Continues Shared Commitment to Elevating Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs in the World’s Borough

 Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) and the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) today announced a new round of grant recipients as part of the Southeast Queens Business Incubator – a cutting-edge program that answers a direct community demand to uplift and support the borough’s entrepreneurs. Finalization of the third cohort in the program represents RWNYC’s nearly 15-year commitment to support small businesses in the borough.

“The Southeast Queens Business Incubator continues to give our borough’s entrepreneurs the helping hand they need to get to the next level,” said Michelle Stoddart, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Resorts World New York City. “Resorts World heard the need from our partners in government and our community leaders for a program like this, and we were more than proud to work with RDRC to answer. We cannot wait to see what opportunities await these small businesses in the future.”

“Resorts World New York City has been a boon to the Queens economy, with a clear eye on maximizing the potential of this borough,” said Kevin Alexander, MPA, President and CEO of the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation. “Their support of the Southeast Queens Business Incubator will have lasting impacts for generations to come. RDRC is proud to work with them on this program and make Queens the economic engine of New York City.”

This year’s winners represent entrepreneurs working in educational entertainment, handcrafted goods, event space and fashion. The winners include:

• First Place Winner: Sharmeika Davis-Boyd of QikyKidz
• Second Place Winner: Richard Adofo of SpaceAgey Leather
• Third Place Winner(s): Charmaine Fisher & Khalilah Johnson of Mingles Event Space & Kreations by Kae

 The Southeast Queens Business Incubator launched in Fall 2024 through the support of a grant from RWNYC. With this latest cohort, which completed the program earlier this month, the Southeast Queens Business Incubator has officially graduated more than 40 small businesses. The rigorous eight-week course focuses on management operations, budgeting and accounting, marketing and e-commerce, supply chain management, and access-to-capital solutions.

The program’s mission is to help Southeast Queens entrepreneurs compete for new business, contracts and opportunities in the area, such as RWNYC’s proposed $5.5 billion expansion, the redevelopment of JFK Airport, and other projects.

Those going through the program experience:

• A curriculum developed by CUNY/York College Small Business Development Center, Modern Community Capital, and RDRC
• Workshops on a range of topics and tools including social media, AI, LivePlan, Canva, and PowerPoint
• Mentorship from an advisor affiliated with a New York State Small Business Development Center
• “Café Hours” for fellows to receive additional assistance
• Assistance with MWBE, ADCBE, DBE, and VDBE certification applications

Since the Business Incubator’s launch, the program has now awarded $36,000 to nine pitch competition winners across three cohorts. The program plans to award an additional $12,000 to three new fellows as part of the fourth session set to begin later this fall.

Support for the Southeast Queens Business Incubator reflects RWNYC’s commitment to entrepreneurs throughout the borough. New York City’s only casino launched the Community Partners program to help elevate the small businesses that make Queens such a special place. Participating small businesses offer a discount to anyone who shows their Genting Rewards membership or Resorts World employee ID badge.

 RWNYC has also sought to elevate Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises, Veteran-owned Business Enterprises, and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Enterprises. Through regular procurement fairs, RWNYC has directly engaged these companies on how they can do business with the facility. RWNYC has just as importantly worked with small businesses currently applying for their certification, helping them build the body of work to get approval.