Skip to content

Blog

We pride ourselves on being thought leaders and a go-to source for information on issues affecting the region.  Some items you’ll find here include:

  • Perspectives on important issues
  • Guest blogs from industry experts
  • Notifications about key political happenings
  • Updates/recaps on our events
  • Member achievements and spotlights
  • Significant news and press announcements

Check back often or subscribe to the BNP Brief for updates.

Looking for Advocacy Alerts and the Advocacy Insider? Login to the Member Portal or Click Here

Creating Career Pathways

By growthzone | Jul 19, 2021 | Comments Off on Creating Career Pathways

How can we connect a job seeker to an employment opportunity that can lead to a long and rewarding career?

7.19.21 Advocacy Alert: Canadian Border Will Reopen to Vaccinated Americans August 9

By growthzone | Jul 19, 2021 | Comments Off on 7.19.21 Advocacy Alert: Canadian Border Will Reopen to Vaccinated Americans August 9

Today, Canadian Minister of Health Patty Hajdu announced that the Canadian border will reopen to vaccinated American travelers on August 9th.

7.16.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Trudeau: Border Could Reopen to Vaccinated Travelers in August

By growthzone | Jul 16, 2021 | Comments Off on 7.16.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Trudeau: Border Could Reopen to Vaccinated Travelers in August

In a conference call Thursday with Canadian officials, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada plans to allow vaccinated Americans to cross the border for non-essential travel by next month.

9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers

By growthzone | Jul 13, 2021 | Comments Off on 9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers

President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.

BNP Advocacy Insider – July 2021

By growthzone | Jul 8, 2021 | Comments Off on BNP Advocacy Insider – July 2021

The July 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.

State Releases HERO Act Safety Standards

By growthzone | Jul 7, 2021 | Comments Off on State Releases HERO Act Safety Standards

Today, the New York State Department of Labor published its Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention standards as mandated by the NY HERO Act. These exposure controls apply during a disease outbreak as designated by the Commissioner of Health. Governor Cuomo lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency on June 24, so no designation is in effect at this time.

7.1.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Where are we on Infrastructure?

By growthzone | Jul 1, 2021 | Comments Off on 7.1.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Where are we on Infrastructure?

As we enter July – Senator Schumer’s target finish line for the infrastructure package – many details remain in the air. President Biden recently joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators to announce a deal had been reached on infrastructure. But, until the ink is dry and the votes are cast, debate is far from over.

6.24.21 Webisode: What Employers Need to Know About the NY HERO Act – #1

By growthzone | Jun 25, 2021 | Comments Off on 6.24.21 Webisode: What Employers Need to Know About the NY HERO Act – #1

The NY HERO Act creates new workplace safety standards that every private employer in New York will have to follow. These standards govern a wide variety of topics, including health screening, masks and PPE, handwashing, surface disinfecting, social distancing, quarantines, and ventilation.

6.21.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Poloncarz Announces ARP Spending Plan

By growthzone | Jun 21, 2021 | Comments Off on 6.21.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Poloncarz Announces ARP Spending Plan

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced today his plan to invest the county’s share of local aid from the latest COVID-19 relief package.

The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed by President Biden in March, provided $178 million to Erie County.

Poloncarz said the county’s “RENEW Plan” will invest $123.7 million in:

6.15.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions

By growthzone | Jun 15, 2021 | Comments Off on 6.15.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions

NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today the immediate lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions as 70% of the state’s adult population has been vaccinated (receiving at least one dose of vaccine). The 70 percent threshold in a national standard.