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Health & Fitness

On the Campaign Trail June: Economic Recovery

As the end of June approaches, many of our college graduates are returning to the 35th with newly acquired skills and knowledge that can greatly contribute to the economic growth of our community. Although our economy has made significant strides over the past few years, it is important for us to ensure that our community can continue to attract young talent and utilize their abilities to further our goals. Given the many obstacles facing college graduates when it comes to finding jobs, it is important for me to lay out in this E-newsletter how, as your Councilmember, I will improve and sustain economic opportunities right here in our neighborhood.

With my background as a Museum Director, I understand the importance of using art as a tool to promote cultural tourism and spur economic growth in our District. Museums and other cultural institutions in Downtown Brooklyn have played a vital role in attracting investments, local and international visitors, and sustaining small businesses in our District. The Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Arts has served as a great example of how these institutions can provide afterschool programs and art education for underserved communities while creating valuable job opportunities for the citizens of our diverse community. As your Councilmember, I will continue to work towards increasing and maintaining City, State, Federal, and private dollars to make long-term investments in the world-class institutions that have contributed so much to our District.

The opening of the Barclays Center has provided us with a rare opportunity to channel sports and entertainment dollars to benefit our citizens. It is important to ensure that every success for the Arena is also a success for our business owners, non-profits, and residents of our community. That is why I will encourage local vendors, contractors, athletes, and entertainers, to learn about and contribute to the local not-for-profit organizations, small businesses, and cultural institutions that provide the economic backbone of our community. In addition, I look forward to creating a safety and traffic plan that will dynamically evolve to address the concerns of our residents and steer Arena attendees toward patronizing and supporting our local businesses.

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The 35th District is and always should be an attractive place for entrepreneurs and college graduates to open businesses and expand those that currently operate. As your Councilmember, I will promote “Buy Local” campaigns to support small businesses so that they can compete with larger companies. I will fight for tax breaks to encourage small business growth. I will fight for our District’s fair share of city funds so that we can maintain the beauty and tranquility of our cherished public parks and plazas, which serve as magnets for the visitors and investments that stimulate our local economy.

To hear more about my plans to spur our economy, please join me on June 26th for the NYC Candidates Forum on Arts and Public Policy at the 1199 SEIU Auditorium. The event will run from 5:30 to 7:30 at 310 W. 43rd St. New York, NY 10036. Attendees must use the following link to RSVP: www.artcandidatesforumnyc.eventbrite.com. For more information you can email info@cccadi.org. I hope to see you there!

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Additionally, for more information about my platform on Economic Development please visit my website at www.lauriecumbo2013.com.

Thanks,


Laurie

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