Abren Nueva Lavandería Automática “Laundry Warehouse, LLC”
As seen published in Sociales de LA VOZ
February 13, 2014
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Quedó inaugurada días pasados una modernísisma lavandería automática en el 224-234 de Elizabeth Avnue, en la ciudad de Elizabeth. El nuevo comercio Laundry Warehouse LLC cuenta con los más modernos equipos en el giro. En el corte de cinta en esta foto aparecen: Elisha Pérez, Dave Strochak, Paul Barrood, de Provident Bank, Steve Bernhardt, asociado de Laundry Warehouse LLC; concejales Bill Gallman, Manny Grova, los propietarios del negocio Jarred Lustbader, Mark Lustbader y Leslie Lustbader, Newton Burkett, Carlos Sánchez, de Elizabeth Development Co., y Gordon Haas, de Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce. (Fotos LA VOZ/Jay Davis).
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Mark y Sarell Lustbader, y el concejal Manny Grova.
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Job partners hire 40 Union County residents at airport hotel
As seen published in elizabethinsideout.tv
March 3, 2014
By Maya Chung
PHOTOS: By Sylvia Jauregui
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Forty Union County residents have been hired at the newly opened Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport, thanks to the On-the-Job-Training partnership of the Union County Workforce Investment Board, the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center and the Elizabeth Development Company.
Embassy Suites joined with EDC’s social services partner, the Eport Center, and hosted a job fair for unemployed Union County residents who were interested in preparing and interviewing for jobs with the hotel. They offered residents information abut interviewing techniques, dress-for-success tips, career goal-setting, and letter-writing.
Attendees were then scheduled for one-on-one interviews with Embassy Suites management.
“This is a win-win for the city and its residents,” Elizabeth First Ward Councilman Carlos Torres said. “The First Ward just got upgraded again.” “It’s a beautiful hotel and they hired residents from the community. It’s great.”
Since the program began in the summer of 2013, EDC has identified three growth industries as its focus to help unemployed Union County residents find on-the-job-training opportunities: warehousing, hospitality, and customer service.
Under the OJT program, employers receive wage subsidies of up to half of a new employee’s gross wages. This can go on for up to 26 weeks to help defray the costs of their employment training.
Businesses may even qualify for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit — up to $5,000 over two years. They can then use the OJT program to help fund the first six months of an apprenticeship program for qualified participants.
“This initiative is very important to all of us in Union County because it means providing people with not only jobs, but also a start to a new career in a promising industry,” said Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, liaison to the Union County Workforce Investment Board.
“In a time when our economy is rebounding I’m excited to have this public and private partnership to improve the quality of life and improve our communities,” Granados said.
The newly hired workers are thrilled.
“Thanks to EDC, I was able to learn hospitality skills at the Retail Skills Center,” said Maria Pynn, a 49-year-old native of Ecuador who came to Elizabeth six years ago — and now works at the hotel’s front deak.
Another front-desk hiree, 21-year-old Brian Martin has lived in Elizabeth for only three months.
“EDC took the time to make sure I had everything I needed,” he said. “They processed my paperwork for the training program and offered me an opportunity to attend the job fair and land this job. They did this while being very down-to-earth, which made me feel very comfortable when I had to ask them for help and guidance.”
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Major employer, Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark, joins EDC's initiative and recruits new workers
As seen published in nj.com
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When Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport opened in early February, 40 Union County residents realized their dreams of a new job and a new career. The initiative is Investment Board and the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center (Eport Center) part of a county-wide On-the-Job-Training (OJT) program run by the Elizabeth Development Company and several partners including the Union County Workforce Investment Board and the Elizabethport Presbyterian Center (Eport Center). |
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Newly hired On-the-Job-Training employees pose as they complete the EDC orientation program. Brian Martin is seen second from left and Maria Pynn, far right.
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Prior to the grand opening, Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport hosted a job fair with EDC’s social services partner the Eport Center, for unemployed Union County residents who were interested in preparing and interviewing for jobs with the new hotel located in Elizabeth. More than 50 residents attended. More than 40 positions, ranging from Front Desk Agents to Engineers, were available for interviews as attendees were introduced to career opportunities at this hotel.
In addition to Embassy’s career opportunity presentation, attendees learned interviewing techniques, dress-for-success tips, career goal setting, and letter-writing techniques. Attendees were then scheduled for one-on-one interviews with Embassy Suites management.
Since the program began in the summer of 2013, EDC has identified three growth industries as its focus to help unemployed Union County residents find on-the-job-training opportunities, which include, warehousing, hospitality, and customer service. In this instance, EDC partnered with Embassy Suites in Elizabeth to match unemployed residents with a major employer and offer Hospitality and Customer Service jobs. Now that the hotel is open, it is providing promising career opportunities to more than 40 Union County residents. Following are comment by two of the more than 40 successful EDC OJT placements and are now Embassy Suites new Front Desk Agents.
Maria V. Pynn, first came to the US in 2008 from Bogota, Columbia and obtained her citizenship. As a married 49-year-old Elizabeth resident for more than 6 years, she was referred to EDC’s OJT program through friends who saw a flyer about the Hospitality course offered at the Union County College - Retail Skills Center (an EDC program partner). Mrs. Pynn was unemployed for nearly a year and decided to pursue a career in hospitality due to her history of working at the Marriot in Quito, Ecuador. “This is a really good experience and the orientation workshop at the Eport Center was really good. Thanks to EDC, I was able to learn hospitality skills at the Retail Skills Center and am looking forward to my new job. My experience at EDC was warm and friendly and the partners really are trying to help people get jobs. It’s great,” stated Pynn. She continues, “I hope to become a manager at Embassy Suites and plan to work hard to do so.”
Brian Martin, 21, is also a new Front Desk Agent and will work inside Embassy Suites helping guests check in and out. Martin is a single father of a 2-year-old child and has lived in Elizabeth, NJ for only three months while learning about new opportunities in Union County. A friend who resides in Union County referred Martin to the OJT program. “EDC took the time to make sure I had everything I needed. They processed my paperwork for the training program and offered me an opportunity to attend the job fair and land this job. They did this while being very down to earth which made me feel very comfortable when I had to ask them for help and guidance,” says Mr. Martin about staff at the EDC. Martin continues, “I look forward to working really hard to reach a management position and help guests enjoy their stay. This opportunity will really help me learn while earning an income. That was very important for me to help support my daughter and I."
“This initiative is very important to all of us in Union County because it means providing people with not only jobs, but also a start to a new career in a promising industry. In a time when our economy is rebounding I'm excited to have this public and private partnership to improve the quality of life and improve our communities. I am excited that Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport has joined our ranks as one of our dedicated employers,” states Sergio Granados, Union County Freeholder and liaison to the Union County Workforce Investment Board.
Elizabeth Development Company launched this new initiative to help train and fill the jobs of local employers and help residents gain employment. The new initiative is specifically for qualifying Union County residents, such as displaced workers, veterans, and/or homemakers re-entering the workforce. There are many benefits to the program for local small businesses and large corporations. Under the OJT program, employers receive wage subsidies of up to half of a new employee’s gross wages. This can go on for up to 26 weeks to help defray the costs of their employment training. They may even qualify for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit — up to $5,000 over 2 years and they may use their OJT program to help fund the first six months of an apprenticeship program for qualified participants. The initiative is funded by Union County Freeholder’s Workforce Investment Board, City of Elizabeth Community Development Block Grant and Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit through NJ Department of Community Affairs.
The Elizabeth Development Company is actively seeking employers who are willing to hire and train residents seeking employment. Employers interested in more information about the OJT program may call Fatimah Raymond, Program Director at the Elizabeth Development Company at 908-289-0262 or email fraymond@edcnj.org.
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On-the-Job Training Program Places Trainees with Local Employer,
Cranford Plumbing & Heating
Two trainees will learn new skills and embark on a new career
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Chuck Sona, 39 and a life-long resident of Garwood, NJ, Matthew Carr, 27, and a resident of Roselle Park, is measuring pipes. Both were certified and referred to Cranford Plumbing and Heating by the Union County One-Stop Center, a component of the Union County Freeholder’s Workforce Investment Board and an On-the-Job-Training (OJT) program operated by the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC).
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On far right, John DiFabio, Owner of Cranford Plumbing & Heating demonstrates metal cutting, one of many skills the OJT trainees, Matthew Carr and Chuck Sona (blue shirts), will learn. 2nd from left, Sergio Granados, Union County Freeholder, was there to observe the OJT program and thanked John for his willingness to work with Union County Workforce Investment Board and the Elizabeth Development Company’s OJT initiative.
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Left to right - John DiFabio, Owner of Cranford Plumbing & Heating with two OJT Trainees, Chuck Sona and Matthew Carr. Joining them are Newton Burkett, Chair, EDC Board of Directors and Sergio Granados, Union County Freeholder (far right). Newton and Sergio were on-site observing the OJT program and thanking John for his willingness to work with Union County residents seeking an opportunity to learn while earning an income.
November 4, 2013 ~ When Matthew Carr learned about an on-the-job training opportunity with Cranford Plumbing and Heating (Cranford P&H), he knew he found a career he would enjoy for a lifetime. Cranford P&H of Garwood, NJ, has been in business for over 11 years and is one of many employers joining with the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC) to help Union County residents learn a new trade, start a new career and meet the qualified staffing needs of local employers. Matthew, 27, and a resident of Roselle Park, was certified and referred to Cranford P&H by the Union County One-Stop Center, a component of the Union County Freeholder’s Workforce Investment Board.
There are many benefits to the program for local small businesses and large corporations. Under the OJT program, employers receive wage subsidies of up to half of a new employee’s gross wages. This can go on for up to 26 weeks to help defray the costs of their employment training. They may even qualify for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit — up to $5,000 over 2 years and they may use their OJT program to help fund the first 6 months of an apprenticeship program for qualified participants.
“The combination of learning the trades of both plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) are unique in this industry, and could often times be very lucrative,” says John DiFabio, owner/operator of Cranford Plumbing and Heating. DiFabio has over 35 years of experience in the plumbing and HVAC industry and specializes in serving the Union County community, both residential and commercial. Running a 10-person operation, John is hoping his two OJT trainees do well enough to enter into his apprenticeship program. The average annual income for someone in this industry is $40,000 to $80,000 per year, according to DiFabio.
EDC launched this new initiative to help train and fill the jobs of local employers and help residents gain employment. The new initiative is specifically for qualifying Union County residents, such as displaced workers, veterans, and/or homemakers re-entering the workforce.
“At EDC, we are definitely working to help our businesses prosper. The OJT program provides incentives to help them find and train qualified unemployed workers, but more importantly our placements make $16.50 per hour, twice the minimum wage. Not only will this help our businesses, it will help our communities thrive,” says Newton Burkett, Chairman of the Elizabeth Development Company.
When asked about how the program has impacted his business, DiFabio said, “I think this is an excellent program because it’s really hard to find people who want to spend the time to learn this kind of trade. Although this industry is stable, it’s hard work and a person really needs to have a passion for this kind career. My two trainees are doing so well, I told other business colleagues that they should consider signing up for the OJT program. To me, it’s a win-win; we employ residents and I get motivated employees.” In addition, DiFabio regularly sends his employees to industry certified training workshops so they may stay current with all the changing and new technologies impacting his business.
Chuck, 39, married with two young boys, and a life-long resident of Garwood, NJ, recently started the OJT program with Cranford Plumbing & Heating. John saw how well the program worked with Matthew and encouraged Chuck to get certified through the EDC and the County’s one-stop center, and join his team. Chuck had some plumbing experience, but now he wants to learn the HVAC trade and thinks this is great opportunity. “I am really interested in working in both plumbing and HVAC as a new career. I’m looking forward to working and learning,” commented Chuck.
The initiative is funded by Union County Freeholder’s Workforce Investment Board, City of Elizabeth Community Development Block Grant, and Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit through NJ Department of Community Affairs. The Elizabeth Development Company is actively seeking employers, from various industries, who are willing to hire and train residents seeking employment.
“The On-the-Job Training initiative is a win-win for County residents and businesses, which both benefit from this program,” said Union County Freeholder, Sergio Granados. “Programs like this are helping to build a better skilled workforce, meet the needs for high-demand jobs, and ultimately strengthen the Union County’s economy.” Granados thanked all of the partners involved for their effort in providing innovative job collaboration, adding, “The goal is to enable our businesses and residents to be able to compete and win in the new economy.”
Cranford Plumbing and Heating is located at 350 Willow Avenue, Garwood, NJ; phone number 908-272-4641. Employers interested in more information about the OJT program, may call Fatimah Raymond, Program Director at the Elizabeth Development Company at 908-289-0262 or email fraymond@edcnj.org
Related news articles:
elizabethinsideout.tv
cranford.patch.com
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PNC Bank, EDC & SBDC’s free business-networking event at PNC Bank in Elizabeth
As seen published in elizabethinsideout.tv
September 18, 2013
By Karla Coral
PHOTOS: Catalino Ortega/InsideOut
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Elizabeth Development Company helping local business
As seen published in elizabethinsideout.tv
July 15, 2013
By Mariana Dussan
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If you are an entrepreneur with a line of business that matches what the city of Elizabeth wants and needs, you could get a substantial boost from the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC), a private non-profit corporation that since 1977 has “helped with the economic development of Elizabeth, and to create new jobs,” said Carlos Sanchez, EDC’s Director of Financial Programs and Projects.
The city of Elizabeth is part of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), a statewide program focused on stimulating the growth of communities by encouraging businesses to create private sector jobs.
According to Oscar L. Cortizo, EDC’s loan officer and assistant, UEZ provides EDC with a pool of money to help finance prospective businesses through grants and very low interest loans. The UEZ offers certified businesses the following benefits: sales tax exemption, the possibility to charge their clients one half of the normal sale tax (only 3.5%) on most retail items. These benefits are meant to promote the creation of new and expansion of existing businesses, resulting in job creation.
EDC schedules several meetings in the community to make sure the prospective businesses “are in accordance to what the community in that particular neighborhood wants and need”, said Sanchez. “Every meeting is planned around each project. We let people know the time, date, and location through flyers, emails, and in the future, through ElizabethInsideOut.”
An example of a businesses that the city is looking to welcome in the Seaport area is “a supermarket, because the residents here don’t have easy access to quality shopping. EDC just helped finance a small 7,500 sq. ft. full service supermarket which will be located on 1st Street. We also need a pharmacy for the elderly and we are looking to bring a Dunkin Donuts and a Baskin Robbins for the kids as well,” said Sanchez.
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Other businesses that have been successfully established in the city with the help of EDC are Sonic, which opened in 2011, and MD Care, Urgent Care Medical Center, which opened in 2011. Both owners expressed their gratitude and satisfaction with the company, the quality of services provided and the staff.
“They have been very supportive to our company and ultimately a factor in our success at our current location on Spring Street. They are always accessible and any request we have made in the past two years has been expediently followed up on. It is a very professional team,” said Maria Marchigiano, co-owner of the Elizabeth Sonic Drive-In.
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“The staff at the EDC has been nothing more than courteous and professional answering all of our questions and making me feel at ease about our financial needs. I am glad to have sought the EDC for assistance and gladly recommend their services to any other business owners in the Elizabeth community,” said president and owner of MD Care, Kamran Tasharofi, MD.
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EDC’s recipe for happy customers is simply to mentor and work closely with them throughout the process.
Before getting the funds to finance any project, EDC requires clients to have a business plan. “It’s considered the bible of any business,” said Cortizo. In order to create the plan EDC guides the client. “We will not write a client’s business plan,” added Sanchez. “We offer a template that the client can follow.”
If a client has difficulties in writing the Business Plan, EDC directs them to the next step. “Clients are referred to either the Union County Economic Development Corporation or the Small Business Development Center at Kean University. These programs offer technical assistance free of charge,” said Cortizo. “They review and make recommendations on each business plan.”
The most essential component for EDC is to teach each client how to run his or her business correctly. “We don’t concentrate so much on how many businesses receive our benefits but more on how many people we can educate so that when they open a business they know exactly what they are getting into,” remarked Sanchez.
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“Before opening a business you should know your industry, the product you’re selling, your customer, and what the potential costs will be,” he said. There are a lot of people that “invest all of their life savings but don’t have the necessary experience and in a period of five to six months, they have closed down and lost everything.”
Other requirements include, “client’s credit history along with three years personal tax returns. Should a business be already established, we ask for the last three years of the business tax returns,” explained Cortizo.
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Once all of the prerequisites have been met, EDC will help their customers acquire the capital to start a business.
EDC strives to be the best financial organization in order to ensure that Elizabeth stands out from other UEZ cities. “We are not afraid to look at different ideas and possibilities when approaching a project. Furthermore, EDC has the lowest interest on loans available, and we are the only corporation that offers micro loans with a grant component,” revealed Sanchez. To learn more about the specific loan programs, please contact Mr. Carlos Sanchez at csanchez@edcnj.org.
Recently, the state passed budget cuts for UEZ, which has affected EDC. But the corporation has no plans to change or eliminate any of its loan programs. “We are going to raise the funds necessary in order to keep the programs and benefits for Elizabeth.
“We are currently talking with the city of Elizabeth to see how we can continue to provide the same products and services that we have offered for the last 35 years. We are also going to turn to our private partners for help,” promised Sanchez.
For 35 years, EDC has proven to be an invaluable partner for the city of Elizabeth. “Encouraging economic development and promoting growth throughout the city. The Elizabeth Development Company offers diverse programs ranging from loan assistance to the beautification of our business districts,” noted Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “Facilitating enhancements, expansions and quality of life improvements, the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC) continues to provide merchants and residents with the opportunities and resources to achieve success.”
“EDC has expanded its role as a partner and project manager for many development projects both private and not for profit. Some of the projects include a new library branch, community center and a one stop employment and training center in the Jersey Gardens Mall the second of its kind in the country. It has helped Elizabeth grow and change by creating thousands of job opportunities and by revitalizing entire neighborhoods such as E-port,” explained Executive Director Daniel Devanney.
“Regardless of the budget cuts and high unemployment due to the national economic crisis, we have created jobs in the city of Elizabeth. One of the reasons being that for every $50,000 a business owner borrows, EDC requires them to create one full-time position,” said Cortizo.
In addition, EDC encourages clients to hire residents from Elizabeth.
EDC funds an employment program through UEZ. “The Elizabeth Retail Skill Center out of Jersey Gardens mall,” said Cortizo. “They help place residents of Elizabeth into jobs.”
According to a report from The Retail Skill Center, since 2008, they have seen a steady growth in job placements.
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In the future, the city of Elizabeth can expect further job growth and improvement thanks to EDC. “I know the city has been working to accelerate Elizabeth’s Midtown redevelopment and I think within the next few years, you are going to be able to see that,” predicted Cortizo. “That area of Elizabeth, to me, will be a mecca of retail within the next few years. I truly believe that Elizabeth has the potential to be the next urban city to see a surge in redevelopment.”
“A perspective business owner should look to work with EDC because we are a customer friendly one stop facility that can help people with everything from getting certified in the Urban Enterprise Zone, to writing a business plan, to applying for business financing. EDC offers a full range of economic development programs designed to provide all the resources you need to make your business prosper,” explained Devanney.
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All in all, “EDC is here to help the community. People that want to open a business should not worry about not knowing English because most people in Elizabeth and many at EDC speak Spanish,” said Sanchez. “What people should worry about is doing their homework before they invest and sign anything.”
Any prospective new business owner or established business looking to expand and be part of the advancement of Elizabeth, should reach EDC by phone: (908) 289-0262 or by e-mail: csanchez@edcnj.org and take advantage of all the services and benefits it has to offer.
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Primer Banquete Anual de Premios por Liderazgo de EDC en Bambú
As seen published in Sociales de LA VOZ
July 4, 2013
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La Elizabeth Development Company (EDC), organización dedicada
a promover el desarrollo cívico, económico y social de la ciudad de Elizabeth, así como mejorar el bienestar de la ciudad, celebró su primera entrega de premios de liderazgo a miembros de la comunidad, el pasado 19 de junio en el salón de banquetes de Bambú Restaurant, en dicha ciudad. La foto capta a: pasado presidente inmediato de EDC Armando Rodrigues, de Crown Bank, el senador Raymond Lesniak (D-20), quien recibió el Premio Legislativo; William O’Dea, de EDC; Fatimah Raymond y Dan Devanney, director de EDC y UEZ. (Fotos LA VOZ/Jay Davis).
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Gordon Haas, de Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce; Jamel Holly, alcalde de Roselle; Rev. John H. Howard, Jr., Siloam Hope, Bridget Zellner miembro de la Junta de EDC y Admi nistradora de la ciudad, Denise McGregor Ambrister, directora ejecutiva de Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.
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Gordon Haas, Steven Hehl, Nadine Brechner, Trinitas Regional Medical Center Foundation; y Marcos L. Salermo, presidente de la Junta de Directores de EDC. (Fotos LA VOZ/Jay Davis).
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Miembros de PNC Bank: William Best, primer vicepresidente de
Desarrollo Comunitario; Michelle Abel, Danene Robinson, Yolanda
Swiney, Carol Edmonds y Charles Howard.
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Armando Rodrigues, Armando J. D’Errico Pres. y CEO de Pinnacle Dev. Group; Rev. John Howard, Jr., Siloam Hope, homenajeados con el “Neighborhood Vision Award”, la concejal Patricia Perkins Auguste, William O’Dea y Fatimah Raymond, ambos de EDC.
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Michael Terralbas, Unity Bank; Yvette Fernicola, EAP y Leonardo Jewelers; Ralph Pérez, Popular Community Bank; Fatimah Raymond, D. Nicholas Miceli, TD Bank.
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