NYSERDA - New Construction Program and updates

[Source: Jim Bittker]  Governor Cuomo recently announced the results of the second round of State aid and incentives for economic development projects funded through the Regional Economic Development Councils.  The Finger Lakes region will get $96.2 million -- the highest total awarded to any of the 10 economic development councils!

NCP funding will continue through the next three years

The current round of funding for the NYSERDA New Construction Program will continue to be available on a first-come, first-served basis through December 31, 2015, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. Sustainable Performance Consulting, Inc. will continue to be the sole administrators of this Program throughout the State.

Outreach Project Consultants (OPCs)

To be 100% clear: My colleagues and I are under contract with NYSERDA to help affect a permanent transformation in the way new and substantially renovated buildings are designed and constructed.  Our Outreach Project Coordinators are engineers and architects who work directly with NCP applicants and their project teams, helping to maximize the Program to your greatest benefit.  There is no cost whatsoever for our assistance!  

See: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Commercial-and-Industrial/CI-Programs/New-Construction-Program.aspx. 

Cleaner, Greener Communities Program

I have been receiving an increasing number of questions about how the Cleaner, Greener Communities Program works and what is involved with sharing ideas for more sustainable development and smart growth practices. This Program is supported by more than $100,000,000 in funding.

See: www.nyserda.ny.gov/Statewide-Initiatives/Cleaner-Greener-Communities.aspx. 

Contact Jim Bittker for more information on NYSERDA @ 585-943-7604 or email: jbittker@spc-ny.com

Opportunities for Businesses Seeking Funding

Foreign capital is an effective avenue for financing new U.S. investments or expanding existing operations in a cost-effective manner all while creating jobs and economic growth. It has become an increasingly attractive option during the current economic downturn and related tightening of the credit market. Learn more on this EB5 alternative financing program.

Empire State EB5 Regional Center (approved USCIS Regional Center) collects and pools this capital from foreign investors who are looking to invest in qualifying investment structures as part of their visa process to obtain permanent U.S. residency and lifestyle. Empire State EB5 will help U.S. business owners navigate the entire process, from the application process to structuring the needed steps to obtain the foreign investment through vast network of agents.

Contact us today and begin the process. 

2815 Monroe Avenue, Suite 2100

Rochester, New York 14618
Tel: (866) 763-6515

WEBSITE HERE or EMAIL HERE

USCIS Director Mayorkas Announces the Creation of a New EB5 Office

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas has announced today the formation of a new office specifically designed to address and oversee issues related to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa program. Below is his announcement:

To view announcement in .PDF form, go here - New EB-5 Program Office - Message from Director

Dear Stakeholder,

I am pleased to announce that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be creating a new office to oversee our administration of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program.

The EB-5 program has spurred the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs and the injection of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy since Congress created the program in 1990. Interest in the EB-5 program has grown exponentially in recent years, both from domestic project developers seeking capital and foreign investors who have the capital that can fuel economic growth. USCIS has met this unprecedented growth and interest with a corresponding dedication of resources. USCIS has approved more than 3,100 Form I-526 petitions in Fiscal Year 2012 to date, more than triple the number approved in all of Fiscal Year 2009. 

Since 2009, we have quadrupled the size of the EB-5 adjudications team and brought on board eight expert economists dedicated to the EB-5 program to ensure that EB-5 cases are handled expeditiously and with appropriate expertise. In the next month, two full-time attorneys with substantial transactional experience will enter on duty as new additions to the USCIS EB-5 program team. And by the end of July, a special Review Board consisting of two Supervisory Immigration Services Officers and one economist will review every pending application for regional center designation for which a denial has been recommended, with applicants receiving the opportunity to discuss their cases in-person before any final adverse decision is rendered.

By now creating a dedicated program office, we will build on these steps toward ensuring that this important and complex program is appropriately resourced and managed under a single leadership structure.  

I am also excited to announce that the new office will be led by a new Chief of Immigrant Investor Programs, and that an advertisement for this new leadership position will be posting today. Our new program chief will have significant experience in the business world and will assume responsibility for ensuring that the program is administered efficiently, with integrity, with predictability, and with an understanding of today’s business realities.

We understand that more work needs to be done to further improve our administration of the EB-5 program. We are committed to this work. USCIS welcomes and appreciates your input as we stand up our new EB-5 Program Office.

Thank you.
 
Alejandro N. Mayorkas
Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Cuomo To Regional Councils: Cooperate Or Die

Cuomo To Regional Councils: Cooperate Or Die

Not sure if the news here is good for us New Yorkers or just plan bad for us and business. "WE" need plan, action , and completion. Thought the goal was to have competition for the money, but as with what the past tells us of businesses competitive nature, no one likes to play fair. If "WE" can not play nice with each other, then how do "WE" ever break this downward spiral of economic collapse?

“New York Open for Business” ad campaign and economic development funds totaling $40 million

  

The state of New York has allocated funds to a long term ad campaign, “New York Open for Business.” This, along with the assembly of state funds for economic development through 10 local development councils throughout the state, are the beginnings of the state government attempting to reverse the reputation of New York having one of the worst business climates and create jobs.

In years past, businesses have left the state at a high rate, taking jobs along with them. The new economic development councils will be submitting 5 year strategic plans by November 14th for plans in the five boroughs. Initial ideas emerged centering around leveraging regional assets, focus on quality job creation, improving disadvantaged areas, infrastructure investments and education.

New York City has long been viewed as a global center with an entrepreneurial spirit and will receive $40 million of the total $200 million the state has allocated for these initiatives, geared for small businesses. Stay tuned for new developments.

Author: Tara Kelley
August 25, 2011

**NOTE: This is intended for informational purposes only.**