New Program Grants Greater Access to State Agencies

Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center hosts seminar for minority- and women-owned businesses. Also, GBC of New York State announces safety winners.

NY Lt. Governor Announces Pilot Program

A new New York State pilot program promises to expand access to state government agencies for minority and women-owned businesses in the construction industry.

The program, called the “Memorandum of Understanding,” was discussed at the Lower Manhattan Construction Command recent seminar for minority- and women-owned business leaders interested in doing business in lower Manhattan. The purpose of the event was to help and educate minority and women business owners while still protecting the taxpayers money.

The event was held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

“We are excited to be a part of this appropriate event because 90% of our students are minorities and 60% are women,” said BMCC President Antonio Perez.

During the panel discussions, members of CitiBank, HSBC, North Fork Bank and Commerce bank as well as various members of the surety industry offered advice to the program visitors. Sam Carradine, panel moderator and Director of Development & Diversity of The Surety & Fidelity Association of America provided success stories to inspire.

New York Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, the event’s keynote speaker, announced—and even signed during the event—the new state program.

“Changes and training are what corrects past discrimination, but we are not here to correct historical problems, but to ameliorate recent ones,” said Paterson. “We are not asking for affirmative action or even a stand-aside, but for standard procedures to be provided to minority and women business owners.”

Thirty firms will participate in the pilot program, which hopes to distribute bonds or increase bonding capacity for small businesses.

“The program differs from other local initiatives because there is no limit on bond scope,” according to Michael Jones-Bay, executive director of the Empire State Development Corporation and officiator of the signing ceremony.

“Today is a great day that marks an important milestone for minority and women business owners. It also marks a promise fulfilled by Lt. Governor Paterson,” said Jones-Bay.

General Building Contractors Announce Safety Award Recipients

General Building Contractors (GBC) of New York State recently announced the 2007 winners of the GBC Safety Excellence Awards.

The leaders in the construction industry recognized for exceeding industry standards are: BBL Construction Services, BCI Construction, Darlind Construction, Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp., Hunter Roberts Construction Group, LECESSE Construction Company, LeChase Construction Services, Lehigh Construction Group, MLB Construction Services, Northeast Construction Services, Sano-Rubin Construction Co. and Welliver McGuire Inc.

Some prerequisites for qualification are a workers compensation experience modification rate of 1.0 or less, the company’s five year OSHA 200 history and random jobsite inspections to determine the effectiveness of the company’s safety program.

Trump Plaza Jersey City Wins Award of Merit

The Concrete Industry Board (CIB), who evaluates projects that use concrete as a primary building material, has awarded the Award of Merit-Out of Area to Trump Plaza Jersey City. Normally, CIB recognizes projects only in Westchester County, Long Island and throughout the five boroughs of New York City. However, they do have an Out of Area category in which the two tallest residential towers in Jersey City won the attention of the judges.

The 41,000 square foot building has one-, two- and three-bedroom residences that offer ultra-luxury housing. Trump Plaza New Jersey boasts of five-star hotel service, Aqua Grotto’s Roman-style spa, indoor entertainment lounge, heated rooftop pool, lushly landscaped plaza, maid and valet service, shoeshine and repair, porter service and on-site BMW Zipcar service.

Trump Plaza Jersey City will officially receive the Award of Merit at the 46th Annual Roger H. Corbetta Awards Dinner on November 13, 2007.

Association of Contracting Plumbers Celebrate 125th Anniversary

In honor of the Association of Contracting Plumbers (ACP) 125th Anniversary, Mayor Bloomberg recently declared an “Association of Contracting Plumbers Day” to mark the industry’s appreciation for the organization.

“Since 1881, these skilled professionals have installed sanitary systems in our homes and businesses, and in many of the buildings that comprise our famous skyline. Today, contracting plumbers are on the job at almost every construction site in the city, ensuring that our residents and visitors have access to clean water and first-rate plumbing,” said Mayor Bloomberg in praise of the ACP.

Over 250 plumbing contractors, city officials and representatives of the leading construction contractor organizations in New York City attended the event in celebration.

As an additional highlight, ACP also announced that it would name its scholarship program after pioneer of the industry and previous ACP president, Leonard X. Farbman.

Over the last 25 years, ACP has given $750,000 to more than 400 students in the area. Annually, ACP awards $1,000 each to ten ambitious college students who are the children of union journeymen, apprentices or licensed plumbers.

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