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News ReleaseContact: Bud Perrone (212) 843-8068 or Iva Benson (212) 843-8271 SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS VOICE SUPPORT FOR PLANYC NEW YORK, MAY 23, 2007 – The following business leaders, who represent small businesses from throughout the five boroughs, today issued statements of support for Mayor Bloomberg’s bold and visionary PlaNYC initiative. The leaders are representative of a diverse group of organizations that are backing the Mayor’s proposal, including the initiation of a congestion pricing pilot program. Said New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Nick Lugo, “It will be obvious to any small business owner, including retailers and restaurant owners, who learns the full details of the PlaNYC initiative, that this plan would benefit virtually all businesses in virtually every industry throughout the five boroughs. And that’s in addition to the obvious benefits for any business person who breathes or has someone in their family who breathes.” Said Bianca Dillon of Crumpler Bags, “Traffic congestion and the air pollution from it is too much now and it will continue to worsen absent serious measures to unclog the traffic in central business districts that already causes backups and pollution on Flatbush Avenue, Queens Boulevard and the Bronx River Parkway.” Said Mark Agger of Pierless Fish Corp, “Any business that makes deliveries in the metropolitan area or relies on distributors to service them understands that a predictable congestion charge is a very small price to pay for the immense benefits of a freer, more efficient and predictable flow of goods. The efficiencies businesses will gain from a sensible congestion pricing plan will be a boon to businesses and their customers. Better a rational charge businesses can plan for than a hidden and unpredictable drain on business efficiency like the traffic we face today.” Said Jose Fernandez, President of the Bodega Association of the United States, “One thing the opposition to the congestion pricing plan consistently and purposefully fails to acknowledge is that the Mayor’s proposal hinges on accomplishing 22 practical mass transit improvements in neighborhoods that currently have gaps in commuter service before congestion pricing would be implemented.” Said David Louie, Chairmain Chinese Chamber of Commerce, "It is evident that a small group of vested interests currently opposing the plan are peddling fear not facts. They do not speak for the majority of small business owners in New York City. Pricing is a good idea that we should try, it will certainly speed deliveries and crosstown traffic on Canal Street." According to a December report issued by the Partnership for New York City, the city’s leading business organization, excess traffic congestion costs the New York metropolitan region more than $13 billion and up to 52,000 jobs every year – and the problem will only get worse. The Partnership forecasts a 20 percent increase in traffic over the next two decades absent change. Some of the industries hardest hit by excess congestion are manufacturing, trucking, service and repair, wholesale trade and construction. Said Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn S. Wylde, “Traffic congestion in New York City has crossed the dividing line that separates healthy, economically-efficient traffic flow from destructive, excess congestion. This congestion creates losses for virtually every business and industry sector in all five boroughs. Left unchecked, excess congestion will stunt the economy’s capacity for sustained growth and innovation in the years and decades ahead.” *** The Campaign for New York's Future is a coalition of civic, business, environmental, labor, community and public health organizations that support the goals and strategic direction of PlaNYC. Our goal is to make every neighborhood in NYC a great place to live and work, as well as make a significant contribution to fighting climate change. The coalition aims to encourage public debate – as well as fair and effective action – now and in the years to come. We recognize the need to both seize the opportunity for immediate action and to insure that this long-term plan evolves with continued dialogue and changing conditions.
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