Thomas Grech, the president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, joined “In Focus” to discuss how Willets Points businesses will be impacted by the new professional soccer stadium coming to the neighborhood.

The reconstruction plans would create 16,000 jobs, with priority and training for local residents, including 1,550 permanent jobs. Both the stadium and the hotel will be constructed by 100% union labor. Grech talked about the opportunities for community residents and how the projects will be a pipeline for local hires.

He also explained what the plan is for the existing businesses there and explains how the project will fuel the local economy.

Grech said he hopes the plans are working to build a more dynamic and equitable city for generations to come and explains how the projects will stimulate a comeback from the pandemic.

Construction is expected to break ground on the first phase of housing in 2023.

The 25,000 seat stadium is set to be completed by 2027.