By Courtney Dentch
About seven weeks after supermarket chain Pathmark agreed to contribute $400,000 to a community fund to help southeast Queens businesses and organizations, the first payment is nearly ready to go out, said City Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton).
But area residents may have to wait just a bit longer to get their share,
The task force of community and business leaders organized to oversee the distribution of the money has decided to give the first round of money to the Local Development Corporation of Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens so that the group can strengthen its resources for local small businesses, Sanders said.
“A small payment is going to Local Development Corporation so they can build their infrastructure,” he said. “That way they can help the businesses easier.”
It was unclear how much money the LDC would get out of the $150,000 initial payment Pathmark has made.
The supermarket chain agreed last month to shell out $400,000 over 20 years to support community organizations and offset the losses to local businesses. January's agreement established a long-awaited fund that was supposed to benefit the community once the Pathmark store opened at the intersection of Springfield and Merrick boulevards in 2000.
The initial fund was included as a condition of the 1995 city council bill that was passed over then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani's veto granting zoning variances the store required. But the account, designed to help small business owners in the area stay afloat, was never set up.
Under the new agreement brokered by Sanders last month, Pathmark will donate about $350,000 to a fund operated by a task force Sanders chairs. Business owners in southeast Queens can apply to the task force to get money for small improvements, including awnings, signs, and other causes.
An additional $50,000 will be available for community initiatives such as youth, athletics or civilian patrol programs.
The task force is still trying to outline an application process for businesses that want to apply for the next round of funds, Sanders said. Community groups, which may receive support from a different pot of money, should apply through the supermarket, he said.
Sanders also secured funds last month from another organization interested in helping the neighborhood – a $250,000 community fund from the International Air Cargo Center at 182-30 150th Rd. in Springfield Gardens. That money has not been released yet since Sanders and the IAC are still determining the criteria for its distribution, he said. While the details are still being finalized, Sanders said residents closer to the cargo center have a better chance of getting a check.
“The closer you are to the targeted area, the more likely you are to receive funds,” he said.
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com, or by phone at 229-0300, Ext. 138.
