Brooklyn’s Rachel Loeb named new head of EDC

Sunset Park, Coney Island were areas of key growth projects

May 17, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Rachel Loeb, president and CEO of the city’s Economic Development Corp. Photo courtesy of NYC Mayor’s Office

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Brooklyn resident Rachel Loeb, who had been the acting president and CEO of the New York Economic Development Corp. (NYCEDC) since March, has now been named to the post permanently by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Rachel Loeb joined NYCEDC in 2018. In both her roles as acting president and CEO and as former Chief Operating Officer, she helped lead the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.

Working with EDC, she has often been involved in Brooklyn issues. For example, Loeb recently led elected officials on a tour of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, where she spearheaded the plan to activate the site by using it to assembly wind turbines, a plan covered several times in the Eagle.

She also negotiated the deal with Steiner Studios to develop a new film and television production hub at the Made in New York campus within the Bush Terminal in Sunset Park. This development, announced in August and also covered in the Eagle, will complete Bush Terminal Piers Park, will support 2,200 jobs and fund local workforce development to diversify the film and television industry.

Prior to joining NYCEDC, Loeb was a senior executive member of World Wide Group, overseeing all aspects and phases of the development process. Before joining WWG, Loeb was a Senior Director of Development for AvalonBay, where she was responsible for the development of more than 1,400 apartments.

Brooklyn Councilmember Mark Treyger said, “I am thrilled that Mayor de Blasio has appointed Rachel Loeb to serve as President and CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. She is always accessible, responsive, and collaborative in advancing important city initiatives forward. Ultimately, she gets things done. I’ve worked with her team to expand opportunities and possibilities in Coney Island and I look forward to continue working with President Loeb to getting more done.”

“It is my pleasure to accept this permanent role leading NYCEDC. Thank you to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Deputy Mayor Been for continuing to have faith in me as we work together toward a full recovery for New York City,” said Loeb. “I am amazed and inspired every day to work alongside my excellent colleagues at EDC as we focus on rebuilding our economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and make this city more resilient for the future.”

Loeb is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a master’s in city planning. Originally from Kansas City, she now lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons.

“Rachel has been an extraordinary public servant at several roles at EDC. The creativity and hard work she demonstrated in helping us fight back COVID-19 this past year will help New York City become the public health capital of the world, and create a lasting, equitable economic recovery,” said Mayor de Blasio.