GJDC helps local business expand

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC), in its mission to improve the surrounding community, has helped a local child care center expand.
Sandra’s Sunflower Child Care, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new site at 121-17 Sutphin Boulevard in South Ozone Park.
The GJDC provided a $200,000 loan to Sandra’s through its small business Capital Access program for site renovation and service expansion. The new facility will provide day care and educational enrichment for up to 28 children.
Sandra’s Sunflower Child Care is operated by Glendora Mason-Kennedy. The company is named in memory of her late sister, Sandra, whose life and untimely death in the late 1990s inspired the creation of the company.
Mason-Kennedy was initially referred to GJDC for assistance by the Jamaica Business Resource Center.
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) originally capitalized the loan fund with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). New and existing businesses located in southeast Queens that have sales of less than $10 million and fewer than 500 employees are eligible for Capital Access loans.
The mission of GJDC’s Capital Access program is to invest in community businesses to create local jobs. The program is now also funded by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC). New York City and State and U.S. EDA have provided GJDC with substantial loan fund assistance for the program for more than two decades.
“We are pleased to support Sandra’s Sunflower expansion because child care is a crucial need for this community,” said GJDC President Carlisle Towery. “This loan is part of our continuing mission to invest in the community and have a thriving downtown in Greater Jamaica.”
Capital Access loans range from $10,000 to $300,000 and offer below market rates pegged to Wall Street prime. There is a negotiable loan maturity period, usually five years.
The funds can be used for business expansion, purchasing new equipment and for buying or improving existing property. They can also be used for working capital or a gap loan while waiting for funding from another committed source.
“It took experience and determination,” said Mason-Kennedy, “but we wanted to make a difference for the children of the community. The Greater Jamaica Development gave me the confidence and the resources I needed to pursue my dream.”
GJDC provides one-to-one assistance to help prepare loan application packages for qualified applicants and flexible loan packages can be tailored to meet special needs.