“As we attempt to recover from the devastating financial impact COVID-19 had on our economy, I look forward to working with Mayor Adams, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Cooperation, and all of our industry partners in restarting the New York City economic engine,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “We need to leverage our public-private partnerships and relationships with community partners to support our businesses, business improvement districts (BIDs), entrepreneurs, cultural partners, and chambers of commerce to create a more inclusive economy. Every industry has been impacted by the pandemic, and we need to make sure we provide them with the necessary resources to come back stronger than before.”
“Following the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, New York City is in need of a plan that addresses the inequities highlighted by the pandemic. Mayor Adams' blueprint for economic recovery does just that,” said New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, chair, Committee on Land Use. “Activating the city’s economy through five fundamental pillars, the mayor’s blueprint focuses on investing in neighborhoods that were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Hunts Point, the economic engine of the 17th council district, will be boosted by an infusion of much-needed investment, following the hand-in-glove collaboration between the city and the community as part of the Hunts Point Vision Plan 2.0 coalition. I thank Mayor Adams and his administration for recognizing that New York City’s economic recovery begins in the zip codes that provided the essential workers who kept the city afloat during the pandemic.”
“As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus cannot simply be on recovery but rather how we adapt, innovate, and thrive in our new normal,” said New York City Councilmember Amanda Farías, chair, Committee on Economic Development. “To achieve this, the city’s post-pandemic economy must include all boroughs, small businesses, and workers from across various sectors. That is why I am encouraged by Mayor Adams’ five-pillar plan that includes all our neighborhoods in our city’s economic future. As the chair of the committee on economic development, I am looking forward to working with Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer, as we move our city toward jobs of the future and develop holistic models for skills training and reinvesting in the pipelines that connect New Yorkers to quality jobs. Now is the time to streamline our fragmented job market to create new opportunities for the next generation entering the workforce, all while growing the green jobs sector.”
“I applaud the administration on this impactful blueprint to spur economic development and help small businesses,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin, chair, Committee on Small Business. “In particular, I am thrilled that the administration included my proposal to subsidize BIDs that suffer from inequity and increase their funding. By investing in under-resourced, smaller BIDs, we can help thousands of struggling small businesses survive this pandemic. Aiding our commercial corridors is of paramount importance, and I thank Mayor Eric Adams for including this initiative in the ‘Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.’”
“Last January, I stood on the front lines of the labor strike at Hunts Point Market, advocating on behalf of workers demanding fair wages and health care benefits,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez, chair, Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. “It’s wonderful to see Mayor Adams highlighting these same workers, as he announces his blueprint for economic recovery, which includes fundamental policies and resources our businesses and workers need to bring New York City back to its pre-pandemic vibrancy. Our city is ready to ‘Rebuild, Renew, and Reinvent’ itself for a post pandemic revitalization, and I want to thank Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and my fellow councilmembers for prioritizing workers’ equity and economic development.”
“The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the hardest in low-income communities, communities of color, and the service sector, many of whom are still struggling to recover,” said New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera. “In our pursuit of a just and equitable pandemic recovery, we must invest in these communities and build pathways to high-growth industries, such as technology and life sciences, for all New Yorkers. I applaud Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer on the development of this creative and robust plan for our recovery and look forward to working closely together on key initiatives in District 2 and throughout New York City.”
“We’re delighted to see real investments in building a talent pipeline,” said Sandi Vito, executive director, 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Funds. “Critical workforce shortages in the healthcare sector threaten our city’s well-being. Resources to grow and train the healthcare workforce couldn’t be more important and will result in good jobs for New Yorkers.”
“New Yorkers deserve a comprehensive vision for an equitable economy that brings a bold, worker-led recovery from COVID-19,” said Kyle Bragg, president, 32BJ SEIU. “I commend the mayor for his leadership and commitment to our city’s comeback, and as City Hall develops the details around this plan, I look forward to partnering with them to lift up working people.”
“People working in the performing arts and entertainment community enrich the lives of everyone,” said Brian Stokes Mitchell, chair, Actors Fund. “Those on stage and behind the scenes play important roles in the economic health of New York City.”
“Mayor Adams understands that our office workers are critical to the survival of our beloved local shops, immigrant entrepreneurs, and cultural gems,” said Jessica Lappin, president, Alliance for Downtown New York. “This plan also puts a valuable premium on fostering the quality jobs that we need for our future. The planned Climate Solutions Center on Governors Island is a key piece of that puzzle and has vast potential for creating jobs in emerging industries. Moreover, the center will also be a magnet for attracting the minds and developing the technologies we need to preserve our fragile world.”
“We are enthused that this interagency approach to planning New York City’s economic recovery prioritizes inclusivity,” said Melva M. Miller, CEO, Association for a Better New York. “By focusing not only on the traditional indicators for economic growth, but also on the intersection of improving quality of life and advancement opportunities for all New Yorkers, this plan outlines a strategy to invest in our residents, communities, and industry sectors to revitalize and build a better New York.”
“Tourism is crucial to the success of Broadway as well as the greater New York City area,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president, Broadway League. “Sixty-five percent of our audiences hail from outside the tri-state area, and that represents more than 9.5 million theatergoers who visit the city to enjoy Broadway shows as well as take in all the exciting offerings that New York has to offer, from hotel stays to dining to nonstop shopping. NYC & Company is a great partner in helping us get the word out about the 41 theaters who produce spectacular year-round entertainment. We applaud the mayor’s support to enhance the great marketing done by NYC & Company to help bring the hospitality industry back from the pandemic losses.”
“There has been a dire need to chart a course to economic recovery for our five boroughs’ small businesses,” said Lisa Sorin, president, Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “As we move through what are hopefully the waning days of the pandemic, we are energized by Mayor Adams’ commitment to help revitalize recovery and enhance economic development efforts with a focus on underserved commercial corridors, so that small business owners can reposition for success.”
“We at the Bronx Museum of the Arts strongly support Mayor Adams’ plan to accelerate and revitalize the economy of New York City,” said Klaudio Rodriguez, executive director, Bronx Museum of the Arts. “Community-oriented cultural institutions like ours are pivotal to the economic health and well-being of the residents of our borough. Great cities are only as strong as its public institutions, and, with support, we are able to engage further with our community, create jobs, help drive tourism, and create opportunities. I look forward to the Bronx Museum playing a major part in helping the city’s economy come back stronger than ever before.”
“An equitable economic recovery will require a comprehensive approach that recognizes the fact that small businesses contribute almost half of all jobs to New York City’s economy,” said Randy Peers, president and CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “The programs and initiatives Mayor Adams outlined today represent a comprehensive approach, and they will empower many of our small businesses to move past the pandemic and establish a firm foundation to thrive in the future.”
“The hotel industry in New York City deeply appreciates and applauds Mayor Adams and his team for this wonderful initiative that will considerably help the hotel industry on its path to recovery from the economic damage caused by COVID-19,” said Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO, Hotel Association of New York. “We are very confident that NYC & Company will use these resources to quickly restore domestic and international travel to the levels our great city witnessed before COVID-19.”
“We are very excited to hear Mayor Adams’ vision of what New York City’s economy can become,” said Bruce Reingold, market manager, Hunts Point Cooperative Market. “As a major company located in the Food Distribution Center, employing thousands of Bronx residents, the Hunts Point Market supports any plan that will provide much needed help to our great city.”
“We are very happy to have Mayor Eric Adams here at the Hunts Point Produce Market,” said Phillip Grant, market manager, Hunts Point Produce Market. “Our merchants, who have been supporting food infrastructure for over a century, are excited by his commitment to revitalizing and updating this important food resource for millions in our city and tens of millions across the region. We look forward to working with the mayor and his economic development team on plans to allow the market to continue serving all New Yorkers and our region for decades to come.”
“Throughout the pandemic, we have heard prognostications that New York City is ‘dead’ and will never regain its position as the best city in the world,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “But today, Mayor Adams has given us the definitive roadmap back to prosperity that should quiet the naysayers and finally put that argument to rest.”
“With today’s announcement, Mayor Adams has once again demonstrated that he understands the needs of small businesses and is administering ever resource necessary for pandemic recovery,” said Arelia Taveras, president, New York State Latino Restaurant Association. “It is clear that Mayor Adams is administering every resource necessary and has a vision to bring back our city.”
“New York City and NYU’s trajectories are inextricably tied together,” said Andrew Hamilton, president, New York University. “We not only recognize that, but we also consider it a point of pride. Every sector of New York City’s economy needs to be ready to do its part to contribute to our economic revival, and we are grateful for the city’s leadership in bringing higher education into this effort. NYU looks forward to playing an active role in shaping New York City’s next chapter.”
“Rebuilding our economy after the pandemic cannot be a matter of restoring conditions to the way they were, because those conditions were unacceptable and made Hunts Point more vulnerable to the public health threat posed by COVID-19 and exposed longstanding inequities in our economy,” said Maria Torres, president and CEO, The Point Community Development Corporation. “We need to do better — by addressing enduring economic and environmental justice challenges that have held our community back.”
“A robust economic recovery for New York City will require us to be firing on all cylinders,” said James Whelan, president, Real Estate Board of New York. “Mayor Adams’ plan does just that. We are committed to working closely with the Adams administration and other stakeholders to support the mayor’s comprehensive plan for New York’s economic recovery.”
“Our regional and national economies cannot recover or reach their full potential if New York City does not lead the way,” said Tom Wright, president and CEO, Regional Plan Association. “The Regional Plan Association commends Mayor Eric Adams and his administration for developing a blueprint for economic recovery that focuses on the needs of all New Yorkers, including workforce development, improvements to the public realm, and improving public transit. We look forward to working with the Adams administration to ensure this plan lifts the city’s economy and, with it, the fortunes of the entire region.”
“New York City needs to fully reopen for business, but that also means strengthening worker protections to ensure that the jobs that are created are good jobs,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “The pandemic also highlighted the injustices built into certain jobs — like app-based work — and we need reforms to expand protections for app-based delivery workers. We look forward to working with the mayor as he develops and implements his blueprint for economic recovery.”
ay of New York City supports the mayor’s blueprint for the economic recovery of New York City,” said Amy Sananman, senior vice president, United Way of New York City. “We are especially excited for the pillars centered around small business supports and workforce development, as these are timely and essential areas of focus for the communities we serve. We look forward to collaborating with the mayor’s office in the equitable and inclusive economic rebuilding of our city for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”