Central New York businesses that are growing, investing, and helping the community were recognized today at Centerstate CEO’s Business of the year luncheon. WAER’s Chris Bolt reports the focus was on opportunity.
Minority Economic Alliance president Edward Cuello
One of the key areas of opportunity for businesses could be minority customers, as well as the success of minority owned businesses. To that end, Centerstate announced the creation of the Minority Economic Alliance. New president Edward Cuello says you can’t ignore the opportunity right here in Upstate New York.
"The combined population of blacks and Latinos is over 340,000. There are over 8,500 black and Latino businesses, and the joint buying power of the black and Latino citizens of New York state exceeds 170 billion. This tremendous economic and entrepreneurial potential has not had an organization representing them until today."
The organization will help businesses find job candidates of color, recruit minority businesses to come and stay in the region, and offer scholarships.
Businesses of the Year Winners
- Sutherland Global Services -- more than 50 employees
- Sullivan, Bazinet, Bongio (SBB) -- less than 50 employees
- AmeriCU -- community involvement
- Clear Path for Veterans -- community involvement
- The CHC Group, Inc. -- minority-owned business
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
The gathering of business leaders gave Senator Kirsten Gillibrand a chance to push the opportunity for employees to get paid family medical leave. She makes the appeal not on charitable grounds, but on sound, fiscal ones.
"Do you really think those employees can stay focused while they're stuck at their desk and their family or loved one is undergoing something terrible? If the employee doesn't even have unpaid leave, those employees are typically forced to quit, and you are forced to replace and retrain a new worker from scratch. It's certainly not good for your bottom line, and it's certainly not good for our families."
Gillibrand adds in California, with a paid leave program, 91% of companies say it had a positive or no noticeable effect on their bottom line. Her federal proposal would require small investments by businesses and employees to get up to 3 months of paid leave.
