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June 10, 2003
GovPro E-Newsletter
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Tuesday, June 10, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 22
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.
You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Safety Storage
CONTENTS
Brownfields Reap Benefits Paper Recycling Goals Set in Stone Computer Generates Weather Forecast News of the Weird
FEATURE
Brownfields MAY Generate Jobs, Tax Revenue
A new survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors finds that redeveloping "brownfields," parcels of land whose reuse may be hindered by 575,000 new jobs and as much as $1.9 billion annually in new tax revenue for America's cities, that are facing tight budgets due to rising homeland security costs, state aid cuts, and a weak national economy.
According to the survey, 153 cities have already successfully redeveloped 922 sites, totaling 10,594 acres, and bringing in $90 million in revenues to 45 cities and more than 83,000 jobs to 74 cities. But the potential for job and revenue creation is far greater. The survey finds that 205 cities have 24,987 brownfield sites awaiting redevelopment. Of those, 148 cities reported that 576,373 new jobs and as much as $1.9 billion annually could be generated if their brownfield sites were redeveloped.
"Redeveloping brownfields holds tremendous economic potential for our cities and our nation," said Boston Mayor and Conference President Thomas Menino. "Congress should respond to mayors and increase funding for assessment and clean-up to help stimulate hundreds of thousands of new jobs and potentially billions of dollars in new revenues, at a crucial time for the economies of our cities."
In the survey, the most frequently identified impediment to redevelopment of these sites is lack of clean-up funds (82 percent), liability issues (59 percent), and the need for environmental assessments (51 percent). Three-quarters of respondents said that additional resources are needed to attract greater private-sector investment.
Mayors have requested that Congress provide $250 million in annual funding to the Environmental Protection Agency for brownfields assessment and clean-up.
Congress is also currently considering creating two new funding streams at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Commerce to help prepare brownfield sites for redevelopment. The Conference has endorsed this effort. This survey demonstrates that such funding would prove a highly effective investment in economic development and job creation in America's cities.
"Brownfields redevelopment is a win-win for everyone involved," said Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, who chairs the Conference's Environment Committee. "It is pro-environment, pro-business, pro-neighborhood, and pro-smart growth."
The Government Accounting Office has estimated that there are 400,000 to 600,000 brownfield sites across the United States. Today's survey examines only a fraction of the existing sites. Still, it is the most detailed report documenting specific brownfield sites.
"Brownfields redevelopment is the key to smart growth," said Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, who chairs the Conference's Brownfields Task Force. "By recycling brownfield sites, we ease development pressures on farmland and neighboring communities."
Brownfield redevelopment is a key component of revitalizing many of the nation's urban neighborhoods," said Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, who co-chairs the Conference's Brownfields Task Force. "Turning these properties around and making them productive makes city neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play."
Since 1992, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has taken a national leadership role in raising and addressing the brownfields issue. Working closely with the business community, the Conference has identified and worked to address impediments to brownfields redevelopment. These efforts culminated in the 2002 passage of the Small Business Liability and Brownfields Redevelopment Act, which addressed liability issues and provided some environmental assessment and clean-up funds. The complete report can be accessed online at http://www.usmayors.org.
Safety Storage Safety Storage crafts hazardous storage buildings for a wide range of applications, like isolating a hazardous production process, containing a volatile material, enclosing an explosive operation, adding a test lab, or securing equipment or evidence. Only Safety Storage has the custom-engineering experience and range of pre-fabricated solutions that fully comply with governmental regulations, and meet pertinent building and fire codes. For details, go to http://www.safetystorage.com
NEWS
DRUG CZAR LAUNCHES INITIATIVE
John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy and President Bush's "Drug Czar," yesterday announced the start of a new 25-Cities Initiative. To help achieve the President's goal of reducing drug use among all Americans by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years, Director Walters will visit 25 cities across the United States. While nearly every community, whether it be urban, suburban, or rural, has been harmed by the drug problem, America's cities have been hit particularly hard. In most communities in America, the drug problem is being actively addressed by federal, state, and local agencies and programs, but too often these efforts do not work in concert with each other. This initiative will seek to coordinate and focus these efforts in achieving shared goals.
PAPER RECOVERY GOAL SET
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced a new paper recovery goal of 55% of all paper consumed in the United States by 2012. The association also announced a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to increase paper recovery in office buildings, municipalities and schools.
This announcement represents an increase from the recovery goal of 50% set in 1995. Given the increase in domestic consumption of paper and paperboard, and the continued growth in the export of recovered fiber, the industry is expected to meet its current goal of 50% in 2003. The 55% goal represents an increase over todays paper recovery levels by the equivalent of 23 Empire State buildings annually filled with paper.
SUPERCOMPUTER FORECASTS WEATHER
In a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, congressional, federal and IBM officials celebrated the success of a public/private partnership. Operating as a parallel computer system, known as Frost and Snow, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) latest weather and climate supercomputer is dedicated to bringing the nation faster and more exact weather and climate predictions. Making more than 450 billion calculations per second, the new generation IBM supercomputer is poised to give the NOAA National Weather Service the ability to improve local and national forecast accuracy, as well as extend watch and warning lead times for potential severe weather such as winter storms, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Frost handles the operational forecasting tasks while Snow is assigned model development for weather, climate and ocean applications. Combined, the IBM supercomputer is a high performance computing system designed, installed and implemented to run more sophisticated numerical models of the atmosphere and oceans to improve weather, climate, flood and ocean forecasts. It is currently the worlds second largest supercomputer dedicated to operational weather and climate processing.
e-Procurement study seeks participants
The Institute for eCommerce at Carnegie Mellon University is conducting a study on e-procurement initiatives in government. The projects authors aim to improve the understanding of barriers and facilitators that affect government organizations ability to adopt and disseminate successful e-procurement applications.
To participate in the online survey, which takes less than 15 minutes to complete, visit: http://epro.gsia.cmu.edu/gov
NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28567/
LINKS
Utility Metals manufactures outdoor lighting products. Area lighting poles and brackets are available for immediate shipment. Specializing in custom fabrication for one-of-a-kind applications. Call 800-627-8276 and request your free copy of our catalog or visit us online at http://WWW.UTILITYMETALS.COM
Federal Signal will accelerate your response time with electronic and mechanical outdoor warning sirens, software, and the Informer tone-alert radio. http://www.federalwarningsystems.com
ORIX Public Finance, a leading provider of innovative financing for state and local municipalities, offers flexible terms, expedient processing and time-tested expertise. Let an ORIX professional help you today. http://www.orixfin.com
PPI Modular Structures Inc. is a construction company that provides modular and pre-manufactured buildings. Custom applications are our specialty! http://www.ppimod.com
OLYMPIA! The only name you need to know for your office machine requirements! Paper Shredders, Typewriters, Calculators, Paper Handling Equipment. http://www.olympia.to
As a global leader in office furniture, Haworth offers a comprehensive line of furniture and service solutions for any office. http://www.haworth.com/governmentprograms
Dawn Enterprises, a long time GSA choice for ultra-secure trashcans, planters, benches and bollards manufactured in either concrete or stone, in the colors of your choice. http://www.trashcans.com
GEM is the zero-emission transportation solution for your fleet needs. This Low Speed Vehicle is ideal for those everyday short distance trips. http://www.gemcar.com/gsa
John Deere. Better macines, greater choices. Lower prices, fewer hassles. Our complete online catalog brings the John Deere showroom right to you. http://www.JohnDeere.com/GovSales
Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com
Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. Visit: http://www.crown.com/gsa1
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com/govt
Safety Storage, the first choice for custom and pre-fabricated hazardous storage buildings. http://www.safetystorage.com
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn
To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.
You have received this e-newsletter because you are a subscriber to Government Product News or Government PROcurement Journal. If this message was sent in error or you wish to unsubscribe, see the unsubscribe information below.
Sponsored by Safety Storage
CONTENTS
Brownfields Reap Benefits Paper Recycling Goals Set in Stone Computer Generates Weather Forecast News of the Weird
FEATURE
Brownfields MAY Generate Jobs, Tax Revenue
A new survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors finds that redeveloping "brownfields," parcels of land whose reuse may be hindered by 575,000 new jobs and as much as $1.9 billion annually in new tax revenue for America's cities, that are facing tight budgets due to rising homeland security costs, state aid cuts, and a weak national economy.
According to the survey, 153 cities have already successfully redeveloped 922 sites, totaling 10,594 acres, and bringing in $90 million in revenues to 45 cities and more than 83,000 jobs to 74 cities. But the potential for job and revenue creation is far greater. The survey finds that 205 cities have 24,987 brownfield sites awaiting redevelopment. Of those, 148 cities reported that 576,373 new jobs and as much as $1.9 billion annually could be generated if their brownfield sites were redeveloped.
"Redeveloping brownfields holds tremendous economic potential for our cities and our nation," said Boston Mayor and Conference President Thomas Menino. "Congress should respond to mayors and increase funding for assessment and clean-up to help stimulate hundreds of thousands of new jobs and potentially billions of dollars in new revenues, at a crucial time for the economies of our cities."
In the survey, the most frequently identified impediment to redevelopment of these sites is lack of clean-up funds (82 percent), liability issues (59 percent), and the need for environmental assessments (51 percent). Three-quarters of respondents said that additional resources are needed to attract greater private-sector investment.
Mayors have requested that Congress provide $250 million in annual funding to the Environmental Protection Agency for brownfields assessment and clean-up.
Congress is also currently considering creating two new funding streams at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Commerce to help prepare brownfield sites for redevelopment. The Conference has endorsed this effort. This survey demonstrates that such funding would prove a highly effective investment in economic development and job creation in America's cities.
"Brownfields redevelopment is a win-win for everyone involved," said Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, who chairs the Conference's Environment Committee. "It is pro-environment, pro-business, pro-neighborhood, and pro-smart growth."
The Government Accounting Office has estimated that there are 400,000 to 600,000 brownfield sites across the United States. Today's survey examines only a fraction of the existing sites. Still, it is the most detailed report documenting specific brownfield sites.
"Brownfields redevelopment is the key to smart growth," said Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, who chairs the Conference's Brownfields Task Force. "By recycling brownfield sites, we ease development pressures on farmland and neighboring communities."
Brownfield redevelopment is a key component of revitalizing many of the nation's urban neighborhoods," said Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, who co-chairs the Conference's Brownfields Task Force. "Turning these properties around and making them productive makes city neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play."
Since 1992, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has taken a national leadership role in raising and addressing the brownfields issue. Working closely with the business community, the Conference has identified and worked to address impediments to brownfields redevelopment. These efforts culminated in the 2002 passage of the Small Business Liability and Brownfields Redevelopment Act, which addressed liability issues and provided some environmental assessment and clean-up funds. The complete report can be accessed online at http://www.usmayors.org.
Safety Storage Safety Storage crafts hazardous storage buildings for a wide range of applications, like isolating a hazardous production process, containing a volatile material, enclosing an explosive operation, adding a test lab, or securing equipment or evidence. Only Safety Storage has the custom-engineering experience and range of pre-fabricated solutions that fully comply with governmental regulations, and meet pertinent building and fire codes. For details, go to http://www.safetystorage.com
NEWS
DRUG CZAR LAUNCHES INITIATIVE
John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy and President Bush's "Drug Czar," yesterday announced the start of a new 25-Cities Initiative. To help achieve the President's goal of reducing drug use among all Americans by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years, Director Walters will visit 25 cities across the United States. While nearly every community, whether it be urban, suburban, or rural, has been harmed by the drug problem, America's cities have been hit particularly hard. In most communities in America, the drug problem is being actively addressed by federal, state, and local agencies and programs, but too often these efforts do not work in concert with each other. This initiative will seek to coordinate and focus these efforts in achieving shared goals.
PAPER RECOVERY GOAL SET
The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced a new paper recovery goal of 55% of all paper consumed in the United States by 2012. The association also announced a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to increase paper recovery in office buildings, municipalities and schools.
This announcement represents an increase from the recovery goal of 50% set in 1995. Given the increase in domestic consumption of paper and paperboard, and the continued growth in the export of recovered fiber, the industry is expected to meet its current goal of 50% in 2003. The 55% goal represents an increase over todays paper recovery levels by the equivalent of 23 Empire State buildings annually filled with paper.
SUPERCOMPUTER FORECASTS WEATHER
In a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, congressional, federal and IBM officials celebrated the success of a public/private partnership. Operating as a parallel computer system, known as Frost and Snow, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) latest weather and climate supercomputer is dedicated to bringing the nation faster and more exact weather and climate predictions. Making more than 450 billion calculations per second, the new generation IBM supercomputer is poised to give the NOAA National Weather Service the ability to improve local and national forecast accuracy, as well as extend watch and warning lead times for potential severe weather such as winter storms, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Frost handles the operational forecasting tasks while Snow is assigned model development for weather, climate and ocean applications. Combined, the IBM supercomputer is a high performance computing system designed, installed and implemented to run more sophisticated numerical models of the atmosphere and oceans to improve weather, climate, flood and ocean forecasts. It is currently the worlds second largest supercomputer dedicated to operational weather and climate processing.
e-Procurement study seeks participants
The Institute for eCommerce at Carnegie Mellon University is conducting a study on e-procurement initiatives in government. The projects authors aim to improve the understanding of barriers and facilitators that affect government organizations ability to adopt and disseminate successful e-procurement applications.
To participate in the online survey, which takes less than 15 minutes to complete, visit: http://epro.gsia.cmu.edu/gov
NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/28567/
LINKS
Utility Metals manufactures outdoor lighting products. Area lighting poles and brackets are available for immediate shipment. Specializing in custom fabrication for one-of-a-kind applications. Call 800-627-8276 and request your free copy of our catalog or visit us online at http://WWW.UTILITYMETALS.COM
Federal Signal will accelerate your response time with electronic and mechanical outdoor warning sirens, software, and the Informer tone-alert radio. http://www.federalwarningsystems.com
ORIX Public Finance, a leading provider of innovative financing for state and local municipalities, offers flexible terms, expedient processing and time-tested expertise. Let an ORIX professional help you today. http://www.orixfin.com
PPI Modular Structures Inc. is a construction company that provides modular and pre-manufactured buildings. Custom applications are our specialty! http://www.ppimod.com
OLYMPIA! The only name you need to know for your office machine requirements! Paper Shredders, Typewriters, Calculators, Paper Handling Equipment. http://www.olympia.to
As a global leader in office furniture, Haworth offers a comprehensive line of furniture and service solutions for any office. http://www.haworth.com/governmentprograms
Dawn Enterprises, a long time GSA choice for ultra-secure trashcans, planters, benches and bollards manufactured in either concrete or stone, in the colors of your choice. http://www.trashcans.com
GEM is the zero-emission transportation solution for your fleet needs. This Low Speed Vehicle is ideal for those everyday short distance trips. http://www.gemcar.com/gsa
John Deere. Better macines, greater choices. Lower prices, fewer hassles. Our complete online catalog brings the John Deere showroom right to you. http://www.JohnDeere.com/GovSales
Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com
Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. Visit: http://www.crown.com/gsa1
C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com/govt
Safety Storage, the first choice for custom and pre-fabricated hazardous storage buildings. http://www.safetystorage.com
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify. To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gn
To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://www.submag.com/sub/gp
Copyright 2003 Penton Media, Inc.
