Category Archives: Construction

The Buffalo News: Training workers to meet the future of manufacturing

May 3, 2013Construction, Economic Development, Human Resources, ManufacturingBuffalo, education, Jobs, Manufacturing, Technology, workforceGuest Author

The Business Council has long been focused on workforce development in New York State. Many of our manufacturing members have told us they have difficulty finding high-skilled workers. David Robinson of The Buffalo News wrote that “nearly one of every three [Western New York] factory jobs [are] expected to come open within the next seven years.” With that in mind, writes Robinson, the Western New York Economic Development Council has “endorsed a plan to create a workforce training center that will help teach local workers the skills needed in today’s more advanced factory work.”

Click here to read about the center which is expected to open next year.

Letter: Reforming Scaffold Law should be a top priority

April 12, 2013Constructionlabor law, reform, Scaffold, Scaffold Reform, section 240Guest Author

Today’s Buffalo News has a letter to the editor from Thomas B. Stebbins, executive director of Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York calling for the state to reform Section 240 of the New York State Labor Law. Also known as the Scaffold Law, Stebbins outlines how ultimately everyone, not just contractors, municipalities, schools and the state itself wind up paying.

Read the full letter to the editor on The Buffalo News website.

You can also join us and other businesses in Albany on April 17th for Small Business Lobby Day to tackle the issue.

New UB medical school is gateway to hospitals and neighborhoods

April 11, 2013Construction, Economic Development, Health Care, Human Resources, Made in New York, Member News, TechnologyBuffaloGuest Author

It’s “the glue” that will hold a downtown Buffalo neighborhood together, the University of Buffalo‘s new Medical School. Stephen Watson, staff reporter for The Buffalo News, wrote about the $375 million facility slated to open in 2016. It’s a grand design.

Take a look at the design unveiled Wednesday.

Click the logo to learn more about Made in New York, The Business Council’s website dedicated to showcasing those companies that make up the backbone of New York’s economy.

Crain’s: Storm a wake-up call, business leaders say

April 5, 2013ConstructionCrains, Hurricane Sandy, New York City, RebuiildingGuest Author

Annie Karni of Crain’s New York Business covered the recent Rebuilding New York conference where New York officials met to talk about rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy and about preparedness for the future.

Read Karni’s article on the Crain’s New York Business website.

Scaffold Law Reform

April 4, 2013ConstructionInsurance, labor law, NFIB, section 240, Small businessGuest Author

Small Business Day on April 17th is the opportunity for New York businesses to speak out on reforming the state’s Scaffold Law. The current law places an absolute liability standard on businesses making them responsible for worker injuries, even if a worker has not taken responsibility for their own safety. This has led to increased business costs for New York employers who oversee work on job sites, with general liability insurance costing between 300% and 1200% higher than in other states.

A.3104 (Morelle)/S.111 (Gallivan)
Business Council Memo Supporting Scaffold Law Reform
Crain’s New York Business: Developers take aim at ‘outmoded’ law
New York Real Estate Journal: An attorney discusses labor law 240 and shareholder renovations

To register for Small Business Day contact Erin DeSantis Assistant State Director at NFIB for more information. 877.434.1262 or email Erin.DeSantis@NFIB.ORG.

Buffalo jumps back into top 40 in national economic rankings

April 1, 2013Construction, Financial Services, Health Care, Manufacturing, Taxes, TransportationBuffalo, economy, G. SCott ThomasGuest Author

Buffalo Business First projects editor , G. Scott Thomas, posted this good news story about Buffalo’s climb in the national economic rankings. That’s according to the On Numbers Economic Index.

Click here to read more.

Check out MadeInNY.org for great Made In NY products. Buying New York products helps keep our economy going.

Rochester to get nanotechnology manufacturing center, state officials say

March 12, 2013Construction, Economic Development, Human Resources, TechnologyCuomo, Dynamax, nanotechnology, RochesterGuest Author

Gannett reporter Joseph Spector writes in this morning’s Democrat and Chronicle that Governor Cuomo and leaders of the state’s nanotechnology will soon “announce expansion of nanotechnology manufacturing in Rochester.”

Click here to read Spector’s report.

Crain’s: Small business makers and shakers

March 11, 2013Construction, Economic Development, Member News, TechnologyCrains, Innovation, Manufacturing, New York CityGuest Author

In today’s Crain’s New York Business, Annie Field has an interesting story about how state-of-the-art equipment is helping manufacturers boost productivity and allow them to enter new markets.

Click here to read her report.

Manufacturers urge lawmakers to help businesses grow

March 11, 2013Construction, Human Resources, Manufacturingcongress, Jobs, labor, ManufacturingGuest Author

On The Hill’s blog, On The Money, Vicki Needham reported that “manufacturers say businesses are holding back on hiring because they are frustrated about the nation’s fiscal situation and its regulatory environment.” That from Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers. His comments followed the release of the February jobs report which showed an addition of 14,000 in manufacturing. Good, but not good enough.

Click here to read Needham’s report.

Rochester business leaders push for more state aid

March 7, 2013Construction, Economic Development, Member NewsIDA, Lobby, Rochester, Sandy ParkerGuest Author

Gannett’s Joseph Spector reports this morning on efforts by Rochester business leaders to get more state aid for their city. They were at the Capitol yesterday for what Spector called “their yearly lobbying push.” Sandy Parker, president & CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance, was among those who met with Lt. Governor Robert Duffy and legislative leaders.

Click here to read more.