Page 21 - 2021 Queens Economic Development Guide

“Queens is famous from throughout the world for diversity and tolerance. But really it’s what we have in common that makes our neighborhoods work, our students succeed and our families able to care for children and grandparents as they can.”
—Congresswoman Grace Meng
Land of Opportunity
Queens continues to deliver on America’s promise as the land of opportunity for immigrants from
all over the world. This blossoming borough attracts a growing population, with over 2.3 million residents from over 130 countries. Nearly 48% of the population is born abroad – more than four times the national average and higher than any other county in the nation.
A Thriving Asian Community
A striking 23 percent of residents are Asian— more than triple the national and statewide averages— and 28 percent are Hispanic. Queens has become New York City’s fastest- growing borough, fueled by a recent influx of new families, young professionals and businesses both large and small.
Proud to Celebrate Who We Are
The Queens Borough Hall hosts a wide range of official special events of culture and heritage annually. These include observances of Diwali, Kwanzaa, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Black History Month, Haitian Independence Day and Indian Independence Day, as well as events that celebrate LGBTQIA, PRIDE, and Caribbean Culture, among many others.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Flushing is home to Queens’ first—and largest—Chinatown neighborhood. As such, the area’s Lunar New Year Parade is a huge draw each year, with vibrant costumes, floats, dancing and traditional Chinese celebrations.
The Queens Botanical Garden kept the celebrations going with a Lunar New Year observance at the Garden going all month long.
I like to go anywhere in Queens. If you take the 7 train, you’ll go through Long Island City; the Filipino
part of Sunnyside; then you go through Woodside, which
is Irish, Colombian, Central American; then you go to 74th Street, which is Indian; then you’re
in Corona, which is Mexican. Then you go to Shea Stadium—I mean Citi Field—and there are Chinese and Korean people in Flushing. Every stop is a neighborhood. You can walk down Roosevelt Avenue and you’ve lived in a whole world.
—Colin Quinn, comedian
www.queenschamber.org 19
© Courtesy: Queens Tourism Council