HACP to Open Lottery for Housing Choice Voucher Program, April 28 – May 11, 2014

HACP to Open Lottery for Housing Choice Voucher Program, April 28 – May 11, 2014

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will help address the city’s growing demand for affordable housing by opening its Housing Choice Voucher Program to new applicants, with the goal of adding 5,000 families to its waiting list through a lottery system. Applications will be accepted online between April 28 and May 11, 2014. At the conclusion of the application period, a lottery process will determine which applicants will be placed on the HACP’s waiting list as well as the order of placement on the list.

As rental prices continue to rise and the city’s stock of affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, HACP anticipates that up to 20,000 applications will be submitted for the lottery. In order to accommodate the high volume of applications, HACP will be using an online-only application system, housed at: www.hacp.org.

Applications can be submitted from any public or personal computer, tablet, or smart phone with internet
access. Individuals without immediate internet access can find out more information about the application process by calling the Housing Choice Voucher Program Lottery Hotline at 1-855-781-8894, available 24 hours a day.

“Pittsburgh families are in dire need of affordable housing options and re-opening the HCV Waiting List should provide relief to the thousands of individuals struggling to find an affordable place to call home,” HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion said.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program lottery application period will begin at exactly 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 24, 2014 and will close promptly at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 11, 2014. Applications may be submitted any time during the two-week period. There is no benefit to when or where an applicant submits their information so long as it is fully completed and submitted before the deadline.

For additional information, please contact Michelle Jackson, HACP Chief Community Affairs Officer, at 412-456-5058.

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Peduto's Endorsements Affirmed

Contact:
Sonya Toler
412.726.6829
sonya@billpeduto.com


IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

NEARLY 40 ELECTED OFFICIALS, UNIONS, ORGANIZATIONS AGREE WITH PEDUTO’S VISION TO CHANGE PITTSBURGH


April 25, 2013, Pittsburgh, PA – Today on the portico of the City County Building representatives from the nearly 40 unions, organizations, and elected officials, and individuals will gather at 1 p.m. to affirm their endorsement of Bill Peduto for Mayor.

Speakers will include State Senators Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana, State Representative Ed Gainey, City Councilors Natalia Rudiak and Patrick Dowd, and Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania President and Business Manager Philip Ameris.


The list of endorsers to date include:
• State Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader
• State Senator Wayne Fontana, Caucus Administrator
• State Representative Dan Frankel, Caucus Chair
• State Representative Ed Gainey
• State Representative Erin Molchany
• State Representative Frank Dermody, House Democratic Leader
• State Representative Paul Costa
• County Executive Rich Fitzgerald
• County Council President Chuck Martoni
• County Councilman Bill Robinson
• City Councilman Bruce Kraus
• City Councilman Patrick Dowd
• City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak
• School Board President Sharene Shealey
• School Board Member Mark Brentley
• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees 84 (AFSCME)
• Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics Local 1
• International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 3 (IATSE)
• International Brother of Teamsters/Graphic Communications International Union Local 24 (IBT/GCIU)
• Ironworkers Local 3
• Laborers District Council of Western PA
• Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Local 400 (PFT)
• Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ (SEIU)
• Sheet Metal Workers Local 12
• Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter (SOAR)
• United Food & Commercial Worker Local 23 (UFCW)
• United Steelworkers (USW)
• Ceasefire PA
• Clean Water Action
• Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania
• Equality PA
• Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh
• PA National Organization of Women (PA NOW)
• Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania
• Progress Pittsburgh PAC
• Sierra Club Allegheny Group
• Steel City Stonewall Democrats


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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

For Sale: Opportunity Franchising Event

NEWS RELEASE
September 09, 2012                                                                                        

Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com


Building Bridges for Business anticipates another sold-out crowd at For Sale: Opportunity franchising event on October 9

PITTSBURGH – Building Bridges for Business – a not-for-profit organization aimed at empowering and educating Pittsburgh’s small business owners – is expecting another sold-out event on October 9 between 4:30pm and 8:00 pm EST at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.  They are hosting For Sale: Opportunity, intended to connect established franchisors, funding on the spot with a new loan program, 401k funding experts, finding space for the business, and potential franchisees and business owners.

“Franchises have long been an important component in the structure of American business,” said Linda Handley, founder, Building Bridges for Business. “Four out of five franchises succeed where as one out of five small businesses succeed after five years.”  Franchises provide over 9.8 million jobs with a payroll of over $229 billion according to the International Franchise Association, IFA.

At the event, built around networking opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs, Rich Fitzgerald, Executive, Allegheny County, will deliver a message on the current state of locally owned small businesses. “Rich’s passion for small business development and sustainability in Allegheny County has been unprecedented,” stated Amanda Wodzenski President of Building Bridges. “We’re excited to hear him speak and know he will provide regional small business owners with insights, information and resources from a governmental perspective.”

In addition to providing franchises with an established presence in the Pittsburgh region with growth opportunities, the event will also target new opportunities for franchises outside of the Pittsburgh market and potential local franchisees. “We are hopeful this will be an opportunity for new franchises to partner with local entrepreneurs and drive new business to our region and tri-state area,” Handley said. “It is apparent that Pittsburgh is experiencing significant economic growth, and this event will serve as a wonderful opportunity for national franchises to partner with local business leaders.”

Previous Building Bridges for Business events include Small Business Works, held at the Kingsley Center in Pittsburgh’s East End in 2011 and 2012, Young Entrepreneurs held at GOOGLE Pittsburgh, and Welcome to Oz, held at downtown Pittsburgh’s Fairmont Hotel in October 2011 and featuring Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Obama’s chief of advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration.  All of the organization’s previous events have sold out.

Partners for For Sale: Opportunity include, the Allegheny County Executive’s Office, the City of Pittsburgh, the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and the Small Business Development Center at Duquesne University. Major sponsors are Positively Pittsburgh Live, Brunnhuber and Associates, Comcast Business Class, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Staples, Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh Business Times and Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association.  Interested participants can register for the event on Building Bridges for Business’ website (www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org). To learn more, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business via e-mail at info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES FOR BUSINESS Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Building Bridges for Business 501(c) 3 aims at empowering and educating the region’s small business leaders by providing resources to start, manage, grow and promote their businesses. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched COFFEE WITH a trademarked Film Series and Pittsburgh's first-ever small business TweetChat.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Grand Opening of South Shore Riverfront Park

Grand Opening of South Shore Riverfront Park

*    Thursday, May 3, 2012    *    6-8 PM    *        

27th & Water Streets in the SouthSide Works  

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), WYEP, the City of Pittsburgh and Riverlife have teamed up to bring you "Rhythm 'n' Flow" - a special event to celebrate the Grand Opening of South Shore Riverfront Park and Amphitheater.

Join us for an exciting evening on the riverfront in this spectacular park.  Hosted by Cindy Howes, WYEP Morning Mix host and producer, this family-friendly, FREE event will feature the fun indie pop sounds of Delicious Pastries and the high-gain electric/punk/indie rock of White Wives .  Kids can enjoy arts and crafts courtesy of the Citiparks Roving Art Cart.  Light snacks and beverages provided by Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh. Bike Valet provided by BikePGH.

Walk there, bike there, drive there - just get there!

This world class urban park project has transformed the industrial riverscape at the Monongahela River shoreline into a key link within Pittsburgh’s beautiful trail system. The new park will eventually provide access to the river for recreation, entertainment, a private marina, water taxi service and public docking for recreational boating.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Second Annual Small Business Works Seminar

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2012

Contact Information:
Linda Handley, Founder Building Bridges for Business
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com

Five Powerhouse Organizations Partner to Provide Second Annual Small Business Works Seminar

Pittsburgh, PA – The second annual Small Business Works seminars – aimed at empowering and educating small business owners – will kick off at 9 a.m. on May 21, 2012 at the Kingsley Association in East Pittsburgh. The event will be hosted by Building Bridges for Business, the County of Allegheny, the City of Pittsburgh, the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center.

Small Business Works will provide education on the necessary steps to obtain capital. Learn from our nationally known expert speaker on HOW to apply successfully for a business loan. Information will be provided on:

• What are the basic steps and information needed in applying for a loan?
• The hidden obstacles in the loan application process and how to overcome them.
• Sources and types of capital.
• We walk you through filling out a sample loan package.

The event will also feature resources that will offer growth opportunities for attendees.

“Small businesses are really the lifeblood of our economy and their impact and importance has really been seen in this tight economy,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.  “Offering programs like this helps to eliminate the barriers that small companies face and empowers and educates them so that they may take advantage of the opportunities that exist.”

“Small businesses are essential to our neighborhood business districts and their success and growth is key to maintaining a livable and vibrant City,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. “Through opportunities like this, we hope to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success by educating them on the many tools and existing programs that are currently available.”

The Kingsley event will be the first in a series of other Small Business Works seminars in various Allegheny County neighborhoods set to occur in 2012. Each event will provide access to education and regional business resources. Major sponsors for the Kingsley Small Business Works seminars include: Brunnhuber and Associates, Comcast Business Class, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Pittsburgh Business Times, Pittsburgh Venture Capital, Staples, the Frankstown Road Giant Eagle, and Positively Pittsburgh Live. Find more information and to register for the event on Building Bridges for Business’ web site, www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

“The event with Building Bridges is about giving financial options to the small businesses of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” said Sue Malone keynote speaker for the May 21, 2012 event.  Malone added, “The first thing we have to understand financing is still available for small businesses, both start up and existing businesses. We have all been through the economic down turn and have heard there is “no” money available. I will let you know, there is money available, it just takes a bit more effort to obtain the financing.”

About Building Bridges for Business
Since its inception in November 2010, Building Bridges for Business hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser for small business. Other events have featured educational resources and key local small business figures. “We want to bridge the valuable resources in Western Pennsylvania with business owners and residents who want to start a business,” says Building Bridges President, Amanda Wodzenski.

Building Bridges for Business was founded in 2010 in conjunction with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, the Allegheny County Executive's Office, Duquesne University and Chatham University to provide education and resources for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County entrepreneurs on business growth, promotion, management and to aid individuals hoping to launch a new business. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat in September 2011 to offer vital resources from small business experts to entrepreneurs via Twitter.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Building Bridges for Business Hosts Welcome to Oz

Pittsburgh, PA – September 7, 2011

Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide

Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University and Building Bridges for Business will host Welcome to Oz – Where Small Business and Sustainability Collide to educate and empower business owners. The third seminar in the SOLD OUT series will be held on October 10, 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel. The key note speaker will inspire attendees and 15+ resources will share strategies to be sustainable and grow their business.

The five organizations partnered and will host the October event and several other events scheduled in neighborhoods in the greater Pittsburgh region. Every event provides access to education and the region’s amazing business resources. Details for the October 2011 Welcome to Oz event are located on http://www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/.

These events will allow participants to expand networking opportunities and meet valuable business resources at the same time. Fifteen sustainable and green companies will be on hand to share cash generating/environment saving techniques. Major sponsors include The Pittsburgh Technology Council, The Pittsburgh Business Times, Fireman Creative, c-leveled, Enterprise Rent a Car, Cold Cypress, solutions4networks, Louis Plung and Comcast Business Class. Register for this event at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will be providing opening remarks. "Small businesses are the lifeline of neighborhood business districts and their success and growth is key to maintaining a livable and vibrant City", said Ravenstahl. "Through opportunities like this, we hope to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs achieve success by educating them on the many tools and existing programs that are currently available."

The event’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Winslow Sargeant Chief Advocate for Small Business Research and Regulatory Affairs. President Obama appointed Winslow to this role in 2009. His background:

• Entrepreneur/Small business start up owner, Co-founder, Aanetcom—A Fabless semiconductor company in Allentown, PA Company was acquired: for $800M in March 2000 by PMC Sierra

• Government Official: National Science Foundation, Program Director, SBIR/STTR Program

• VC experience: Kauffman Fellow, Managing Director, Venture Investors, LLC (2006-2009)

• President Obama Appointed: Nominated, Chief Counsel for Advocacy, 2009, a Senate-confirmed position
Received Recess appointment, August 2010

"The vision for the Building Bridges for Business community is an environment where entrepreneurs can grow and advance their business, support other business owners, and develop as entrepreneurs giving back to their community," says Building Bridges for Business founder Linda Handley, an entrepreneur, author and business advisor. "We want to bridge the valuable resources in Western Pennsylvania with business owners and residents who want to start a business," says Amanda Wodzenski, President of Building Bridges. Building Bridges for Business was created based on the need Handley and others saw in the area understanding that small and start up business owners have limited finances.

Building Bridges for Business focuses on business growth, promotion, management, and people who want to launch a new business. In the past year, Building Bridges has grown and showcases over 30+ Pittsburgh resources. Building Bridge’s goal is to create an organization that truly serves the "small" business owner or struggling entrepreneur.

There is no fee or yearly membership rate to join as a general member of Building Bridges for Business. That is one of the major factors that differentiates Building Bridges from other business and networking groups. Additionally, Building Bridges has plans to offer educational webinars empowering and educating entrepreneurs throughout the year. The variety of programming, allows Building Bridges for Business to provide value to the greatest number of education and business resources regardless of budgetary and time constraints. Visit www.BuildingBridgesForBusiness.org for a full listing of resource partners, educational opportunities and events.

Linda Handley
Building Bridges For Business
342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Contact: 412.475.9010
info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org
http://www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org/

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Small Business Works Seminars Announced

Allegheny County, The City of Pittsburgh, The Small Business Administration, Duquesne University – Small Business Development Center, and Building Bridges for Business will host SMALL BUSINESS WORKS SEMINARs to educate and empower business owners. The first seminar in the series will be held on April 28, 2011 at the Kingsley Association in East Pittsburgh. The key note speaker will inspire attendees and 20+ exhibitors will showcase resources to start or grow business.


Linda Handley, Founder, Amanda Wodzenski, President, JoAnn Forrester, CFO, Lee Drozak, Chief Information Officer and the advisory Board of Building Bridges for Business provide Pittsburgh's Ultimate Business Resource Connection for Small Business. www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. This is the first in a series of Small Business Works events scheduled the next being held at GOOGLE in June 2010.

To interview Linda Handley, Founder of Building Bridges for Business, contact info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org.

ParkPGH Innovative Parking Solution for Cultural District

FOR RELEASE: December 15, 2010


Media Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
412-471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust unveils city’s first mobile “smart” parking solution for Cultural District garages

Pittsburgh, PA: This morning The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launched the pilot program ParkPGH [Park P-G-H], the city’s first comprehensive “smart” parking solution that delivers real-time information about parking availability in all Cultural District garages. This technology-based program, funded by The Benter Foundation, delivers space availability by way of an iPhone application, a traditional website, a mobile website, text messaging, and through a call-in telephone service.

“One of the perceived barriers to the Cultural District has traditionally been access to parking,” said J. Kevin McMahon, President and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “Our goal in launching ParkPGH is to reduce stress for arts patrons, increase more impromptu visits to the District, decrease the number of latecomers to performances, and further improve the overall visitor experience of enjoying Downtown retail and entertainment.”

“The Benter Foundation is pleased to support development of these smart technologies to make parking easier in the Cultural District,” said Bill Benter, President of The Benter Foundation. “These applications will guide visitors to open spaces right when they’re needed, easing traffic congestion, reducing energy and making the Cultural District an even more inviting destination. This pilot should help to enhance the vitality of Pittsburgh.”

In the pilot phase, eight parking lots are currently transmitting real-time information: five Alco Parking-managed garages (Theater Square, 6th and Penn Avenue, Convention Center, Three PNC Plaza, Town Place) and four Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages (Grant Street Transportation Center, Ft. Duquesne and 6th Street, Smithfield & Liberty). The Pittsburgh Parking Authority garage located at 9th and Penn Avenue will be added in January 2011, totaling more than 5300 spaces monitored by the ParkPGH system and representing 25% of garage parking in Downtown Pittsburgh. The program serves two million visitors to the Cultural District annually and approximately 149,700 daily commuters.

Once the initial phase is assessed, enhancements and plans for ParkPGH will extend to other areas for citywide use of the technologies. “ParkPGH is a great opportunity to highlight how Pittsburgh is deploying technology to advance intelligent transportation solutions. This pilot program is one aspect of a multidisciplinary approach that will help brand the region as a learning lab for smart transportation,” said Rick Stafford, director of Traffic21, a research initiative of Carnegie Mellon University.

“ParkPGH is an exciting initiative that figures into the city’s long-term transportation plan of MovePGH. The program helps to raise the national profile of Pittsburgh as a ‘smart transportation’ city that successfully showcases the collaboration among our cultural and educational institutions,” noted The Hon. Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.

In addition to The Benter Foundation and Traffic21, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s ParkPGH program is made possible through and its partners: Pittsburgh Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Hillman Foundation, Numeritics, and Alco Parking. ParkPGH was built by Deeplocal.

PARKPGH DELIVERY MECHANISMS

ParkPGH operates on a system that calculates the number of parking spaces available in Cultural District garages every 30 seconds. Patrons who use the system will know the capacity of each garage through a Green/Yellow/Red grade and a numerical update for the number of spaces available.

iPhone

A free iPhone app is available at the iPhone App Store. The app features a scrollable view, listing each available parking lot and its parking space availability along with Cultural District destinations. The information can be manually refreshed by the end-user. Clicking on the parking lot will reveal more information, such as address, map and pricing. Patrons can view a map with each parking space and availability as well as the user’s current location (if GPS is enabled). This will help visitors to pick the closest parking lot to their location.

ParkPGH.org

The website, ParkPGH.org, offers a web page with a list of parking lots and their parking space availabilities. Clicking on a lot will provide the user with an address, map, and options to get directions to the parking lot. Pricing information will also be displayed.

In addition to parking garage information, popular destinations will also be displayed so that visitors can locate their targeted destination and find the closest available parking.

Mobile Website

A mobile version of the website, m.parkpgh.org, provides the same information as the traditional website but will be optimized for all mobile devices, including Blackberries and Andriod Phones.

SMS

Visitors can text PARKING to 412-423-8980 to obtain a list of downtown parking lots.

Voice

Similar to the SMS offering, visitors may call 412-423-8980 to receive a list of parking lots with available space. A text-to-speech system will announce the parking lot names and the available spaces for each lot.



ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.
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