot of ‘zombie houses,’ and we need to let the banks know that we need to do something about them.”

In the afternoon, attendees sat in on sessions of both the Assembly

and State Senate.

“We in the Senate get to shape the direction in which we go,” State Senator Joseph Addabbo said from the floor of the legislature. “I’m grateful for that opportunity. I’d like to say thank you to the borough, it’s given me a great opportu-

nity to be a public servant.”

In the evening, those who made the tip were treated to food and drinks from about 50 vendors from Queens.

“This was by far our most successful and largest Queens Day,” said Grech.

LEGISLATORS TOUT BOROUGH’S RICH DIVERSITY

BY BENJAMIN FANG Above all else, Queens is known for its trademark diversity. The “World’s Borough” represents more than 190 countries and speaks 200 languages.

The State Legislature celebrated that diversity at Queens Day in Albany last month by passing a resolution marking the annual occasion.

On the floor of the State Senate, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky introduced the resolution by noting some of the highlights of the borough, including its airports, tour-

14

ist destinations and institutions of higher education.

“In Queens, we can satisfy any culinary desire,” she said. “We have restaurants from all over the world.”

Queens is also a borough of small businesses, she said. According to Stavisky, two-thirds of Queens businesses employ between one and four people. Ninety percent of businesses employ 10 of fewer people.

“That’s why we as a conference try to reduce taxes, because we want businesses to stay,” she said.

“We are a welcoming community

for businesses.”

State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Queens resident by birth and by choice, said the best thing about the borough is that it’s “filled with people that care more about others than they do themselves.”

Similarly, State Senator Jessica Ramos said the reason why Queens is able to enjoy its diversity is because leaders have actively worked to produce a welcoming community.

“It’s about really building community, talking to your neighbors and realizing that we are more the same than different,” she said.

“We’re looking to thrive, no matter who we are.

“We all do better when we all do better,” Ramos added. “It’s more productive to uplift each other than to divide.”

In calling Queens “truly the best borough in the city,” State Senator Leroy Comrie said while people claim hip hop was started in the Bronx, “it was perfected in Queens.”

Responding in jest, Bronx State Senator Jamaal Bailey quoted the rapper KRS-One by saying that, CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY

15

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY

LAWMAKERS MAKE A CASE FOR AMAZON CHAMBER CEO URGES BUSINESSES TO GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT

BY BENJAMIN FANG

creating new jobs in Queens.”

The chamber found another Since the “Valentine’s Day Mas- supporter in Assemblyman Clyde sacre,” or the day when Amazon Vanel, a proponent of small busiannounced it was cancelling its nesses, entrepreneurship and techLong Island City campus, the nology.

Queens Chamber of Commerce has He called for a change in the been working behind the scenes to relationship between government, bring the technology giant back to technology and the new economy. the table.

“It’s a shame what happened in At Queens Day in Albany, some Queens, where we ran off one of the state lawmakers biggest employlamented Amaers in the world,” zon’s hasty deparVanel said. “And ture, but voiced a we’re cheering message of optiabout that? That’s IT’S A SHAME WHAT mism for their a problem.”

HAPPENED IN QUEENS, return.

Tom Grech, WHERE WE RAN OFF “I don’t think president and CEO ONE OF THE BIGGEST the door is comof the Queens EMPLOYERS IN THE pletely closed,” Chamber of ComWORLD. AND WE’RE said Assemmerce, said his CHEERING ABOUT blyman David concern about THAT? THAT’S A Weprin. “I think the anti-Amazon PROBLEM. we have to get the rhetoric is that it word out that we has gone beyond ASSEMBLYMAN CLYDE VANEL need more Amathe company; it’s zons coming to about businesses Queens and New in general.

York City, produc“There’s an ing good-paying attack on business jobs and economic people and busidevelopment.” nesses around our city, our state Weprin noted that the public was and our country,” Grech said. “That supportive of Amazon coming to troubles me greatly.”

Queens. A March 20th Siena ColHe recalled that several weeks lege poll found that 64 percent of ago, he visited Queens Borough New York state voters want public Hall to ask for funding for a small officials to convince Amazon to project at the chamber. There, revive its HQ2 plans.

Grech said he saw representatives Fifty-nine percent of those sur- from Queens College, York Colveyed agreed with the statement lege and Elmhurst Hospital, all that the $3 billion in tax breaks and there to also request funding. other benefits were worth the jobs As he listened, Grech said he that Amazon would have brought was reminded of the fact that the to New York City. businesses of the country “generate The assemblyman blamed “a the taxes” that allow nonprofits and couple of individuals who were in educational institutions to ask for the minority” for torpedoing the those funds. project.

“I am a compassionate, proud “I’m going to continue to sup- capitalist,” he said. “I will be until port projects like Amazon,” Weprin the day I die.” said. “I think we should all come Grech added that chambers of together and get the word out that commerce across the city are workthe majority is with business and ing hard all the time just to keep

“

”

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Pictured (from left) are Speaker Carl Heastie and Queens Assembly members Nily Rozic, Catalina Cruz, Clyde Vanel, Alicia Hyndman, Jeffrion Aubrey, Stacey Pheffer Amato and David Weprin. small companies from leaving.

He said in addition to the 25,000 jobs from Amazon, the ripple effect would’ve generated 50,000 other jobs in the area, from “butchers and bakers to candlestick makers.”

“Those are all net new jobs,” he said, noting that it would have generated $27 billion in taxes over 25 years.

After he heard the news of Amazon’s exit, Grech said he penned a letter to Amazon on behalf of himself and seven of his colleagues.

He wrote that while he’s been a “proud New Yorker since the day I was born,” on that day, he was ashamed.

“I was ashamed for how they

were treated in the City Council, for how they were treated in other quarters of our city,” he said. “You all should be ashamed as well.”

“Without businesses, we’re not going to survive,” Grech added.

“We have to organize and get better.”

At Queens Day in Albany, the chamber leader finished his impassioned plea by calling on businesses to unite and continue their push to get Amazon back to the negotiating table.

“I’m going to fight until I hear from Jeff Bezos that the answer is ‘no, we’re not going to come back,’” Grech said. “I think we should all think the same way.”

A BOROUGH OF DIVERSITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

“Bronx keeps creating it, and Queens keeps on faking it.”

But Bailey said he also owes a lot to Queens, because that’s where he met his wife.

“What Queens does not fake is its great diversity,” he said.

Later that evening, during a reception for the Chamber members and others who traveled to Albany for the event, Borough President Melinda Katz said while diversity is what makes Queens great, the borough also has the low-

est unemployment in the city. It’s also growing in tourism everyday, and new businesses spring up all the time.

“It is amazing what we are doing for the future of our families,” she said.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said she’s fine with being number two to a governor from Queens.

“I will continue to promote this amazing borough,” she said, “and all that you do to create jobs and opportunities for people here in the borough.”

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY

LOCAL VENDORS SHOWCASE THE BEST OF QUEENS Members of the New York State Legislature got a taste of the rich diversity of Queens during the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Queens Day in Albany.

More than 50 restaurants and breweries traveled to the state capitol to showcase their food and drinks during a reception at the

Hart Lounge.

Nearly 300 attendees, from political representatives to Queens residents, enjoyed the offerings, including food from Casa Del Chef and Russo’s on the Bay, drinks from Mikkeller NYC and SingleCut Beersmiths, and desserts from Chip NYC and Aigner Chocolates.

RUSSO’S ON THE BAY

CASA DEL CHEF

RESORTS WORLD

SINGLECUT BEERSMITHS

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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EXPERT ADVICE

WHY SOLE PROPRIETORS SHOULD INCORPORATE

BY JOE DICHIARA Doing business as a sole proprietor is the absolute worst form of legal entity a business owner can operate under, yet it’s how every business is classified as

by IRS immediately after commencing activities.

Most people don’t realize that starting a business comes with some very specific requirements, like registering with certain agencies and keeping books and records. Major decisions need to be made right off the bat, and a lot of times the legal organization of the business gets overlooked in favor of more interesting and exciting activities such as marketing, setting up operations, etc.

Keeping books and legal and accounting issues get pushed off to the side while the business is being built. That’s why over 23 million businesses are operating as sole proprietors today. There is an obvious lack of good information and direction on this topic. All of the government agencies and business incubators I’ve encountered spend little if any time on this subject.

So why is doing business as a sole proprietor so bad? Here’s a few reasons: • Lack of legal protection; • Lack of tax planning strategies; • Social Security tax on net profits; • Much higher audit risk; • Hard to transfer to family members; and • Not being taken seriously.

An LLC can take care of the legal issues, but there is no tax status for an LLC. A single member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietor, plus it cost at least twice as much to form an LLC then establish an S Corp, which is the preferred way of doing business.

The benefits of incorporating and electing “S” status can be substan-

18

tial, and it only cost $125 to incorporate in New York State.

Incorporating can be done online at Department of State website and getting a federal tax ID number and electing S Status with IRS form 2552 and NYS for CT-6 is free if you do it yourself, but it is important to fill these out correctly so you may want the assistance of an accountant or attorney.

Once established the owner can enjoy: • Legal asset protection for the owner; • Substantially reduced IRS audit risk; • Zero social security tax on profits (a reasonable salary must be taken, but that does not mean all the profits are salary); • Easy to transfer ownership; • Corporations are taken more seriously than sole proprietors by banks, insurance companies, the government and the public in general; and • Even very small businesses netting less than $10,000 per year in profits benefit from S Corp status.

Here is a quick example: Nora owns a small crafts business she runs out of her house. Her sales are $80,000 per year but after expenses, including a deduction for the business use of her home, net profits are only $20,000.

As a sole proprietor Nora is below the poverty level, yet she still has to pay $3,000 in Social Security taxes. She has an IRS audit risk because of the business use of the home, which the IRS does not like, and if there was a lawsuit her personal assets are at stake.

As an S Corp, Nora pays zero Social Security tax and lowers her IRS audit risks substantially because the IRS audits S Corps a lot less than sole proprietors.

Plus, she has the legal protection of doing business under a corporate

umbrella.

The drawbacks are you may need a pro to do your taxes (also lowering your audit risk), and you have to operate the corporation properly.

It has to be operated as a separate legal entity with proper record keeping with all business decisions

being documented.

These “drawbacks” can actually be considered good business practices. So if you’re a sole proprietor or you know one, look at the pros and cons of incorporating your business and draw your own, educated conclusion.

Joe DiChiara is a CPA who has been serving small business owners in the metropolitan area for over 35 years. His company, Bedrock Business Builders Corp. specializes in helping entrepreneurs start, build and manage their own small business. Reach him at (661) 7525639 or visit bedrockbusinessbuilders.com.

SECURITY FIRM TO OPEN IN COLLEGE POINT Sightful Services is a unique firm providing security guard services throughout New York City and the rest of the state. Founded on a premise of “passion, goodwill, and commitment to protecting our community,” Sightful Services has strived to make a name through a passion for satisfying their clients with quality, affordability, and personalized security services.

Sightful Services is a minority and women-owned business (MWBE), a less-than-common occurrence not only in the industry, but throughout New York. The opportunity has allowed Sightful Services to create meaningful jobs for the local community and families that live within it.

The new location at 20-01 College Point Boulevard will become a springboard for up to, and perhaps more than, 100 new jobs. Sightful Services is looking forward to the relationships, new customers, and chances to serve the community these jobs will represent.

Sightful Services provides a range of security services, including armed and unarmed security, event security, consultation, doormen and concierges, construction

security, K-9 services, mobile patrol, and a team of FDNY-certified fire guards.

Its staff represents many decades of experience. They are professional, highly trained and share a dedication to providing reliable and excellent security services to the businesses and community members they share the city with.

Among its ranks are retired and active veterans and police officers, corrections officers, and licensed firearms experts. Sightful Services provides face-to-face consultations, personalized service tailored to each client’s needs, and 24/7 services anytime, anywhere in the city and state.

Sightful Services is currently located at 154 Huron Street in Greenpoint, where they have served with pride and dedication, and the new site in College Point will allow them to work together with residents of the Queens community.

Goals for the new location include creating jobs, building relationships with local businesses, companies, and individuals, and contributing to the welfare and safety of Queens and the city as a whole.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

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July 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 7

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BANKING IN ...AND ON...

COMMUNITIES

MARKETING THE EXPERIENCE AT QUEENS CENTER MALL “We’re really a community company that happens to do some banking.”

PRESIDENT & CEO THOMAS RUDZEWICK

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Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

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FUN BLOSSOMS IN QUEENS IN APRIL

QUEENS MARATHON 20

Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks, queensfarm.org.

April 7-8, ReelAbilities Film Festival. A showcase of awardwinning international movies about people with disabilities. Schedule: “Intelligent Lives,” April 7, 10 am; Shorts that deal with illiteracy, autism, and cerebral palsy, April 7, 1 pm; and Shorts that deal with Parkinson’s Disease, April 8, 1 pm. Commonpoint Queens (former Central Queens Y), 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, commonpointqueens. org.

April 7, Salsa Brunch, 11:30 am. Food, drinks, Latin music, and an enthusiastic dance crowd. Free with a $20 minimum consumption fee. After brunch party until 7 pm.

Juquila, 39-05 29th St., LIC, salsabrunch.com.

April 13-14, Cinco de Mayo. The borough-based Calpulli Mexican Dance Company debuts its new choreography, “Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo.” The dance commemorates the Mexican victory over the French in Puebla on May 5, 1862. Shows are April 13, 8 pm, and April 14, 2 pm. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

April 13, Peter Yarrow, 8 pm.

Yarrow was part of the famed 1960s trio Peter, Paul and Mary, which sang

CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY

PHOTO: JULIETA CERVANTES

April derives from the Latin word “aperire,” which means “to open,” as that’s exactly what trees and flowers do at this time of year.

What a coincidence that there are many openings in Queens this month, including a new art exhibition, dance debut, and first-ever film retrospective. But just like spring returns every year, there are also some great annual activities as well, including a kiddie carnival and a waltz through the park.

April 5, Retrospective on Filmmaker Penny Lane, April 7.

Lane, who has directed four features and 17 shorts, will attend all the screenings. Schedule: “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” April 5, 7 pm; “Shorts,” April 6, 2 pm; “Our Nixon,” April 6, 4:30 pm; “Nuts!,” April 6, 7 pm; “The Pain of Others,” April 7, 4 pm; and a preview of “Hail Satan?,” April 7, 7 pm. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, movingimage.us.

April 6-14, Apple Blossom Children’s Carnival. Enjoy hayrides, midway games, carnival treats, and kiddie crafts. This event runs for two consecutive weekends (April 6-7 and April 13-14) from 11 am to 6 pm each day. There’s also a Barnyard Egg Hunt on April 20 from 11 am to 3 pm. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little

at Vietnam War protests and participated in Civil Rights marches. (The group also won five Grammys.)

Expect to hear such classics as “If I Had a Hammer,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, vicinity of Kissena Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, kupferbergcenter.org.

April 14, Dining for Justice, 5 pm. Pop-up food hall with allstar chefs serving small plates. The event raises money for the nonprofit Immigrant Families Together.

Chefs include Hugue Dufour from M Wells and Josh Bowen from John Brown Smokehouse. Sound River Studios, 4-40 44th Dr., LIC, immigrantfamiliestogether.com.

April 17-August 16, Gabriel Orozco: Rotating Objects. An exhibition of seven Roto Shaku and three Obi Scrolls. The Roto Shaku are made from lumber that Orozco wrapped in colored tapes with decorative patterning, practical mark making, and the theories of signs, symbols, and structures.

The Obi Scrolls were fashioned by incising, rotating, and reversing sections of fragments of antique kimono sashes. The results were mounted on scrolls as paintings.

The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., LIC, noguchi.org.

April 21, Queens Marathon, 8 am. Run 26.2 miles in a looping course. Starting line is near Queens Museum in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queensmarathon.org.

April 26, Renee Rosnes Quartet, 8 pm. One of the premiere pianists and composers of her generation, Rosnes has an all-star quartet with an equally impressive résumé. Flushing Town Hall, 13735 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org.

April 27, The New World of the Number 7 Train, 10 am. Jack Eichenbaum, the official historian of Queens as per Borough President Melinda Katz, leads his signature annual tour. It’s actually six walks and connecting rides starting in Hudson Yards and hitting the LIC shoreline, Woodside, Jackson Heights, Corona, and Flushing. $49 by check payable to Eichenbaum, 36-20 Bowne St. #6C, Flushing, NY 11354.

April 28, Rita Rudner with special guest Sal Richards, 3 pm. Rudner holds the title for the “Longest Running Solo Comedy Show in Las Vegas history.” She stared as a dancer on Broadway and morphed into stand-up ten years later. This show is pure comedy.

Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, visitqpac.org.

The monthly “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council. More info at itsinqueens.com.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL 4/2, 3 PM

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS COMMITTEE: THE OPIOID CRISIS

A panel of experts in various field discusses the impact of the opioid crisis on businesses and the economy.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370 4/3, 2 PM

MICRO-LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Come and learn how you can get loans from $10,000 to $100,000 with low interest rate for your business with Paolo Garcia, vice president for the New York Business Development Corporation.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

Ben’s Deli 211-37 26th Avenue Bayside, NY 11360

5/14, 2 TO 5 PM

4/4, 9 AM

4/25, 9 AM

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce Technology Committee for a dynamic discussion of the economic benefits of 5G an how it will transform the way we stay connected.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens College Patio Room 65-30 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, NY 11354

Meet ten new contact in just 20 minutes and build your professional network.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

NYC is committed to awarding $16 billion in city contracts to Minority & Women-Owned Businesses, this series of seminars will help you compete for contracts.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

4/26, 8:30 AM

5/16, 10 AM

5G: NEXT EVOLUTION OF WIRELESS

4/17, 11:30 AM

EAT & GREET: STATE SENATOR JOHN LIU

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce for its first-ever lunch and networking event and meet State Senator John Liu. Register at queenschamber.org

BREAKFAST SPEED NETWORKING EVENT

WORKPLACE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: TIME, STRESS & ANGER MANAGEMENT

This program covers the basic skills needed to manage time, street and anger at work.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

MAY 5/7, 2 TO 5 PM

M/WBE SEMINAR: M/WBE CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

NYC is committed to awarding $16 billion in city contracts to Minority & Women-Owned Businesses, this series of seminars will help you compete for contracts.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370 5/8, 10 AM

WORKSHOP: HOW TO RAISE MONEY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

The New York Life team at last year’s Chamber Business Expo at Citi Field. This year’s event will be held on May 16.

Improve your knowledge to make better revenues and expose your product to a bigger clientele.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Business Center for New Americans 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11370

M/WBE SEMINAR: SELLING TO GOVERNMENT

QUEENS CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO

Meet decision makers, generate leads and develop prosperous business relationships. There will be seminars and workshops all day to help grow your business.

Citi Field 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue Flushing, NY 11368 5/21, 2 TO 5 PM

M/WBE SEMINAR: MARKETING & CREATING YOUR CAPABILITY STATEMENT

NYC is committed to awarding $16 billion in city contracts to Minority & Women-Owned Businesses, this series of seminars will help you compete for contracts.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

JUNE 6/17, ALL DAY

QUEENS CHAMBER FOUNDATION ANNUAL GOLF OUTING & DINNER

Join the Chamber Foundation for a day of golf and professional networking. Attend for the full day, or just join for the dinner and awards ceremony.

Register at queenschamber.org Garden City Country Club 206 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

MTA HAS MORE PROJECTS THAN BIDDERS

BY SALVATORE ISOLA Construction firms looking to grow their small businesses and become prime contractors have a great opportunity by being involved in the city’s vast transportation market, which has more available projects than current bidders.

For the past decade, the MTA’s Small Business Mentoring Program (SBMP) has helped businesses expand. On March 26 at the Queens Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Jackson Heights, SBMP manager Nadir Jones explained how subcontractors can become prime contractors by working with the MTA. If a firm is qualified to participate in SBMP, it will undergo an improvement plan assessment session before being invited to bid on MTA construction projects.

“We’re giving our contractors the opportunity to control their own destiny and move out of the subcontractor space,” said Jones.

SBMP provides a framework to facilitate small business growth, which is broken into two tiers: a Tier 1 Mentorship and a Tier 2 Graduate Mentorship. There also is a Small Business Federal Program for federally funded projects.

Tier 1 has a four-year duration once a firm is approved for the program. Firms are assigned a project manager from TDX Construction, one of the largest construction management firms in the industry.

The project manager is brought on board to assist the project and ensure a timely and on-budget completion.

In Tier 1, contractors have the opportunity to bid up to $1 million on prime construction contracts for the MTA. After four years, firms can graduate to Tier 2, where firms can bid on project values up to $3 million.

To qualify for Tier 1, a firm’s average three-year revenue cannot exceed $3 million, and the principal owner’s net worth cannot be greater than $3.5 million.

Contractors are provided with

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Nadir Jones of the MTA’s Small business Mentoring Program visited the Queens Chamber to discuss how small businesses can bid on contracts related to transportation projects. access to loans up to $150,000 per contract, one-on-one mentoring, free 13-course training classes, free business plan development, and waived bonding.

Tier 2 qualification is contingent on the successful completion of a Tier 1 mentorship. The maximum average three-year revenue is $5 million and the owner’s net worth is capped at $3.5 million.

Firms are provided the same assistance as Tier 1, but the loan value increases to $900,000 per project, and firms must obtain a surety bond, facilitated through the MTA Internal Bond Program.

The Small Business Federal Program (SBFP) shares practically all benefits and qualifications as SBMP Tier 2, with the primary difference being the source of the project’s funding. All SBMP projects are state funded, whereas SBFP projects are federally funded.

Additionally, if a firm’s average three-year revenue exceeds the $3

million maximum requirement of Tier 1, it might be eligible to enter straight into SBFP. SBMP provides fast-track assistance by paying all their contractors within 10 business days, awarding their projects within 22 business days, and having closeouts occur within 20 to 30 business days.

While there are many benefits for contractors in the program, something noticeably absent is the number of contractors participating. As of April 17, 2018, there are only 165 prequalified firms in Tier 1, 36 in Tier 2, and 22 in SBFP. This has led to SBMP having to outsource jobs.

“I actually have more work in the program than I actually have contractors bidding,” said Jones, before explaining how he had to give $60 million of work to the MTA two years ago. “I’m not giving back another $60 million, so that’s why we’re here.”

Among the projects spread over

five different agencies, including New York City Transit, Long Island Railroad, and Metro North Railroad, the MTA is recruiting firms to renovate buildings, staircases, stations, kiosks, and bus lifts, to name a few of the projects.

SBMP especially encourages Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOB) to apply.

“Historically, these groups don’t have the capacity to build that type of work all from jump, so this is the reason why we developed this program,” Jones stated, “to be a little bit more inclusive of how we spend taxpayers’ money.”

For information on how to apply, call the SBMP Prequalification Unit at (212) 878-4757 or email SBDP@mtahq.org.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

EDGE PREPARES FOR NEW CHALLENGES COMPANY FOUNDERS DISCUSS SPACE, FILM TAX CREDIT AND COMMUNITY

BY BENJAMIN FANG When Rudy Callegari and William Harris founded Edge Auto Rental in 2006, they started the company as a solution to companies looking to rent vehicles.

Unlike most car rental companies, which focus on individuals, Edge sought to cater to the needs of businesses with a varied fleet. With small passenger cars, SUVs, vans and tractor trailers, the company became a onestop shop for vehicles.

“We have stuff that manufacturers don’t even make,” Harris said.

“Whatever your business is, we for sure have the vehicle for you.”

Callegari said the company takes pride in providing what their clients require. When the United Nations comes in and asks for 50 black SUVs, Edge has it. If a movie set requires 30 different types of cars, they will provide it.

“We will give you exactly what you’ve asked for,” he said.

Edge was first located in Chelsea near Hudson Yards. As the area developed, the co-founders realized they needed to move.

They decided to open locations in Greenpoint and Astoria, two boroughs where the owners have roots.

According to Harris, one of the company’s biggest challenges is the dearth of space. Car rental businesses need to park their cars, he said, but there are fewer and fewer lots that fit their needs.

“Our challenge specifically is because of the variety of vehicles we have,” he said. “We can operate out of a parking lot with cars and some vans, but how do you operate a truck or tractor trailer?”

As the city slowly moves away from a car-first mentality and toward measures like congestion pricing, Edge’s leaders said they still find that companies prefer to

move their employees or services with vehicles.

“If thy need to be in Midtown with 50 of their employees, they’re going to pay whatever the city asks as a tax,” Callegari said.

“Our customers, I think, will continue going into the city and will still continue to do their business,” Harris added. “It will be an additional expense to them.”

They predicted that as land becomes more and more valuable in New York City, the company will continue to get pushed further and further away from Manhattan.

Businesses will just have to adjust along the way.

“We thought it would be suicide coming out of Manhattan, that’s not what we saw,” Harris said.

“We were able to operate better, we were able to free up more space.”

Callegari said as long as it’s

happening to all businesses, Edge should be able to adjust and adapt.

“Like all smart business people, you have to be ahead of what’s going to happen,” he said. “We foresaw what was going on in Chelsea and we moved out of there long before we had to. We’ll do the same here when the time comes.”

Another potential issue moving forward is how the state handles the renewal of the film tax credit.

Callegari noted that Edge does a lot of work with the entertainment business.

He said the tax credit helps bring many companies into New York to film, generating millions of dollars in taxes and business for the local economy.

“It’s been proven time and again that the benefits outweigh the credit itself,” he said. “That needs to continue.”

The generated economic activity helps small businesses that are not directly involved in the tax credit.

The pizzeria down the block from a set or the local gas station, for example, will make money from increased activity.

With the film industry providing

more than 50 percent of their business, Harris said they were able to grow their car rental company to a staff of over 70 people because of the tax credits.

Take away the credits, and they’ll be forced to cut down to 10 employees within a month, he said.

“I cannot stress the tax credits enough,” he said. “This should not go anywhere.”

Callegari and Harris recently joined the North Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. They’re also members of the Queens and Brooklyn chambers of commerce, and participated in their respective lobbying days in Albany.

Edge’s owners said they want to become advocates for small businesses, which they believe are the “lifelines” for most people in the city.

Callegari said they could have gone to Westchester or Long Island and probably made more money, but it’s not in their DNA to leave New York City.

“We love the fact that we’re fortunate enough to do business here,” he said. “We want to do everything we can to help keep that going.”

Rudy Callegari and William Harris are the co-founders of Edge Auto Rental.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NONPROFIT NEWS

BBBS NAMES QUEENS OFFICE FOR LATE SENATOR

BY BENJAMIN FANG For two years before his untimely death late last year, former state senator Jose Peralta served as a “big brother” for the nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of New York City.

He was matched with nine-yearold Evans for two years. The two spent at least eight hours a week together, hanging out and talking about Evans’ academic progress.

They went to the movie theaters, went bowling and ate meals together. Evans said Peralta would compliment him whenever he received good grades in school.

“If he was still alive, I would give him a big, big hug,” Evans said. “He was like the big brother that I never had in my life.”

In March, BBBS honored Peralta for his mentorship by awarding him, posthumously, with their Volunteer of the Year Award. BBBS presents the award every January as part of National Mentoring Month.

BBBS also named its Queens office in Jackson Heights in Peralta’s memory. He allocated $150,000 in state funding to the nonprofit in July 2017.

Michael Coughlin, chief program officer at BBBS, said Peralta pushed the organization from a programmatic perspective. At Peralta’s urging, the nonprofit launched an education initiative to provide more wrap-around services for kids .

They also started a college success program to help students transition out of high school and into higher education. Coughlin added that they also created a program to work specifically with new Americans and immigrant youth.

“Those who knew Senator Peralta knew he was a very dedicated and passionate individual,” he said.

“When he was passionate about something, he made sure we knew about that.”

Coughlin and board members from BBBS unveiled a plaque last Wednesday officially naming their

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Evelyn Peralta and Evans (center) with staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Jackson Heights.

37th Avenue office after Peralta.

Coughlin said it would serve as a reminder of the contributions Peralta made.

“He’s one of the few, maybe the only elected official who’s ever stepped forward as a mentor himself,” he said.

Evelyn Peralta said her husband believed deeply in the value of mentorship, and put that belief into practice.

When he initially approached her with the idea of becoming a “Big Brother,” Peralta said she thought he was “nuts” because of his already-packed schedule.

But after discussing it, she saw how important it was to him.

“Jose understood the unique challenges of growing up a firstgeneration Latino child in the city,” she said. “We have a need for more male mentors of color. I’m proud that my husband set an example by stepping up to serve.”

“Mentorship just works, that’s what he would say. I couldn’t agree more,” Peralta added. “His legacy lives on.”

Evans said it was a “very special day” to see the office named after his “Big Brother.”

“In my opinion, he’s the best big brother anybody could have,” Evans said.

The last State Senator Jose Peralta with little brother Evans.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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. Upcoming events include: • April 27 - Paint for Awareness. A painting event in celebration of Autism Awareness Month.

100% of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks.

If you are an artist interested in leading this event, email CB4 District Manager Christian Cassagnol at ccassagnol@cb.nyc.gov.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 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.

tgurung@nycbcna.org 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

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com 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 March 24.

The next major event for the chamber is the Forest Hill Festival on Sunday, June 9.

Continue a Chocolate Tradition, or Start a New One

103-02 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, NY Aignerchocolates.com Open 7 Days a Week 25

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES GATEWAY JFK

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon info@GatewayJFK.org 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 scott@gatewayjfk.org.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, 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.

In May, the chamber will welcome the greenmarket back to Maple Playground on Kissena Boulevard. It is open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.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, wellplanned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com 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

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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: Whitney Barrat 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.

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: • April 10, 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 JFKCoCExec@gmail. com to confirm the date.

• April 14, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.: JFK Rotary Club’s JFK Runway Run 2019. JFK Rotary Club is hosting its long-running annual fundraiser where people can run or walk on a runway at JFK International Airport! It’s not every day that you get to do that and all funds go to charities.

Information and registration links are at JFK Rotary’s JFK Runway Run.

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 April 4 from 7:30 to 10 a.m., the partnership will host the 14th Annual Real Estate Breakfast. It is open to anyone interested in Long Island City real estate and will take place at The Ravel Hotel at 808 Queens Plaza South.

On May 12, the partnership will host LIC Springs! Celebrate the best of Long Island City at this annual street fair that spreads through almost six blocks. Vendors, booths, performances and more are planned!

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.

Tuesday, April 9, at 12 p.m. - 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 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association,

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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 Sal@Crifasi.com 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 80 th 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.

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 April 18-21, the BID will host an Easter Sidewalk Sale. 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.

On April 28, the BID will host the annual Spring Street Festival on Myrtle Avenue from Wyckoff to Forest avenues.

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 oneon-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

Upcoming events include: • April 1, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Pitching and

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queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES Presenting workshop. A special presentation by Malla Haridat on the best way you can pitch and present your business. This event is open to everyone, but it is highly recommended that finalists for the StartUP Business Plan competition attend. The Entrepreneur Space, 36-46 37th St. • April 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Ready for Business Workshop. Free multi-week English Class with an emphasis on business/financial literacy for Spanish speakers seeking to start or expand a small business.

Class size is limited and all applicants must be interviewed. The Entrepreneur Spacer, 36-46 37th St. • April 6, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - New Idea to New Venture Workshop. This workshop helps participants develop their business idea, organize their start-up process and create a strategy to launch their business. This event welcomes all veterans who are interested in starting their own businesses.

Laurelton Library, 134-26 225th St. • April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - StartUP! Finalists Pitch. Come see the nine finalists pitch their business plans for a chance to win $10,000 for their businesses. Resorts World Casino, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd.

• April 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Doing Business With The Government: Getting M/WBE Certified with NYC and NYS. Learn about getting certified as a Minority/Woman Business Enterprise with NYC & NYS, what you will need to do to obtain government contracts, and how you can leverage your certification to get more business. The Entrepreneur Space, 36-46 37th St.

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.

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 longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board.

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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 info@steinwaystreet.nyc 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.

On Sunday, April 14, from noon to 5 p.m., the partnership will host the Celebrate Astoria!

International Cultural Festival. The street fair will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Steinway Street from Broadway to 31st Avenue.

Spring Break Fun at Rainey Park, an event cosponsored by Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Vernon Boulevard at 34th Street.

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.

On April 2 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., the chamber will host the Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year Award honoring Patricia Dorfman. Each year, this award is given to an individual that embodies the spirit of community and commitment to Sunnyside. This year, the chamber will introduce the new Queens Rising Star Awards, winners to be announced. It will take place at Tangra Restaurant at 39-23 Queens Boulevard.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org 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.

The next major event for the BID is the annual Taste of Sunnyside. It will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot of P.C. Richard & Sons at 50-02 Queens Boulevard. Tickets are between $45 and $70.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net 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 includes the busy courthouses and the LIRR complex, including the AirTrain and subway stations, where they host Jazz on Thursday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. from October through May. GREENRIDGE The BID uses most of its resources on sanitation, holiday lighting and security. It hosts the “Hate Has No Biz Here” program and a Harvest Festival in the Fall. They run a Mother’s Day program in the Spring.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

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ST. PAT’S SPEAKER LAMENTS LOSS OF AMAZON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

her grandchildren.”

When Rowan arrived, her first job was as a server at the Connolly Mansion on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 54th Street. O’Dwyer noted that there were 100 servers in that building, and she was number 100, “the lowest of the low.”

Generations later, her grandson led a St. Patrick’s Day parade of 200,000 people, a parade that passed by that very mansion.

“For the first time ever, I’m going to stop that parade, just for a moment, and pay tribute to Mary Agnes Rowan,” he said during the luncheon. “That tribute to Mary Agnes is not to Mary Agnes alone, but to the many others that have come before and since, and have made their lives better and made this city and country better.”

Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of Queensborough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2018. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,110 (3,009). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 579 (607), Mail subscriptions, 1,937 (2,002), Total 2,516 (2,609). Free Distribution By mail 0 (400), By other means 198 (200), Total 198 (200). Total distribution 2,714 (2,809), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 396 ( 2 0 0 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,110 (3,009), Percent paid 92.70 (92.88).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

O’Dwyer said Irish-Americans who forget where they came from “do a disservice to our people.”

“We’re not pulling up the ladder behind us because we’ve made it in society,” he said.

“We are reaching down to pull up all those immigrants.”

O’Dwyer added that part of being in favor of immigrants is “being in favor of jobs.” He thanked the Queens Chamber of Commerce for their advocacy to bring Amazon back to New York City after the departure of HQ2.

“I think it is an absolute shame that this town

may lose 25,000 jobs that could have gone to people just like us,” he said.

Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber, added that they work hard all the time just to keep small companies from leaving Queens.

“For 25,000 jobs to walk out of here before they even got here is incredible,” he said.

Grech said the chamber, as well as many other business and civic organizations, are now trying to get Amazon to change their mind.

“Life is a negotiation,” he said. “Let’s hope they come to the table.”

Brian O’Dwyer with the March issue of This Is Queensborough.

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Howard Graf

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu Nash Roe

Mayra DiRico

President & CEO

Chief of Operations

Alejandra Espejo Financial Controller

Secretary

Business Development Manager Strategic Program Coordinator

Jef Gross

Committee Development & Member Engagement Manager

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow

Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof

Howard Graf Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine

Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul Michael Moran Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq

Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab

Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS A & L Cesspool Services Corp.

AAA Northeast AARP ADP Major Accounts Ackman-Ziff Adria Hotel and Conference Center Aflac Airlogix AKI Development Alcott HR Alma Bank American Lions, LLC Amna Construction Corp.

AmTrust Title Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Apple Bank for Savings Ashnu International, Inc. Atco Properties Accounts Payable Aurora Contractors, Inc. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank of Hope BankUnited, N.A Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel Bethpage Federal Credit Union Borchert & LaSpina, P.C. Boyce Technologies Inc. Bridgehampton National Bank Broadway Stages Cactus Holdings Inc. Capital One Bank CareConnect Insurance Company, Inc. Cathay Bank CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education & Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP Charney Construction & Development Ciampa Organization

CityMD Complete Orthopedic Services, Inc. Conference Associates, Inc. Cord Meyer Development, LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Court 16 Courtyard by Marriott CPEX Real Estate Crescent Properties, Inc. Crown Castle Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield Daniels, Norelli, Scully & Cecere P.C. DGC Capital Contracting Corp.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate DY Realty Services, LLC E Central Medical Management East Coast Energy Group ELE Sleep Disorder Center Elite Palace Emigrant Mortgage Company EMU Health Services ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP Enterprise Fleet Management Enterprise Holdings Exit Realty New York Metro Fabiani Cohen & Hall, LLP Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz Financial Resources Group Investment Services, LLC First American International Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Group Inc. GF55 Partners Goldenwood Property Advisors Goodwill Industries of New York & New Jersey, Inc. Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at

Queens Grassi & Co. Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association Greenberg Traurig Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center (GMDC) Greiner-Maltz Company of NY Gum Studios HAKS Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport Hanover Community Bank Healthy Corner Pharmacy Inc. Heart Vein NYC – Dr. Back Kim HF Management Services HighTower Advisors HiLine Construction HK Capital Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suites Long Island City/Manhattan View HSBC Bank Hyatt Place Flushing Hyatt Place Long Island City/NYC INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Innovative Lending Platform Association Innovo Property Group International Asbestos Removal Inc. iRCM, Inc. James F. Capalino & Assoc.

Jaros, Baum & Bolles JetBlue Airways Corporation Jetro/ Restaurant Depot JFA Insurance Brokerage & Associates Inc. JRT Realty Group Inc. Justworks Kasirer Consulting Kimco Realty Corporation LaSalle Solutions

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com

30

HOSPITALITY

REAL ESTATE

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Laura Altimari Fine Taste NYC finetastenyc@gmail.com

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang Politan Real Estate mwang121@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING

TECHNOLOGY

Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com

NONPROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com

Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Fred Canone Telehouse mwang121@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com

Lee & Associates Lessing’s Food Service Management Levine Builders LimeBike Lockman Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank M & V Provision Company Madison Realty Capital Main Street Radiology Mazars USA, LLP McBride Consulting & Business Media Press MedPlex Mega Contracting Group, LLC MetroPlus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Mikkeller Brewing NYC Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

MTA Long Island Rail Road Muss Development Company New York + Atlantic Railway New York Building Congress New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott New York Oil Heating Association New York Racing Assn. Inc. New York Safety and Training New York Times Next Wave Safety Northwell Health Northfield Bank OneGroup OTJ Architects Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Petro Home Services Plastic Surgery of New York Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates, Inc. Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions/IESI NY Corp.

QSIDE Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corporation Queens Center Mall Queens Public Communications Corp.

Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Register Abstract Co. Inc. Related Retail Corporation Royal Waste

Russo’s On The Bay Sabre Real Estate Group Samuel Goldstein & Co., PC Santander Seagis Property Group, LP Shiftpixy Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Skyline Risk Management, Inc. SL Green Realty Corp.

Solomon Agency Corp.

St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Staples Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. SUNation Solar Systems Sutton Alliance Teachers Federal Credit Union TGI Office Automation Thales USA Inc. The ALLCOT Group, LLC The Durst Organization The First National Bank of Long Island The Heskel Group The Parc Hotel The Sweet Construction Group Treasure Island Storage Triangle Equities TSC Training Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Insurance Agency Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Venture House Vic Kessler Signs, LTD Villa Russo Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of New York, LLC WATCH GUARD 24/7, LLC Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP Wells Fargo WeWork Windstream Enterprise York College - CUNY Zara Realty

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication.

BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information.

We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

April 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 4 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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