Telephone: 212.367.2130
Facsimile: 212.644.9201
www.wbcnyc.org
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Volume I, Issue 21 - Week of May 25th, 2009
The construction site at Ground Zero continues to spark controversy, this time with news that the project may go as much as $1.1 billion over budget. At the same time, civic groups are supporting the Port Authority's decision to only back one of the towers, as opposed to two as developer Larry Silverstein initially requested. The saved amount would instead go toward financing the transit hub at the same site.
While all Americans celebrated Memorial Day, some of us joined California Congresswoman Barbara Lee in commemorating Small Business week, May 17th-23rd. Congresswoman Lee's statement highlights her commitment to the cause of minority- and women-owned businesses, resonating with what our own Governor Patterson said just a few days before at a commencement ceremony in Rochester, NY. The governor referenced disparity statistics from 2005, which showed a very small percentage of women-owned businesses receiving government contracts. A new study is now under way and we will be delivering additional information to you as it becomes available.
More next week.
Renee Sacks
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Renée 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 the City and other public agencies. Contact WBC at 212.367.2130 or email rsacks@wbcnyc.org for more information. |
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Residential Developers' About-Face
5/17/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
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Faced with the worst residential real estate market in two decades, New York City developers are learning their trade all over again. For openers, most are no longer developing anything. Instead of scoping out building sites and breaking ground on new projects, they are rolling up their sleeves and investing their time and energy in existing projects. They have jumped into the front lines to glad-hand prospective buyers and their lenders alike. |
SBA Offers Interest-Free Loans to Struggling Businesses
5/18/2009 - Source: The Business Review
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Help is on the way for small business owners struggling to make debt payments. Starting June 15, the U.S. Small Business Administration will start guaranteeing America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loans. |
Survey Results: Small Businesses Optimistic
5/18/2009 - Source: The Business Review
Small businesses worldwide remain optimistic about their long-term prospects despite the economic downturn, according to a survey conducted in April by the Economist Intelligence Unit. According to the survey, 83 percent of small-business executives are optimistic about their company’s long-term ability to rebound when the economy improves. About 65 percent expect their company’s market share to increase by the time the recession ends, and 73 percent expect revenue to have grown by then. |
Housing Agencies Protest Rules forStimulus
5/19/2009 - Source: New York Post
Many of the nation's largest public housing authorities fear they will be left out when the government distributes hundreds of millions of dollars for new plumbing, roofing and other capital improvements sought by Congress in the name of economic stimulus
Paterson Tells Rochester Crowd State is Committed to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
5/19/2009 - Source: Democrat and Chronicle
New York Governor David A. Paterson wants to increase the number of construction contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses in the state. And he drove that point home on Monday at the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center's graduation ceremony at the Eastman Theatre.
Civic Groups Back Port Authority in WTC Battle
5/19/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
Several community groups and nonprofits told political leaders that they support using public funds to back only one private office tower on the World Trade Center. The news comes just two days before a meeting planned to end an impasse over the development.
Groups Seek to Stop Public Financing of New Towers at Ground Zero
5/20/2009 - Source: New York Times
Some of the city's largest civic groups jumped into the simmering dispute at ground zero on Tuesday, saying that government should improve transportation networks downtown and not put any more money into the development of speculative office towers on the 16-acre site.
Recession's NYC Job-Loss Estimates Ease
5/12/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
Following months when economists kept tearing up their job-loss forecasts and revising them upward to keep pace with deteriorating economic news, the Independent Budget Office has gone in reverse. On Wednesday, the public agency lowered its employment-loss estimate by more than 5% from where it stood in March, predicting the city will shed 254,500 jobs from a peak in the third quarter of 2008 through the middle of 2010.
Delivery Date for Transit Hub Is Set for 2014
5/21/2009 - Source: New York Times
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said on Wednesday that it would complete construction of the long-delayed Fulton Street Transit Center in 2014, seven years behind the original schedule. The authority plans to spend $424 million in federal stimulus money to plug a hole in the project’s budget and make the rest of the work possible.
WTC May Go $1.1B Over Budget: Report Rips Poor Management of PA as Costs Spiral Out of Control
5/21/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
The World Trade Center Transportation Hub is near-certain to bust its $3.2 billion budget - and there's a chance it will cost more than $4.3 billion to build, the Daily News has learned. That's a spike of as much as $1.1 billion from the Port Authority's "clear-eyed" estimate of only eight months ago, a review of Hub costs obtained by The News under the Freedom of Information Act reveals.
Judges Mull Fate of Columbia Expansion
5/21/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
Columbia University's quest to expand its Upper West Side campus landed in the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court Thursday as two family-owned businesses continued their battle to block the use of eminent domain that would force them to sell their land.
Towers of Power Set to Craft a WTC Deal
5/22/2009 - Source: New York Post
Redevelopment of the World Trade Center site took a big step forward yesterday as all the key players agreed at a summit conference to a three-week deadline for hammering out a compromise.
Retailers Look Forward to Car-Free Broadway
5/22/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
Sunday will usher in a new, car-free era for sections of Broadway in Times Square and Herald Square, as part of the city's initiative to curb congestion on streets and sidewalks, and many hope the changes will also increase business for area retailers.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D,- CA) Commemorates National Small Business Week
5/22/2009 - Source: Trading Markets.com
May 17th - 23rd marked National Small Business Week. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the week-long event. "Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They create 60 to 80 percent of new jobs and employ over 50 percent of the nation's workforce. As we seek to weather the current economic storm, it is important that we continue to nurture the job-creating potential of small businesses by providing them with the necessary tools they need to grow."
WBC Goes to Washington 2009
June 9 & 10, 2009
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We are less than two weeks away from our annual legislative visit to Washington, D.C. This is an opportunity to meet government officials who can make a difference in your business. If you haven't yet registered, please mark your calendars and set your travel plans.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Dasha Oganezov at 212.367.2130
or via e-mail: dasha@wbcnyc.org. Alternative Tel: 718.646.2700 x 102.
Register Here
WHEN:
Tuesday, June 9
Wednesday, June 10 |
WHERE:
Washington, D.C. |
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ROADS, BRIDGES, TUNNELS & FIBER
BALCONY Breakfast Forum with Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward
June 18, 2009
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Keynote Speaker:
CHRIS WARD, Executive Director, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Confirmed Panelists:
DR. JAMES MELIUS, Administrator, LECET;
Executive Board Member of BALCONY
SAMARA BAREND, Executive Director,
New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization
ROBERT LEDWITH, Business Manager, Financial Secretary/Treasurer of Local 46 Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Ironworkers
BRIAN OSTERHOUT, Director of Business Development, MJ Engineering and Land Surveying, PC
CHRIS LEVENDOS, Executive Director of Operations, Verizon
STEPHEN McINNIS, Political Director, NYC District Council of Carpenters
Topics Will Include:
- An overview and capital plan of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Analysis of the infrastructure needs of New York State
- Update on the New York State Commission on State Asset Maximization
- Status update on the state-of-the-art technological infrastructure
For More Information Click Here
WHEN:
June 18, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
WHERE:
New York and Vicinity Carpenters Labor Management Corporation
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014 |
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SAVE THE DATE:
SCA Business Development's Annual General Contractor/Sub-contractor Marketing Forum
June 18, 2009
Visit the Business Development Division
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WHEN:
Thursday, June 18, 2009 |
WHERE:
DDC Atrium
30-30 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
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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
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, NY 10006 |
See Current Bid Opportunities from DASNY |
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