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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Leah Archibald, Executive Director of Evergreen
2:16:01
ยท
140 sec
Leah Archibald, Executive Director of Evergreen, testified about the organization's work supporting industrial businesses in North Brooklyn and requested budget increases for industrial programming. She emphasized the importance of their services in maintaining an equitable economy in New York City.
- Requested a 2% increase for all industrial programming funds and a 50% increase in Industrial Business Solutions Providers funding
- Asked for reinstatement of three-year contracts instead of one-year extenders for IBSP funding
- Highlighted that Evergreen leverages 80% of its budget from non-city sources to achieve contract goals for the 20% received from the city
Leah Archibald
2:16:01
Hey.
2:16:02
So I'm Leah Archibald.
2:16:04
I'm the executive director of Evergreen.
2:16:06
We're the local development corporation that works with businesses in industrial North Brooklyn to help them grow so that we can keep high quality working class jobs in our community.
2:16:17
And we have done this, right now we are funded, we get some of our funding from the Industrial Business Solutions Centers, and we have been partnering with the City Of New York on providing services to small businesses since our inception in 1982.
2:16:34
And of course, it's a budget hearing, so we're here today to ask for some budget requests.
2:16:41
As my friend Christopher noted, we would request a 2% increase for all funds for all industrial programming, a 50% increase in the industrial business solutions providers funding.
2:16:54
We would very much like to reinstitute three year contracts instead of one year extenders for the IBSP funding.
2:17:03
And finally, we would request that city council discretionary support independent project for the industrial business zones to build capacity with each of our organizations.
2:17:18
So, you know, a little bit about us.
2:17:21
We provide direct business services to industrial businesses, mostly manufacturers.
2:17:26
We help them find financing.
2:17:28
We help them navigate government.
2:17:30
We help them access incentive programs.
2:17:33
And we do this, right?
2:17:35
We're a tiny little million dollar a year organization.
2:17:38
Under 20% of our money comes from the city of New York.
2:17:42
The other 80% I raise or we get from our real estate entity.
2:17:49
And the city benefits from this because we're able to leverage that 80% of our budget to achieve the contract goals for the 20%.
2:18:03
I guess I shall close here.
2:18:05
But would really I'm speaking on behalf of all of the industrial business solutions providers.
2:18:11
We would love an opportunity to talk with you guys more about the work that we do and how important it is to maintaining an equitable economy here in the city of New York.