Freelances Union & Freelancers Hub join Industry City

Brooklyn, NY Freelancers Union, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing benefits, resources, and education to more than 500,000 independent workers, has joined Industry City, (IC)—owned by Belvedere Capital, Jamestown, and Angelo Gordon & Co.— a 6 million s/f creative campus located on the Sunset Park waterfront. The organization will utilize its new 4,413 s/f headquarters for the Freelancers Hub, a free members-only coworking and networking space supported by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and its commissioner Anne del Castillo, which offers services such as workshops, tax and legal assistance, and more.

“The Freelancers Union will be an invaluable partner to our rapidly growing Media + Production community at IC,” said Jeff Fein, senior vice president of leasing at IC. “The freelance workforce now has a distinct home at Industry City where education, skill-sharing, and networking are key to the experience.”

Founded in 1995, the Freelancers Union’s mission is to advocate and provide support for independent workers– which as of 2019 made up of 34% of New York City workers across various industries—and nearly doubles to 61% of those in the media and entertainment, a figure that has likely increased since the onset of the pandemic. Its membership is free and open to all freelancers in the U.S. of all backgrounds and experience, from graphic designers and contractors to entrepreneurs and moonlighters.

“Thanks to our partnership with Commissioner Anne del Castillo, and the Mayor’s office of Media and Entertainment we will be able to provide free coworking, educational programs and direct resources to New York City’s creative freelancers through our Freelancers Hub,” stated Freelancers Union’s president, Rafael Espinal. “Given Industry City’s track record in welcoming the creative workforce, it made the right sense for the program. We are beyond excited to be joining the Industry City community and contributing in supporting the surrounding communities.”

“Freelancers are some of our most essential, creative, and dedicated workers, but too often, they have fallen through the cracks when it comes to critical services,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “As borough president and now as mayor, I have supported the Freelancers Hub, and I am proud to see our freelancers make Industry City their home. My administration will continue to find ways to support this vital community.”

"New York City’s freelance community is an essential part of our economy, and we must continue to support these workers across all sectors as we strive for an equitable recovery. This administration is committed to supporting this talent through our partnership with the Freelancers Union on the Freelancers Hub. We applaud their relocation to Industry City to serve freelancers in Sunset Park and across the five boroughs," said Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer.

"We are thrilled that the Freelancers Union, which provides invaluable resources to NYC's independent workers in the creative industries, has found a new home amongst the entrepreneurial community at Industry City," said commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment del Castillo. "It is vital that we continue to support our city's freelance community, which comprised almost two thirds of the media and entertainment sector's workforce pre-pandemic, and will continue to be vital to our city's creative economy moving forward."

“Freelancers are an integral and vibrant part of NYC’s workforce and we are thrilled that the Freelancers Hub will be opening in Industry City,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “We look forward to working with the Hub to make sure all freelancers know about protections to get paid and more under the City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act and to connect them with court navigation and financial empowerment resources.”

The Freelancers Union’s arrival to Industry City’s campus offers abundant networking and cross-pollination opportunities with its growing roster of creative and innovative businesses, including more than 80 media and production tenants such as production equipment giant AbelCine, global photo and video equipment marketplace, MPB, robotic video content studio, The Garage, and many more.

Industry City is accessible by the D, N, R trains and multiple bus routes including the B35 and B37. Parking is available at 37th and 2nd Ave., along with bike racks and five CitiBike stations.