FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com JANUARY 22, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Five Jamaica small businesses to receive $95K city grant to upgrade facades BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com @liamlaguerre It’s well noted that there are many major projects that indicate Jamaica will be one of the next thriving Queens areas for development and business, but local advocacy groups don’t want to look past small merchants already doing business downtown. For that reason, the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District (BID) announced it will divide a $95,000 grant from the city’s Small Business Services department (SBS) among fi ve businesses on the boulevard for projects that revitalize storefronts. The Sutphin BID was one of 80 citywide organizations to apply for a grant from SBS, and only one of seven to win. It was also the only Queens group to receive funding. By helping small businesses upgrade their facades, the BID hopes it will improve the look of the neighborhood and subsequently increase economic activity by attracting shoppers. “Jamaica has been going through a metamorphosis for years and often people focus on the big, majestic projects, but if you look around here, the heart and soul of Jamaica is the mom-andpop stores,” Councilman Rory Lancman said. “If we can help those small businesses improve their appearance, we can increase traffi c to Jamaica, making it more of a destination for people from outside this area.” The idea to apply for the grant from THE COURIER/Photo Liam La Guerre SBS began after a 2013 consumer survey, which pointed out the need to upgrade the look of businesses, according to Simone Price, executive director of the BID. “Many of the businesses on Sutphin Boulevard are unappealing, lack consistency in character or quality of signage, awnings and window displays,” Price said. “This pilot program will demonstrate the signifi cance of fi nancial investment as it relates to the positive experience when visiting the area.” The grant will cover 80 percent of construction costs for the fi ve businesses for projects that include revitalizing signage, lighting, windows and other parts of storefronts. The initiative will roll out in three phases. In phase one, which will run from January through March, the BID will collect applicants and select the businesses. During phase two, which is expected to be from April through June, the businesses will sign contracts for their projects and designs will be selected. The BID will also begin marketing the initiative and construction will begin. The fi nal phase will fi nish in December with the completion of the projects’ construction. Elizabeth Pilarte, who owns Party Moments, a store dedicated to selling party supplies, plans to apply for part of the money to get improved lighting and upgrade her storefront. “This will defi nitely bring more customers and make our business stay here and grow in Jamaica,” she said. Complete access. Complete control. Complete Banking. Complete Banking gives you even more freedom and time to do the things you love. Plus, get up to $200 when you open a new Complete Checking Plus account.* Complete Checking Plus. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark earn interest ATM fee rebates mobile check deposit Checking For more information, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. * New Complete Checking Plus account with new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defifined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. This offer is limited to one Complete Checking Plus account per household. Minimum deposit required to open a new Complete Checking Plus account is $100. No minimum balance required to be eligible for the Bonus. Direct Deposit – You will receive $100 for signing up for and receiving a recurring direct deposit of $250 or more. Tax refund checks do not qualify as direct deposit. Direct Deposits must be completed prior to 90 days after the account is opened. Debit Card Purchases – You will receive $50 for the completion of 5 debit card purchases. Each debit card purchase must be $25 or more. Online Banking Bill-payments – You will receive $50 for completing 5 online banking bill-payments via Flushing Bank’s Online Banking portal. Each online bill-pay must be $25 or more. Debit Card Purchases and Online Bill-payments must be completed prior to 60 days after the account is opened. THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ANY CUSTOMER CAN RECEIVE IS $200. The compensation will be credited to the checking account on or about the end of the month following the completion of the above qualifying transactions within the required time after account opening. A 1099 will be issued in the amount credited to your account. Other fees and restrictions may apply. All offers are subject to change and termination without prior notice at any time.
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