Telephone: 212.367.2130
Facsimile: 212.644.9201
www.wbcnyc.org
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Volume I, Issue 22 - Week of June 1st, 2009
The mood surrounding MWBE opportunities this week is hopeful. Governor Paterson's Commission on Asset Maximization stewarded by WBC’s former Board Member, Samara (‘Sam’) Barend, the Commission’s Executive Director, has suggested public-private partnerships for certain projects, in an effort to build up infrastructure and create jobs. The Report is critically important in driving innovative partnerships to Build New York and we congratulate Sam on her productive work.
On another front, Mayor Bloomberg is working to reduce red tape for small businesses through the elimination of certain rules and regulations. Economists have gone on record to overwhelmingly predict an end to the recession within the year.
As always, we provide you with updates on the stimulus package and how it affects you. New York State celebrates the completion of the first phase of allocated stimulus funds on highway projects, and sources reveal that the federal government is spending over half of the stimulus cash on city projects. However, minority contractors are starting to complain that MBEs aren't seeing their promised percentage of stimulus dollars in construction projects.
Enjoy the read. More next week.
Renee Sacks |
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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Governor's Panel Makes Infrastructure Push
6/1/2009 - Source: Crain's New York Business
The private sector should partner with the state to rebuild the Kosciusko Bridge and repair and maintain the Gowanus Expressway, according to a report released Monday by Governor David Paterson. If those and other relatively small-scale public-private partnerships work out, the state could then be ready for a $14-billion mega-collaboration with the private sector to repair or replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, the report says.
Mr. Paterson's Commission on Asset Maximization released the 86-page report Monday that included 27 pilot projects aimed at building up infrastructure and creating jobs by streamlining and expanding the state's use of PPPs. The projects steer clear of a full-scale sell-off of state assets and instead rely on a mix of alternative financing and procurement approaches to leverage private dollars.
Mayor Says No More Subsidies to Atlantic Yards Project
5/21/2009 - Source: The Brooklyn Paper
Mayor Bloomberg dealt Bruce Ratner a blow on Wednesday, saying that the city would not subsidize the Atlantic Yards project with additional public funds.
The city has already pledged $230 million for infrastructure and land-acquisition costs at the embattled arena and skyscraper project — but Bloomberg dashed Ratner's hopes for more.
Additional Federal Stimulus Funds Are Flowing into New York City
5/28/2009 - Source: New York Post
The feds are spending more than $1.3 billion of stimulus cash on city projects -- more than half of the $2.5 billion already flowing to the state, an analysis provided to The Post reveals.
The details of how the massive influx of money is being spent is far more than the White House reveals on its website, despite pledges by President Obama to disclose where "every dime" of stimulus money meant to jump-start the economy goes. |
Portand, Oregon, has Strong Record on W/MBEs
5/22/2009 - Source: Portland Business Journal
Critics of the Portland Development Commission say the agency has made good on a promise to work more closely with businesses owned by women and minorities.
Two years ago, the agency came under fire for not meeting minority contracting goals. In response, the agency formed a new division to foster relationships with disadvantaged businesses and develop goals for women and minorities working on PDC projects.
Mayor Bloomberg Seeks Ways to Reduce Redtape for Small Businesses
5/27/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
An estimated 60,000 small businesses spanning 55 categories are licensed in one way or another by New York City. But some of these licenses and other regulations affecting businesses could soon be things of the past.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg promised in his most recent State of the City address to establish a panel to strip away rules and regulations that unnecessarily burden city agencies, consumers and businesses. Heads of city agencies and council members David Yassky and James Oddo are expected to participate.
Governor Paterson Requires Stimulus Jobs to Be Advertised
5/27/2009 - Source: The Business Review
A new state mandate says that any job created with federal stimulus money must be advertised through the state Department of Labor.
Governor David Paterson’s May 27 directive applies to companies that win contracts for stimulus-funded projects. Those firms are now required to work with the state to advertise any new jobs they create in the state’s job bank.
Most Economists Predict an End to Recession This Year
5/27/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
More than 90% of economists predict the recession will end this year, although the recovery is likely to be bumpy.
That assessment came from leading forecasters in a survey by the National Association for Business Economics released Wednesday. It is generally in line with the outlook from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues.
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New York's Fast Cash
6/1/2009 - Source: New York Post
New York is coming out of the gate faster than any other big state when it comes to getting federal stimulus cash. The Empire State has already gotten $343 million in stimulus cash, for a total of $17.62 per resident, according to an analysis of the $4 billion in stimulus contracts disclosed by the Federal Procurement Data System and compiled by USA Today.
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New York Times Editorial Supports the View That Silverstein Should Receive No Additional Money for the WTC
5/27/2009 - Source: New York Times
After yet another impasse between the developer and the owner of the World Trade Center site, Mayor Michael Bloomberg invited the big players to Gracie Mansion last week. Around the table were the developer, Larry Silverstein; Governor David Paterson of New York; Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey; Sheldon Silver, the New York Assembly speaker; and staff galore.
New York State Meets Stimulus Deadline
5/28/2009 - Source: Timesunion.com
New York has completed the first phase of its allocation of federal stimulus funds for highway projects ahead of schedule. According to stimulus infrastructure czar Timothy Gilchrist, more than $392 million has been obligated well in advance of the 120-day deadline since passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Forest City Ratner Uses Private Labor Agreements to Get Beekman Towers Construction Re-Started
5/28/2009 - Source: New York Times
Two months ago, work stopped abruptly at the 37th floor of the 76-story Beekman Tower as the developer Bruce C. Ratner desperately sought to cut costs on the project, a glass and stainless steel apartment building in Lower Manhattan.
Just as abruptly, work resumed this week on the tower, which will be the architect Frank Gehry’s first skyscraper and the tallest residential building in the city.
NYC Construction Unions Ink Cost Cutting Pact
5/29/2009 - Source: Crain's New York
New York City's construction unions and contractors said Friday they reached an agreement to reduce labor costs by 16% to 21% in an attempt to spark activity in the city’s moribund building industry.
Initially, the deal covers a dozen projects that were at risk, stalled, delayed or in danger of downsizing but construction executives hope it will serve as a blueprint for other troubled jobs.
Florida Aggressively Works to Certify Women and Minority Business Enterprises
5/29/2009 - Source: Tallahassee.com
This week, Governor Charlie Crist signed HB 319 into law. The bill, which was sponsored in the Senate by Rep. Jennifer Carroll, R-Jacksonville, sponsored in the House, extends the recertification period for minority business enterprises from one year to two years and brings certification for women- and minority-owned businesses in line with the timelines for service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses.
Small Business Stimulus Help Just Weeks Away
5/29/2009 - Source: Orlando Business Journal
Of the hefty $787 billion stimulus package plan, $730 million is expected to go to the U.S. Small Business Administration to support small businesses, which drive much of the nation's economy. Nearly 99.7 percent of all firms in the U.S. are considered small businesses, which employ half of all non-farm private-sector workers and make up most of the 10.6 million minority- and women-owned businesses.
Transportation Improvements at Atlantic Yards to Be Scaled Back
5/30/2009 - Source: New York Post
Transit officials are scaling back plans for the rail yard being rebuilt beneath Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn from nine tracks to seven -- and they're also expecting less cash from Ratner.
MTA Interim Executive Director Helena Williams confirmed yesterday that the cash-strapped agency had reached a tentative agreement to allow Ratner to cut back costs on a $445 million transit improvement plan to Long Island Rail Road's Vanderbilt Rail Yard that he promised to deliver three years ago in exchange for approvals for the controversial $4 billion Atlantic Yards project.
Minority Contractors Claim Stimulus Program Is Not Helping MBEs
5/29/2009 - Source: St. Louis American
Three months after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, Black contractors and advocates say they have yet to see a fair share of capital from the stimulus package that promised to disperse billions of dollars in construction projects.
"We really haven't seen a surge of opportunity for Black businesses," said Omar Sharef, president of the Chicago-based African-American Contractors Association, which represents more than 1,200 Black-owned firms across the nation. Instead, Sharef said, he has witnessed more White-owned businesses preparing to take advantage of new opportunities that are being bestowed throughout Illinois. "Even though we got a magic word—a stimulus that's coming out and everybody's excited, it's not even getting to our side of the street yet and that's very unfortunate."
WBC Goes to Washington 2009
Save the Date
June 9 & 10, 2009
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We are preparing for our annual visit to Washington, D.C. Please mark your calendars and set your travel plans. This is an opportunity to meet government officials who can make a difference in your business.
Women Builders Council members will attend the Building & Construction Trades Union Legislative Breakfast at the Washington Hilton. Members of New York State congressional delegation will attend this event along with distinguished labor leaders.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Dasha Oganezov at WBC at 212.367.2130. Alternative Tel: 718.646.2700 x 102
If you need additional information now, please contact Walter McCaffrey at: 718.683.1500 or email WalterMcCaffrey@aol.com.
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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The Future of New York City - Small Business
June 18, 2009
A don't-miss morning conference outlining specific New York City resources for your small business.
Opening Session:
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on the importance of small business to New York's economy
Award Ceremony:
Crain's 2009 Top Entrepreneurs
What Government Can Do For You:
Series of presentations from key government agencies with programs to assist small businesses
Breakout Sessions:
Growing Revenues, Managing the Workforce
COST TO ATTEND:
$99 for individual ticket(s) if pre-registered by June 5; $119 thereafter.
$990 for table(s) of ten if pre-registered by June 5; $1,190 thereafter.
Click here for more information
WHEN:
Thursday, June 18, 2009 |
WHERE:
Crowne Plaza Times Square
1605 Broadway @ 49th Street
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Diversity a Power Resource
June 18, 2009
A goal of the Authority's Supplier Diversity Program is to encourage an effective collaboration between qualified minority- and women-owned suppliers and large buying organizations. The Purchasing Exchange is an exciting and effective event that has produced significant contacts and contracts.
For 19 years the Purchasing Exchange has provided an outstanding venue for suppliers to gather and exchange information and procurement opportunities with each other, and to pursue contract opportunities with purchasing representatives from NYPA, other utilities, trade associations, city and state agencies and authorities, and from corporate entities.
Please click here to download registration form.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 18, 2009 |
WHERE:
123 Main Street - Jaguar Room (Main Lobby)
White Plains, NY 10601
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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
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WHERE:
DDC Atrium
30-30 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
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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:
Monday through Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
WHERE:
115 Broadway, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10006 |
See Current Bid Opportunities from DASNY |
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