By Sadef Ali Kully
As downtown Jamaica development projects increase so do opportunities.
To help minority- and women-owned businesses capitalize on those opportunities, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation put on a contractor networking fair last Friday at the First Presbyterian Church at 164th Street, bringing those businesses together with major developers who have current and future projects in downtown Jamaica.
There are currently eight development projects in Jamaica which have either begun construction or are soon to begin construction. Some of the major projects are the Crossing at Jamaica Station mixed-use building, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel project and the Norman Towers affordable housing project.
“We had a discussion to try to get local contractors jobs that are coming to the area,” said Mark Nieves, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation director of capital projects. “It is important to connect local contractors with these opportunities.”
The Bluestone Organization and BRP Companies, developers with projects in the area, presented their plans and outlined the kind of qualifications they would need from contractors. Both development firms had applications available for attendees.
The NYC Economic Development Corp. and the Minority Business Development Agency, a federal agency, also gave presentations on certification and programs to become licensed through a city program or federal program.
“It was informative and inclusive to know that Jamaica business resources exists,” Raleigh Hall, the owner of the 50-year-old family-run contractor business RS ConsultworX on Rockaway Boulevard, said. “The network fair prepared me to heighten my community involvement over the coming months.”
Hall said he learned he was not prepared for some of the major projects but now has time to make changes as needed.
“The fair is an opportunity to work with our local contractors and improve services. There are many challenges when we speak about development and our task is to ensure that the community is engaged and able to participate in this process,” said Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St.Albans), who co-sponsored the event with GJDC. “This is how we provide products that reflect the needs of southeast Queens in terms of economic development and opportunity. This fair is a step to achieve that goal.”
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
