As part of its efforts to develop strong, lasting partnerships with diverse suppliers and commitment to invest in local communities, National Grid and the Long Island Power Authority are conducting the second “Power of Connections,” a one-day business opportunity fair matchmaker event. More than 400 minority and women owned businesses, State and City representatives, buyers and prime contractors are registered to participate in the event which will take place April 5, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chateau Briand, 440 Old Country Road in Carle Place on Long Island.
This is the second event sponsored by National Grid and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to offer information on the tools necessary for minority and women-owned businesses to secure contracts in the private and public sectors to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity. Participants will learn about procurement opportunities with National Grid, LIPA, and City and State agencies; the Empire State Development Corporation certification process and they will participate in pre-scheduled one-on-one business matchmaking meetings and more.
“We are pleased to partner with National Grid for our second ‘Power of Connections’ business opportunity and matchmaking event, which will provide minority and women-owned businesses with the necessary tools and information to expand their business opportunities with LIPA, National Grid and State and local government,” said LIPA Chief Operating Officer Michael Hervey. “LIPA’s goals to reach out to and encourage MWBE’s are consistent with those of Governor Cuomo, and are paramount to keeping a thriving business community throughout the State of New York.”
“It is important to National Grid to support our local communities through business partnerships that will result in benefits for our customers, communities and local employers,” said Ken Daly, National Grid president for New York. “National Grid and LIPA’s first Power of Connections event was beneficial to all who participated and we look forward to raising the bar this year and making more connections that help our communities.”
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative and LaGuardia Community College are leadership sponsors for the “Power of Connections.” Paisley Demby, Business Service Director for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Jane Schulman, Vice President, Division of Adult and Continuing Education for LaGuardia Community College, will deliver the keynote presentation, “Roadmap Your Business Success: Develop the CEO Mindset, Tools and Resources to Grow your Business.” They will lead an interactive discussion on tools, resources and strategies for successful business growth. Through the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, Goldman Sachs is providing business skills and capital to entrepreneurs across the country to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity.
In addition, National Grid and LIPA are partnering with leading agencies that will have representatives available to discuss how to maneuver through City and State agency requests for proposals, submitting bids and winning contracts. Representatives will be available from Dormitory Authority State of New York (DASNY), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York City Small Business Services, New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and State University Construction Fund.
Also, School Construction Authority Diversity Council Chair Rev. Jacques DeGraff will moderate the event. Other program partners include Empire State Development; Jamaica Business Resource Center; New York New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.; New York City Business Solutions; The Regional Alliance for Small Contractors; U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.; and U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
During the event, National Grid and LIPA will recognize notable top suppliers for 2011. GoTToGo Electric from the Fingerlakes Region of New York will receive the 2011 Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Award and Mas Tec, Inc. of New Hampshire, provider of electrical solutions serving transmission, distribution, substation, construction and maintenance projects will receive the 2011 Minority-Owned Business Enterprise Award from National Grid. Unique Comp. Inc. software solutions of Long Island City will receive the 2011 Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Award from LIPA.
“These diverse firms are examples of strong lasting partnerships that leave a lasting heritage of creating opportunities and growth in our communities,” said Carla Hunter Ramsey, National Grid U.S. Director of Supplier Diversity. “We are proud to recognize them as our top spend diverse suppliers for 2011.”
Returning and new “Power of Connections” event participants have already expressed excitement about this year’s event.
Pat Ambrosio, Executive Vice President, Engineering/Estimating, Hallen Construction in Island Park said, “We look forward to meeting new suppliers and subcontractors that can assist us in our core business and possibly expand into new areas parallel to our core business.”
Annemarie Austin, President, Powertech Controls Co., Inc. in Hauppauge, distributor of electrical products for Controls, Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Safety and Facility Management said “This is the second time that we will be participating. The 2010 event gave us some insight and information about how the process works along with some opportunity to network with the appropriate purchasing people.” Powertech was the largest MWBE subcontractor to BP Solar which built the Long Island Solar Farm for LIPA, the installation is part of the largest solar energy project in the state of New York, the largest photovoltaic array in the eastern U.S., and among the largest in the nation constructed on federal property.
