On August 17, 2016, New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a contribution $10 million toward jump-starting job growth and development in Queens‘ downtown Jamaica neighborhood.
The cash was awarded through the governor’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative in New York City, which held a competition to determine the winner.
“By capitalizing on Jamaica’s higher education institutions, cultural cornerstones and diversity, we are transforming it into a magnet for opportunity that will continue to attract private investment and generate economic activity for generations to come,” said Cuomo in a statement. “This is the beginning of a new chapter in Jamaica’s economic success story and I look forward to seeing this vibrant core of Queens move forward.”
Under the program, local officials and private sector leaders will use $300,000 of the $10 million to create a plan that will identify specific economic development, transportation, and housing projects for the area.
The plan must be completed by early next year.