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Paterson, ESDC increase access to lending, training, and NYSCR
New York Governor David Paterson’s popularity hit an all-time low this month due
to his budget plan’s proposed tax hikes and service cuts. However, Paterson’s
recent directives to issue state funds to improve small and minority business
lending and training programs may win him some new fans.
“Small businesses are the heart of the American economy, responsible for half of
all private sector jobs and creator of about 70 percent of all new jobs over the
past decade,” said Governor Paterson. “At no time are those businesses suffering
more than they are now, and New York must do what it can to help protect their
future.”
The governor directed the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) to
increase funding last month for the Community Development Financial Institutions
(CDFI) Assistance Program by $2.5 million. CDFIs provide micro-loans to
businesses that would not normally qualify for bank loans. New York State is
currently home to 28 institutions that offer CDFI advice to businesses.
With the state’s most recent injection of funds, the total of CDFI funds
increases to $4 million for Fiscal Year 2009. Half of the money will be
allocated for minority and women owned businesses (M/WBE) while the other half
will be issued to small and micro businesses.
Governor Paterson also authorized an $80,000 grant for the Regional Alliance of
Small Contractors (RASC), an organization that provides a variety of technical,
financial, and marketing services in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region.
With this money, the RASC will be able to provide 240 to 280 small minority and
women business owners with procurement-related training. Some of the topics that
they will cover include: blueprint reading; estimating; contract law and
administration; project scheduling; Occupational Safety and Health
Administration; Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); and access
to financing, bonding and insurance.
In related news, the ESDC will begin offering free access to the New York State
Contract Reporter (NYSCR), the state’s web portal information on all projects
over $15,000 advertised online. The current cost for yearlong access to the
publication is $99. This fiscal year, however, the NYSCR is available for free
to New York State libraries, Small Business Development Centers, Entrepreneurial
Assistance Program centers, and small businesses employing ten or fewer workers.
In 2010, basic access to the NYSCR will be free to all users and will also be
published daily, as required by 2008 legislation.
For more information about the
NYS CDFI Assistance Program, visit:
http://www.nylovesmwbe.ny.gov/Financial%20Resources/cdfi.htm
For more information about the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors, visit:
http://www.regional-alliance.org/
NYSDOT commissioner steps down
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT
Commissioner Astrid Glynn submitted her letter of resignation to Governor David
Paterson on April 14, 2009.
Glynn was appointed commissioner in February 2007 and planned to reform the way
the department does business. She sought to make projects more environmentally
conscious with the GREENlites program and renewed NYSDOT's focus on repairing
infrastructure in Upstate New York. Glynn also presented the state's first
comprehensive rail plan, which will draw federal dollars to the state for
passenger and freight rail improvements.
The reason for Glynn's departure is personal. She is eager to be closer to her
family in Massachusetts.
The commissioner's resignation will take affect on May 8th. As of the writing of
this article, Governor Paterson has yet to name a replacement.
Searching for NYS stimulus
projects?
New York State is receiving a flood of money
from the federal stimulus package to repair and expand its infrastructure. While
the state's
www.recovery.ny.gov website announces which projects are receiving stimulus
funds, it takes a little digging to find the information.
In order to simplify the stimulus-funded project search, DBE Goodfaith, Inc. has
created its own web portal that aggregates and distills stimulus project
information publicized by the New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment
Cabinet. DBE Goodfaith, Inc. invites you to take a look for yourself at
www.dbegoodfaith.com.
Remember, many stimulus projects require that small and/or disadvantaged
businesses participate or be solicited to participate in good faith for the job.
Prime contractors are required to submit documentation of their good faith
effort with their bid documents.
With the public works market becoming more competitive by the day, it is
essential that firms meet contracts' small and disadvantaged business
participation requirements and/or fulfill their good faith obligations.
With the help of DBE Goodfaith, Inc., prime bidders can save time and
find the small and disadvantaged businesses interested in subcontracting and
supplying opportunities on their potential projects. Learn more about DBE
Goodfaith, Inc. and its services at
www.dbegoodfaith.com.
What is DBE Goodfaith?
DBE Goodfaith, Inc. is an outreach assistance firm
dedicated to providing a reliable web-based service solution for construction
and other firms seeking socially and economically disadvantaged business (DBE/DVBE/WBE/SBE/MBE/HUB)
participation on government funded projects.
With the help of our services, businesses can comply with the Good Faith Effort
requirements of state and local government disadvantaged business programs. By
placing subcontracting opportunity ads on our website and directly soliciting
disadvantaged business firms via email, fax, and telephone, we help take the
stress out of the Good Faith Process and allow firms to concentrate on building
quality, competitive bids. To ensure that all disadvantaged businesses are
included in our outreach procedures, we maintain an up-to-date database of all
registered disadvantaged firms in California, Nevada, New York, and soon Texas.
When customers search our online database, they can easily find disadvantaged
businesses by their location and/or the type of goods and services or work they
provide.
Also, in an effort to inform and educate the community on procurement,
construction, and other pertinent topics, we publish electronic newsletters
throughout the year. In our e-newsletter, businesses can find in-depth
discussions on procedures and regulations effecting disadvantaged business
programs, analysis of current events, and other valuable resources such as
events listings. We also offer construction trade and focus information on our
website related to DVBE, DBE, MBE, WBE, and other programs.
For more information on our
services, please visit our website at:
http://www.dbegoodfaith.com
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