Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito today launched "Nine in '09" - a new initiative that encourages residents to explore nine highlighted, culturally-diverse neighborhoods across the five boroughs with distinct cultural, retail, dining and entertainment offerings. Developed by NYC & Company, New York City's tourism, marketing and partnerships organization, and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, the "Nine in '09" campaign will run through mid June and will be supported with a five-borough media marketing promotion that includes bus shelters, radio spots and newspaper advertisements. Sample itineraries with neighborhood information available at www.nycgo.com/destinations. Promoting economic activity in neighborhoods across New York City is part of the City's Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan to create jobs for New Yorkers today, implement a vision for long-term economic growth, and build affordable, attractive neighborhoods. The campaign was launched at FB Lounge in El Barrio/East Harlem, one of the nine highlighted neighborhoods.

"In today's troubled economic climate, many New Yorkers feel that they have to postpone vacation plans and stay home this summer," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The 'Nine in '09' campaign reminds us of the wonderful mix of cultures and diversity that can be found across the five boroughs. The nine neighborhoods we are highlighting are just a sampling of all there is to see and do, and exploring them is a great way to take a world-class vacation while supporting our local economy. From Little Ireland in the Bronx to Little Sri Lanka in Staten Island, New York City's neighborhoods offer more sights, sounds and tastes than anyplace in the world."

"As we announced at the State of the City address, the Council is working as hard as possible to ensure that New York City's local businesses stay afloat during these tough economic times," said Speaker Quinn. "The 'Nine in '09' campaign is one of many measures we are taking to encourage support of these businesses and help New Yorkers maximize their experience here."

"When making vacation plans, many people forget that they only have to hop on their local subway line to find international culture, cuisine and art," said Council Member Mark-Viverito. "From my home in El Barrio to Greek Astoria to Little Sri Lanka and many more, New York City is filled with wonderful neighborhoods-it offers everyone a way to sample the world without the high cost."

"NYC & Company's goal is to create new ways to keep New York City's five boroughs vibrant," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.  "In addition to attracting visitors from around the world, we also want to encourage New Yorkers to explore the many things to see and do that are in their own backyards.  The 'Nine in 09' campaign is just one more way that we help to make navigating and experiencing New York City that much easier."

The "Nine in '09" highlighted neighborhoods include:

• Astoria (Queens): Boasting one of the largest populations of Greeks outside of Greece, Astoria's is known for its cuisine, local parks that feature replicas of Greek statues and amphitheaters.
  
  
• Jackson Heights (Queens): Jackson Heights is a gathering point for the Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities.  The neighborhood is home to many South Asian grocery stores, clothing and jewelry stores, as well as restaurants offering tandoori meats and freshly made desserts and snacks.
  
  
• Brighton Beach (Brooklyn): Home to a Russian and Eastern European community, Brighton Beach offers a small-town feel. The extended boardwalk from Coney Island to Brighton Beach creates one of NYC's finest stretches of beach for day-trippers and residents. 
  
  
• Flatbush (Brooklyn): In the heart of Brooklyn, Flatbush is home to a large Caribbean community. Along Flatbush Avenue, there are small, family-run shops and restaurants specializing in West Indian food like curry goat and jerk chicken.
  
  
• Little Ireland (Bronx): The neighborhood of Woodlawn in the Bronx carries on with time-honored traditions from traditional Irish breakfasts, Celtic music sessions and many local Irish pubs. 
  
  
• Little Italy (Bronx): On Arthur Avenue and 187th Street in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx, Little Italy is today renowned for its Italian cuisine and old-world traditions such as the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. 
  
  
• Koreatown (Manhattan):  Located near Herald Square, Koreatown is a few short blocks of neon-lit storefronts and parlors offering a taste of Seoul with up-scale karaoke lounges, eateries offering Korean barbeque and small storefronts selling crafts.
  
  
• El Barrio (Manhattan): El Barrio is home to a vibrant mix of Latin cultures.  El Barrio has the highest concentration of Nuyoricans (a term for Puerto Ricans living in New York) in the City and is home to El Museo del Barrio, NYC's only museum dedicated to celebrating Latino art.
  
  
• Little Sri Lanka (Staten Island): Sri Lanka's rich mix of Indian-, Dutch- and Portuguese-influenced cuisine can be found in a 15-minute walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal. The neighborhood's restaurants and shops offer a taste of traditional Sri Lankan food such as crepes, rice and curry.

The estimated value of the campaign is $400,000, including print, radio online and outdoor advertising. NYC and Company controls a portion of the City's media assets and is able to trade media space. As a result, the total campaign costs are roughly $31,000. Funds are being supplied by NYC & Company.

For information on what to see and do across New York City's five boroughs visit www.nycgo.com/destinations. 

The City's Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan is a comprehensive strategy to bring New York City through the current economic downturn as fast as possible. It focuses on three major areas: creating jobs for New Yorkers today, implementing a long-term vision for growing the city's economy, and building affordable, attractive neighborhoods in every borough. Taken together, the initiatives that the City has launched to achieve these goals will generate thousands of jobs and put New York City on a path to economic recovery and growth. To learn more about the plan, visit nyc.gov. Recently, the City has announced:

• Center for Economic Opportunity placed 2,179 low-income New Yorkers in jobs.
• Stimulus-funded community development projects that will strengthen neighborhoods.
• Stimulus-funded Housing Authority projects that will create jobs for 3,255 New Yorkers.
• The start of construction of 103 units of affordable housing in Brownsville.
• A plan to protect area character and expand commercial opportunities in Sunset Park.
• The opening of Home Depot in the South Bronx creating 200 new permanent jobs.
• Legislation that will green buildings and create 19,000 construction jobs;
• The latest round of training funds to help small businesses train their employees.
• The final tally of 1,673 additional jobs created at the new Yankee Stadium.
• The placement of 50 laid-off New Yorkers into positions at entrepreneurial companies.
• New York City achieved a record 5,000 job placements through the first quarter of 2009
• Help for a beer distributor to create 55 permanent and 30 construction jobs in the Bronx.
• Green projects at the Brooklyn Navy Yard are creating more than 1,700 permanent jobs;
• Comprehensive initiatives to support the nonprofit sector and its 490,000 jobs;
• Federal stimulus transportation projects that will create or preserve 32,000 jobs.
• New automated water meter readers that could help businesses retain or create 550 jobs;
• New programs to provide training and resources for City's future entrepreneurs.
• Steps the City is taking to help small businesses adapt to conditions and avoid layoffs.
• More than 50,000 New Yorkers claimed the City's Child Care Tax Credit in its first year.
• 11 new initiatives to support the financial services sector and promote entrepreneurship.
• A plan for Coney Island that will create 6,000 permanent and 25,000 construction jobs.
• A plan to create 400,000 jobs over the next six years in the 2009 State of the City speech.