The Boogie Downer Welcomes Fresh Direct to The Bronx!
Since taking over the Boogiedowner, I have seen my blog as an alternative information source where various community activists could express themselves, share information or rally around an idea. Often times I simply disseminate information without taking a position. As we approach our 300,000th hit on the Boogiedowner, there is an issue I cannot sit on the side lines about. The topic is related to the Fresh Direct Inc. coming to the Bronx.
Firstly, I want to clearly state which side of the line I stand on by thanking Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the BOEDC for making sure the Bronx gets it fair share of economic development funds. The residents of the Bronx have underwritten more than one project in other boroughs. It is a welcomed opportunity that some of OUR money is actually coming back this way to RETAIN 2000 New York City jobs of which almost 600 are Bronx residents currently working for Fresh Direct, and the opportunity to compete for an additional 1,000 jobs as they expand and grow in their new home in The Bronx. Another added benefit will be the opportunities that other Bronx businesses will have to provide their goods and services to Fresh Direct Inc. In fact not only do I thank the above elected officials and organizations, I see it as their responsibility to protect the Hunts Point Community and The Bronx as a whole by bringing Fresh Direct to our borough.
At a time when New Jersey is actively poaching our industrial markets in Hunts Point, inaction would have been not only reckless, but negligent. Fresh Direct Inc. trucks will deliver product from our industrial markets making sure they stay right here in the Bronx, where they belong. In addition, the electronic truck fleet Fresh Direct Inc. has agreed to purchase from Smith Electric, another new Bronx based company, has the potential to revolutionize trucking throughout America. There are tens of thousands of trucks in Hunts Point. How many employees will Smith Electric need to keep up with the demand that could be created by the revolutionary realty of trucks run on renewable energy?
Congratulations to the IDA board that did not yield to pressures from individuals, many of whom do not even live in the Bronx, who voiced their opinion against the grants to support Fresh Direct Inc.’s move to the Boogie Down. If they want to yell crony capitalism, let them do so when grant money is allocated for projects in their communities. For far to long our borough has gotten the short end of the stick. Our residents need and deserve these jobs, and now were going to have them. It is about time The Bronx got its fair share.
Kudos to all for a job well done. If you disagree, you’re welcome to comment or send your own editorials.
