Latest news with #Woolford
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Bremworth Awarded Contract For Supply Of Wool Carpet To Kainga Ora
A decision by Kāinga Ora to award a two-million-dollar contract for the supply of wool carpet in some of its new builds and renovations is being hailed as a breakthrough for NZ's natural fibre sector by industry experts. The selection of locally owned manufacturer Bremworth as a supplier of wool carpet for Kāinga Ora's newly constructed and renovated homes will see wool carpet installed in around 900 planned state housing projects annually for the duration of the three-year contract. Bremworth CEO Craig Woolford says the win has far-reaching implications for both public sector procurement, the rural community and the broader property development industry. 'This isn't just a commercial contract, it's a signal to the entire construction sector that wool carpet meets the durability, safety and sustainability standards expected of any high-traffic housing environment. Government agencies like Kāinga Ora are seen as setting the benchmark for the wider industry,' says Woolford. 'Wool has now passed one of the most stringent testing processes in the country. It's proof that when put on a level playing field, New Zealand-made natural fibres can not only compete, but they can also win.' 'The fact this contract has been awarded is the result of years of effort to ensure wool had a seat at the table,' Woolford says. 'The inclusion of wool is a win for New Zealand's farmers and future tenants of these homes.' 'Beyond the public housing win, we're now expecting to be invited to present wool carpet solutions to property developers and construction firms involved in Kāinga Ora builds, and those working on private developments. It is expected that this project will give us access to projects that had previously defaulted to synthetic solutions. Woolford says that while the production volumes for the Kāinga Ora contract represent a relatively small portion of Bremworth's total capacity, the strategic value is enormous. 'To produce the annual wool carpet requirement for the Kāinga Ora contract you're looking at approximately 95 tonnes of wool, the annual fleece of circa 25,000 New Zealand sheep. It's a demonstration of the potential scale of opportunity for our wool sector.' 'It also opens the door for broader adoption in schools, commercial fit-outs and private homes.' He says wool's natural properties, including its flame resistance, air purification capabilities, thermal and acoustic insulation and biodegradability make it uniquely suited to New Zealand's sustainability goals. 'Kāinga Ora's new state homes are built to the latest standards, designed to deliver warmth, comfort and health outcomes for some of New Zealand's most vulnerable residents, and flooring choices like wool carpet help play a role in achieving that.' 'This is an important milestone, but also just the beginning of a much bigger conversation about the role of New Zealand wool in our built environment.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan lawmakers consider photo, signature requirements on food assistance cards to curb fraud
Michigan Capitol | Susan J. Demas Electronic theft of benefits and unauthorized use of food assistance cards is costing Michiganders millions if not billions of dollars in fraud, supporters of legislation to require a photo and a signature on Michigan Bridge cards said during a Thursday meeting of the state House Government Operations Committee. Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell), sponsor of House Bill 4515, told lawmakers Thursday that Michigan has seen instances of organized crime stealing people's Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, data to drain people's SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, benefits which are informally known as food stamps. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A May statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said SNAP benefit fraud efforts have 'dramatically' increased in recent years through card skimming and cloning efforts. And as President Donald Trump's administration has zeroed in on cracking down on bad actors stealing food assistance dollars from those who need them, Judicial Officer of the United States Department of Agriculture John Walk said these crimes hurt Americans on multiple levels. 'These are truly sick and depraved individuals who are stealing food from low-income Americans for their own profit,' Walk said in May. 'It is especially disturbing when international criminal organizations siphon tax dollars away from SNAP beneficiaries to fund their own illicit activities.' Woolford's bill would require those using Michigan's food assistance card, known as the Bridge Card, to have their photograph and signature appear on the card. The bill isn't meant to inconvenience anyone in need of food assistance in Michigan more than the inconvenience many Michiganders face when getting a photo for a driver's license, passport, or a Costco membership card, Woolford said. And although the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency places estimates of implementing photo and signature requirements at between $1.5 million to $4.5 million annually, based on other states that have done so, Woolford said the change could save taxpayers billions in fraud. 'That's my concern, that the amount of money we're losing here, money that quite honestly could go to other people that are being denied benefits or that we don't have the money to take care of because of the waste, fraud and abuse,' Woolford said. In the House Fiscal Agency's analysis of the bill, savings to Michigan as a result of reduced fraud are indeterminate and likely negligible. Regardless of whose image would appear on a card, in order for whole families to benefit from food assistance, federal rules mandate that states can't hinder members of a household from permitted purchases, so anyone with the pin number can make a purchase regardless of the image on the card, the analysis said. On Thursday, Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford Township) said during his law enforcement career prior to joining the Legislature, he saw frequent fraudulent use of food assistance cards. At the same time, when considering concerns that having to get a photo taken would place an undue burden on recipients, Harris said he'd be interested in seeing if the bill could be further fleshed out to allow images already in the Michigan Department of State's database for state IDs to be used for Bridge Cards.
1News
29-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Ten cent coin with King Charles III image approved for production
A ten cent coin with the image of King Charles III has been approved for production, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has confirmed. Photos of the quality checking were released today, giving people the first look at the actual coin. RBNZ director of money and cash Ian Woolford said New Zealanders could expect to see it in their change around 2027. "We received pre-production samples of the coin to check and approve before starting the full production run. We check the coins for quality, weight, size, security properties and that they match the design we ordered," he said. The coin is stamped with the year 2024 - which is when RBNZ placed the order with the Royal Canadian Mint. New Zealand does not have a mint, therefore coins are produced overseas. ADVERTISEMENT These photos are production samples of the new coins that will be in circulation around 2027. (Source: RBNZ) The King's effigy was designed for the Royal Mint by illustrator and designer Dan Thorne to be used on all New Zealand's coins. The Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand provided advice on the 10 cent coin before it went into production. The King faces to the left in keeping with the convention that the direction changes between sovereigns. "The reverse [or tails] side of the 10 cent coin still features an image of a koruru - the carved face on the gable of a meeting house - designed by James Berry as a part of the 1967 decimal coin series," Woolford said. 'All existing circulating coins, and $20 banknotes, bearing images of Queen Elizabeth II continue to be legal tender. We order notes and coins infrequently and do not plan to destroy stock or withdraw them early from circulation as this would be wasteful and poor environmental practice.' Minting the 20 cent, 50 cent, $1 and $2 coins with the KCIII image is likely to be around 2027. Coins then typically enter circulation around two years after production. "Updating our currency with the new sovereign takes several years because we always hold sufficient stock to deal with demand spikes or supply issues. We make enough coins and banknotes just in case - not just in time," said Woolford. "We will let everyone know when the KCIII coins are due to enter circulation as the time nears." Banks, retailers, consumers and anyone using or handling cash will not need to do anything differently when we introduce the coins bearing the image of the King. We will work with the cash industry to make sure there are no glitches with cash handling machines like self-service checkouts, vending and change machines accepting and issuing the new and old coins.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
10 Cent Coin With King Charles III Image Now In Production
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has quality checked and approved the 10 cent coin with the effigy of King Charles III, King of New Zealand (KCIII), for production and New Zealanders can expect to see it in their change around 2027. Photos of the quality checking were released today giving people the first look at the actual coin. 'We received pre-production samples of the coin to check and approve before starting the full production run. We check the coins for quality, weight, size, security properties and that they match the design we ordered,' says Ian Woolford, Director of Money and Cash – Tari Moni Whai Take. 2024 is stamped on the coin which is the year RBNZ placed the order with the Royal Canadian Mint. New Zealand does not have a mint, so our coins are produced overseas. The King's effigy was designed for the Royal Mint by illustrator and designer Dan Thorne to be used on all New Zealand's coins. The Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand provided advice on the 10 cent coin before it went into production. The King faces to the left in keeping with the convention that the direction changes between sovereigns. 'The reverse (or tails) side of the 10 cent coin still features an image of a koruru - the carved face on the gable of a meeting house - designed by James Berry as a part of the 1967 decimal coin series,' says Mr Woolford. 'All existing circulating coins, and $20 banknotes, bearing images of Queen Elizabeth II continue to be legal tender. We order notes and coins infrequently and do not plan to destroy stock or withdraw them early from circulation as this would be wasteful and poor environmental practice.' Minting the 20 cent, 50 cent, $1 and $2 coins with the KCIII image is likely to be around 2027. Coins then typically enter circulation around two years after production. 'Updating our currency with the new sovereign takes several years because we always hold sufficient stock to deal with demand spikes or supply issues. We make enough coins and banknotes just in case - not just in time,' says Mr Woolford. 'We will let everyone know when the KCIII coins are due to enter circulation as the time nears.' Banks, retailers, consumers and anyone using or handling cash will not need to do anything differently when we introduce the coins bearing the image of the King. We will work with the cash industry to make sure there are no glitches with cash handling machines like self-service checkouts, vending and change machines accepting and issuing the new and old coins.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pontiac misses out on $2M state grant to revamp downtown but says the project will go on
The city's plans to give Madison Street in downtown Pontiac a makeover with road resurfacing and new sidewalks got some bad news recently that will affect how fast the project gets done. The city applied for a $2 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity but will not receive it this year. The funds were part of a $30 million award from the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) programs. Pontiac wanted to use the money to upgrade downtown sidewalks and streets in an area west of North Chicago Street to North Oak Street. 'The basic plan was covering four blocks, altogether,' Mayor Bill Alvey said. 'The northside would be the primary focus.' More: Illinois 116 is being redone in Pontiac. Here's what you need to know According to City Administrator Jim Woolford, the money the city was requesting was going to be spent on street resurfacing and addressing the width and slopes of the sidewalks along Madison Street. The city is still looking at the project, Woolford said, but it will have to be done in parts over time, which poses a design challenge. 'We want it all to look the same,' he said. 'That's going to be the key that the design fits with the overall scope of the plan.' Although it had been two lanes in the past, Madison Street has been one lane for a few years. It has angled parking on both sides. 'If we widen the sidewalks, it would happen on the sidewalk and not into the street,' Woolford said. 'There might be some parallel parking on one side and angled parking on the other. But that final plan hasn't been determined.' The plan is not defeated, Alvey said. 'We will revamp our ideas and move forward,' he said. 'It's in a TIF district so there will be TIF funding at the moment and other grants that we are pursuing to enhance and improve the flow of traffic downtown. "It's still something we have in the planning stage. We'll keep working on it.' Erich Murphy is a reporter at the Pontiac Daily Leader. This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Plans moving forward despite city missing out on grant
