Chamber says 'Keep it in Queens'

BY PETE DAVIS

Friday, October 3, 2008 11:40 AM EDT

Even as uncertain and difficult economic times are likely to continue for the immediate future, the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Borough President Helen Marshall announced a "Keep it in Queens" campaign designed to encourage development projects to utilize Queens businesses.

The "Keep it in Queens" campaign will create an online database that contains information about suppliers, distributors and service providers aiming to connect them to borough businesses.

Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Bob Lieber, former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and nearly 100 Chamber members representing large and small businesses helped kick off the campaign at the Bulova Corporate Center in Jackson Heights on Monday, September 29. The Chamber also launched the website www.keepitinqueens.com later that morning.

"The Queens Chamber of Commerce is very excited to launch this new initiative," said Queens Chamber President Al Pennisi. "Queens businesses are ready, willing and able to deliver services, products and workforce to any project - large or small."

Businesses can fill out a form on the website to become part of the database, and during the next few months, businesses can search the database to find out what services or projects might apply to their company.

"If Queens has the most diverse population in America, it's likely that we also have a multitude of products and services that major building projects need to move forward," Marshall said.

During the announcement, Lieber and Marshall as well as business leaders spoke about the important role the "Keep it in Queens" initiative would play with all of the development projects taking place in the borough.

"If we are going to build it in Queens, we should 'Keep it in Queens,' " Marshall said.

In particular, the leaders highlighted the proposal to develop Willets Point - a 60-acre site the city deems blighted and they would transform it into a mixed-use project that would include 1 million square feet of retail shops and restaurants, 500,000 square feet of office space, 5,500 units of housing and a convention center.

"The redevelopment of Willets Point will serve as a catalyst for the economy of Queens and all of New York," said Shulman, who is the President of the Flushing-Willets Point-Corona Local Development Corporation and one of the leading advocates for the project. " 'Keep it in Queens' will be a vital tool to ensure that the small businesses of our borough benefit from this project."

THE COURIER/Photo by Pete Davis
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall (center, at podium) joined forces with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and other business and political leaders to announce the "Keep it in Queens" initiative.