Office of Storm Recovery Launches Local Workforce Opportunities Program

On Second Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, State Looks Toward Next Phase of Recovery While Seeking to Promote Access to Economic Opportunities

New York, NY (October 29, 2014) – On the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) today launched its new Local Workforce Opportunities Program l, as part of its public Web site. 

Consistent with federal requirements, GOSR strives to ensure that economic opportunities are extended to individuals and businesses as part of the recovery process, with the Web page aiming to further this mission and make information more accessible to interested applicants. The page currently includes instructions to guide those seeking employment opportunities through the application process, as well as links to several necessary forms.

The program was first announced in the beginning of October, when Executive Director of Storm Recovery, Jamie Rubin, and other GOSR representatives joined Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for the fourth annual Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Forum in Albany. 

The event, which this year centered on the theme, “Build Your Business,” worked to unify MWBE firms and introduce them to the State’s array of procurement opportunities. During his remarks, Mr. Rubin specifically spoke about opportunities available through the comprehensive NY Rising Programs, as GOSR continues to pave the way for a better, stronger New York. 

“As we reflect on the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we know that we are at a pivotal moment in New York’s recovery and in our State’s history as a whole,” said Senator Andrew Lanza.  “Although Sandy was characterized by extensive loss, destruction and heartache, it also marked the beginning of a tremendous rebuilding. The launch of our new program will allow GOSR to more capably extend local workforce opportunities to interested residents, and include them in our efforts to reimagine our communities for a more resilient future.”

Currently, GOSR is partnering with MWBE firm, McKissack and McKissack, to develop and implement its Local Workforce Opportunities Program. The creation of the program is also aligned with the State’s continued commitment to MWBE contract utilization.

Established in June 2013, GOSR coordinates Statewide recovery efforts for Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. Though it’s NY Rising Housing Recovery, Small Business, Community Reconstruction and Infrastructure programs, GOSR invests more than $4 billion made available through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program to better prepare New York for future extreme weather events. As the recovery continues to progress, additional opportunities will become available, especially within the Infrastructure and Community Reconstruction Programs. 

Those interested in employment opportunities with NY Rising programs may register your information by completing the online forms and submitting their resumes to McKissack and McKissack at NYStormrecoveryOpps@mckissack.com. 

Visit GOSR’s Local Workforce Utilization Program here: http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/governor%E2%80%99s-office-storm-recovery-local-workforce-opportunities 

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