PRESS RELEASE

Workshops for Orange construction workers and contractors will be held this Saturday, March 12 to encourage local participation in the Walter G. Alexander Redevelopment Project.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

ORANGE NJ-Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr, the Orange Housing Authority and the Orange Housing Development Corporation will be holding two workshops on Saturday, March 12th to enable Orange citizens and contractors to participate in the Walter G. Alexander Redevelopment Project. Both workshops will be held in the Orange Housing Authority Community Room at 340 Thomas Boulevard, Orange. The workshops are part of Mayor Hawkins Orange business imPACT series of meetings and seminars to promote job creation and economic growth in Orange. You must RSVP in order to attend the workshops.

Business and Contracting Opportunities Workshop. 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Orange businesses and contractors can learn how to secure a contract with the general contractor for the Walter G. Alexander Redevelopment Project. The Walter G. Alexander redevelopment project is the first of several major planned residential and commercial developments in Orange. Construction is scheduled for the early spring of 2011.

Because the project is funded with public dollars, there are certain qualifications a business and/or contractor must meet to compete for vendor and contracting opportunities. They be a registered business with the State of the New Jersey. Second, they must meet the Section 3 requirements of the HUD Act of 1968. This means that at least 30% of their employees are very low-income and/or former public housing residents.
For more information about the workshop, including RSVP contact Isaias Rivera, Compliance Officer for the City of Orange Township at (973) 266-4007 or iRivera@ci.orange.nj.us.

Job Opportunities Workshop, 1:00pm – 4:00 pm
This session will help Orange residents secure jobs working on the Walter G. Alexander Redevelopment. It is a job training session for Orange residents who have trade skills in the area of electric, carpentry, plumbing, hvac, sprinkler, mason, painting, drywall, carpeting, flooring, interior carpentry, etc. Seating is limited to the first 250 people who register. To register, residents must email Joanne Kureshepi at Kureshepi@haconhj.org or contact Isaias Rivera, Compliance Officer for the City of Orange Township at (973) 266-4007 or iRivera@ci.orange.nj.us.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
"Not only will the Walter G. Alexander Redevelopment help to transform and upgrade the surrounding neighborhood, it will also provide employment for Orange residents and opportunities for local businesses and contractors. I invite all of those eligible to participate and benefit from the new construction."

Statement by Dr. Walter McNeil, Orange Housing Authority Executive Director
"The all day session on Saturday for minority, women and small business owners, as well as, the job opportunity session is part of the foundation that the Orange Housing Authority, and Orange Development Corporation has incorporated in its development plans for the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Complex. The OHA and OHDC Commissioners sentiments are strong, when it comes to ensuring community outreach in the City of Orange is a constant, as initiatives develop around the Dr. Walter G. Alexander Complex project. This will afford residents and business owners in the City of Orange the opportunity to be part of the process in sharing in a new era once the project has been completed. It will be a win-win for everyone."