NEW YORK — What’s the key to lowering the city’s approximately 9.8 percent unemployment rate? It could be a map.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled an online map Tuesday showing the locations of many of the city’s tech start-ups that are currently hiring — which could be a crucial tool in helping New Yorkers find jobs. The announcement was made as part of Internet Week New York, which runs from May 14 to 21.
The Made in New York Digital Map shows more than 600 start-ups, investors and co-working spaces in each of the five boroughs, according to Techcrunch.com.
"Creative people want to be around other creative people," Bloomberg said, according to the website. "Creativity is driving the tech industry."
The mayor, who was joined at the announcement by Chief Digital Officer Rachel Sterne and NYCEDC President Seth Pinsky, said the map "also locates the offices of investors, making it an excellent tool for entrepreneurs in search of capital."
Sterne said that more than 50 percent of the companies on the map were currently hiring, which could equal more than 1,000 jobs.
She added that she encourages other start-ups to submit their company names.
"The message is loud and clear," she said, according to Betabeat.com. "New York City is open for business."
