Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is one of New York’s oldest not-for-profit local development corporations. Since its founding in 1967 by the Regional Plan Association and local business, civic and community leaders, GJDC has stressed economic development as it pursues its community-building mission.
GJDC envisions Downtown Jamaica as a modern and efficient mixed-use regional center offering a pleasant and productive experience for those who work, live, and visit here. We see Downtown Jamaica as a major employment center for enterprises directly connected to JFK International Airport, via the new AirTrain light rail service. We also envision a quality residential and retail community built around Jamaica’s regional transportation hub, which provides easy access to a large skilled and educated multicultural work force.
GJDC is supported by corporate and foundation grants, by government contracts and by income earned from its project operations. It has an overall annual operating budget of $12 million and a staff of 30 professionals. It owns and operates several commercial projects including small office facilities, a food market, and a public parking system of facilities serving the downtown. Its activities include planning and predevelopment work, development projects with private developers through a special entity, a real property holding company, a small business loan fund, administration of government programs in industrial retention and commercial revitalization, and the marketing of the Downtown Jamaica area.
Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is a New York State membership organization with some 85 Members; it is governed by a Board of Directors of 25 business and community leaders.
President’s Message
Message from our President, Carlisle Towery
Jamaica, Queens is New York. It is diverse, entrepreneurial, and vibrant. It has exciting commerce and street life, wonderful historic architecture, and a population from around the globe.
Unique in the city of New York, Jamaica is a thriving downtown that is affordable—to families, to artists, and to business.
Located within a 35-minute subway trip of Midtown (or 20 minutes via Long Island Rail Road) and now a 10-minute AirTrain ride to JFK International Airport, it is conveniently at the nexus of one of the region’s premier transportation hubs.
With its livable, urban center and superb accessibility, Jamaica is a growing community. New hotel, housing, office, and retail developments are planned for the area around AirTrain/Jamaica Station. A performing arts venue and a children’s wing at the Queens Public Library are opening soon. York College—the youngest senior institution in the City University system—is flourishing under a dynamic new President.
These new opportunities to live, learn, work, and play around Jamaica’s transit hub are revitalizing downtown and contributing to community life, as well as to a more prosperous and sustainable New York region.
As Jamaica takes off, I invite businesses and visitors from near and far to come explore its downtown and discover the future of New York.