Empire State Development (ESD) and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation have announced a new partnership to expand resources for minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in Southeast Queens. The initiative, called The Nexus ESD Exchange, is based at Greater Nexus, a shared workspace established by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
The program offers business owners in-person access to ESD’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (DMWBD), aiming to make the MWBE certification process more accessible. Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight stated, “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.”
Since 2023, ESD has addressed a longstanding backlog in MWBE certifications and raised the discretionary purchasing threshold for these businesses to $1.5 million. In fiscal year 2024-25, ESD facilitated a record $3.3 billion in spending directed toward minority- and women-owned businesses throughout New York State. Jason M. Clark, Esq., Executive Director of ESD’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development 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 commented on the partnership: “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.”
Ben Guttmann, Executive Director of Queens Economic Development Corporation added: “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 currently open with appointments available every other week at Greater Nexus. Business owners can meet directly with experts about MWBE certification processes as well as other growth opportunities provided by ESD.
Additionally, representatives from the Queens Economic Development Corporation Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers will be present on site offering instruction, training, technical assistance, and support services for those starting or expanding their own businesses.
This effort highlights New York State’s ongoing commitment to supporting MWBEs as important contributors to innovation, job creation, and neighborhood development.
More information about New York State’s MWBE program can be found at https://esd.ny.gov/mwbe.
For further details or appointment scheduling at The Nexus ESD Exchange visit thegreaternexus.com or contact [email protected].
