Rockaway Business Alliance Meeting
On Tuesday night(2/28/17) a group of over 50 business owners from Riis Park to Beach 43rd Street joined together for the inaugural meeting of the Rockaway Business Alliance. The crowd gathered at the RISE Center, a refurbished firehouse run by the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, to establish the new partnership and elect board members. Refreshments were provided by a number of businesses including Lana’s Loft, Riis Park Beach Bazaar, and Cuisine by Claudette.
The entrepreneurs mingled and re-connected with each other while members from the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance offered tours of the center. The Rockaway Institute for a Sustainable Environment, or RISE, stemmed from the need for a community space on the peninsula, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. The firehouse that previously operated there had closed in 2002. Through the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance’s efforts, they received support from the state of New York and now operate after-school programming, sustainable aquaponics, and host community gatherings in this beautifully lit space.
The new Rockaway Business Alliance heard from their interim Board Chair about the re-vamping of the former Beach 116th Street Partnership. Realizing that they could garner more resources by working together, business owners decided to expand their boundaries to include more members. With support from NYC Small Business Services and the Perch Advisors, it looks like the Rockaway Business Alliance has emerged stronger than ever before.
Harbor School Awards Dinner
This week the Hornblower Events and Cruises, NYC Ferry and the Statue Cruises teams supported the Harbor School at their yearly fundraiser. The Harbor School prepares high school students for college and gives them employable skills in the marine science and marine technology fields.
At the event, the Harbor School honored “New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery with the Captains Award for her leadership in the development of a maritime “cradle to career” pathway for NYC public school students; and the Marine Society of the City of New York with the Admirals Award for their long-standing support of Harbor School students.” An amazing accomplishment and an inspiring piece of work!
