Information Items:
New Small Business Opportunity Program Manager Announced
Staff Resource:
Tom Flynn, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-432-1396, tflynn@ci.charlotte.nc.us
I am proud to announce that Nancy Rosado has been chosen for the position of Small Business Development Program Manager. Nancy's start date with the City will be Monday March 9, 2008.
In a pool of qualified candidates, Nancy quickly rose to the top of the list. She possesses the leadership skills, experience and energy necessary to elevate the Small Business Development Program both within the City and the community.
The selection committee was impressed with Nancy's communication skills and extensive management experience which were further lauded by her former employers and references. Of all the candidates interviewed, she demonstrated the best management and supervisory skills. Her superior inter personal communication skills will be an asset to the organization as she works with both internal and external stakeholders. She further demonstrated these qualities in the written portion of the interview process.
Prior to moving to Charlotte, Nancy served as the CEO of the Puerto Rican Action Board in New Brunswick, NJ where she successfully oversaw a $6M budget and assisted with the successful merger with another non-profit agency. Nancy also has significant government experience with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
She has an MBA from Rider University and a BS from College of New Jersey.
Blue Star Awards Ceremony Monday, March 9
Staff Resources:
Kim McMillan, Corporate Communications, 704-336-2643, kmcmillan@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Kelly Smith, Corporate Communications, 704-336-4287, kasmith@ci.charlotte.nc.us
During the Awards and Recognitions portion of the City Council's Business Meeting on Monday, March 9, we will honor City employees from three different Key Business Units who have returned from active military duty by presenting them with their Blue Stars removed from our service flag on their return. This is the seventh ceremony we have held since the war in Iraq began. We are delighted to be able to recognize the service of these employees, and we look forward to honoring the 33 employees still deployed upon their safe return. Family members of the Blue Star recipients have been invited to attend the ceremony.
As we have done in the past, the Mayor and Council will have the opportunity to introduce individual Blue Star recipients. Staff will go over the logistics at the dinner meeting.
"Outlasting the Economy": Resource Panel for Small Business to Air on Government Channel
Staff Resource:
Jamie Banks, Neighborhood and Economic Development, 704-432-5111, jbanks@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City of Charlotte's Economic Development Office hosted a group of public-sector partners to participate in a taped panel discussion regarding the current economy's affect on small business. The one hour program will begin airing on the Government Channel beginning Friday, March 6, 2009 and throughout the month. We also will have a link to the program on our website at http://edo.charmeck.org,
Bea Thompson served as the moderator for the panel which included:
- George McAllister, Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC)
- Eileen Joyce, Small Business Administration
- Alban Burney, City Small Business Opportunity Program
- Larry Siglar, CPCC Institute for Entrepreneurship
- Mike O'Hara, SCORE
- Tom Warshauer, City of Charlotte
The discussions revolved around what resources are available to small businesses in a struggling economy as well as practical advice on how to weather the storm. We are sending a press release regarding the program to help generate interest and resource utilization.
CDOT Recognized by Centralina COG with Regional Excellence Award
Staff Resources:
Danny Pleasant, CDOT, 704-336-3879, dpleasant@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Jeff McSwain, CDOT, 704-432-1489, jmcswain@ci.charlotte.nc.us
In February, the Charlotte Department of Transportation was recognized by the Centralina Council of Governments with a Regional Excellence Award. The COG awards are designed to recognize projects that contribute to significant and positive advancements in the regional community, and honor initiatives that can work together to achieve regional goals.
CDOT won the award in the "Local Government Efficiency and Effectiveness" category for their Utility Right of Way Management Initiative. The initiative was created to safeguard infrastructure, improve coordination among utilities, minimize traffic disruptions, maintain safety and improve the permitting process.
Major Water Pipe Tie-in on Morehead Street Delayed
Staff Resource:
Doug Bean, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, 704-391-5073, dbean@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The planned tie-in for this weekend on Morehead Street has been delayed. Other utilities were delayed in relocating their services due to recent weather. The tie-in will begin on Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 p.m. and continue through Sunday night at the latest. Attached is the letter that was mailed out to several thousand customers in the area. We are also emailing community contacts and sending a press release to reporters. This important connection will enhance water service in the Center City.
No customers will be without water service. Some customers in the southern parts of Uptown, Dilworth, Elizabeth, and South End areas may experience slightly lower than usual water pressure. Test shutdowns of this pipe have had no impact on water pressure, so this notice is simply precautionary. The Charlotte Fire Department will be notified to ensure proper fire protection.
Once the pipe connection is complete, some customers may briefly experience slightly discolored water. This is temporary – the water will clear up shortly, and the water is safe. Crews will be flushing hydrants.
Updates will be posted at www.cmutilties.com (click on News & Updates). Customers with questions or issues are also encouraged to call 311 (or 704-336-7600).
