Michaela Crater (SBIDC) on industrial businesses in green economy
Michaela Crater of Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation describes 40 years serving industrial companies in Sunset Park, Red Hook, and Gowanus, placing 2,000+ New Yorkers in jobs since 2017. She urges using existing industrial infrastructure for climate solutions, noting SBIDC has engaged 500+ businesses and referred 140 to offshore wind contractors, with 70% being MWBEs.
Good afternoon, my name is Michaela Crater and I'm speaking on behalf of Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation.
Thank you chairs and the members of the committees for the opportunity to share our thoughts.
SBIDC has served industrial companies and workers of Sunset Park, Red Hook, and Gowanus for over 40 years.
Each year we provide direct technical assistance and advocacy to approximately 250 businesses and since 2017 we have helped place over 2,000 New Yorkers in equality family sustaining jobs.
Today we urge the committees to use their authority to ensure that the next chapter of the Green Economy Action Plan is implemented through the city's existing industrial infrastructure, the businesses that make, mend, move, and maintain New York.
To ensure climate solutions are homegrown, the city must build on existing industrial assets.
SBIDC and our partners across the five boroughs have a block-by-block knowledge of industrial business areas built over decades.
We help businesses navigate city agencies and utilities, address quality of life concerns, connect companies to workforce and training resources, and serve as the trusted intermediary when agencies need our help.
Across our green economy programs, SBIDC has actually engaged more than 500 businesses and referred 140 businesses to offshore wind contractors.
70% of those participating businesses are MWBEs.
And we have demonstrated that targeted...
Industrial support can advance with climate-inclusive economic development goals.
We urgently encourage the committees to continue and expand green economy investments, modernize industrial financing and business support tools, coordinate city policy around industrial implementation.
New York City's industrial companies have operated through recessions, super storms, pandemics, and waves of displacement.
The city should use this existing infrastructure to meet the climate challenge, create quality jobs, and ensure that the green economy is built by and for New Yorkers.
Thank you.