NYCEDC Announces Five Awardees for East Brooklyn Workforce Development Fund

$1.4 Million Distributed Across Five Workforce Development Organizations to Expand Job Training, Support Local Workforce in Neighborhoods Surrounding Broadway Junction

$130 Million in Public Realm Investment at Broadway Junction Advances as Project Enters ULURP

BROOKLYN, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today awarded $1.4 million to the recipients of its East Brooklyn Workforce Development Fund—advancing its commitment to long-term equitable growth in the neighborhoods surrounding Broadway Junction. Launched in November 2024, the fund aims to expand local workforce development programs that connect East Brooklyn jobseekers to employment opportunities in existing industrial and emerging construction and green economy industries. By providing seed funding for critical pre-development activities, the Fund intends to enable nonprofit organizations to incubate and deploy targeted workforce development services that respond to local needs.

Each of the five awardees has had a significant impact within their community, with a demonstrated commitment to investing in and empowering the local East Brooklyn workforce. These awards will allow for the continuation and expansion of their important work and, more broadly, lay the groundwork for NYCEDC’s investment in Broadway Junction and the East New York IBZ. The awardees include:

• Brighter Opportunity through Trade, a workforce training organization, for the expansion of a welding training and certification program, in partnership with Lambo Mechanical and Imagine That.
• Brownsville Think Tank Matters, a workforce development and community empowerment organization, for the launch of a construction upskilling program, in partnership with Monadnock Construction.
• IMPACCT Brooklyn, a workforce development and affordable housing advocacy organization, for the launch of workforce development programs in entrepreneurship and real estate/property development, in partnership with BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers, Community Mediation Services, and Urbane Development.
• Local Development Corporation of East New York, a workforce and economic development organization, for operational investments in programs that connect East Brooklyn residents to career pathways linked to major development initiatives at Broadway Junction and the Innovative Urban Village Construction Academy.
• Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, a workforce development organization, for the launch of an East Brooklyn iteration of their Renewable Energy & Sustainable Construction pre-apprenticeship program. 

“As the city continues to make significant investments into the equitable growth of East Brooklyn, it is essential that the local workforce is well equipped and connected to both the existing and newly-created jobs of tomorrow,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYCEDC is thrilled to select five nonprofits, who have already made significant local impact, to expand their community workforce programming and help grow this dynamic community into the best place to live, work, play, and learn.”

“I am thrilled to continue helping strengthen and preserve East Brooklyn's businesses through the East Brooklyn Workforce Development Fund,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “This $1.4 million is an investment in East New Yorkers and our workers. It will extend successful programs to East Brooklyn and help train more people to serve in both legacy and new, sustainable industries. Today's announcement adds to the $500 million public investment in Broadway Junction and the surrounding area, and I'm excited to partner with these businesses in the years to come.”

“These partnerships, centered around some of the area's most well-respected non-profit organizations, demonstrate a true commitment to ensuring these opportunities benefit those likely to be most impacted by this development,” said Council Member Chris Banks. “These award recipients possess strong track records centered around the engagement of local stakeholders through programs that benefit the local community in an equitable manner. I look forward to supporting this effort and working with the NYCEDC, these award recipients, and other stakeholders, to maximize access to these employment resources by constituents from Brooklyn's 42nd Council District.”

In February, NYCEDC and Council Member Sandy Nurse announced a series of progress updates as part of their commitment to improve the area around Broadway Junction station complex and the East New York Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) by delivering vibrant public space, creating family-sustaining jobs, and unlocking economic growth. NYCEDC has advanced a series of leasing opportunities on public sites to drive economic growth and create more space for new business development across the IBZ, this includes:

• Releasing a multi-site request for proposals (RFP) for two East New York IBZ sites.
• Completing a $9 million renovation of the 30,000 square foot East New York Industrial Building, at 171-201 Powell Street, managed by NYCEDC.
• Entering into lease agreements with the Industrial Building’s final two tenants, Lambo Mechanical and Centsible House, both small M/WBE businesses in construction trades and energy efficiency, that are committed to local workforce development in East Brooklyn and will bring over 30 new jobs to the IBZ over the next six years.
• Coordinating with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), to clean up and license a long-fallow 3,500 square foot vacant lot to Sure We Can, to activate the lot with a women-run recyclables-redemption facility and green community space and adding to the existing recycling ecosystem in the area.

Building on its commitment to continue investing in Broadway Junction and the East New York Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) by delivering vibrant public space, creating family-sustaining jobs, and unlocking equitable economic growth NYCEDC recently entered the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)—the next step in creating two public plazas totaling nearly one acre of new public space in Broadway Junction. Paired with the release of two RFPs for the design of a new gateway plaza at the Broadway Junction Station entrance and streetscape improvements along Broadway and Van Sinderen Avenue, the progress of these actions brings the public realm projects announced by NYCEDC in 2023 closer to fruition. NYCEDC’s public realm projects are part of a $110 million city investment and $20 million federal grant, aiming to activate underutilized public spaces around the subway complex, improve street safety and access to transit, and create new open space.

This work builds upon Mayor Adams’ 2023 public investment announcement, where alongside the City’s investment to activate underutilized public spaces around the subway complex, improve street safety, and create new open space, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced $400 million in critical accessibility and infrastructure upgrades, including seven new elevators and a new station entrance. Approximately 100,000 commuters pass through this station every day, making it the third busiest station in Brooklyn, and this administration is committed to investing in the area’s economic development potential and create quality of life improvements for residents and visitors alike.

Public realm improvements surrounding Broadway Junction were a key initiative in Mayor Adams’ and New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s “New” New York action plan, “Making New York Work for Everyone,” which identified the area as an emerging jobs hub.

“The Brighter Opportunity Through Trade Foundation, established in 2013, is eager to secure this grant to advance our mission of transforming communities through effective workforce development and public realm improvements,” said Leslie Lambert, President of Brighter Opportunity Through Trade Foundation. “Leveraging our expertise, resources, and robust local partnerships, we are well-equipped to implement initiatives that empower individuals with essential skills and knowledge for success in their careers. With your support, we can drive meaningful change and cultivate sustainable growth within the community.”

“We would like to thank the New York City Economic Development Corporation for its interest and its investment in the expansion of workforce opportunities for all New Yorkers,” said Cyrus Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Brownsville Think Tank Matters. “In particular, the support and investment in East Brooklyn residents who are interested in pursuing professional development opportunities in the construction field.  Brownsville Think Tank Matters in partnership with Monadnock Construction is excited to expand on its work in offering upskills training for residents who currently have some experience in the construction trades but need additional skills training to compete for higher paid trades and positions.”

“We applaud EDC for its efforts to build impactful partnerships with community organizations, workforce systems, and other stakeholders to drive real change,” said Executive Director Jamal C. Robinson, IMPACCT Brooklyn. “This award energizes our core vision of eradicating housing insecurity and developing strategies to train, recruit and enhance the workforce talent that we have in Brooklyn. Through partnerships with BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers, Community Mediation Services, and Urbane Development, we're creating pathways to keep residents rooted in their neighborhoods while opening doors to entrepreneurship and community development— ensuring Brooklyn's vibrancy thrives for generations to come.”

“For too long, East New York residents have been disconnected from the economic opportunities transforming our city,” said Bill Wilkins, Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation of East New York. “Through this investment, we are working to reverse historic trends of unemployment and poverty by connecting local talent to family-sustaining jobs in the growing industries shaping East Brooklyn’s future.”

“Proud of its long-standing commitment to serving East New York residents, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow is excited to expand its impact by introducing new renewable energy credential programming to the community,” said Greg Rideout and Evelyn Ortiz, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. “We are especially energized to deliver this programming in a collaborative and planful way, working alongside NYCEDC and other outstanding partners to create pathways to economic sustainability and access to unionized employment that helps break cycles of poverty.”

“Investment in the Broadway-Junction area is long overdue. We are excited and hopeful that this funding will benefit all surrounding communities, including Community Board 4,” said Robert Camacho, Brooklyn Community Board 4 Chairperson.

“The members of Community Board 16 are elated that $1.4 million is being invested into East Brooklyn with a focus on workforce development,” said Genese T. Morgan, Chairperson Brooklyn Community Board 16. “Employment has long been a critical need of the East Brooklyn community; the focused efforts and advocacy by local organizations over the years to address the issue of economic development have led us to this day. We look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on the local community.”

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity, build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.