Tom Grech, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Queens Chamber of Commerce said, “The Queens Chamber of Commerce is fully behind the Metropolitan Park plan for three reasons - Jobs, jobs and jobs. Workers and families across Queens need these construction and long-term jobs and this investment is going to be a major economic shot in the arm for our local community.”

Saeeda Dunston, CEO of Elmcor, said, “Metropolitan Park is a major investment into our community and will help us achieve our mission - fostering positive life changes for individuals and families. The proposal’s significant commitment to both skills development and responsible gaming means we can do so in a sustainable way. The jobs they are creating will help more people lead self-sufficient lives and foster a strong, empowered community.” 

Costa Constantinides, Variety Boys and Girls Club, said, “This area has been an empty blight - dividing Queens from itself and missing out on an opportunity for investment. Transforming the parking lot around Citi Field in Metropolitan Park would deliver concrete benefits for communities and families across Queens in the form of good jobs, green space and areas for gaming and entertainment. Now is the time to invest in Queens. This is the plan.” 

Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, CEO & Co-Founder of Urban Upbound, said, “Tackling poverty and changing lives starts with investments into our people and economic opportunities for our community. The Metropolitan Park plan does exactly that. These smart investments will create the tools and resources needed to achieve economic mobility and self sufficiency.” 

Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, said, “The financial health and well-being of our community requires strong partnerships with stakeholders in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. By partnering with Metropolitan Park, we’re empowering traditionally underserved communities in Queens by providing culturally and linguistically competent training and employment opportunities. Thank you Metropolitan Park and everyone who is working tirelessly to strengthen Latinos and other communities of color in Queens now and for generations to come.” 

José Tejada, Executive Director of Dominico-American Society of Queens, said, “Since our founding, we have been committed to helping the Dominico-American and the hispanic low income/immigrants community develop the critical career related training they need to support themselves and their families. Metropolitan Park is the perfect partner in that mission. This is a serious investment that will help us create good-paying jobs and careers for people at every skill and education level.”

Tammy Rose, Owner of Little Friends School Sunnyside & Member of Community Board 3, said, “I’ve invested my life working to grow and improve Queens – starting with accessible child care and youth education. Frankly, I’m tired of all of the false promises and missed opportunities. Metropolitan Park is a serious investment into our communities - helping create jobs, delivering local services and support, and reconnecting communities that have been divided for too long. It’s time we put Queens first.”

Michael De Valera, Queens Small Business Owner, said, “As a business owner, I want to see visitors coming to - and staying in - Queens. That’s good for me and all of the other local businesses. This plan will create a year-round destination. That means business right here in Queens.”

Shanel Thomas Henry, Queens Small Business Owner and life-long resident of East Elmhurst Corona Community, said, ”With input from the surrounding communities, this vision has been developed the right way. These investments reflect that. It will create new parks for families and children, jobs and careers for residents and support services for local residents. It’s a win-win-win done the right way.”

Hyun T. Lee, the President of the Korean American Association of Queens, said, "I am excited to learn about the community benefit program being announced today. I've actively engaged in various visioning sessions and meetings Mr. Steve Cohen and his team organized. Upon learning about their development plan, I took the initiative to discuss it with numerous neighbors and friends, many of whom are small business owners like me in Queens. The consensus among those I spoke to is that transforming the 50-acre asphalt land into something substantial is a positive and forward-looking idea. I am optimistic that, through collective efforts, we can transform the currently vacant asphalt parking lot into something truly remarkable for the benefit of our community."

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said, “We have learned through three years of conversations with the people who live and work in Queens that serving the interests of the communities surrounding Citi Field must be at the center of this project.  Committing over $1 billion in benefits and transit improvements is critical to achieving a shared vision for the area we can all be proud of.”

Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International, said, “Hard Rock at Metropolitan Park is a long-term investment into the people and businesses of Queens. Not only will our venue bring people together for memorable shared experiences, but we can create jobs with competitive salaries and benefits and life-long careers adding to the more than 60,000 workforce we employ around the world. We’re excited to bring our unique brand of world-class entertainment – along with jobs and opportunity – to Queens.”