EWVIDCO Member News
September 27, 2007

Training Grants Available for NYC Businesses

Are you looking to build the skills of your workforce?  The New York City Department of Small Business Services recently announced a new round of funding for the NYC Business Solutions Training Grant. The Grant is designed to grow the City’s economy by enabling employers to create and retain jobs, increase wages, build skills, and help workers advance in their careers.  
 
To date, New York City has awarded over $2.57 million to 29 growing companies to train 1,847 New Yorkers.  To apply for the NYC Business Solutions Training Grant, employers must complete a six page application, accompanied by a narrative and an outline of the training curriculum. Visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/nycbizhtml/hiri/ng/training.shtml for an application and additional instructions.
 
Two Pre-Submission Information Sessions will be held at the NYC Department of Small Business Services, 7th Floor, 110 William Street, New York NY 10038 on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.  Reservations are required—contact training@sbs.nyc.gov to reserve your space.  Pre-applications are due by October 15, 2007.  Please visit http://www.nyc.gov/training for additional information and instructions.  If you have any questions, please contact Leah Archibald at 718-388-7287.

Free, trained Interns for your Business

This fall, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is launching a new program that provides free, trained interns to businesses across the city. The program, called Opportunity Knocks, will start by providing six weeks of rigorous business skills training to young adults ages 17 – 24. Once trained and ready, we will place the young adults at internships in businesses starting on Monday, December 10th for twenty hours a week (five hours a day everyday except Wednesday). The interns will be paid by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). OBT staff will work closely with businesses to insure that the match is successful. Meeting employer’s needs is always a top priority for us. Interested businesses should call Leah Archibald at 718-388-7287 x168 for more information or the Opportunity Knocks program’s toll-free number: 1 – 866 – O – KNOCKS (656-6257).

Keyspan 2007 Energy Efficiency Programs

Keyspan has recently announced a series of New York and Long Island Energy Efficiency Programs went into effect on August 1, 2007. They serve both home and business customers with a variety of offers and rebates to save energy efficiency through education, awareness and the installation of gas efficiency measures. Services for commercial businesses include:

Commercial & Multi Family Energy Efficiency Programs
- Includes Energy Audits, Prescriptive Energy Rebates and Custom Energy Rebates
- Energy Audit is conducted, recommendations made and technical assistance provided for installation of energy saving measures
- New construction design assistance and energy modeling services identify potential energy savings and provide payback estimate for efficiency options
- Engineering grants and matching grants for complex projects and feasibility studies
- Rebates of $0.75 to $1.50 per first year therm saved for qualifying measures, up to $100,0000

High-Efficiency Heating & Water Heating
Rebates up to $6,000 for high efficiency furnaces (90% AFUE), boilers (85% thermal efficiency) or steam boilers (82% thermal efficiency)

Economic Redevelopment
50% matching grants, up to $100,000, per project, for energy saving measures in commercial
properties in designated Empire Zones, Economic Target Areas in NY

Technology Demonstration
This program provides funding toward new or underutilized energy efficient technologies
including gas compressors, fuel cell heat recovery, innovative gas A/C, advanced combustion controls, AHU controls, etc.

Emerald Network
Support provided to projects pursuing certification for green building or for projects that are incorporating renewable technology. Some examples include LEED certification and solar.

For more information, contact Leah Archibald at 718-388-7287 x168 or Keyspan at 1-800-843-3636.

NY Times Small Business Summit

Join the New York Times, OPEN/American Express and many of America's leading small business leaders for a day of information, networking and tips on growing your business. Keynote speakers include Tom Scott, Co-founder, Nantucket Nectars & Plum TV, and Danny Meyer, President, Union Square Restaurant Group.

Panel and breakout session topics include:
Managing fast growth;
Marketing;
PR strategies;
Raising capital and going green.

The day begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast and ends with a lively cocktail/networking reception. The price of this event is $99, space is limited.
Register at: http://www.nytimes.com/smallbusinesssummit

Save the Date!

EWVIDCO’s 25th Anniversary Reception/2008 Membership Drive Kickoff Event
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
More information on the way soon!