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July 2007 Newsletter
President's Message
Summer
is in full swing, and everybody seems to be very busy, which is good.
I hope that you are planning to take a day off and join us for the Golf
Outing on July 9th. If you haven’t already signed up, call the
office today and see if you can get added on. Non-golfers are invited
to join us for dinner at the Youngstown Yacht Club. Come out and enjoy
a great day, or at least the evening, with your friends from the NCBA.
The cost for golf, lunch and dinner is $125, and dinner only is $45.
Call the office TODAY if you haven’t already signed up.
Our June meeting was a casual affair, but we did have two presentations – one by Priority Financial Group and one by Sam Ferraro, director of the Niagara County Center for Economic Development. Three presenters from Priority Financial offered info on financial planning, stressing responsible portfolio management. They gave many examples of their client experiences.
Sam’s presentation outlined an exciting Economic Development idea for Western New York. Organizers of the first ever Explore Buffalo Niagara will send about 1,000 invitations to businesses around the world promoting our access to unlimited fresh water, great transportation corridors, a highly skilled workforce, hydropower, high tech sector and low-cost housing. Companies will be invited to attend a three-day forum that will give them the opportunity to experience our many advantages. In some respects it will be like a conference – their will be a keynote address from Ron Insana, senior correspondent for CNBC, and panel discussions with business, labor and economic development leaders. But there will also be many non-traditional activities, such as “field trips” to our waterfront attractions, Curtain Up theater event, dinner and fireworks at the falls, as well as visits to local businesses. Explore Buffalo Niagara will give business prospects a hands-on look at the advantages of doing business here. It’s scheduled for September 12-14, and holds tremendous promise for future development in Niagara County and the rest of Western New York. Expect to see a lot more about this exciting event in the local media.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 14th, the date for our annual picnic. This year we will be at Gratwick-Riverside Park in North Tonawanda. This will be a full afternoon and evening of fun, great food, beverages, games and camaraderie on the shores of the Niagara River.
Enjoy your summer, and take an occasional day off to enjoy your family and friends.
| Larry Quigliano II NCBA President |
The NCBA members and staff were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our longtime Executive Officer and friend Jim Fitz-Patrick on Saturday, June 23. Jim served our chapter for 25 years, and saw us through a great period of growth and home-building in Niagara County.
Jim was the consummate professional, meticulous in keeping our business affairs in order, loved to laugh, and was a friend to all. We will miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jen and her family, and we join them in mourning the loss of this wonderful man.
The NCBA has given a donation to the Arthritis Foundation in Jim’s memory.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) developed the New York Energy $mart Communities Program to build community support for energy efficiency. The New York Energy $mart Communities Program (E$C) targets regional energy needs by building networks of organizations and agencies that contribute to urban and rural development projects, demonstrating how energy efficiency and diversifying energy resources can create economic, environmental, and social benefits.
In their commitment to creating development opportunities that create a better quality of life for the residents of the Buffalo Niagara region and development that is sustainable, the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association has joined NYSERDA to bring the Energy $mart Communities Program to home owners in Western New York.
The E$C programs are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging efficient use of energy, as the electric utility sector becomes increasingly competitive. All New York Energy $mart Programs are funded through a Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) paid by all customers of National Grid, as well as by customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric. NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation that was established by law in 1975, and administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission. Energy $mart Programs are available to all customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) that pay into the SBC through their regular electricity bill. Regional coordinators facilitate projects, manage partnerships within the community, and help to match community needs with the appropriate NYSERDA programs and local resources. Lori |
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| Nagel facilitates the E$C program on behalf of the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association for Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Alleghany Counties. | ||
There are numerous financial and technical assistance opportunities available for all types of energy projects. Two examples of residential development opportunities with NYSERDA include the Energy Star Labeled Homes Program as well as the Home Performance with Energy Star Program. To participate in either of these programs the builder or contractor must be a Certified Energy Star Home Builder or an Accredited Energy Star Home Contractor. NYSERDA is committed to working with builders and contractors to help their business grow, and offers reimbursement for specialized training, marketing and sales support, and financial incentives to participants in various programs.
Further, the Multifamily Performance Program has recently undergone a major transformation, in that the program now offers “one-stop-shopping” to be eligible to receive four levels of incentives at four stages of the construction process. These incentives are available in both New Construction and Existing Buildings. Using a partner network made up of engineers, energy consultants, and other industry professionals, the Multifamily Performance Program uses a customized approach to address the specific energy and operational needs of your building.
Builders, contractors, lenders, homeowners, and multifamily building owners are strongly encouraged to contact Lori Nagel, at the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association to find out what NYSERDA program opportunities are available, and to keep up to date on the technical requirements of these programs.
Upcoming Training Opportunities in Western NY:
Targeted Residential Energy Analysis Tool (TREAT) Software Training,
Erie Community College
+ TREAT training is offered in two courses (basic and advanced). Each is a
full-day course, and NYSERDA offers a 75% reimbursement upon completion.
For information on this and other training opportunities visit www.getenergysmart.org
October 18 & 19, 2007
Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona,
NY
The NCBA picnic will be at Gratwick Riverside Park in North Tonawanda on Tuesday, August 14th. This has been our largest event, and we are looking forward to another great one. Gratwick Riverside Park is on River Road in N.T., near the Wheatfield town line. We have the large pavilion reserved, and we’re planning all of the usual fun and games, with maybe a few surprises.
President Larry is working on securing our caterer, and he promises great food, great fun and a day full of good times. We can use some help getting the picnic organized. If you can help with sponsors, shopping, carting or any of the other miscellaneous jobs that are necessary to make this happen, please call Cathy and sign on to help.
Bring your employees, vendors, subs and friends to this event. Make this your Company Picnic!
Cliff Mason at National Fuel has come to us with a proposal that can help our builders offer a great service to homebuyers, and give you an opportunity to win a gas appliance.
Homeowners are looking for convenience and comfort. One easy and inexpensive way to offer that is with an outdoor gas convenience outlet – a quick-connect fitting that provides a safe and easy way to fire up a gas grill, patio heater or firepit. It’s a very small add-on, but provides tremendous value for your customer.
| For each house that a builder completes with a gas convenience
outlet between July 1 and September 30, we will place one entry into
a drawing. National Fuel will offer three prizes – a gas grill,
patio heater or firepit. The winners will be drawn at our October
meeting. To make the offer even more attractive, National Fuel will
supply the first 12 quick connect outlets free of charge. Each builder
is eligible to receive up to three (3) free convenience outlets.
They are available from the NCBA office at 2728 Niagara Falls Blvd,
Wheatfield. Call the NCBA at 693-5736 if you have questions about
this offer. |
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LaFarge North America
MIG Building Systems
Niagara National Inc.
Kitchen World
GT Custom Built Homes
Countrywide Home Loans
Gary L. Pollard
Mordeno Construction Co.
L.J. Quigliano, Inc.
NYSBA has a special offer for early registration to the New York State Builders Show at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino on October 18 & 19, 2007. If you register online by September 14th at the NYSBA website you can save 50% on the registration fee. Go to www.nysba.com select Trade Show from the dropdown menu, then click on “register online”. Registration is fast and easy, and you will save $25 by doing it now. See you at the show!
Have you made your reservations for the NCBA Golf Outing?
Monday, July 9, 2007
Niagara Frontier Country Club
Youngstown, NY
Call Cathy TODAY to sign up and get your tee time
Golf, lunch & dinner $125
Dinner only $45
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NCBA Officers and Directors
Niagara County Builders Association |
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