The Future of Queens in Post Generative AI World
An Interview with Queens Chamber of Commerce President Tom Grech by Frank Casale, Founder of the Institute for Robotic Process Automation & Artificial Intelligence.
Frank Casale:
So, Tom, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. Let's start with one of the saddest days of your life, but something I know that's jet fuel for your motivation, especially in the tech space. Absolutely. Tell the story.
Tom Grech:
Absolutely. The saddest day of my professional life was Valentine's Day of 2019, which I call the Valentine's Day Massacre. It was when Amazon pulled out of coming to Queens. Out of the 238 responses to their RFP from across the entire country, they chose Queens.. But due to some issues, we lost them. This event made me think about why they chose Queens in the first place.
There are a few key factors. Number 1 is our diversity:Out of the 3,068 counties in America, we are the most diverse. For a global company, that’s huge. Number 2 is our educational system: We have seven colleges and universities in Queens with 100,000 students. Queens College graduates the most computer science majors in New York City. And number 3 is our transportation network: LaGuardia Airport just underwent an $8 billion overhaul, and JFK is in the middle of a $22 billion overhaul. If you’re flying into New York City, you’re coming through Queens.
Frank Casale:
So, you take the lemons and make some lemonade. So, you have this tier-one recognizable brand and arguably the top tech company on the planet. Fast forward to the present. What is it that you're doing in the chamber to attract tech companies to Queens?
Tom Grech:
The first thing we did wasform the Queen's Tech Council as part of the Queen's Chamber of Commerce. The first company I asked to join was Amazon, and they immediately said yes. Following Amazon, Facebook (now Meta), Google, and Cornell Tech Center joined. The goal was to amplify the reasons that Amazon chose us. We now have six tech incubators throughout Queens County, including downtown Jamaica, the Rockaways, East Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Queens College, and Long Island City. We've received over 250 applicants for these tech incubators, with 78% being minority women-owned tech startups.
Frank Casale:
Leading a startup is tough enough, but there are additional challenges if you are a minority or a woman-owned business. It's very encouraging for those that you talk to. We'll make sure we get the word out.
I grew up in Queens, so I'm very favorable to Queens, but my network is global. Typically, once a startup gets to a certain point, either the leader or the investors push them to come to the U.S.
When they do, they don't know where to go. They look at Boston, Austin, Silicon Valley, Miami, and increasingly, Queens. Why is that, as you see it?
Tom Grech:
Our diversity is a huge piece. An old business school case about the demise of the Chevrolet brand Nova in Mexico highlights the importance of localization. Without it, products can't succeed. On the flip side, companies can beta test their products right here in Queens because of our diverse market. We're also the underdog borough, and we are building an environment where minority and women-owned startups can prosper. With the financial center of the world just seven miles away in Manhattan, we're also working on raising $50 million for the Queen's Innovation Foundation to continue our programming and invest in these startups.
Frank Casale:
One of my startups, Tranquilla, is fortunate enough to be accepted into your program. We're really excited and I can tell you, as a New Yorker, we do a lot of business in Manhattan, but it's too expensive to be there. Queens is minutes away and offers a dream location for employees and startups alike.
Tom Grech:
The marketplace here is vast, with a very deep and wide talent pool. For example, 48% of computer science students at Queens College are foreign-born. Companies that start up here get to employ these eager and talented individuals. Tranquilla, with great opportunities in the ed-tech space, will be our inaugural EdTech partner at St. John's University, one of the largest Catholic colleges in America.
Frank Casale:
I'm a super connector in the AI space globally. In Queens, you're the go-to guy. You're very passionate about helping companies connect and grow, and it’s a big plus for those in the program to plug into your network.
Tom Grech:
Last summer, you came to me with the idea of Women in AI. We had a huge luncheon kickoff with women from all over the world at our Queen's Business Expo at Citi Field. These women came from places like New York, London, Argentina, and Colombia. It was a global program that gave Queens a lot of notoriety.
Diversity and supporting MWBEs are not just monikers for us; they are a lifestyle. Right next to my building is Jackson Heights, the most diverse zip code in America. We find talent and opportunities right here.
Frank Casale:
With investments being made in real estate, sports centers, and dining places, Queens is an epicenter of action and activity. Anything you can share about the future developments?
Tom Grech:
We're announcing next week that on June 17th at Citi Field, we're holding an event called 'Queens, the next Mecca of Sports and Entertainment.' We'll have representatives from the New York Mets, New York City Football Club, USTA, Queens Museum, Queens Theatre in the Park, and more. In five years, you won’t recognize this area. It will be an ecosystem of business, tourism, dining, and technology. We're planning to build one of our largest tech incubators in this compound as well.
Queens is the right place at the right time. If you want to grow your business or live your life to the fullest, Queens is the place to be.
Frank Casale:
Thank you, Tom. You're doing great things, brother.
Tom Grech:
My pleasure, man. God bless and thank you.
Connect with Tom Grech and learn more about the Queens Chamber of Commerce
Connect with Frank Casale and learn more about the Generative AI Network