RESOLUTION REQUIRING ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR GEOGRAPHIC AREA RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES; MINORITY AND WOMEN WORKERS; AND MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

WHEREAS, funding to support a several hundred million dollar Albany Convention Center and Hotel Complex will include support from the State and Albany County; and

WHEREAS, this economic development activity has the potential to create substantial positive economic impact and direct and indirect support for a number of jobs in the area; and

WHEREAS, Article 15-A of the Executive Law, is designed to promote employment and business opportunities on state contracts for minorities and women and under this statute, state agencies and Authorities are charged with establishing employment and business participation goals for minorities and women; and

WHEREAS, the Albany Convention Center Authority through the use of socially conscious and responsible management practices intends, to provide opportunities and to actively promote the participation of local community residents who are frequently overlooked in major economic endeavors thereby contributing to the economic growth of our entire community; and

WHEREAS, it is in the long term interest of the Albany Convention Center Authority and the larger community to actively develop and engage in management practices that will increase the economic earning power of all area residents and business entities; and

WHEREAS this resolution is designed to provide economic benefits to the area by increasing tax revenues via improvements in the community's economic base, and

WHEREAS, in addition, the Albany Convention Center Authority will have a social and community impact by maximizing, where possible , the creation of “living-wage” jobs for area residents; and increasing prosperity for all local community members and businesses, especially those who have been denied access to participation in large and profitable endeavors; and

WHEREAS, the development of the Albany Convention Center, will provide increased opportunities for all residents, particularly minorities and women in employment and training; on-the-job training, and apprenticeship opportunities,

For purposes of this Resolution the following definitions are applicable

Geographic Area means:

1. the city and county of Albany ; and
   
2. the surrounding Capital District Region area.

Minority Or Women-Owned Business Enterprise ( MWBE ) means firms that are:

1. at least 51% owned and controlled by the minority members and/or women; and
2. the minority and/or women ownership interest, is real, substantial and continuing; and
3. the minority and/or women ownership has and exercises the authority to independently control the day-to-day business decisions; and
4. independently owned, operated and authorized to do business in New York State.

Minority Group Member means a United States citizen or permanent resident alien who has and can demonstrate membership in one of the following groups:

1. African Descendant persons having origins in any of the Black African racial groups;
2. Hispanic persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American descent of either Indian or Hispanic origin, regardless of race;
3. Native American or Alaskan native persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America; or
4. Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origins in any of the Far East countries, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the Pacific Islands.

THEREFORE; BE IT RESOLVED: that in order to take full advantage of resources and opportunities in the local economy, an economic inclusion program initiated by the Albany Convention Center Authority is essential to ensure that minority and women and other geographic area residents; and minority and women business enterprises and other local geographic area businesses have to the greatest extent feasible, an equitable opportunity to participate in the economic and employment opportunities generated by the Albany Convention Center and Hotel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Albany County Convention Authority shall adopt such an economic inclusion program within its Affirmative Action Plan that would include activities and programs consistent with the foregoing resolution and the applicable rules and regulations of Article 15-A of the New York State Executive Law.

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