New law will bring jobs to Jamaica, city

A law implemented earlier this month is expected to increase jobs in the South Jamaica area and throughout the city in general.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a bill, sponsored by Councilmember Leroy Comrie, which will designate Bimmy’s LLC, an airport food supply company, as a Regionally Significant Project (RSP). Under this designation, Bimmy’s will be able to produce 100 new jobs.
As a Regionally Significant Project, Bimmy’s will be able to receive many of the incentives offered under the Empire Zone Program. These incentives include tax credits such as the wage tax credit and investment tax credit.
The Program was developed to encourage businesses to create new jobs, offering extra incentives to businesses that hire targeted individuals. Those considered “targeted” are people who have received any form of federal assistance in the past two years.
Initially, the Program was only for businesses within the geographical zone.
In 2005, the Program developed the RSP designation which grants these incentives to businesses who meet the Empire Zone Project criteria but not the geographic location.
Bimmy’s, whose high-end sandwiches are served in airports and health clubs, expects to hire 100 new people in the next five years. The company currently employs over 120.
“This project will provide the benefits of an empire empowerment zone to a local Queens business, whose work will result in the creation of much-needed jobs in the borough,” Comrie said.“It is my hope that this designation will help to assist the economic future of Queens.”
Bimmy’s founder and President Elliot Fread said the company had been considering opening more facilities outside of New York, but that “this program will allow us to continue to expand within the city.”