JFKR Community Development Program
A major objective of the Port Authority is to ensure that we are being a good neighbor to the communities in which we operate. Underscoring that objective, the JFK Redevelopment Program (JFKR) seeks to minimize negative impacts caused by construction and airport operations on its neighboring communities, while also strengthening economic ties between the airport and the community.
By strengthening our community ties, we help to ensure that local residents can access employment opportunities, Local Business Enterprises (LBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women-owned Business Enterprises (WBEs) can access contracting opportunities offered by the Redevelopment Program, and students can explore education and career pathways in aviation.
To achieve this objective, the JFKR Community Outreach team has created and manages a Community Development Program — supported and jointly funded by the Port Authority, the New Terminal One, JFKIAT, Delta Air Lines, JFK Millennium Partners, and American Airlines.
Community Development Program Initiatives
The Community Development Program initiatives are developed based on the goals of JFKR and the needs of the community, incorporating feedback and suggestions from the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council and its Committees.
Each Community Advisory Council Committee has a focus area that is based on Redevelopment Program’s community development goals.
- Business Development
- Career/Workforce Development
- Education
- Environmental Stewardship
To be eligible for inclusion in the Community Development Program, an initiative must facilitate the JFKR in meeting one or more of the following goals:
- Meet or exceed the thirty percent (30%) MBE and WBE (collectively, “MWBE”) participation goal.
- Meet or exceed the thirty percent (30%) Airport Concessions Disadvantage Business Enterprises (ACDBE) participation goal.
- Provide contracting opportunities for LBEs in the community.
- Establish and sustain a pool of MWBEs and LBEs to meet ongoing and future MWBE participation goals and LBE participation goals at the Airport
- Facilitate employment of local residents of the community
- Facilitate membership in building and construction trade unions for local residents of the community.
- Facilitate second-chance employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and others with past involvement in the criminal justice system residing in the community.
- Facilitate second-chance employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and others with past involvement in the criminal justice system residing in the community.
- Grow the community-based, long-term aviation workforce via primary, secondary and higher education and vocational training.
- Grow the community-based, long-term aviation workforce via primary, secondary and higher education and vocational training.
- Directly demonstrating an environmental stewardship towards the community as a result of the JFKR.
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Community Development Program, an initiative must have each of the following characteristics:
- Nexus: projects must have a discrete and definable connection to the JFKR.
- Impactful: projects must either (A) make a meaningful difference in growing the economy of the community and increasing the capacity for businesses and the current and future workforce in the community or (B) demonstrate environmental stewardship.
In addition, the following characteristics are also considered:
- Scalable: the size and scope of a project is capable of being increased or decreased based on varying needs and available resources.
- Inclusive: the project allows for incorporation of, and partnership with, Community-based service organizations.
- Synergistic/Non-Duplicative: the project strengthens, builds upon and/or incorporates current Community institutions offering similar services, if any.
While individual initiatives may focus on benefits in a specific neighborhood or geographic area within the community, the initiative should be geographically balanced on the whole, enhancing services across the entire community.
Current Initiatives
On July 26, 2023, the Port Authority announced the launch of the JFK Institute of Concessions (IOC), a community development initiative designed to equip local and diverse businesses with the knowledge and applied skills necessary to successfully operate concessions at JFK Airport.
The IOC teaches vital competencies that cover a range of topics including, but not limited to, Airport 101, financial investments, design and buildout, legal operating models, security and customer experience. Participants will also have exposure to day-to-day operations of airport concessions and will practice responding to solicitations through mock role-play activities. Graduates of the IOC will serve as a curated pool of competent local and diverse businesses for the Port Authority and its partners to consider as potential concessionaires through a competitive bidding process.
The IOC advances the JFK Redevelopment Program’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by supporting and empowering the businesses that need it most. If you or someone you know owns a local or minority- or woman-owned business that could benefit from IOC training, we encourage you consider this enriching program.
For any questions about the IOC, send an email to [email protected].
Enrollment for our first cohort is now open until August 25, 2023. Click below to start an application.
The JFK Redevelopment Program Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerospace STEM Program at York College aims to expose local youth to science, technology, engineering and math concepts related to aviation, aeronautics and airport management, as well as to introduce them to leadership and career opportunities in the industry.
Through its long-standing relationship with York College, the Redevelopment Program will provide, at least, 700 students with aviation-related educational opportunities throughout the school year. Classes will be held on Saturdays during the Fall and Spring for 300 students from Grades 1-12 and Monday-Friday during the Summer for 125 students from Grades 6-12.
The JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council developed a community initiative to match local job seekers with positions in both airport construction and airport operations — with a focus on underserved neighborhood of Far Rockaway and the surrounding communities. In response, the Council for Airport Opportunity (CAO) in partnership with the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) founded the Rockaway Career Center (RCC) to ensure that the job recruiting programs and outreach are as accessible as possible.
The JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council, through the CAO has created an Office for Second Chance Employment (OSCE) to link the Port Authority’s airport employers with local organizations that aid formerly incarcerated individuals with opportunities to find jobs and positions at JFK.
Community Outreach in Press and Media
Port Authority Launches Institute of Concessions to Increase Local and Diverse Business Participation in Airport Concessions at John F. Kennedy International Airport
On July 23, 2023
Port Authority Second Chance Job Program Aims to Stop People from Going Back Behind Bars
On December 8, 2022
Governor Cuomo Announces Initial Jobs and Hiring Initiatives as Part of JFK Airport Redevelopment
On October 16, 2019
Community Input
The Community Initiative Submission period is now closed, but you can continue to submit suggestions, comments or questions by sending an email to [email protected].
As the Port Authority reviews community development initiatives for consideration by the Community Advisory Council, they are categorized as not feasible, in progress, pending or completed. The status of submissions is tracked by report.