26 The QUEE NS Courier • MARCH 24, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com THE COURIER/Photo by Erica Siudzinski Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Queens Chamber of Commerce on March 18 to speak to prominent Queens business owners and innovators. (From left: Victoria Schneps, former Borough President Claire Shulman and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul) State’s second-highest executive talks progress at Queens Chamber of Commerce By Erica Siudzinski [email protected]/@QueensCourier Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Queens Chamber of Commerce on March 18 to tout the progress made in drawing business to New York State and address the changing face of Queens. Among other achievements, Hochul cited the revitalization and commercial development of Queens as one of the crown jewels of New York. “There was a time when Queens was primarily neighborhoods and families, before it fell on harder times: the boarded-up storefronts, and the migration of people elsewhere,” Hochul said. “It took a little time to reimagine the new Queens and the future that we see now.” New York is seeing a “renaissance” under Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to Hochul, who cited the influx of diverse individuals into Queens as a major driver of the borough’s economic development. She praised business incubators in Flushing and other Queens neighborhoods for fostering a renewed sense of entrepreneurial spirit in the borough. Incubators are designed to help fledgling, entrepreneurial and startup enterprises flourish, by providing office space, management training and other services. “People have really rediscovered it,” she said. “We’re looking at neighborhoods that are being transformed, literally before our eyes.” Hochul stressed how Cuomo’s efforts to get the Albany legislature to “play nice” helped produce a balanced, on-time budget; turned an “inherited” $10 billion deficit into a $5 billion surplus; and saw unemployment rates drop 3 to 5 percent. It’s all part of Cuomo’s vision to bring upstate and downstate together to produce “a greater sense of one New York,” according to Hochul. It may sound nice, but it’s not all playground politics. A united legislature is necessary to combat what Hochul called New York State’s “anti-business, high-tax reputation” that has driven companies away for years. By lowering taxes and drafting commerce-friendly legislation, Cuomo hopes to create an incentive for new businesses to settle in the state. “These are incredibly smart people, who could be going anywhere in the country,” Hochul said of the influx of business innovators. “We’re really the canary in the mine. If things were not going well, they wouldn’t stay here. The fact that they’re staying here, investing, incubating ideas, that is a great phenomenon.” BGCMQ Club Member Maria with Esther & Chef Reuben from London Lennie’s THIS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FUNDRAISER WAS A GLOBAL AFFAIR PHOTOS COURTESY OF METRO QUENS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens held its 12th Annual Global Cuisine of Queens event on March 15th at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach. The event was attended by over 200 business and community leaders, as well as friends of the Club, and raised over $30,000 to support the programs and activities the Club provides to over 1,300 at-risk youth in Queens. Guests were treated to gourmet cuisine, desserts, and fine wines donated generously by 18 of the area’s finest eateries, caterers, and bakeries in Queens. The Coca Cola Bottling Co. of New York supplied the soft drinks and water and Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills provided the beer. “We want to thank all of the sponsors, and restaurants, bakeries, and wineries for their continued generosity and helping to make the evening a success. Their support enables us to truly make a difference in the lives of the children we serve,” said John J. DeCristoforo, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens. “We also want to extend a special thank you to Mr. Frank Russo and Russo’s on the Bay for their hospitality and longstanding commitment to the Club and our mission.” Left to right George Russo, BGCMQ Board Chairman & Joe Liana, BGCMQ Board President BGCMQ Club Member Jasmin with owners of Xahar Thai
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