Brooklyn's Progress
October 2002

Later this month, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will be issuing a comprehensive survey measuring the lasting effects 9/11 has had on Brooklyn Businesses. This survey is a follow-up to a similar survey issued to Chamber members in October of 2001 in direct response to the tragedy. The difference is that the current survey will be more comprehensive in scope, seeking to measure any lasting impacts of 9/11, but also looking to identify any obstacles to growth Brooklyn businesses face. The data from this survey will be invaluable in helping the Chamber inform legislators and other government officials about the many economic issues still facing businesses more than a year after the tragedy. "It is our intention to get this survey into the hands of as many Brooklyn businesses as possible" stated Randolph Peers, the Chamber's Executive Director for Workforce Development, "We know anecdotally what some of the lasting effects have been, but this survey will give us the hard data we need in order to effectively advocate for much needed assistance." The survey is being sponsored through WageWorks, a new Chamber program designed to assist businesses and workers impacted by 9/11 by providing qualifying employers with partial wage subsidies. WageWorks is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant that is being administered by the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE), one of New York City's leading employment and training organizations. "I want to encourage as many businesses as possible to participate in this survey. The more data we can collect, the more informed our analysis will be," Peers stated. The survey will be distributed by direct mail to all registered Brooklyn businesses with three or more employees. Employers that are interested in learning more about the WageWorks program can call 1- 888-WAGE-911.