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Meeks wants to lure drug firms to Jamaica

By Juan Soto

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) is in talks with the pharmaceutical industry to attract new companies to the downtown Jamaica area, using the state’s 10-year tax-free program for new businesses known as the STAR-UP NY initiative.

The idea came up during a roundtable discussion at York College Monday, with input from U.S. Trade representative Michael Froman and the college’s president, Marcia Keizs.

Meeks said combining a Start-UP NY zone in Jamaica with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regional office at Liberty Avenue could be very beneficial.

“There is a strong need to dialogue with pharmaceutical groups so they can create good jobs here,” Meeks said.

He added that “we must build upon the fact that the Food and Drug Administration is in Jamaica, and that can attract pharmaceutical companies because of the proximity to the FDA building.”

The congressman said there are 5 or 6 acres of land around York College that can be used to build state-of-the-art facilities.

“The U.S. Trade representative came up with this idea,” he said.

The efforts, added Meeks, should not be limited to American pharmaceutical companies.

“We must engage in dialogues with outside companies as well,” he said. “This kind of industry is complementary to what we already have in the area.”

Froman visited Queens to tour the facilities at John F. Kennedy International Airport that are the center of the efforts to fight illegal trafficking in wildlife.

“The high demand for wildlife products is having a devastating impact, with iconic species like elephants and rhinos facing the risk of significant decline or even extinction,” said U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in a statement.

Meeks pointed out the importance of JFK Airport to the country and the city’s economy.

“The airport is important for exporting products made in America while supporting local jobs and the local economy,” the congressman said.

Froman and Meeks got a firsthand look at the work being done at JFK. The congressman said the tour highlighted “the work at the airport to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and intercept the pirating of intellectual property.”

Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 718-260-4564.