SoBRO: South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation

SoBRO welcomed a rising figure in state politics to its second South Bronx Leadership Forum (SBLF) of 2011 on Thursday, May 19. New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera engaged Bronx entrepreneurs, community leaders, residents, and Adult Education and Career Development students on a topic central to SoBRO’s philosophy—Responsible Community and Economic Development. In his speech, Senator Rivera highlighted four areas that he believes responsible development should strive to ensure: the right to a quality education; access to vital services such as health care, housing, and transportation; safe and secure communities; and supportive networks and associations that strengthen civil society.

Senator Rivera began his speech by emphasizing his view that the government has a responsibility to work toward the economic development of its citizens. “We need policies and actions at the state level that reflect the same values and goals we have as a community to bring about responsible community development,” he stated. “More and more, we are seeing that community organizations, not-for-profits, and foundations are taking on the roles that government used to have…and while we are all thankful that these organizations and foundations or even private individuals at times are in our lives, government must step up.”

The government’s first priority, Senator Rivera stressed, should be to provide funding for quality education. Fighting overcrowding, providing career-focused and technical education, and solid support for public universities are part of that picture. “I know this firsthand because I am an educator,” he said, referring to his position on the faculty of Pace University. Supportive networks and associations are another mainstay in community development, Senator Rivera argued. He offered an example of the Small Business Development Service at Lehman College, which offers loans and financial advice to private businesses and individuals as it partners with the college’s continuing education office.

Regarding access to vital services, Senator Rivera noted the importance of strengthening rent regulation. “Communities become unstable if people are forced out of them when rents go up,” he explained, noting that he has been working to prevent the expiration of rent regulation laws in Albany. Senator Rivera’s fourth component to generating healthy development – safe and secure communities – prompted a spirited discussion with the audience about gun violence and recidivism, or back-sliding among individuals with criminal records. The Senator described his goal of bringing SNUG to the Bronx, a program that promotes partnerships between community organizations and law enforcement to prevent gun violence.

Senator Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and studied doctoral courses in political science at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). He was elected State Senator in November 2010 for New York Senate District 33, which includes neighborhoods in the Northwest Bronx. For more information about Senator Rivera, visit his New York State Senate website at http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/gustavo-rivera.

SoBRO's South Bronx Leadership Forums (SBLFs) provide a platform for leaders to share issues in public policy, governance, and small enterprise management relevant to the Bronx area. For a photo of Senator Rivera at the SBLF, click here.