Question: For those who are looking to get County, City, and federally certified, is there an amount of time you must be in business? If there is, could there be a waiver so minority businesses can have an opportunity to receive the benefits?
Answer: Erie County and City of Buffalo require that a business have been in business or able to demonstrate that they have been doing business for at least 6 months. Generally, this requirement cannot be waived. However, if the services being provided require a license, such as an electrician, plumber, lawyer, doctor, etc., we will consider waiving the requirement after reviewing a completed application.
Name: Anonymous
Question: Does business have to be certified in order to bid for some of the contracts? Is there a qualification sheet available?
Answer: A business need not be certified in order to bid on any contract. The benefits of being certified enables the County and City departments: 1. to identify legitimate minority and women-owned businesses; and 2: to make affirmative efforts to include these certified businesses in its contracting process as the general contractor or subcontractor.
Name: Anonymous
Question: If you require the winner of the bid to be the low bidder what is the purpose of having your company certified?
Answer: Only the Purchasing Division of the City of Buffalo requires that the contract go to the lowest bidder. Other city entities, like the Department of Public Works, bid the contract to the contractor who can best meet the requirements outlined by the Request for Proposal (RFP). Before the contract is rewarded, the Primary contractor must outline how he/she plans on compiling with the MWBE goals set by the City’s Charter (25 percent minority-owned / 5 percent women-owned businesses). The city/county MWBE certification is a tool that helps the prospective contractor(s) identify existing minority companies or contractors that can help meet these goals.
Name: Reggie Garner
Question: Is there a list of minority-owned businesses in the county? If so where can it be found?
Answer: Yes, the Department of Equal Employment Opportunities does provide a listing of Minority-Owned Businesses in within Erie County. You can find this information at their website http://www.erie.gov/depts/eeo/ .
Name: Kenn Dickens
Question: Buffalo is the second largest city in the state, the sixth most segregated city in the United States, and the second poorest city nationally behind Detroit. The city has lost fifty percent of its population in the past fifty years. What are you planning to do about city property interest rates?
Answer: Being that Buffalo is an old manufacturing and rustbelt city, the City of Buffalo understands that the city faces many challenges. Looking forward, the Brown Administration is strategically expanding Buffalo’s economic and community development opportunities. To date, the city has $4 billion dollars of investment by both public and private entities. Ultimately, these projects will increase the skilled workforce and housing infrastructure.
Name: C.W.
Question: How can we move forward on Jefferson Avenue when we have so many vacant buildings? (e.g., Goodwill (Glenwood), the old Henry’s Hamburgers, Gas Station across the street from Tops). Also, when businesses such as Tops invest in our neighborhood why are they so small?
Answer: Currently, the Office of Strategic Planning is working on two plans for the Jefferson Avenue Business Corridor. The first is the Jefferson Avenue Stabilization Plan, which outlines the enhanced departmental services provided by the City of Buffalo to the corridor. The second is the creation of the Jefferson Avenue Urban Renewal Plan. This plan will set future design standards for Jefferson Avenue between Northland Avenue and Kinsley. The amalgamation of these plans provides a planning framework that will encourage community and economic development in these underserved communities.
We must remember the foot print of Jefferson Avenue does not encourage big- box stores like “Wal-mart”, however it accommodates a “boutique-like” shopping experience. Over the years, through the implementation of aforementioned planning documents, Jefferson Avenue and its surrounding neighborhood will see an accretion in economic and neighborhood investment.
Name: L. Pettigrew – WUFO -1080
Question: Buffalo is a global entry point for billions of dollars in goods into and out of North America. Does the city have any plans to fully take economic advantage of its geographic position?
Answer: As the U.S. economy transitions from a manufacturing to service-based economy U.S. cities are finding out that they are not only competing against one another, but with cities around the world. Therefore, it is critically important that the City of Buffalo positions itself in the expanding global economy. Fortunately, due to our close proximity to the Canadian boarder, Buffalo already has a strong international trade infrastructure to expand upon.
Development projects like the Peace Bridge and still others, will allow the city to build upon our existing trade infrastructure. Hopefully this project, as well as others, will allow the city and region to attract businesses that take advantage of our geographic position.
Name: Anonymous
Question: This question is directed to Ms. Stovar – What constitutes “professional services contracts?” What amounts do they typically specify?
Answer: Professional services include engineering, architectural, medical, social, and technological services. A good general definition would be those services that are not construction or supplies.
Name: Benjamin Bridges
Question: Will start-up contracting companies be able to bid on projects? Will there be any opportunities for minority contractors to bid on the waterfront development projects?
Answer: Any business is able to bid on contracts available through the city; however these companies must demonstrate that they have the capacity to successfully complete the work outlined by the RFP and often times this difficult for start-up companies to demonstrate.
Yes, there are opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to be on the waterfront development projects. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 851-5636 for more information.
Name: Ed Watts
Question: What does a professional design services firm need to do to qualify for work for the CARE Program? All of the work seems to go to one firm.
Answer: In order to qualify for the work for the Commercial Area Revitalization Effort Program, qualified firms are required to adhere to the following:
SELECTION CRITERIA
- City of Buffalo’s neighborhood revitalization project experience.
- Composition of Project Team.
- Hourly rate for each team member, including all overhead costs.
- Average number of hours required for completing services above for each CARE area. (Contact Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation for CARE area detail, including listing of potential storefronts.)
- Firms with related experience and expertise are invited to respond to this RFP by submitting the requested information above accompanied by their current 254 and 255 forms.
- Certified Minority Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply
- Knowledge of Federal Labor Standards & City of Buffalo Section 3 Policy
- Upon receipt of proposals – consultants are selected based on a scoring system.
Name: Edward L. Freely Jr., Primerica Financial Services
Question: What resources do you have available for a financial services company that is looking to expand into Buffalo, NY? Including hiring of women, minorities, and anyone interested in owning their own business.
Answer: The Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation (BERC) has a variety of loan packages that help companies that are looking to expand in the City of Buffalo. In regards to hiring, the Empire Zone program offers special tax incentives that encourage economic development, business development and job creation. Empire Zone certified businesses located within a designated zone are eligible to receive significant tax credits and benefits. These benefits include:
- Sales Tax Exemption
- Real Property Tax Credit
- Wage Tax Credit
- Investment & Employment Incentives
- New Business Refund
- Utility Rates Savings
- Zone Capital Credits
Additional Comments
Name: Anonymous
Question: Can legal assistance be offered to aid small businesses. Unscrupulous lawyers are taking advantage of uninformed business owners. Please offer assistance. Thank you.
Name: Ms. Heath
Comment: Construction contracts are already decided- Ciminelli, Santorino(?)!! Stop all work till Afro-Americans are properly represented at the pay with Europeans!
Name: Samuel Brown
Comment: I do not want my question to be looked at lightly. My question is this, what is the urban leagues purpose? After the mayor’s office contacted them about my complaint I was phoned by a representative from the urban league inquiring about my correct social security number (?).
