Telephone: 212.367.2130
Facsimile: 212.644.9201
www.wbcnyc.org
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Volume I, Issue 14 - Week of April 6th, 2009
Spring must be in the air, because the Empire State Building is going green! The project is expected to save millions in energy costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 105,000 metric tons. Retrofitting old buildings is a proactive way to reduce harmful greenhouse gas levels and the Empire State Building is leading the way to a more environmentally-friendly New York.
The Green Revolution is one way to face financial challenges in a recession. To find out more about managing personal wealth, register to attend the April 21st Money in the Bank event, featuring CNN’s Ali Velshi, CNBC’s Sharon Epperson, Black Enterprise’s John Simons and others. The roundtable discussion will be preceded by a reception and will feature a wealth of financial information from Carver Federal Savings Bank, Black Enterprise Magazine, the Housing Partnership and AXA Financial Advisors.
Happy Holidays, and have a productive week!
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Renee Sacks, Ph.D.
Editor
rsacks@wbcnyc.org
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GET CERTIFIED
WBC can help you get certified with New York City Small Business Services. It’s an important first step to navigating procurement opportunities with City and other public agencies. Contact WBC at 212.367.2130 or email rsacks@wbcnyc.org for more information. |
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SBA Small Business Administration Presents: Winning Government Contracts Through Effective Proposals
Source: New York State Contract Reporter
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The Government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. The Small Business Administration Awards for 2007 totaled $83.2 billion. One of the ways to sell your business services to Government is through the competitive RFP (Request for Proposal) process - especially if you are certified under SBA’s 8(a) BD & HUBZone programs. Now you can get clear, concise & concrete techniques on how to navigate the proposal process and connect with the people who make the Government’s buying decisions. This workshop teaches you:
° What are the Universal Elements of every RFP?
° What Evaluators look for in a Proposal
° How to avoid pitfalls that can derail your sale
WHEN:
April 9th 2009
9:30 am - 2 pm |
WHERE:
26 Federal Plaza - 6th Fl. Conf. Rm H
New York, NY 10278 |
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NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
- MEET SUBCONTRACTORS
April 10, 2009, 9:30am-12:30pm
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Looking for new subcontractors or are you
interested in subcontracting?
We are inviting Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) vendors to meet Construction and Professional Services firmsfor subcontracting opportunities. You will also have an opportunity to meet City agency representatives including:
NYC departments of Design and Construction (DDC), Parks and Recreation (DPR), Environmental Protection (DEP), Sanitation (DSNY), Transportation (DOT), Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and Fire (FDNY).
Other public authorities and entities including:
NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), City University of New York (CUNY), State University of New York (SUNY), and NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC).
REQUIREMENTS OF ATTENDING PRIME VENDORS:
A summary of current and upcoming projects, typical areas subcontracted, contact Information for interested firms.
To Register Contact John Chapman 212-513-6320 / jochapman@sbs.nyc.gov
WHEN:
Friday, April 10th, 2009
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WHERE:
New York City College of Technology
285 Jay Street - Klitgord Center Gymnasium
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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MONEY IN THE BANK - MANAGE YOUR WEALTH IN THE NEW ECONOMY
April 21, 2009, 6-8:30pm
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Want to learn how to manage your money in the current economy? Register today for FREE!
Hear from leading financial experts:
Deborah C. Wright, Chairman & CEO, Carver Federal Savings Bank
Alfred Edmond Jr., Vice-President/Editor-in-Chief of Interactive, Black Enterprise
Ali Velshi, CNN Financial Correspondent and Author
Ryan Mack, Partner, COO of Optimum Capital Management, LLC
Sharon Epperson, CNBC’s personal finance correspondent and author
John Simons, Personal Finance Editor, Black Enterprise magazine
WHEN:
April 21st, 2009
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm |
WHERE:
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
New York, NY 10037 |
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Minority-and-Women-Owned Business Networking Expo
April 30, 2009, 8:30am-12:30pm
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The Free Networking Expo will bring Minority-and-Women-owned businesses together with county and local municipal procurement officers to network and create leads to contacts and partnerships. There will be an early morning seminar geared for businesses that have limited experience in working with government organizations. This event is hosted by Westchester County Minority-and-Women-Owned Business Program and Women’s Enterprise Development Center.
To reserve your place for the expo, please contact Kenya Ajose at (914) 948-6098 ext. 10 or info@wedc-westchester.org.
WHEN:
April 30th, 2009
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WHERE:
Westchester County Center
198 Central Avenue
White Plains , NY 10606
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Empire State Building going green
4/6/2009 - Source: Associated Press
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The Empire State Building has loomed over the city for decades, and now it will stand for something new as it gets a green makeover intended to serve as an example to the world.
The $20 million project is expected to save the building's owners $4.4 million annually in energy costs, and will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 105,000 metric tons during the next 15 years - equal to the annual emissions of 17,500 cars. |
City and Coney Island Owner Far Apart on Land Deal
4/01/2009 - Source: The New York Times
Less than 24 hours before a City Council hearing Wednesday on the city’s redevelopment plans for Coney Island, the Bloomberg administration offered to pay $105 million for roughly 10 acres owned by a developer with a rival plan for amusements, hotels, housing and s hops.
The offer, delivered by letter to the developer, Joseph J. Sitt, is $5 million less than what the city had offered in November when the two sides were holding semi-secret settlement talks. Mr. Sitt essentially ignored that offer and flew off to Israel.
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Unions and Developers Close to Agreement to Cut Construction Costs
3/31/2009 - Source: The New York Times
Reeling from the real estate downturn in the city, construction unions and builders are edging closer to an agreement that they say will reduce labor costs and enable at least some of their projects in Manhattan to proceed despite the weak economy.
The stakes are high for both sides. Developers, who paid record-breaking prices for land during the boom years, are now desperately seeking ways to cut their costs and keep projects alive.
Lawsuit Filed to Stamp out Wicks Law
3/31/2009 - Source: The Business Review
A coalition of construction, business and political leaders have filed a lawsuit in State Supreme Court asking that amendments made last year to the controversial Wicks Law be withdrawn and, ultimately, have the nearly century-old mandate be removed.
The Wicks Law, which dates back to 1912, mandates contractors and construction firms must have a pre-approved apprenticeship program in place — and in place for three years — before bidding on significant big ticket projects.
City Council Approves Westside Re-zoning
4/03/2009 - Source: The New York Post
Plans to build a $15 billion district of housing, parks and office towers over the West Side rail yards won a key approval from the City Council yesterday, even though construction of the project has been delayed by the economic downturn.
The council, by a 48-0 vote, approved several zoning changes for the eastern half of the site, which officials at The Related Companies said is a sign that the project is moving forward, even though construction is years off.
Related officials say they expect to begin work on rezoning the western half of the 26-acre site later this year.
$253 Million in Affordable Housing Grants Announced
4/07/2009 - Source: Empire State News
Governor David Paterson Monday announced $253 million in affordable housing grants coming to New York through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The first nine projects that will receive financing include the rehabilitation of an 80-unit complex in Albany, a 388-unit Mitchell Lama complex in Syracuse, 20 three-bedroom homes in Rochester, and a YWCA Residence for Women in Westchester County. The ARRA included $2.25 billion for the Tax Credit Assistance Program, which will help state housing agencies kick-start the production of stalled projects that rely on low-income housing tax credits. New York’s share will be $253 million and will be administered by the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. These first projects will create or rehabilitate nearly 1,400 units of affordable housing.
Paterson: $150M to Long Island
4/06/2009 - Source: New York State News
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Long Island is expected to receive at least $154 million in transportation and infrastructure funding through the recently enacted federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This critical funding will go toward much-needed highway and road repair, bridgework and other long-term improvements to the region’s infrastructure and will create an estimated 3,715 jobs. Governor Paterson made the announcement with federal, State and local officials, and construction crews at the Department of Transportation facility in Melville.
Advocates Say Obama Stimulus May Not Deliver Jobs for Women
4/06/2009 - Source: Public News Service
Although President Obama's economic stimulus plan is now in place, some women are concerned that they won't get their fair share of the jobs it will create. Many of the stimulus jobs coming to New York will be in construction, according to Laurel Parker West, executive director of the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls. In addition, plenty of so-called green jobs installing insulation and retrofitting buildings will be created, she says, and efforts need to be made to include women in the hiring for them.
Federal Funds Go to Borough Projects
4/01/2009 - Source: YourNabe
Queens is getting federal stimulus funds for nine infrastructure projects that range from extensive work on Queens Plaza to the rebuilding of the Rockaway Boardwalk as part of the $261 million designated for New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and federal elected officials said Monday.
Business in the Burbs: Business Council Attacks State Budget
4/04/2009 - Source: LoHud
Businesses in New York will have a harder time recovering from the recession than other parts of the country because the proposed state budget burdens companies and consumers with higher taxes, a Westchester County business group said.
The Business Council of Westchester said the proposed budget's $7 billion in new taxes and fees represents the largest tax hike in New York state history.
The Long Buildup Before Teams’ New Buildings
4/02/2009 - Source: The New York Times
Citi Field and the new Yankee Stadium are finally open, the culmination of nearly two decades when it appeared that no ballpark could possibly be built in New York City.
The Yankees announced their intentions in the mid-1980s, regularly and loudly demanding a renovated home in the Bronx or a new stadium — and threatening to leave for New Jersey if the city failed them. The Mets came next, nearly a decade later, quietly seeking a replacement for Shea Stadium.
New Worker Safety Campaign
Source: NYC Buildings
Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri joined Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares, representatives from the City’s leading construction firms, industry unions and worker advocacy groups to announce the launch of a citywide worker safety campaign to encourage construction workers to properly wear their safety harnesses at all times while working at a construction site. Thousands of posters, banners and brochures - in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Hindi and Urdu - are being distributed throughout the City, including high-rise construction sites, designated worker centers, union halls, community centers, telephone kiosks, and the Buildings Department’s five borough offices. |
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OGS Announces Upcoming Construction Opportunities
4/01/2009 - Source: New York State Office of General Services
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner John C. Egan today announced the bidding for 22 construction contracts representing more than $5.9 million in construction, providing work in nine counties of New York.
Make the Connection. The World Trade Center Business Resource Center is where M/W/SBEs can access an array of valuable business services, including critical information on upcoming contract opportunities with WTC redevelopment projects.
WHEN:
Open Monday through Friday
From 9:00am - 5:00pm |
WHERE:
115 Broadway, 19th Floor
New York 10006 NY |
See Current Bid Opportunities from DASNY |
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