Latest news with #REAP
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield eyes additional demolition phases
BLUEFIELD — Two additional phases of demolitions could be planned for Bluefield's future. The Bluefield Board of Directors voted earlier this week to proceed with phase seven of the city's demolition program, which involves the removal of four structures. But city officials also are mapping out two additional demolition phases for the future involving 55 additional structures. The phase seven project involves the demolition of four buildings at a total cost of $158,000, according to City Code Enforcement Director Mika Bargo. The city board voted unanimously Tuesday to issue a notice to proceed on the phase seven demolitions to Empire Salvage. City Manager Cecil Marson said phase seven of the demolition program will involve properties on Pulaski Street, View Avenue, Commerce Street and Giles Street. 'All we are doing now is giving them the notice to proceed and start,' Marson said. The demolition program has been funded through the Department of Environmental Protection's REAP program. Bargo said the city to date has completed 154 demolitions through the use of $2.1 million in DEP funds. 'Currently we are working on phase seven, which is four problem structures in the city at a total of $158,000,' Bargo said. 'This will be the last of the current REAP money. We do however have two more phases we are looking at.' Bargo said the proposed phase eight would involve the removal of 10 additional structures at an estimated cost of $128,500. 'We also have a phase nine that we are looking at which would probably be an estimation of around a million dollars,' she said. 'It's 45 structures, several of those large commercial structures that we would like to get down and something like that would open up some space in the city for businesses.' Bargo said the city's code enforcement office is still looking at additional properties and mapping out the future phases. The city also would need to secure additional state funding for the future demolition phases. Similar demolitions have been ongoing on the county level through the DEP REAP program. Earlier this month, a two-story building in Matoaka was torn down through the use of remaining DEP funds. Since 2023, the county has spent a $1.5 million grant clearing up blight. Another $750,000 grant was awarded to the county in January 2024 through the DEP for demolitions. Of that grant, approximately $87,000 was still remaining earlier this month. Lori Mills, the county's Dilapidated Structures Officer, said in an earlier interview that the county does intend to apply for additional DEP funds for future demolitions. 'Money-wise, this is the last one for now,' Mills said. 'But should we get additional funding, yes, there are several more that could come down.' More than 300 dilapidated structures have been removed on the county level to date. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
New York Post
09-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Controversial tax credit to save Downtown Manhattan on verge of getting renewed: sources
The push by real estate dealmakers for Albany to renew a controversial tax-credit critical to saving Downtown Manhattan turned into a real 'cliffhanger' – but appears poised for approval, The Post has learned. The citywide Relocation Employment Assistance Program and a similar one specifically for Lower Manhattan, known as LM-REAP, provide tax credits of up to $3,000 per employee to companies that relocate from out of the city or from parts of Manhattan to designated areas in the outer boroughs or to Downtown Manhattan. Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of scores of Lower Manhattan office buildings would be at risk if the little-known REAP programs were not renewed when they expire on June 30, according to landlords and business advocates. 3 Tens of thousands of jobs and the future of scores of Lower Manhattan office buildings would be at risk if the little-known REAP programs were not renewed when they expire on June 30, according to landlords and business advocates. Christopher Sadowski The measures were left out of the state's budget plan announced in April and appeared doomed as lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly were set to escape for their summer break. But there was movement on an extension over the weekend, a knowledgeable Albany source told The Post on Monday. 'It finally got key approvals in the Assembly, and it's looking good tomorrow in the Senate, which was where the hangup was,' the source said. Michael Gianaris, the State Senate Deputy Majority Leader from Queens, among others, had argued that REAP cost the city too much in foregone taxes — up to $33 million by 2033, according to the Department of Finance — to justify the economic benefits the additional jobs would bring. 3 Michael Gianaris, the State Senate Deputy Majority Leader from Queens, had argued that REAP cost the city too much in foregone taxes to justify the economic benefits the additional jobs would bring. Hans Pennink But renewing the program 'is critical to COVID recovery, preserving affordable office space and promoting job growth in small and medium-size businesses,' argued a rep for the Alliance for Downtown. Supporters say LM-REAP costs the city a negligible $5 million a year — a pittance weighed against the tax benefits it helps generate in property and incomes taxes, although those figures are harder to quantify. REAP began in 1987 to stem an exodus of tenants to New Jersey. The Lower Manhattan plan, launched in 2003, is credited with supporting 16,000 city jobs and helping to lease hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space in a market that's had more downs than ups since 9/11. One source predicted a fresh wave of flight to New Jersey if REAP is allowed to die. 'They're actively recruiting New York businesses with programs offering up to $8,000 per job and $250,000 relocation grants. It's clear that if New York steps back, New Jersey will step in,' the source said. The REAP renewals, as well as creation of a new program called the Relocation Assistance Credit for Employees (RACE), are backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. But fearing that the measures would be allowed to die, local congressional representatives threw their voices into the fray. 3 The REAP renewals are backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Lev Radin/Shutterstock Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Ritchie Torres, Thomas Suozzi and Adriano Espaillat wrote to State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stweart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie that with 'record high office vacancies downtown, 'Now is not the time to end LM-REAP.' The REAP programs have also brought jobs to Dumbo, MetroTech and the Navy Yard in Brooklyn and to Long Island City in Queens. But the heat's mostly on Lower Manhattan, where more than 20% of nearly 90 million square feet of offices in the nation's second-largest commercial district stand vacant — and it might get worse. 'I believe the numbers being cited for current and future vacancies are too low, especially on Water Street,' said one Downtown executive who asked for anonymity told The Post. 'The REAP program is essential to keeping downtown competitive.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pensacola selects two non-profits to host 27 'pallet shelters' for the homeless
Pensacola is moving forward with bringing in 27 'pallet shelters' for the homeless. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said two local non-profits were selected to use the shelters for homeless individuals they serve based on a recommendation from the Northwest Florida Homeless Taskforce. Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola will take at least 14 units at its West Blount Street location, and Offentsive Corp will take at least 13 units at a North Palafox location. Both locations are inside the city limits. 'Both of them have done a great job,' Reeves said. 'They've spoken to the neighbors. They've done all of the due diligence that we expect. And I appreciate the task force digging in, certainly deeper than my expertise, to make sure that all of those things make sense.' Last year, the city allocated $1.1 million to buy shelters from Pallet PBC, a public benefit corporation based in Everett, Washington, that specializes in building 'pallet shelters' for homeless relief and disaster response. The funds are coming out of the city's share of the American Rescue Plan Act. Pallet PBC builds small, one-room, movable temporary buildings that range from 70 square feet to 120 square feet. The buildings range from $17,970 to $23,595 a piece, plus a $1,200 shipping cost for most variations. Those prices do not include installation costs at the sites. Reeves said there is still work to be done to determine how much sitework and preparation needs to be done to determine how much of the $1.1 million will be remaining for additional shelters. The city has not taken possession of any shelters, and Reeves said that was done so the city could be flexible in how it rolls out this program. 'Once we diagnose what we need and exactly what we need, then we order, they bring them in, and they can be put up in a matter of hours,' Reeves said. The announcement came a day after it was reported that REAP's Max-Well Respite Center was closing because the organization can no longer afford to rent the building. The city contributed $400,000 in ARPA funds in 2022 to help REAP start the Max-Well Center. Reeves said he was personally disappointed with the ownership of the building charging the organization a market-rate rent. Last year, the News Journal reported REAP was paying 2200 N. Palafox LLC $15,000 a month in rent for the shelter. 'Looking for market rate when, when we're trying to house people, I was really disappointed with that, and have been for a long time,' Reeves said. 'I appreciate Vinnie (Whibbs) and REAP trying to make it work. And I do know they came back to the table, and lowered that rent some, but it's just a tough situation.' The shelters will be leased to the two non-profits, and the city will retain ownership of them, so if anything changes with the sites in the future, the shelters will go back to the city to be reused by another organization. 'In a situation like the Max-Well center, if they were to close or something were to change, we have the ability to go get them,' Reeves said. 'They're not lost to the citizens forever.' The pallet shelter plan arose after the city found it would be too expensive to start a low-barrier homeless shelter on its own. Reeves said he still believes the city needs a low-barrier shelter, but it will have to be driven by the entire community, including private companies and the federal government. 'We cannot be the sole solution for every issue in the city,' Reeves said. 'We need private development to get off the sidelines and work with us. We need—in case of low barrier—we need health care to get off the sideline to help us. I'm not saying that they aren't willing to, but when I say a community conversation, it's not just me and the county commissioners. It's going to have to be me, and the county commissioners, and our health care partners and our nonprofits. It's going to have to be a significant, significant conversation with Congressman Patronis. There's going to be a lot of conversation to capital stack this thing for it to be successful.' This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola will order 27 'pallet shelters' for the homeless
Daily Maverick
29-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Maverick
Academic Excellence Through Mentorship
Strategic Mentoring Programmes Drive Academic Excellence and Transformation Grow your own timber. This philosophy, rooted in the commitment to invest in 'home-grown' academic talent, has seen the University of the Free State (UFS) continue to make remarkable strides in transforming its academic landscape through innovative mentoring programmes. Building on five years of success, the university's comprehensive Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme has significantly enhanced research productivity, leadership capabilities, and institutional cohesion. Mentorship as a Catalyst for Transformation At the UFS, the strategic implementation of structured mentoring has proven to be a powerful tool in building a pipeline of accomplished scholars who are ready to excel at the highest academic levels. This approach recognises that true transformation requires more than just appointments – it demands sustained development and support. A Portfolio of Specialised Programmes Since launching its Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme five years ago, the UFS has expanded its initiatives to address the specific needs of academics at different career stages. The current suite of programmes now supports 165 staff members across four tailored interventions: The Future Professoriate Programme Targeting academics five to eight years post-PhD, this flagship programme focuses on developing scholars who are poised to become professors and associate professors. The two-year fellowship emphasises building international profiles, increasing research impact through quality publications, and achieving recognition as established researchers through NRF ratings. In total, 41% of the 2025 cohort are black South Africans, 41% are white South Africans, and 18% are foreign-born African scholars. The Emerging Scholar Accelerator Programme (ESAP) This programme supports academics one to four years post-PhD, helping them increase research productivity, prepare for NRF Y-ratings, develop postgraduate supervision capabilities, and advance to senior lecturer positions. ESAP provides crucial early-career guidance that establishes foundations for long-term academic success. In the 2025 cohort, 54% are black South Africans, 32% white South Africans, and 14% foreign-born African scholars. The Wise Programme (Women Influencing Scholarship And Education) Recognising the unique challenges that mid-career women academics face, WISE provides targeted support to female scholars. The programme emphasises strategic career planning and creating pathways for advancement. Among its 23 participants, 61% are black candidates, reflecting the university's commitment to intersectional representation. The Researcher Excellence Accelerator Programme (REAP) REAP supports staff members who are completing their PhD qualifications or have recently graduated. With 54 participants (54% black and 69% women), the programme focuses on successful PhD completion, publishing research findings, and developing scholarship of engagement skills. Established Programmes – Excellent Results The Future Professoriate and ESAP Programmes have made significant impact on the career progression and research productivity of candidates. The results after five years of structured mentoring speak volumes about the programmes' effectiveness: Career advancement: 3 promotions to Full Professor, 24 to Associate Professor, and 34 to Senior Lecturer, with several participants being promoted twice during this period. Research recognition: 29 scholars have achieved NRF ratings, enhancing the university's research profile. Research productivity: The 2024 cohort alone produced impressive research output, including journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. Among their achievements are 16 published books and 6 UFS Exceptional Achiever Awards. Emerging Programmes – Promising Results The REAP and WISE Programmes that were launched in 2024 are gaining momentum, continuing to effectively support members towards achieving their career goals. PhD completions: Multiple successful PhD submissions were secured, with around 22 candidates graduating in the 2024/2025 period. International exposure: Increased attendance at international conferences, with significant co-funding support from the mentoring programmes. Leadership development: Several WISE participants have secured leading research positions, delivered keynote addresses at international forums, and received institutional excellence awards. Beyond these quantifiable achievements, the mentorship initiatives have also fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence that permeates the institution. Comprehensive Development Approach The UFS mentoring programmes implement a holistic approach to academic development: Intensive Writing Support: Regular writing retreats provide dedicated time and space for focused research output, with guidance from experienced mentors and editors. Expert Mentorship: Participants benefit from both internal mentoring and connections with external mentors from leading South African universities, many of whom are A- and B-rated researchers. Tailored Workshops: Programmes offer customised workshops on supervision, academic leadership, grant writing, time management, and presentation skills. Peer Learning Communities: Strategic retreats and group sessions foster collaborative networks across departments and faculties, breaking down institutional silos. Individual Guidance: Each participant receives personalised career planning and progress monitoring towards specific milestones. Addressing Challenges Proactively While celebrating its successes, the UFS recognises the challenges facing emerging academics, and the toll that high academic output can take on scholars' health and family life. By identifying systemic barriers and providing targeted support, an environment is created where talented academics choose to build their careers at the UFS rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. This proactive approach has proven effective in retention and succeeded in cultivating a strong community of emerging scholars committed to the institution's future. Building On Success As the UFS mentoring initiatives enter their next phase, the focus is on sustainability and expanding impact. Alumni of the programmes now serve as mentors themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of development and support. The university's Vision 130 strategy emphasises continued transformation of the professoriate, with these mentoring programmes serving as cornerstone initiatives. Through strategic mentorship, the University of the Free State is not only transforming its professoriate but also redefining what academic success looks like in the South African context – ensuring that excellence and representation go hand in hand. DM Contact Us: Bloemfontein Campus: +27 51 401 9111 Qwaqwa Campus: +27 58 718 5000 South Campus: +27 51 401 9111 [email protected] UFS social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's USDA resurrects one climate grant program, kills another
Farmers who were left in limbo after the U.S. Department of Agriculture froze renewable energy grants are finally starting to get paid. At the same time, however, farmers have been hit with the cancellation of another USDA grant program: the $3 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, designed to promote farming and forestry practices to improve soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dale Westphal is among the farmers who recently got long-awaited grant money for a clean energy project. After learning last year that he'd been approved for a $20,000 grant under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), he put up about $46,500 to install solar panels on his corn and soybean farm in southern Minnesota last year. He viewed it as a smart way to protect himself from rising electrical rates. Earlier this year, the USDA told him — and thousands of other farmers nationwide — that his grant funding had been put on hold because of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on the first day of his second term in office. That order froze billions of dollars for renewable energy under President Joe Biden's signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In April, Westphal got his grant money — a welcome development that he says has made his solar investment worthwhile. 'I don't think I would have done it without the grant, because the payback would have been so much longer that it wouldn't have made sense,' he said. In an email to Floodlight, a USDA spokesperson said that between March 25 and May 9, the agency issued nearly $126 million in reimbursements to more than 1,000 grantees under the REAP program. As of May 9, more than $960 million in awards to nearly 5,000 grant recipients had not yet been sent out, the spokesperson said. That money remained undistributed because the grant recipients had not yet completed work on their projects, or had not yet submitted paperwork to show that the projects have been completed and paid for, according to the USDA. The release of funds comes after legal pressure and complaints from farmers who had already put money on the line. A federal lawsuit filed against the USDA in March sought a court order to compel the Trump administration to honor the government's grant commitments to farmers and nonprofits. That complaint, filed by the Earthjustice environmental law group, is still pending. And in April, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the USDA and five other federal agencies to release frozen IRA funds. READ MORE DOWNLOAD FOR REPUBLICATION
