By Bill Parry
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul took a guided tour of small businesses along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights last week to listen to concerns and challenges the owners have in their daily operations.
The chairwoman of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative made stops at clothing stores, a restaurant, a pharmacy and a home decor business and ended her tour with a roundtable discussion with several small business operators and community leaders.
“Under Gov. Cuomo, strategic investments through the Regional Economic Development Councils have reversed New York’s reputation for being anti-business.” Hochul said. “As I travel across the state, I meet with business owners to get a better understanding of the challenges they face. I look forward to continuing our work to bring jobs and prosperity to neighborhoods like Jackson Heights.”
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) guided Hochul’s tour of the Roosevelt Avenue business corridor. In the past two months, Peralta visited 150 stores and restaurants in the district, from Jackson Heights and Corona shops to stores in Astoria, Elmhurst and East Elmhurst..
“She had an opportunity to tour the most diverse area in the state and got an assorted taste of the most traditional stores located in our community,” Peralta said. The lieutenant governor had the opportunity to speak with several business owners in an effort to learn first-hand what are the main preoccupations they are facing as the economy continues to improve.”
During the two-hour visit, Hochul visited 10 small businesses. Among the participants at the roundtable discussion were representatives of Community Boards 3 and 4, the New York State Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association, the 82nd Street Partnership and several business owners.
“This commercial corridor, like others, is an engine for our local economy, and it has not reached its full potential,” Peralta said. “Although the thoroughfare has some bad actors, such as some establishments acting as a front for illegal activity, it is important to boost Roosevelt Avenue as it is a path to many of the city’s best attractions, including Citi Field, Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the U.S. Tennis Center. This is a crucial visit, as we are in the midst of a multibillion-dollar project to revamp and modernize LaGuardia Airport, and it will bring economic opportunities for our businesses and neighbors.”
New York state has set the objective of awarding at least 30 percent of its contracts to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises, according to Hochul.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
