46business Partnership appoints new pres BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO The Long Island City Partnership has welcomed a new, yet experienced, president who will help the organization “thrive” and build the growing area. Elizabeth Lusskin, who was chief of staff and vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Polytechnic Institute of New York University, was appointed on September 25. “This is a very special time for Long Island City, which has become a hub for new development while retaining its strong industrial base, helping to reinvigorate the borough,” said Lusskin. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to build on the Long Island City Partnership’s success in supporting this ‘city within the city.’” In her new position, which she assumed on October 15, Lusskin will help strengthen connections between private and public divisions to promote Long Island City. She will help support the booming community and the NOT PASSWORD PROTECTED LIC TO GET FREE WIFI OCTOBER 2013 I LIC COURIER I www.queenscourier.com accomplishments of local organizations and businesses. “Liz is well positioned to lead the Partnership and drive its mission as new investment and existing uses combine to redefi ne the area as one of New York City’s hottest new neighborhoods and certainly one of its most diverse,” said Gary Kesner, LIC Partnership’s board chair. “As Long Island City continues to evolve, Liz has the vision and on-point experience we need to help the Partnership to thrive.” For more than two decades Lusskin worked as an attorney with an immense experience in economic development and government services. She also served as Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Development for the City of New York Department of Small Business Services, General Counsel of the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc., and Legislative Counsel in the New York State Offi ce of Federal Affairs in D.C., under Governor Mario Cuomo. Photo Courtesy Long Island City Partnership Elizabeth Lusskin assumed her role as president of the Long Island City Partnership on October 15. BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Long Island City is going wireless. Late last month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced new plans to continue expanding wireless and broadband connectivity in New York City. These initiatives include free public Wi-Fi access in the fi ve boroughs and evaluating broadband connectivity in offi ce buildings. “If New York City is going to remain competitive in the global economy, we must fi nd ways to support the entrepreneurs who are driving technological advances and creating jobs,” said Bloomberg. “With these new initiatives, we are making targeted investments to improve our city’s wireless infrastructure and expand Internet access.” The “Wireless Corridor Challenge,” which involved a competitive process beginning in the spring and was led by the city’s Economic Development Corporation, awarded fi ve organizations the opportunity to help increase wireless connectivity in commercial and residential districts throughout the city. The fi ve organizations are the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Alliance for Downtown New York/LaunchLM, Brooklyn Academy of Music, GOWEX and the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership. All the corridors, which include Downtown Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and Long Island City, are expected to launch in December. The city is providing $900,000 in funding and $3.4 million will come from private sector commitments. GOWEX will help bring free Wi-Fi access to the Long Island City area with the network being installed along the Vernon Boulevard, Jackson Avenue and Queens Plaza commercial and retail corridors. “GOWEX is excited to partner with New York City to bring free Wi-Fi to all,” said Jenaro Garcia, CEO of GOWEX. “Wi-Fi is like water, it is essential to modern life and everybody should be able to benefi t from it.” Bringing free Wi-Fi access to different areas of the city is expected to attract new businesses to the neighborhoods, increase foot traffi c and marketing within the various business districts, connect residents and visitors, and improve the quality of life. In order to keep the Long Island City community informed, the Long Island City (LIC) Partnership hosted an informational session with members of GOWEX on October 16 at Manducatis Rustica at 46-35 Vernon Boulevard. “This particular network provides unique opportunities for businesses to communicate with customers and to promote their products and service,” said Dana Frankel, district services manager of the LIC Partnership. The LIC Partnership will also host another event in November which will serve as a training session for businesses to learn how they can use the network for promotion and customer interaction.
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