Brooklyn Pols Cheer City’s Creation Of Food Manufacturing Hub
Brooklyn Brough President Eric Adams, and City Council Members Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook) and Robert Cornegy Jr. (Bed-Stuy, Northern Crown Heights) yesterday lauded the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announcing the creation of a food manufacturing hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) Annex building.
NYCEDC designated the entire 55,000 square foot space to serve up to 10 growing food manufacturing companies and expects four new companies to move into the Annex by the end of the year. Based on the agency’s projections, the full activation of the Annex building has the capacity to create over 100 new jobs in Sunset Park.
This announcement was made at the grand opening of MOMO Dressing, a family-owned Japanese salad dressing company, which is the first small food manufacturer to expand its operations to the Annex. MOMO Dressing will produce, bottle and distribute its salad dressing from their new 2,400 square foot space. The expansion has created three new jobs, and is fueling New York City’s economy by sourcing produce from companies like Gotham Greens and local farmers markets, when seasonally available.
“Brooklyn’s growing food manufacturing sector will have another opportunity to savor the sweet flavors of success with the new hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal,” said Adams. “As the Brooklyn brand continues to grow around the world, aspiring entrepreneurs have achieved success by creating products that are as unique and diverse as the borough itself. With support from NYCEDC, small businesses like MOMO Dressing are generating opportunities across Brooklyn and providing the quality jobs we need to build and sustain shared prosperity.”
“We welcome MOMO Dressing, a Japanese immigrant owned company, and congratulate them on becoming the first business to move to the new food manufacturing hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Annex building. I know that MOMO Dressing will operate in the spirit of other Sunset Park companies – that they will proudly hire locally and enrich our local community. The very real potential for job creation in Sunset Park resulting from this food manufacturing hub is tremendously important and a big reason to celebrate today,” said Menchaca.
“The food manufacturing hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal is a shining example of small businesses choosing to create their goods in New York City when given the opportunity. Small businesses are the cornerstone of New York’s economy and NYCEDC recognizes that creating a location to foster these businesses during their infancy is vital to ensuring their prosperity. Made in New York is more than the clothes that we wear or the fashion that we buy, it is also the food that feeds our families. As Chair of the NYC Committee on Small Business, I wish MOMO Dressing success in their venture and I look forward to supporting the food manufacturing revolution that is expanding throughout our City,” said Cornegy, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Small Business.
Gillibrand Pushs Bipartisan Bill In Brooklyn
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand this week toured Manufacture New York, a woman-owned fashion design and production incubator in Brooklyn for independent designers, and announced her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act legislation.
Gillibrand’s legislation would grow the apparel, textile, and wearable tech manufacturing industry in Brooklyn by creating a permanent program that designates local regions as “Manufacturing Communities,” which would put them in the front of the line to receive federal economic development funding specifically for the purpose of investing in manufacturing.
“New York City has one of the most diverse and talented workforces in the entire country, and that makes us perfectly positioned for a manufacturing boom, particularly in the apparel and textile industries,” said Gillibrand. “This bipartisan legislation would unlock millions of dollars in federal economic development funds for smart investments in high-impact projects and would leverage public-private partnerships to help create good-paying manufacturing jobs in Brooklyn, jumpstart new businesses, and grow our economy for years to come.”
The legislation also drew the support of several city and state lawmakers.
“I have been witnessing and supporting Brooklyn’s capacity to serve as a major manufacturing hub, especially when it comes to preserving New York’s waterfront for industrial use. Keeping our production at home provides quality employment opportunities for our neighbors and stimulates our economy. Senator Gillibrand understands the value in promoting local industries and I am so pleased to have her on our team. I will continue to support her efforts to push this legislation forward from both Brooklyn and Albany,” said State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (Sunset Park, Bed-Stuy, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill).
We need this legislation to strengthen our industrial zones against the forces of residential conversion. Our immigrant New Yorkers are ready to work in these manufacturing spaces – revitalizing an industry that, like immigrants, are part of the foundation and success of this city. In New York City, we will revitalize manufacturing and I truly believe that manufacturing can forever be a part of this city’s economic landscape,” said City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Red Hook, Sunset Park).
Squadron Issues Summer Report
State Sen. Daniel Squadron (Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) yesterday issued his summer report listing issues he’s working on and other issues in his district.
Among the issues he’s working on include:
- The MTA’s planned extensive repairs on the L train starting in 2019. Squadron organized over 30 elected officials to urge creation of an interagency working group to find ways to mitigate the closure’s impact on riders and businesses.
- The nation’s Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial. Unfortunately, many New Yorkers are effectively denied this right by unacceptable court delays. Squadron continuing to push for Kalief’s Law, to fix the state’s broken speedy trial law.
Among the important issues in neighborhoods across the district include:
- Squadron is continuing to urge that Bushwick Inlet Park move forward immediately, whatever it takes.
- When Squibb Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park was closed for repairs over two years ago, Squadron stood with residents to urge a quick reopening, ensuring safety and transparency. Finally, plans for a 2017 reopening are underway.
Constituents needing assistance with anything is encouraged to contact Squadron’s office at 212-298-5565, 718-875-1517
Hillary Launches Recruitment of GOP and Independent Supporters
The Hillary Clinton presidential campaign yesterday launched a recruitment and outreach drive to the growing number of Republicans and Independents who are stepping forward to endorse her for president.
Already this list of some 50 supporters includes three former Cabinet Secretaries, six current or former Members of the House and Senate, six former Ambassadors, five former leaders in the armed forces, nearly 20 senior Republican administration officials and numerous business or community leaders.
“Americans are looking to the next president to help bring us together to tackle the big challenges facing the country and Hillary Clinton’s bi-partisan support is the latest proof that she can work across the aisle to make us stronger together,” said Clinton’s Campaign Chair John Podesta. “Hillary Clinton’s experience and temperament make her a steady leader for this unique moment while Donald Trump is unfit, lacks the temperament, and is too dangerous to be in the Oval Office and the Situation Room. Regardless of party, voters are increasingly concerned that Trump’s tendency to bully, demean and degrade others sends the wrong message to our children.”
The list of Clinton’s Republicans and Independents includes former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Carla Hills, Senator Angus King (ME), Former Senators David Durenberger (MN) and Larry Pressler (SD), Congressman Richard Hanna (NY), Former Congresswoman Connie Morella (MD), Former Congressman Chris Shays (CT), Former Governor Arnie Carlson (MN), Former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft, and CEO Meg Whitman.
De Blasio To Sign Lactation Bill At Brooklyn Borough Hall
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will join Mayor Bill de Blasio today at a bill signing ceremony for Intro 1063-A, legislation that require municipal agencies offering services to the public to provide lactation rooms where new mothers have the ability to breastfeed or express milk in a safe and comfortable environment.
The City Council took up the legislation at Adams’ request and the main sponsor was Robert Cornegy Jr.
The ceremony will take place in Brooklyn Borough Hall, where Borough President Adams established the building’s Lactation Lounge that opened last Mother’s Day. It is slated for 12 noon at 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Reichard Takes Donovan To Task For Zika Views
Democratic Candidate for Congress Richard Reichard and opponent to Republican incumbent Daniel Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) recently criticized Donovan for “his hypocrisy of misrepresenting the Republican Congress’s inaction on the Zika virus.
Reichard said Donovan used the media to falsely accuse House and Senate Democrats of inaction because they oppose a Republican poison pill laden bill that doesn’t actually fund the battle against Zika.
Instead of actually funding research and prevention, the legislation reallocates needed Ebola money to Zika, weakens the Clean Water Act, prohibits funding towards preventing pregnancies with the potential of Zika related birth defects. The Republican bill also bizarrely permits Confederate flags to fly at military cemeteries.
“Ebola has been contained, not eradicated. Taking money away from Ebola prevention is short-sighted. It has been proven that the Zika virus can be transmitted through sexual contact, cutting off funding to organizations that provides contraceptive services is therefore irresponsible,” said Reichard.
Nets Hold Auditions For Brooklyn Nets Kids Dance Team
The Brooklyn Nets are holding open auditions for the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team this Sunday.
The Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team will perform at Brooklyn Nets home games at Barclays Center during the 2016-17 season and represent the Brooklyn Nets at events and media appearances throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Celebrity choreographer Tanisha Scott will return as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets Kids. Scott is a three-time MTV VMA-nominated choreographer who has worked with Beyoncé, JAY Z, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Sean Paul. Most recently, Scott worked with Drake to choreograph the artist’s popular Hotline Bling video.
Members of the Brooklyn Nets Kids dance team have performed with renowned artists including Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey, and have also been featured on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance.
The audition is slated for 10:30 a.m., Sunday, August 14 at the LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre on the LIU Brooklyn campus at 1 University Plaza. Registration begins at 10 a.m.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Doors open at 10 a.m., audition begins at 10:30 a.m.
- Seeking boys and girls ages 6-13 with at least two years of dance training.
- Dancers will be asked to demonstrate their ability to learn and perform choreography.
- Tumbling and break-dancing skills are a plus, but not required.
- Participants should wear dance attire and non-marking sneakers or dance shoes.
- One parent or legal guardian must be present at registration to sign a participation waiver.
- Only those auditioning will be allowed into the gymnasium.
- Finalists may be kept until 3:30 p.m.
- Dancers who are selected must be available to attend rehearsals in Brooklyn once a week, as well as Saturday and Sunday home games at Barclays Center.
For more information about the auditions, please visit http://www.nba.com/nets/16-17-kids-auditions.
