Two Albany area chambers of commerce consider partnership

Oct 22, 2014, 3:07pm EDT UPDATED: Oct 22, 2014, 3:26pm EDT

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Donna Abbott-Vlahos

Mark Eagan is president and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber.

Krystle S. Morey

Reporter-Albany Business Review

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The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber and the Chamber of Schenectady County are exploring a joint partnership.

Mark Eagan, president and CEO of Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber says the partnership would function more as two affiliate organizations under one parent chamber, rather than a merger.

"Our discussions are a natural progression in our ongoing partnership," Eagan said. "We have done as much as we can do as separate legal entities."

Board members of both chambers voted to form a joint task force Wednesday.

The task force includes six members from each of the chambers' boards. The group is working with The New York Council of Nonprofits Inc. to determine the sustainability of an integrated organization.

The chambers would maintain offices in Albany and Schenectady counties. 

"We want to integrate without losing focus on local, county-based issues," Eagan said.

Both chambers have partnered with several business groups and events in the past including Leadership Tech Valley, the Tech Valley Nonprofit Business Council and the Tech Valley Young Professionals Network.

The Schenectady Chamber has 1,000 members and the Albany-Colonie Chamber has 2,200 members. Two hundred and twenty are members of both.

The task force will meet over the coming months to evaluate the sustainability of an integrated chamber. It will share its findings to members of both chambers and put the partnership to a vote in the spring.

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NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight: Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits! Every fiscal staff members best friend... Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it!  Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.   The features of the Budget Toolkit include:   Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget" Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.) Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures. And more! You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself. Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am  On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.

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New Employee Fee For Nonprofits Using NYS Unemployment Insurance

Read below about the recent news about a new fee per employee for employers related to NYS Unemployment Insurance borrowing. As a nonprofit, there is another alternative, which you can learn about from NYCON:

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A Big Bill for Employers
The Albany Times Union reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday rolled out a sweeping plan to help revitalize the state's economy, complete with an ad campaign and competitive grant program designed to spark innovation.

But businesses have a more immediate concern: The bill is coming due for New York's unemployment insurance.

Citing the need to borrow more than $3 billion from the federal government to prop up its chronically empty account, the state faces a whopping $95 million interest payment on loans for the fund due Sept. 30.

As a result, the state Department of Labor is assessing businesses up to $21.25 per employee to cover the cost. That payment is due Aug. 15.

Complaints about what businesses describe as a hidden tax were rolling in Tuesday after numerous employers received the notices and as Cuomo expounded on his plans for the economy.

"This is something that could -- depending on the number of employees -- be a pretty hefty cost in this economy," said Mike Durant, New York state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

When asked about the surcharge during a news conference outlining his revitalization plans, Cuomo stressed that the bill for interest is ultimately coming from Washington, D.C.

"It's a federal decision whether or not they'll waive the interest payments. I hope that they do," he said, adding that his office was pushing the state's congressional delegation on the issue.

The hefty tab illustrates what can happen as the federal stimulus program, enacted shortly after the recession started in 2008, runs out.

The Department of Labor noted that the stimulus program provided no-interest loans to the states in 2009 and 2010, but not this year.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/A-big-bill-for-your-boss-1472786.php#ixzz1SetH4Zip

NYSERDA Grant Opportunity for NYS Nonprofits

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announces a new grant opportunity through the Energy Conservation Study ARRA Assistance Program. This opportunity provides funding to complete Energy Conservation Studies, which can be used to support applications to upcoming project implementation funding opportunities through NYSERDA's administration of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. All New York State non-profits [501(c)3] will be eligible participants. The studies can address the following topics: energy efficiency; renewable energy; and alternative fuel vehicles. Under this program, each applicant will be eligible to receive funding of 100% of the study cost up to $30,000. The completed study can then be used as supplemental material for future ARRA grant applications.

For the full PON description and application, visit the website here: http://www.nyserda.org/funding/0004pon.pdf