BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 5, 2017 17
Staten Island Chamber helping businesses
old and new in Downtown Staten Island
Staten Island’s north shore
waterfront is undergoing a
renaissance, and people and
businesses are flocking to the area.
Soon, the world’s largest Ferris wheel
is expected to open there, along with
New York City’s only designer outlet
mall. Both will sit right next to the
terminal for the world-famous Staten
Island Ferry that draws millions of
riders each year.
So will a new mixed-use project
called Lighthouse Point that will
have a hotel, as well as residential,
commercial and retail space, including
co-working space provided by
Regus. And they’re right next door
to the stadium that’s home to the
“Baby Bombers” – the Staten Island
Yankees’ minor league team.
These projects are expected to
be game-changers, drawing an unprecedented
amount of people to the
area. So the Staten Island Chamber of
Commerce is helping local businesses
prepare now for what should be a big
economic boost.
The Chamber recently announced
it had been awarded part of a $1.54
million grant to help revitalize the Bay
Street commercial corridor in what is
known as “Downtown Staten Island,”
adjacent to all the new development.
The funding comes from the
New York City Department of Small
Business Services' “Neighborhood
360” program, which helps community
based organizations promote
economic development in the areas
they serve.
Along with the Chamber, two other
organizations have been awarded
funding to be used on Bay Street:
Staten Island Arts for placemaking
and public art initiatives; and the
Lower East Side Partnership 100
Gates Project for storefront gate
beautification.
In addition, the Staten Island
Chamber of Commerce has been
awarded a separate $50,000 grant
through the LISC Commercial Corridor
Challenge. Working in conjunction
with the Neighborhood 360 program,
the LISC grant (funded by LISC
and Citi Community Development)
will allow for immediate storefront
and streetscape improvements, and
retail attraction and retention in the
area.
A total of close to $9 million has
been awarded by Neighborhood 360
citywide. “Strong neighborhoods
are the backbone of our city, and the
nearly $9 million in investments will
go a long way towards revitalizing
key commercial corridors,” said Gregg
Bishop, commissioner of the New York
City Department of Small Business
Services. “Working with community
partners, we are responding to local
needs to support small business
growth and build more vibrant neighborhoods
for all New Yorkers.”
“The Staten Island Chamber of
Commerce has proudly served our
community for over 120 years from
offices on Bay Street in the heart
of Downtown Staten Island,” said
Linda Baran, president and CEO of
the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
“From our unique vantage
point, we’ve seen many changes to
the neighborhood through the years.
Now, with so much exciting largescale
development happening in the
area, it’s poised to emerge as a major
commercial hub. This investment by
the city is exactly the boost needed to
support its revitalization.”
People and businesses looking to
learn more about opportunities in
the area and ways to get involved
are encouraged to call the Chamber
at 718-727-1900.
WELCOME TO STATEN ISLAND
Photos courtesy of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
A rendering of Empire Outlets.
A rendering of the New York Wheel on the waterfront.