Photo Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce
The Queens Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Queens Day in Albany event to recognize local businesses that have weathered the pandemic.
By Forum Staff
The Queens Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Queens Day in Albany event to recognize local businesses that have weathered the pandemic, and to discuss future economic recovery efforts in the borough.
The annual event gives local business leaders the opportunity to advocate Queens’ Senate and Assembly delegation
According to the chamber, the event began with remarks from the Queens Chamber’s President & CEO, Thomas Grech, and Chairman Thomas Santucci, highlighting the Chamber’s efforts to assist small businesses throughout the pandemic, and the great strides the organization has made in its 110 year history.
“The Queens Chamber is now the most diverse that it has ever been, with our staff, our membership, and our board. We have over 1,300 members, representing over 125,000 Queens-based employees, now in our 110th year,” Grech said. “Today, your Chamber of Commerce speaks twelve different languages. Everyday, we’re pounding the pavement to help businesses in need, from the Rockaways up to Little Neck, and from Long Island City to the Nassau border.”
Remarks from NY Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz followed, with each speaker commenting on the necessity of assistance to struggling businesses in Queens, and lauding the Chamber for its efforts.
Members of the Queens Delegation from the NY State Senate and Assembly wrapped up the program with brief presentations featuring local businesses in their respective districts. Interspersed throughout these presentations were updates from Queens Chamber staff on their new initiatives to support Queens business growth during, and after, the pandemic, including their Small Business Resource Network, and the newly formed Queens Tech Council.
Speakers emphasized the challenges that the pandemic has presented to businesses in Queens, while looking forward to the ongoing recovery with optimism.
“I want to acknowledge how especially difficult the last fourteen months have been for small businesses and nonprofits here in Queens. Many of our small businesses are owned by first and second generation New Yorkers who put their life savings into their businesses. This pandemic took an enormous toll on their livelihoods and sadly, some owners could not bear the brunt of this storm, and closed shop,” said Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President. “More recent developments have given me hope, though. The Biden Administration and Congress extended funding that has given us a lifeline through the American Rescue Plan Act back in March. This was not, by any means, easy, but it was a shot in the arm our small businesses needed to survive.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz added, “I would like to congratulate the chamber for getting so many people involved [in recovery efforts]. This chamber has done an amazing job during COVID in keeping people connected and making sure that they have resources for their businesses.”
“When I look where we are today in Queens, I am absolutely amazed,” said Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing). “I am convinced that it is because of the business community, the jobs, and the services.”
