New On-Site Certification Guidance and Business Assistance Available at Greater Nexus
Empire State Development (ESD) and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation today announced the launch of The Nexus ESD Exchange, a partnership that brings New York State resources and expertise directly to the Southeast Queens community. Located at Greater Nexus, a shared workspace established by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the initiative provides business owners with in-person access to ESD’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (DMWBD). For more information about New York State’s MWBE program, visit https://esd.ny.gov/mwbe.
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Empire State Development is committed to making sure our MWBE certification process and business resources are accessible and responsive to the needs of entrepreneurs across the state. By embedding our staff directly in Southeast Queens through this collaboration with Greater Nexus, we are making it easier for business owners to navigate the certification process and take advantage of programs that help them grow.”
ESD Division of Minority and Women's Business Development Executive Director Jason M. Clark, Esq said, “Since 2023, we’ve cleared a decades-long MWBE certification backlog, increased the MWBE discretionary purchasing threshold to $1.5 million, and in 2024-25, helped deliver a record $3.3 billion in spending to minority- and women-owned businesses. The Nexus ESD Exchange will enable us to certify even more MWBEs so they can take advantage of the many opportunities available throughout New York State.”
Greater Jamaica Development Corporation President and CEO Justin Rodgers said, "The Nexus ESD Exchange is a natural fit. Greater Nexus was created with support from the Hochul Administration to foster small businesses and now the partnership with Empire State Development creates direct access to valuable State resources for entrepreneurs. Greater Nexus is becoming what we intended: a multi-use workplace for businesses to connect, create and collaborate. We are thrilled to have ESD involved."
Queens Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Ben Guttmann said, "We're committed to meeting Queens entrepreneurs where they are – and with this new partnership, we're excited to establish a physical presence in one of the most exciting and dynamic neighborhoods in New York. Thank you to our friends at Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and Empire State Development for their leadership in bringing this vision to life. We can't wait to see the amazing Queens success stories that grow from this collaboration."
The Nexus ESD Exchange is now open and serving business owners, with appointments available every other week at Greater Nexus. Through this collaboration, business owners will be able to meet directly with a subject-matter expert to learn about the New York State Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification process, explore opportunities to grow their businesses, and connect with additional ESD resources.
A member of the Queens Economic Development Corporation Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) will also be on site to provide instruction, training, technical assistance, and support services to individuals who are interested in starting or recently started their own business, or entrepreneurs seeking to expand or strengthen their early-stage business.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, business owners can visit thegreaternexus.com or contact [email protected].
By expanding outreach in Southeast Queens, this initiative underscores New York State’s commitment to growing the MWBE community—an essential engine of innovation, job creation, and neighborhood vitality.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About Greater Jamaica Development Corporation
Formed in 1967, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is a community-development organization that plans, promotes, coordinates and advances responsible development to revitalize Jamaica, Queens, and strengthen the region. Marshalling the resources of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, GJDC’s mission is to foster affordable residential density, attract investment in amenities that enliven downtown, and accelerate entrepreneurship and creation of quality jobs. Over the past decade, GJDC has expanded to provide additional services including a Business Services Group, a Revolving Loan Fund and designated a Community Development Financial Institution. These services support local businesses with financial assistance, personalized technical support and access to resources and growth opportunities.
Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313
Emily Mijatovic | [email protected] | (212) 803-3692