FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2014
North Flatbush Business Improvement District and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Announce Agreement on Management of BID Operations
North Flatbush BID Board Brings Chamber Services, Business Assistance Services to the District
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the North Flatbush Business Improvement District (BID) today announced an agreement for the Chamber to manage BID’s operations. This is the first time a Chamber of Commerce will be directly managing one of New York City’s Business Improvement Districts. The Board made this decision after several months of the Chamber voluntarily staffing the BID’s offices and piloting its satellite Chamber service program. The formal announcement was made at the North Flatbush BID’s annual meeting. James Dean Ellis, the Chamber’s Manager for Neighborhood Economic Development Initiatives, will serve as the BID’s Executive Director.
As part of the agreement, the Chamber will offer its full range of business services, currently only available in Downtown Brooklyn, at the North Flatbush BID offices. The move recognizes that many businesses who need assistance have limited time to seek those services out. By embedding its programs in more locations around the borough, the Chamber hopes to make it easier for businesses to access capital, get job training, pro bono legal assistance, affordable health insurance and other services they need to help their business grow.
“For many years the North Flatbush Avenue BID has relied on its relationships with neighborhood groups, pooling energy and resources to provide direct services and experiences for the community,” said North Flatbush BID President Regina Cahill. “The Board views this agreement with the Chamber as a natural and modern progression of what the BID has always done; work well with others. We are excited about the boundless potential that this agreement provides and we look forward to the ever expanding possibilities on North Flatbush Avenue.”
“We look forward to working with all of the BID’s stakeholders to create a single cohesive business community that takes all of the newfound post-Barclays interest in Flatbush Avenue, and leverages it to benefit all of the district’s businesses and residents,” said Chamber President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “From NYC Business Solutions, to our Good Help, Healthworks, and Affordable Care Act Navigator programs, the full range of services the Chamber provides will be right here in the neighborhood where they can do the most good. I want to thank Regina Cahill, the entire North Flatbush BID Board of Directors, and the City’s Department of Small Business Services for giving us this opportunity.”
“I am very glad that the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the North Flatbush Business Improvement District have reached this agreement to ensure effective management and beneficial services for the Flatbush Avenue business community and the neighborhood,” said Council Member Brad Lander (D-39). “I look forward to working in partnership with the Chamber and the BID to continue to support the development of businesses and amenities in this important commercial corridor.”
“The partnership between the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the North Flatbush Business Improvement District is a win for our community and borough by increasing access to resources that will benefit small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs while bolstering our local economy,” said Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-35).
“Community Board No. 8 would like to welcome the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce on its new endeavor to manage the North Flatbush Avenue BID. This effort will lead to an expansion of services offered by the Chamber of Commerce not only to the BID, but to other businesses borough-wide that may have a hard time accessing services at the Commerce’s Downtown Brooklyn offices,” said Community Board 8 District Manager Michelle George. “We welcome and congratulate James Ellis, who has accepted the role of the BID’s Executive Director and wish him great success in his new capacity.”
“This decision builds on the months we have already spent working with the board, familiarizing ourselves with the BID and its initiatives, and engaging with all of our stakeholders to have a more engaged community,” said incoming North Flatbush BID Executive Director and the Chamber’s Manager for Neighborhood Economic Development Initiatives, James Dean Ellis. “Now, with this agreement in place and our fleet of services on track, we are truly prepared for Flatbush’s renaissance.”
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