NYC Council Member Richards & SBS Commissioner Bishop Announce $1.5 Million to Revitalize Downtown Far Rockaway Commercial District

UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, Far Rockaway, N.Y. – On Thursday November 21, Council Member Donovan Richards, NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop, and other local community leaders and organizations announced that $1.5 million in investments will be awarded to local nonprofits to revitalize the Downtown Far Rockaway commercial district over the course of three years.

The grants will be used to help build the capacity of local organizations, revitalize key commercial corridors and address locally identified needs. The needs of Downtown Far Rockaway were identified last year through a series of surveys, observations and stakeholder interviews, which can be found in the Downtown Far Rockaway, Queens Commercial District Needs Assessment.

“This investment will breathe life into our business community by strengthening the vibrant small businesses we have,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “Small businesses are the backbone of any thriving community and I am proud to help assist and elevate their contributions to our neighborhood. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bishop for their continued commitment to investing in Far Rockaway.”

“Creating strong neighborhoods strengthens the City and this investment will help establish economic prosperity for Downtown Far Rockaway,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “These community partners are the lifeblood of their neighborhoods and supporting them means their district can help get its needs met.” 

The following organizations will receive the grant between 2019 – 2021:

• Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was founded to promote the economic and community revitalization of the Rockaways by improving the quality of life for its residents. RDRC will use the grant to improve its service offerings, clean and beautify the Downtown Far Rockaway neighborhood and create programming to facilitate social interaction among its residents and shoppers.

• Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA4US) seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaways by informing the public about opportunities for growth and creating a safe environment for economic expansion. REMA4US will use the grant to provide support services to small businesses, coordinate resources among community partners and market the brand identity of the neighborhood. Press Release.