|
Small Business
Task Force report presented to governor
 New York State's
Small Business Task Force presented its Final Report with recommendations for
small business growth to Governor David Paterson earlier this month. The
proposals include increasing access to capital, improving access to and awareness
of state resources, and improving training and assistance resources.
"We believe we have delivered a robust and comprehensive set of recommendations
that will serve the small business community well," Task Force Chairman William
J. Grinker said. "Our recommendations were guided by the Governor's directives -
to design strategies to aid the growth of small businesses, maximize job
creation and reduce duplication and waste through more positive interactions
with State government. Surely, New York State has the talent, the dedication and
the entrepreneurial spirit needed to ensure growth for years to come, and I
believe these recommendations, when acted upon, can leverage that talent into
the jobs and industries that will drive the new economy."
To improve small businesses access to capital, the Report suggested that New York
create a small businesses revolving loan fund, expand existing loan programs,
and explore methods for reducing interest rates on small business loans.
Governor Paterson praised the report, promising to work for small businesses
in the future.
"I have worked for the past 20 months to expand opportunity for small businesses
- to increase minority and women-owned business participation in government
contracting four-fold and to double alternative lending resources for
entrepreneurs," the governor said. "But there's more work to be done and that's
why I look forward to reviewing these recommendations and working with the Task
Force to implement a number of them as a means of creating jobs and improving
the business climate in New York."
The governor has already acted on one of the recommendations included in the
Task Force's Report. On his direction, the state published the Directory of
Small Business Programs to provide information on 140 state programs that may be
of interest.
The governor also announced the launch of the New York State Small Business
Lending Guide, which is a free online resource that connects small businesses
with various alternative lending institutions.
To read Governor
Paterson's press release on the report, visit:
http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_1201091.html
To read the full report, visit:
http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/pdf/Final_report.pdf
To learn more about the Small Business Task Force, visit:
http://www.nysmallbiztaskforce.org
To view the Small Business Lending Guide, visit:
http://www.nylovessmallbiz.com/lenders.htm
Bloomberg
pledges more money for public works spending
In a weekly radio
address at the end of November, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged to
spend billions of dollars on infrastructure upgrades despite the economic
downturn.
"When there's a budget crunch, city governments all too often cut back on
maintaining and upgrading essential infrastructure," Mayor Bloomberg said. "That's what New York City did during the fiscal crisis of the 1970s - and for
years afterwards, we all paid a steep price in fixing bridges, sewers, and other
facilities after they'd already broken down. So we're not taking that path
again. Investing in our infrastructure creates jobs and economic opportunity,
now and in the future too. And not making those investments is just
short-sighted. Even in tough times - no, especially in tough times - these are
projects we can't afford not to build."
The mayor says the city will spend at least $5.3 billion to renovate schools,
fire stations, recreation centers, and other public facilities. He did not
provide a time frame for the expenditures. The cash injection will create over
1,800 construction jobs.
The infrastructure plan is part of an agreement made between Mayor Bloomberg and the
city's construction unions to keep the public construction industry healthy.
"The agreements we've reached to date are designed to prevent costly strikes and
work slowdowns and reduce other delays and expenses; altogether, they'll save
taxpayers almost $300 million over the next four years. We'll re-invest those
savings in building dozens more infrastructure projects that we'd otherwise have
to delay."
The mayor also revealed that another proposal is being discussed with
construction unions that will set aside an additional $500 million for public works
spending.
The agreements with the unions will also make it easier for disadvantaged
businesses to obtain work on city contracts, says Mayor Bloomberg.
"The unions also said 'yes' to measures that will make it easier for more
minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in the City projects covered
by the agreements," the mayor said. "And in a separate 'memorandum of
understanding,' the Building and Construction Trades Council and the Building
Trades Employers' Association also pledged to fill 45 percent of future building
trades apprenticeships with women, minorities, newly returning veterans, and
recent graduates of the city's public high schools. That's going to put
thousands of New Yorkers who need jobs on course to good careers building our
city's future."
To read the
transcript of Mayor Bloomberg's radio address, visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf
2f1c701c789a0/index.jsppageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc
_name=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2009b/pr512-09.html&cc=unu
sed1978&rc=1194&ndi=1
The DBE Goodfaith Inc. Advantage
The DBE Goodfaith Inc. solution gives
your company the competitive advantage when bidding a government-funded contract
by helping you meet the project's outreach goals. In just a few short steps you
can quickly choose from thousands of state-certified disadvantaged, minority,
and women-owned businesses (BEs) interested in subcontracting opportunities on a
contract. Our system allows you to:
-
Place outreach ads online;
-
Automatically fax and email
invitations to bid to BE subcontractors of your choice; and
-
Complete initial phone call
solicitations with the help of DBE Goodfaith's call center.
All of the outreach is documented for
your business to hand in with the bid package.
With DBE Goodfaith, you have more time to concentrate on the bottom line: a
competitive
project bid. For more information about how DBE Goodfaith can help your
business, call (877) 802-3394 or visit us at
www.dbegoodfaith.com. |
