BROOKLYN DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • Vol 97, Issue 6
NEWS FOR BROOKLYN BUSINESSES
BROOKLYN CHAMBER TAKES D.C. BY STORM O
n October 21st and 22nd, a 60-member Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce delegation went to Washington, D.C. for our Annual Legislative Visit. This was the largest delegation ever to make the trip in the Chamber’s 97year history.
Getting Down to Business The main goal of the Annual Legislative Visit is to effectively highlight the successes of our great borough, as well as share challenges being faced by local businesses, with Brooklyn’s federal representatives. Carrying the consistent, strong message of Brooklyn being a “Borough of Makers,” the delegation met with Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congress Members Yvette D. Clarke, Dan Donovan, Hakeem Jeffries, Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Nydia M. Velázquez. In addition to the legislative meetings, the Chamber also hosted lunch receptions with Ambassador Robert W. Holleyman II, Deputy United States Trade Representative, and Congress Member Charles Rangel on October 21st; and EdwardIsaac Dovere, Senior White House Reporter for Politico, on October 22nd. Based on the feedback from our 2014 Member Issues Survey, we noted in our meetings with legislators that the top three obstacles to doing business in Brooklyn were: 1. Cost of Real Estate/Finding Available Office Space 2. Increased Cost of Providing Health Insurance for Employees 3. Government Regulations, Fines and Violations. We also highlighted the importance of incentives for business owners to expand and create jobs in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Night The crown jewel of the trip was the highly anticipated “Brooklyn Night,” held in the Kennedy Caucus Room, that showcased over 30 local food and beverage manufacturers and attracted more than 700 attendees, including several members of the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and representatives from various federal agencies. This event highlighted the critically important economic gains being made across BrookContinued on Page 2
From Our Members
Explore Brooklyn
Photo Gallery
D.C. Legislative Visit
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Craft Beverage Scene
Photo Gallery
Annual Meeting
Vistage International
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Newsmakers TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi
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