In Conversation with…
Robert C. Lieber
New York City Deputy Mayor of Economic Development

Progress Express: What are the administration's priorities for economic development in Brooklyn?
Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber: Our Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan is helping New Yorkers by creating jobs today through a targeted training effort, support for small businesses and investment in infrastructure projects.  We are investing in the city’s long term economic growth in a variety of sectors, and building affordable and green neighborhoods in every borough for New Yorkers.
We are investing more than $60 billion over the coming 10 years in infrastructure and capital projects, including streetscape and bridge work in Brooklyn, creating tens of thousands of jobs for New Yorkers and we’re well on our way towards creating or preserving 165,000 units of affordable housing.

PE: How has the economic downturn affected progress toward fulfilling these priorities, or has it?
RL: We are working to keep New York City safe, green and attractive so that we are well positioned to capture growth moving forward.  While some timelines may need to be extended in order to achieve our goals in a fiscally prudent way, we will maintain our commitments and avoid the mistakes of the 1970s where the City sacrificed quality of life.  We’re going to continue to invest in streetscape and infrastructure in Downtown Brooklyn, we’re in the midst of rezoning Coney Island to transform it into an attractive 21st century attraction that create jobs and housing in the neighborhood and we’re expanding hours at our Workforce 1 Career Centers to help connect New Yorkers to good jobs.

PE: When do you think the economy will recover?
RL: According to the Office of Management and Budget, we expect to see the downturn continue through the second quarter of 2010, but we are working very hard to make sure that New York city is as well positioned as ever to capture growth when the economy begins to improve.

PE: In the meanwhile, what can our business community do to weather the storm?
RL: We are working with small and large businesses throughout the City to help them access resources like funds for employee training through the NYC Training Grants program to help increase efficiency and productivity and access to capital through the Capital Access Loan Program.  We’re making it easier to get permitting and licensing information by expanding our Business Express online and we’re providing financial and legal counseling services, among others, at the City’s Businesses Solution Centers.
While times are certainly tough, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to launch new businesses and we’re helping to support them with access to start up capital, lower cost space in our business incubators and mentoring opportunities.

PE: What role can businesses play in revitalizing neighborhoods?
RL: Businesses are critical to enlivening the streets and maintaining pedestrian traffic in addition to providing needed amenities throughout the neighborhood.  We are committed to helping these vital corridors remain active and attractive through our work with Business Improvement Districts.  The recently created Bed-Stuy BID became the 20th in just 7 years to be signed into law.

PE: Small businesses were traditionally the anchor of neighborhoods in years past, but that model has changed. With the increased presence of national chains in recent years, residents now have more choices. How can big and small business work together for the benefit of the borough?
RL: Small businesses have always been critical to our city’s long term success.  More than 80% of all businesses in Brooklyn employ fewer than 20 people, and across the city, more than 50% of New Yorkers work for small businesses.  That’s why so much of our five-borough economic opportunity plan is designed to help small businesses survive, and thrive, even as times get tough.

PE: What about the perceptions from outside the area – how does positioning Brooklyn for opportunity speak to a wider audience?
RL: Brooklyn is known world wide – from Coney Island’s iconic amusements to the artist lofts of DUMBO.  Downtown Brooklyn is the city’s third-largest central business district and home to some of the city’s leading companies and firms.  With great private sector and nonprofit partners, we are confident Brooklyn will continue to attract residents, visitors and businesses from all across the globe.

PE: How will the influx of stimulus money from the federal government affect Brooklyn?
RL: While final details remain in flux, New York City expects to benefit from about $4 billion in expense funding and about $500 million in capital funding from the Federal stimulus package. So far we’ve announced projects in all five boroughs receiving stimulus funding including $261 million dollars in direct funding to 6 transportation projects, and indirect funding to an additional 25 transportation projects creating 32,000 jobs as well as $423 million in funding to projects in NYCHA developments, including $181.4 to Brooklyn developments, creating 3,250 jobs.  $48 million in Community Block Development Grants will be used to help homeowners at-risk of foreclosure, stabilize homeless adults and transition them to permanent housing, and expand other existing City programs that are keeping New York City’s neighborhoods vibrant. And green financing as part of the city’s new Green building code will create some 19,000 additional jobs in districts like Downtown Brooklyn and others.