Rockland Business Association — Promoting and supporting business in Rockland County.
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Stimulus Program for Worker Training
State has money for worker training

Syracuse, NY -- The New York State Department of Labor wants to make sure companies have workers ready to pounce on new business when the economy rebounds.

The Department of Labor announced Building Skills in New York State (BUSINYS), a new program funded by the federal government to pay for worker training.

"Now is the best time to invest in the skills of existing workers," Bruce Herman, deputy commissioner at the state Department of Labor, said at a press conference at Driver's Village in Cicero.

The $5 million BUSINYS training program will be funded in part by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Any private for, or not-for-profit, group with four or more workers may apply for up to $50,000 in training funds for current workers.

Companies may apply by going to www.labor.ny.gov. The deadline for applications is July 20.

Labor Department officials have been traveling the state reminding companies and workers of state programs available to help them.

Monday Herman reminded companies about Work Opportunity Tax Credits, which are tax credits companies receive when they hire eligible individuals such as: veterans, ex-felons, summer youth, or people receiving temporary assistance to needy families.

Companies were also reminded about the state's Shared Work program, which encourages companies to maintain their workforce rather than hold mass layoffs. Under the program workers receive unemployment benefits from the state, even though their employers lay them off one or only a couple of days out of the week.

The program allows companies to maintain a skilled workforce. And workers continue to receive pay, as well as, health insurance, retirement and vacation benefits even though their hours are cut.

Help us stop the Paid Family Leave Bill now!

The Business Council has launched an on-line effort that is sending a message to the state legislature asking them to stop the Paid Family Leave bill.

Employers large and small have told us that any such unfunded mandate would impede their ability to manage their workforce needs while conducting business.

The Paid Family Leave bill (S-5791/A-8742) will not only hurt a company’s bottom-line, it will encourage absenteeism -- thereby disrupting work schedules, forcing employers to fill gaps with overtime imposed on other workers, and causing some to lose business opportunities.

The Business Council has set up a simple, on-line system that will enable you to send a message directly to your state legislators asking them to stop Paid Family Leave. We ask you to click on the link below and send a message today!
http://www.votervoice.net/groups/BCNYS/advocacy/?IssueID=18236&AdminPreview=True&SiteID=-1

If you would like to know more about bill S-5791/A-8742 click here to read a bill memo opposing this bill.

2nd Annual Green Seminar Rockland Business Association Vice President of Development Roger Scheiber eloquently summed up the group’s 2nd Annual Green Seminar when he said “last year’s seminar talked about the possibilities, this year talked about the success.” As soon as one walked into the Technology Center at RCC, you where surrounded by successful green businesses; including sponsor HSBC Bank. Nina Tyzik said that HSBC chose to sponsor this RBA program because as a company “We are very committed to the environment. It is our corporate social initiative to support green enterprises in the communities we do business in.” Other vendors included Clean Air NY, Ira Wickes Arborists and Michael Shilale Architects, Metro Pool, Keep Rockland Beautiful, Abbey Ice and Spring Water, New York House magazine, Greenman Perdersen Inc., Daylight Savings Company and Clean Vechiles NY. Special attention was paid to making sure the seminar was as environmentally friendly as possible, so all food was served on recyclable materials. (read the rest of the story and Vanderhoef's remarks)

Green Toolkit for Success In the second annual Green Seminar, the Rockland Business Association unveiled its Tool Kit for Green Business Success. The Tool Kit was designed by members of the Green Council. Deborah Rosenberg, Green Council Communications Director revealed the Tool Kit to the seminars audience. Rosenberg said the goal of the Green Council was to “create a one-stop resource to find information quickly on Green Business.” As part of the Green Council’s goal in designing the Tool Kit, the committee worked to see what the people of Rockland needed. So far the Kit has information on many different areas of going green such as: building design and construction, compliance issues, green business consultants and buying green products. Every topic not only includes a brief description, but gives people access to RBA members for live discussion. (read more about the Green Tool Kit)

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef welcomes all to the "Green Business: Your Toolkit For Success" seminar and discusses "Green Business: An Evolutionary Imperative"

Create visibility, find marketing opportunities, leverage your contacts and build your referral network!

The Rockland Business Association educates, informs and provides beneficial services to our members. 

Did you know that 25% of our membership are non-Rockland based businesses?  These companies want to network and do business with our members.

There is always something going on at the RBA. You can be part of our Small Business Council, Women's Forum and CEO Forum. There are lots of opportunities to build your business relationships at our Business After Hours, Relationship Building Network and General Membership Luncheons.