In 2011, the community organization, Asian Americans for Equality initiated the One Flushing Community Economic Development Center to organize and mobilize the business community. One Flushing published landmark report on the challenges facing Flushing’s economy, based on 400 interviews with business owners in Flushing in 2013.
Following this report, One Flushing discovered that a Flushing Chamber of Commerce was needed to improve Flushing businesses after the previous Chamber closed in 2012. With the support of business leaders, elected officials and other community stakeholders, The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce was launched as an independent membership association in November 2014 after two years of planning.
The Chamber seeks to build a strong, diverse, and sustainable community. Since our launch, we have established the first community night market, introduced a free English language program for our business community, and created lending circles to help entrepreneurs build credit. The Chamber’s coverage area is not defined by hard boundaries, it supports any business that identifies itself as a member of the Flushing community, and its borders extends to Queensboro Hill and areas of Whitestone and Fresh Meadows.
