Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer Addresses LIC Business Community

LICBDC Hosts Business Breakfast with Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer April 21, 2010

For photos and online video segments, click on the following link:

http://www.ourlic.com/news/economicdevelopment/2010/licbdc/business_breakfast_with_councilmember_jimmy_van_bramer_20100421.htm

Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer's address to the Long Island City business community was made possible by Long Island City Business Development Corporation [ LICBDC ] and its SPONSORS. Shown above with SPONSORS (Left to right) Andrew Kirby, Plaxall; Matt Quigley, Plaxall; Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer; Alan Suna, Silvercup Studios; Gayle Baron, President, Long Island City Business Development Corporation; Gary Kesner, Silvercup Studios; Ken Buettner, York Scaffolding Equipment Corp; Gretchen Werwaiss, Werwaiss & Co. Inc.; Michael Martini, RCN [ Go to OurLIC Business Marketplace Profile of RCN ]

Long Island City, New York April 21, 2010 - NYC Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer addressed a gathering of business leaders attending a breakfast hosted by the Long Island City Business Development Corporation. Citing the recent Jet Blue decision, Van Bramer praised the LICBDC members for establishing an exciting business community upon which new companies can strengthen the work that has already been done in building a foundation for business, economic, and community growth. Van Bramer commented that his working relationship with Community Board 2's Chair, Joe Conley; New York State Assemblywoman, Cathy Nolan; NYC Council Speaker; Christine Quinn; and other City Councilmembers was productive for the business community in helping to deal with issues needing attention as well as budgets and budget commitments to his District. Van Bramer told the group that he was enroute to Albany for special meetings with Assemblywoman Nolan to advocate for his constituency's needs during this important period of budget negotiations. Full video coverage of Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer's address and follow up Q&A are available in the left column in 15 segments of approximately three to five minutes each. Highlights: LIC is rich in cultural institutions that bring visitors to our neighborhoods. Tenacious advocacy for the community helped to reduce the period of MTA maintenance time on the 7 Subway by 4 weeks, reducing stress on businesses and residents. He is hoping to see a the library at Hunters Point rise and become a reality so that the children and others in the community can have access to a library, but said there is a budget gap between the available $18 million and the amount necessary to build a dramatic library on the East River. $20 million is needed for an 18,000 - 20,000 sq ft Library. Some people want a 30,000 - 40,000 sq ft Library. The stakeholders need to make a decision sometime in July 2010 whether to wait and raise more capital, or build an expandable structure now. Regarding the PARKING issue, Van Bramer called it a serious, long term, systemic problem. New York City wants to keep the cost of doing business here affordable and competitive, and the city should not become a training ground for companies that move after growing here. Other related Articles and Special Reports: Queens Economic Development Leadership Council Hears Overview of Empire State Development and its Economic Plans from Joseph Tazewell, NYC Regional Director; ESD. Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer holds his Second Town Hall Meeting. Financing Seminar Organized by Long Island City Business Development Corporation (LICBDC) Economic Forecast Breakfast with Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City Queens Agency Breakfast Panel: Police, Transportation, and Parks