Jamaica’s Three Downtown Business Improvement Districts are joining forces!

To streamline services, reduce unnecessary administrative overhead, maximize efficiency and better serve our business community, Jamaica’s three downtown BIDs are joining.

How? In June of 2022, City Legislation was passed to create one singular business improvement district for downtown Jamaica. One nonprofit organization will administer services within the newly-united district. This organization will have a Board of Directors comprised of local property owners, businesses, residents, and City-appointed officials as dictated by local NYC Business Improvement District (BID) Law.

When? Right now! The legislation will go into effect on 1/1/23 and the prior BID boundaries will dissolve. NYC’s Department of Small Business Services (also known as SBS - the City agency that creates and oversees the City’s BID network) will be assembling a Board of Directors. SBS will assist this new Board through the process of developing bylaws, a new budget, and program priorities to benefit the business district.

For more information on this process and SBS’s timeline, please contact the agency directly here.

Who is Providing Supplemental Sanitation? Sutphin Boulevard BID now holds the current City contract with SBS to provide supplemental Sanitation Services on Jamaica Avenue from 169th Street to Sutphin Boulevard and on Union Hall from Jamaica Avenue to Archer. Contact Sutphin Boulevard BID for more information: www.sutphinblvdbid.org.

How Can I Stay Connected/Learn More? More information will be shared as it becomes available.

'Tis the Season - Get Your Shopping Done....While Having Fun!

Join us Saturday, December 4 and Saturday, December 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout Jamaica Avenue for a new holiday event we are bringing to downtown Jamaica called 'Tis the Season! This event is designed to keep consumer dollars on Jamaica Avenue and to encourage shoppers to shop local this holiday season. There will be promotions that our small businesses will have for shoppers and our BID will enliven the sidewalk of our downtown with pop-up surprises ranging from fun giveaways, live music, a magician appearance and character photos with Jammy the Snowman and friends.

Activities Happening in downtown Jamaica on Saturday, December 4:

Below are the businesses that will be offering promotions at their locations this Saturday:

'Tis the Season Holiday Map
We're finalizing our 'Tis the Season Holiday Map and will update the final map on Friday, December 3 so that shoppers will know where to go to get some cool holiday giveaways and more on December 4 and 11.

DOT Community Advisory Board - Jamaica and Archer Avenue Busways

On Wednesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 19, the NYC Department of Transportation will host in-person, outdoor, informational open houses in Downtown Jamaica to support outreach for the Jamaica and Archer Avenues Busway project. These meetings are open to the public and participation is encouraged. Please share this flyer amongst your networks.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Parsons-Archer Pedestrian Plaza (Parsons Blvd. at Archer Ave.)

Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Queens

Please contact the Queens Borough Commissioner’s office at 212.839.2510 or email [email protected] with any questions. To request accessibility accommodations, please contact the Queens Borough Commissioner’s office by Thursday, August 12, 2021.

We are grateful to our supporters who make our work possible

NYC Department of Small Business Services: Avenue NYC Grant, Strategic Impact Grant, and Support for Revitalization of the Jamaica Avenue Clock

Council Member I. Daneek Miller (District 27): Support for Revitalization of the Jamaica Avenue Clock

JFKIAT and Partners (4GOOD Community Philanthropic Program): Programmatic Support for FY22

City Council District 24: Tree Pit Revitalization Support

Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards: General Operating and Programmatic Support

Additional In-Kind Support, Friends, and/or  All-Around Helpful Partners and Colleagues Making Jamaica Great. We Appreciate YOU!

Home Depot-Support of Parsons Clean Up

Mattone Investors-Support of Parsons Clean Up

Golden Krust, Popeye’s and Dunkin at Parsons Public Space-Support of Parsons Clean Up

SEQ Clean UP-Multiple Downtown Clean Up Initiatives

Cambria Heights Florist-Support of Parsons Clean Up

Lindon Studios-Support of Parsons Clean Up

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

York College and the SBDC

Queens Chamber of Commerce

King Manor Museum

Cultural Collaborative Jamaica

A Better Jamaica

Our World Media

Sutphin Boulevard BID

165th Street BID

Where’s the Jamaica Center Clock?! Don’t panic. The clock is in good hands :)

Don’t panic. The famous Jamaica Center clock is in good hands! Thanks to generous support from Council Member I. Daneek Miller, NYC Small Business Services; Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, our BID and Save America's Clocks have teamed up to restore this historic landmark street clock back to its former glory! We’ll have updates as we move forward but we’re hoping the clock will be back up sometime in the summer! For Additional Information visit the full NY Times article on the clock's history and renovation here. See the below photos from last Thursday's removal of the clock and view the Instagram story here!

Jamaica Avenue Falls in the Yellow Cluster: What this Means for Business

If you haven't heard, precautionary measures have been put into place to stop the spread of COVID in hot spots throughout NYC per Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio. Jamaica has been designated as a Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone which means the following:

We encourage all businesses to read up on the zones and the different guidelines you will have to follow if we are elevated to orange or red hereNOW is the time to prepare. Sign up for our BID’s emergency cell phone alert system JBID-Alerts! so that we can reach out to you if our zone or regulations change (see next article for more info). 

Next, enter NYC’s Department of Small Business Service’s business hotline into your phone—you can call them for assistance regarding closing, reopening and compliance guidelines: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). You should also visit NYC’s Department of Small Business Service’s webpage for a variety of resources and news regarding coronavirus business support (PPE Marketplace, info on reopening rules and regulations, etc., list of financing resources, and so on.)

View the rest of our E-newsletter here.

COVID-19 Updates – 4/23/20

Our BID is committed to ensuring that our local business community receives the latest resources necessary to help them weather the current coronavirus situation. We will be updating this page regularly with information we receive from City, State, Federal agencies and other respected economic development and business support institutions. Please bookmark this page and check back often.   

Know something we are missing? See something inaccurate? Please email us at  [email protected]. 

This page was last updated on 4/23/20. Items subject to change and we cannot guarantee up to the minute updates. It is your responsibility as a business to follow government directives and stay abreast of the news and changing regulation. 

Start Here (Empieza aqui*)  

Financial Support for Businesses (Loans, Grants, Capital Raising Platforms)

City of New York Loans and Grants for Small Businesses  

To help businesses affected by COVID-19, the City of New York launched employee retention grants as well as a Small Business Continuity Loan Fund in March. Both of these programs have closed.  We will update if either of these vehicles reopen. 

Federal Government Loans (Small Business Administration Loans)   

Private Grants  

For Restaurant-specific Grants/Loans, see restaurant section below. 

Organizations with Business Counselors that Can Help Businesses with Loan/Grant Applications (and more):   

Financial Support for Business (Utility Support) 

Financial Support for Business (Business Tax Support)  

Financial Support for Business (Commercial Rent Relief)  

Financial Support for Businesses (Insurance Relief)  

Per Gov. Cuomo’s announcement 3/27: Small businesses experiencing coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)  

NY State’spage on understanding Commercial Business Interruption Insurance.  

Logistical/Admin Support for Businesses  

Workplace Health and Safety

Below are updated resources to help you and your business stay safe and prevent the spread of germs.   

Business Closures & Employee Reductions/Layoffs  

Resources to Provide Laid Off Employees  

Workplace Cleaning and Sanitation  

Industry-Specific News (Restaurants)

Industry Specific News (Other) 

NYC EDC (Economic Development Corporation) is seeking businesses with the ability to quickly source and/or make needed medical supplies (e.g. face shields, gowns, ventilators, masks, and other products as needed) to support the City’s COVID-19 response. Please visit here for more information. 

Industry Specific News (Freelancers)  

Freelancers Union has a rolling list of resources and advice for 1099 workers and is regularly updating its membership on efforts to include freelancers in the various relief plans.  

Freelancers/1099 workers are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Grants (Advance) and Loans.  

Promotional Support  

Yelp is offering a variety of temporary free resources to businesses, including $100 in free advertising for restaurants offering takeout/delivery as detailed here. 

Our organization can help your business pass on important information to our 15,000 social media followers and 2,000 e-newsletter subscribers. If you offer delivery, takeout or curbside pick-up, let us know and we will promote it. If you sell gift cards, let us know and we will encourage our followers to purchase them so that you can have a continued cash flow. If you offer online shopping, facetime shopping or other innovative methods that customers can utilize to keep spending money at your establishment, let us know. Email Trey Jenkins at [email protected] and we will help promote. 

Have an update your business would like to share with the Queens eco-system? Queens Chamber is accepting business updates on its rolling COVID-19 announcement listPlease email your details to [email protected]with the subject line – QUEENS BUSINESS CORONAVIRUS UPDATES. 

NYC +Co, the City of New York’s official tourism body, is gathering and publicizing info on local businesses, cultural organizations and more for citywide promotional purposes. Make sure your business is covered.  Museums, theaters, performing arts organizations can submit a virtual experience for consideration here, Restaurants open for business can get listed here and business providing online purchases and gift card sales here.

COVID-19 Updates 5/8/20

Our BID is committed to ensuring that our local business community receives the latest resources necessary to help them weather the current coronavirus situation. We will be updating this page regularly with information we receive from City, State, Federal agencies and other respected economic development and business support institutions. Please bookmark this page and check back often.   

Know something we are missing? See something inaccurate? Please email us at  [email protected]. 

This page was last updated on 5/8/20. Items subject to change and we cannot guarantee up to the minute updates. It is your responsibility as a business to follow government directives and stay abreast of the news and changing regulation. 

Start Here (Empieza aqui*)  

Financial Support for Businesses (Loans, Grants, Capital Raising Platforms)

City of New York Loans and Grants for Small Businesses  

To help businesses affected by COVID-19, the City of New York launched employee retention grants as well as a Small Business Continuity Loan Fund in March. Both of these programs have closed.  We will update if either of these vehicles reopen. 

Federal Government Loans (Small Business Administration Loans)   

Private Grants  

For Restaurant-specific Grants/Loans, see restaurant section below. 

Organizations with Business Counselors that Can Help Businesses with Loan/Grant Applications (and more):   

Financial Support for Business (Utility Support) 

Financial Support for Business (Business Tax Support)  

Financial Support for Business (Commercial Rent Relief)  

Financial Support for Businesses (Insurance Relief)  

Per Gov. Cuomo’s announcement 3/27: Small businesses experiencing coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)  

NY State’spage on understanding Commercial Business Interruption Insurance.  

Logistical/Admin Support for Businesses  

Workplace Health and Safety

Below are updated resources to help you and your business stay safe and prevent the spread of germs.   

Business Closures & Employee Reductions/Layoffs  

Resources to Provide Laid Off Employees  

Workplace Cleaning and Sanitation  

Industry-Specific News (Restaurants)

Industry Specific News (Other) 

NYC EDC (Economic Development Corporation) is seeking businesses with the ability to quickly source and/or make needed medical supplies (e.g. face shields, gowns, ventilators, masks, and other products as needed) to support the City’s COVID-19 response. Please visit here for more information. 

Industry Specific News (Freelancers)  

Freelancers Union has a rolling list of resources and advice for 1099 workers and is regularly updating its membership on efforts to include freelancers in the various relief plans.  

Freelancers/1099 workers are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Grants (Advance) and Loans.  

Promotional Support  

Yelp is offering a variety of temporary free resources to businesses, including $100 in free advertising for restaurants offering takeout/delivery as detailed here. 

Our organization can help your business pass on important information to our 15,000 social media followers and 2,000 e-newsletter subscribers. If you offer delivery, takeout or curbside pick-up, let us know and we will promote it. If you sell gift cards, let us know and we will encourage our followers to purchase them so that you can have a continued cash flow. If you offer online shopping, facetime shopping or other innovative methods that customers can utilize to keep spending money at your establishment, let us know. Email Trey Jenkins at [email protected] and we will help promote. 

Have an update your business would like to share with the Queens eco-system? Queens Chamber is accepting business updates on its rolling COVID-19 announcement listPlease email your details to [email protected]with the subject line – QUEENS BUSINESS CORONAVIRUS UPDATES. 

NYC +Co, the City of New York’s official tourism body, is gathering and publicizing info on local businesses, cultural organizations and more for citywide promotional purposes. Make sure your business is covered.  Museums, theaters, performing arts organizations can submit a virtual experience for consideration here, Restaurants open for business can get listed here.

Essential Stores and Eateries Open on Jamaica Avenue

A number of our essential stores are open on Jamaica Avenue along with eateries that are offering delivery and takeout options. Please
take a look at the below document we have compiled. We will continue to update this document as circumstances change. Please make an effort to keep these businesses open and their staff employed by supporting them.

Click here to download the list.

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