One Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY, September 21, 2017: On Tuesday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams led a demonstration of cutting-edge Tek-Tiles and other design innovations from the Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator (BF+DA) that merge technology with fashion, as he unveiled $2.75 million in Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) funds from Brooklyn Borough Hall to advance economic development initiatives across the borough. The accelerator, launched by Pratt Institute at the former Pfizer building in Bedford-Stuyvesant, received $500,000 for an array of design and fashion technology equipment, including digital looms and technical embroidery machines. Borough President Adams visited with several entrepreneurs working at BF+DA, remarking on this investment’s impact on the future of fashion and Brooklyn’s economy, which has experienced a drop in the unemployment rate of more than three percent since he took office.
“Brooklyn is a destination for innovation, and what we are doing today is putting a down payment on the economic future of our borough.” said Borough President Adams. “Today’s investments not only build off my nearly $15 million in total economic development allocations, but leverage the more than $95 million in education investments I have allocated during my tenure, more than 90 percent of that to STEM infrastructure that will lay the groundwork for the job training of our workforce of today and tomorrow.”
“Congratulations to all of the worthy recipients of grants,” said Kirk Pillow, acting president of Pratt Institute. “Pratt Institute has, for well over a century, been a leader in design innovation and design education in the borough of Brooklyn. In fact, through our presence, our investment in the community, our faculty, and most of all our graduates, we have played no small part in the transformation of Brooklyn into the hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that it has become today. One of those ways in which we have invested in this community is through ventures like BF+DA, which through the wonderful leadership of its executive director Debera Johnson has created a remarkable community of brilliant people who are innovating at the cutting edge of fashion, design, technology, and sustainability to create businesses of the future. We are really excited about everything that the BF+DA has accomplished.”
Borough President Adams allocated capital funds to two new projects at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. $250,000 was granted for lighting upgrades at the space in Building 77 that is currently home to 1776 New York City, a startup incubator that Borough President Adams has partnered with on a variety of initiatives, from their participation in his Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge to his collaboration with civic tech ventures like Benefit Kitchen. Additionally, he allotted $1 million for the creation of a new urban farming incubator, a project he first announced in July as part of the rollout of Intro 1661, his City Council legislation with Council Member Rafael L. Espinal Jr. calling for the creation of a comprehensive urban agriculture plan for the city.
“As we grow and as we add high-quality middle-class jobs, that’s not a one-year proposition; that requires long-term commitment on our part and with our public and private partners,” said David Ehrenberg, president and CEO of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. “With the investment in both [1776 New York City] and other incubators around the yard, Borough President Adams really understands that in order to have the Navy Yard and to have Brooklyn really thrive, you have to not only build buildings but you also have to seed it with small businesses.”
“Borough President Adams has been an incredible supporter of entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic growth and continuous development of Brooklyn’s diverse community,” said Evan Burfield, CEO and co-founder of 1776. “We’re fortunate to be a part of that community and look forward to continuing our work with Borough President Adams and his team to grow the impact startups can have in the borough and the region.”
Finally, Borough President Adams furthered his commitment to the transformation of the Flatbush Caton Market, a commercial and cultural institution that serves as an anchor of the Caribbean community in Flatbush. His $1 million allocation to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) will go toward rejuvenating the site into a mixed-use project that will provide the neighborhood with an expanded and renovated market, new space for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), hundreds of units of 100 percent affordable housing, as well as additional classroom space and a commercial kitchen to support the long-term growth and vitality of dozens of local vendors and entrepreneurs.
“Thanks to Borough President Adams and the redevelopment of the Flatbush Caton Market, more Central Brooklyn residents will have access to the space and tools they need to grow new businesses and support their families,” said James Patchett, president and CEO of NYCEDC. “The new Caton Flats will bring 100 percent affordable housing, an expanded market, and new resources and opportunities for local small business owners. We are proud to partner with Borough President Adams and other local stakeholders to propel this transformative project forward.”
“Borough President Adams has made enormous strides to encourage economic development and prosperity in Brooklyn,” said Meredith Marshall, co-founder and managing partner of BRP Companies. “With the support of Brooklyn Borough Hall, BRP is able to play a positive role in that growth with Caton Flats. Once completed, the development will bring more than 250 affordable apartments, a new home for the Flatbush Caton Market, and dedicated community space for local small businesses to the neighborhood.”
Following remarks by recipients, Borough President Adams presented each of them with an honorary check with the seal of Brooklyn Borough Hall and an oversized check, made out to “One Brooklyn,” for economic development.
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