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Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for May 17 postponed, new date TBD

Request For Qualifications (RFQ): Economic Development Professional

The Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (BIDA) seeks proposals from qualified economic developers to assist the BIDA.


TOWN OF BETHLEHEM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (BIDA) REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

Issue Date: April 2, 2012
Submission Deadline: 12:00 PM, Monday, May 7, 2012

A. INTRODUCTION

The Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (BIDA) seeks proposals from qualified economic developers to assist the BIDA in implementing new commercial investment and business development for the Town of Bethlehem. Through this RFQ, BIDA intends to select one or more qualified economic developers with whom to negotiate a professional services agreement. It is anticipated that the agreement will be for an initial twelve (12) month period and will include provisions for renewal or extension. Interested individuals and firms are invited to respond by 12:00 PM, Monday, May 7, 2012 in accordance with the requirements that follow.

B. DESCRIPTION OF BIDA

BIDA is a public benefit corporation authorized to promote economic development in the Town of Bethlehem by creating, expanding and re-locating commercial businesses within the Town and thereby bring high quality jobs and investment to the Town in a way that is consistent with residential and rural character of the Town.

For more information about the programs, services and initiatives of BIDA, please visit its website: http://bethlehemida.com/index.php/site/

C. BACKGROUND

In recent years the Town of Bethlehem has made a strong commitment to fostering economic development and diversification of the Town’s tax base. The policy basis for this commitment is clear in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2005. Despite the current economic downturn that has affected regional development, there are still tremendous opportunities for new business development and expansion as the Global Foundries chip manufacturing facility in Malta nears completion. In addition, Bethlehem is conveniently located near the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University of Albany, one of the region’s premier economic drivers that have been growing at a rapid pace. Construction of Phase 1 recently began at the much heralded Vista Tech Campus project on Rt. 85, including more than 200,000 square feet of new buildings as well as the project’s public road and infrastructure. It is expected that new development in the New Scotland Road Hamlet District will follow thereafter.

Bethlehem has great potential for capturing some of this business growth due to, among other things, its accessibility to the interstate system, proximity to the Hudson River, regional higher educational institutions, quality of life, and proximity to Albany International Airport. But, the Town is competing against much more sophisticated and resource rich organizations representing other communities in the region. The four counties surrounding Albany County (Saratoga, Schenectady, Greene and Rensselaer) all have strong county-level economic development organizations. There is no comparable entity in Albany County for the Town to rely upon for economic development purposes. In the absence of a strong County program, the Town must provide for its own economic development capabilities. Consequently, to best Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency achieve its economic development goals and objectives, the Town must first and foremost build its capacity to compete intra-regionally for new business investment.

D. ROLE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

The role of the selected Economic Development Professional (EDP) will be to provide immediate staff capacity to the BIDA with responsibility for new commercial investment and business development to the Town of Bethlehem.

E. SELECTION PROCESS

The Economic Development Professional (EDP) will be selected as described herein. A selection committee will be formed to review RFQ responses and to interview selected candidates. The selection of the EDP will be based on the submitted qualifications that demonstrate the experience and qualifications required to implement the strategy.

The selection of an economic development professional candidate shall be at the sole discretion of the BIDA which reserves the right to:

a. Accept, reject and negotiate any and all offers in whole or in part and to disregard all non-conforming, non-responsive or conditional responses to this RFQ;

b. Withdraw the RFQ at any time without either accepting any of the proposals or entering into an agreement with any one or more respondents;

c. Solicit new proposals; and

d. Make an award, in whole or in part, to one or more respondents to this RFQ.

F. QUESTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

No pre-submission meeting is planned. BIDA will make every effort to respond to questions regarding the RFQ.

Questions are to be directed to Thomas P. Connolly, Esq., Assistant Executive Director, Assistant Secretary and Agency Council, 518 447-3303.

The BIDA intends to select the successful EDP candidate as soon as practicable with a target date for commencement of services in late spring, 2012.

G. REQUIRED SUBMITTALS

EDP candidates must submit one electronic copy in PDF form of the complete Qualifications Statement. The submittal should be made by e-mail to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). EDP candidates are required to provide all the information listed below. All materials submitted will become the property of BIDA, which may deem a submission non-responsive if the submission fails to comply with the specific requirements of this RFQ. Each submission must contain the following information and adhere to the following format:

1. Cover letter addressed to:

Mr. Michael Morelli, Executive Director
Town of Bethlehem IDA
445 Delaware Ave
Delmar, NY 12054

2. Name, address, phone and e-mail address of Economic Development Professional Candidate

3. Current resume outlining professional experience and qualifications

4. A minimum of five (5) references that attest to the capabilities and experience of the Economic Development Professional Candidate.

5. Identify and describe any known state or federal investigations or pending litigation against the Economic Development Professional Candidate.

6. A proposed scope of services including the following:

a) A preliminary work plan for implementation of the Town’s economic development strategy;

b) A list of proposed deliverables and work products that will be provided;

c) A proposed budget not to exceed $75,000 for implementation of the proposed scope of services, including all personnel and non-personnel costs required for implementation of the strategy during the contract period. Line items in the budget should include, among other things, the following: economic development professional compensation; marketing and communications; printing and web services; mileage, travel, meetings, meals; and, memberships and conferences; and

d) A description of the proposed compensation package for the personnel component of the budget, stated in annual and monthly values, including a range of hours that would be expended by the consultant. Please submit one (1) electronic copy (by e-mail) of your proposal by 12:00 PM, Monday, May 7, 2012 to:

Mr. Michael Morelli, Executive Director
Town of Bethlehem IDA
445 Delaware Ave
Delmar, NY 12054
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Special Meeting - March 30, 2012

Friday, 8:00 AM, Room 101

IDA Consultant Selection Committee Meeting scheduled for March 30 at 8am

Notice is hereby given that the Consultant Selection Committee of the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York will hold a meeting on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 8:00 a.m., in Room 101B at the Town Offices, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York.

IDA Governance Committee to meet Friday, March 9 at 9am

Notice is hereby given that the Governance Committee of the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York will hold a meeting on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., in Room 101 at the Town Offices, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York.

Meeting of IDA Consultant Selection Committee set for March 9 at 8am

Notice is hereby given that the Consultant Selection Committee of the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York will hold a meeting on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 8:00 a.m., in Room 101 at the Town Offices, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York.

Capital Region ranks number 4 on this year’s Forbes list of the Best Cities for Jobs

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Spotlight News:  Mild winter mixed blessing for Vista

Bethlehem — This winter’s mild weather has been “both a curse and a blessing” for construction crews at the Vista Technology Campus.

Although this season’s warm temperatures and lack of snow has helped with the installation of the sewer system and laying of foundations, the soft ground led to issues with mud, according to Jon DeForest, vice president of BBL Construction Services.

“Because of the schedule we always knew we would be working in the winter, and we planned on doing things less weather dependent,” said DeForest, mentioning construction of the street. “In a lot of ways we’re doing well, but we anticipated for frozen ground. It’s challenging sometimes because it’s hard to get around the site and not muck things up.”



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Audit Committee Meeting - February 6, 2012

Notice is hereby given that the Audit Committee of the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York will hold a meeting on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 8:00 a.m., in Room 101A at the Town Offices, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York.
See Meeting Schedule for agenda.

Annual and February Regular Meetings rescheduled for Friday, March 2 at 8am

The Bethlehem IDA Annual Organizational Meeting as well as the February Regular Meeting has been rescheduled from February 24 to March 2 at 8am.

January Meeting Date Change

The Regular January Meeting has been changed to January 20, 2012 at 4pm.

Progress at Vista

If you drive past the future site of the Vista Technology Park on Route 85, it is tough to get a good look at what’s happening behind the two large hills blocking the construction site.
Enter the development zone, and it’s clear to see that there’s plenty of progress being made.
During a recent tour granted to The Spotlight, officials with the construction company in charge of work at the site detailed their plans heading into 2012.



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Vista Public Hearing 11/1/2011 at 6pm - Tier One Application for SRS Bethlehem LLC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED PROJECT
AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
RELATING THERETO

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing pursuant to Section 859-a(2) of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York (the “Act”) will be held by Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (the “Agency”) on the 1st day of November, 2011 at 6:00 o’clock p.m., local time, in Room 107 of the Town of Bethlehem Town Hall located at 445 Delaware Avenue in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York in connection with the following matters:

SRS Bethlehem LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Company”), has presented an application (the “Application”) to the Agency, a copy of which Application is on file at the office of the Agency, requesting that the Agency consider undertaking a project (the “Project”) for the benefit of the Company, said Project consisting of the following: (A) (1) the acquisition of an interest in an approximately 7.80 acre parcel of land located at 41 Vista Boulevard in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York (the “Land”), (2) the construction on the Land of an approximately 65,000 square foot building and related improvements (collectively, the “Facility”) and (3) the acquisition and installation therein and thereon of related fixtures, machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property including without limitation tenant improvement and finish (collectively, the “Equipment”) (the Land, the Facility and the Equipment being collectively referred to as the “Project Facility”), the Facility and portions of the Equipment will be owned by the Company and leased to Shop-Rite Supermarkets, Inc. (the “Tenant”), and the balance of the Equipment to be owned by the Tenant, all of the foregoing to constitute retail, supermarket and service facilities; (B) the granting of certain “financial assistance” (within the meaning of Section 854(14) of the Act) with respect to the foregoing, including potential exemptions from certain sales and use taxes, real property taxes, real estate transfer taxes and mortgage recording taxes (collectively, the “Financial Assistance”); and (C) the lease (with an obligation to purchase) or sale of the Project Facility to the Company or such other person as may be designated by the Company and agreed upon by the Agency.

The Agency is considering whether (A) to undertake the Project, and (B) to provide certain exemptions from taxation with respect to the Project, including (1) exemption from mortgage recording taxes with respect to any documents, if any, recorded by the Agency with respect to the Project in the office of the County Clerk of Albany County, New York or elsewhere, (2) exemption from deed transfer taxes on any real estate transfers, if any, with respect to the Project, (3) exemption from sales taxes relating to the acquisition, construction, renovation and installation of the Project Facility, and (4) in the event that the Project Facility would be subject to real property taxation if owned by the Company but shall be deemed exempt from real property taxation due to the involvement of the Agency therewith, exemption from real property taxes (but not including special assessments and special ad valorem levies), if any, with respect to the Project Facility, subject to the obligation of the Company to make payments in lieu of taxes with respect to the Project Facility. If any portion of the Financial Assistance to be granted by the Agency with respect to the Project is not consistent with the Agency’s uniform tax exemption policy (the “Uniform Tax Exemption Policy”), the Agency will follow the procedures for deviation from such policy set forth in Section 874(4) of the Act prior to granting such portion of the Financial Assistance.

The Company has applied for a Tier 1 enhanced real property tax abatement schedule pursuant to Section 1707 of the Agency’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy.

If the Agency determines to proceed with the Project, the Project Facility will be acquired, constructed, reconstructed and installed by the Agency and will be leased (with an obligation to purchase) or sold by the Agency to the Company or its designee pursuant to a project agreement (the “Agreement”) requiring that the Company or its designee make certain payments to the Agency.

The Agency has not yet made a determination pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law (the “SEQR Act”) regarding the potential environmental impact of the Project.

The Agency will at said time and place hear all persons with views on either the location and nature of the proposed Project, or the Financial Assistance being contemplated by the Agency in connection with the proposed Project. A copy of the Application filed by the Company with the Agency with respect to the Project, including an analysis of the costs and benefits of the Project, is available for public inspection during business hours at the offices of the Agency. A transcript or summary report of the hearing will be made available to the members of the Agency.

Additional information can be obtained from, and written comments may be addressed to: Terrence W. Ritz, Executive Director and CEO, Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York 12054; Telephone: 518-439-4955.

Dated: October 17, 2011.
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
By: /s/ Terrence Ritz
Executive Director and CEO

Vista Public Hearing 11/1/2011 at 6pm - Tier One Application for Columbia Bethlehem SEF LLC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED PROJECT
AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
RELATING THERETO

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing pursuant to Section 859-a(2) of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York (the “Act”) will be held by Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (the “Agency”) on the 1st day of November, 2011 at 6:00 o’clock p.m., local time, in Room 107 of the Town of Bethlehem Town Hall located at 445 Delaware Avenue in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York in connection with the following matters:

Columbia Bethlehem SEF LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Company”), has presented an application (the “Application”) to the Agency, a copy of which Application is on file at the office of the Agency, requesting that the Agency consider undertaking a project (the “Project”) for the benefit of the Company, said Project consisting of the following: (A) (1) the acquisition of an interest in an approximately 1.0 acre parcel of land located at 12 Vista Boulevard in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York (the “Land”), (2) the construction on the Land of an approximately 2,500 square foot building (the “Facility”), (3) the further construction on the Land of related parking and other infrastructure improvements (collectively, the “Improvements”) and (4) the acquisition and installation therein and thereon of related fixtures, machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property including without limitation tenant improvement and finish (collectively, the “Equipment”) (the Land, the Facility, the Improvements and the Equipment being collectively referred to as the “Project Facility”), all of the foregoing to be owned by the Company and leased to a tenant for use by the tenant as a financial branch center for banking services and other related uses; (B) the granting of certain “financial assistance” (within the meaning of Section 854(14) of the Act) with respect to the foregoing, including potential exemptions from certain sales and use taxes, real property taxes, real estate transfer taxes and mortgage recording taxes (collectively, the “Financial Assistance”); and (C) the lease (with an obligation to purchase) or sale of the Project Facility to the Company or such other person as may be designated by the Company and agreed upon by the Agency.

The Agency is considering whether (A) to undertake the Project, and (B) to provide certain exemptions from taxation with respect to the Project, including (1) exemption from mortgage recording taxes with respect to any documents, if any, recorded by the Agency with respect to the Project in the office of the County Clerk of Albany County, New York or elsewhere, (2) exemption from deed transfer taxes on any real estate transfers, if any, with respect to the Project, (3) exemption from sales taxes relating to the acquisition, construction, renovation and installation of the Project Facility, and (4) in the event that the Project Facility would be subject to real property taxation if owned by the Company but shall be deemed exempt from real property taxation due to the involvement of the Agency therewith, exemption from real property taxes (but not including special assessments and special ad valorem levies), if any, with respect to the Project Facility, subject to the obligation of the Company to make payments in lieu of taxes with respect to the Project Facility. If any portion of the Financial Assistance to be granted by the Agency with respect to the Project is not consistent with the Agency’s uniform tax exemption policy (the “Uniform Tax Exemption Policy”), the Agency will follow the procedures for deviation from such policy set forth in Section 874(4) of the Act prior to granting such portion of the Financial Assistance.

The Company has applied for a Tier 1 enhanced real property tax abatement schedule pursuant to Section 1707 of the Agency’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy.

If the Agency determines to proceed with the Project, the Project Facility will be acquired, constructed, reconstructed and installed by the Agency and will be leased (with an obligation to purchase) or sold by the Agency to the Company or its designee pursuant to a project agreement (the “Agreement”) requiring that the Company or its designee make certain payments to the Agency.

The Agency has not yet made a determination pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law (the “SEQR Act”) regarding the potential environmental impact of the Project.

The Agency will at said time and place hear all persons with views on either the location and nature of the proposed Project, or the Financial Assistance being contemplated by the Agency in connection with the proposed Project. A copy of the Application filed by the Company with the Agency with respect to the Project, including an analysis of the costs and benefits of the Project, is available for public inspection during business hours at the offices of the Agency. A transcript or summary report of the hearing will be made available to the members of the Agency.

Additional information can be obtained from, and written comments may be addressed to: Terrence W. Ritz, Executive Director and CEO, Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York 12054; Telephone: 518-439-4955.

Dated: October 17, 2011.
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
By: /s/ Terrence Ritz
Executive Director and CEO

Vista Public Hearing 11/1/2011 at 6pm - Tier One Application for Columbia Bethlehem Berk LLC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED PROJECT
AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
RELATING THERETO

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing pursuant to Section 859-a(2) of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York (the “Act”) will be held by Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency (the “Agency”) on the 1st day of November, 2011 at 6:00 o’clock p.m., local time, in Room 107 of the Town of Bethlehem Town Hall located at 445 Delaware Avenue in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York in connection with the following matters:

Columbia Bethlehem Berk LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Company”), has presented an application (the “Application”) to the Agency, a copy of which Application is on file at the office of the Agency, requesting that the Agency consider undertaking a project (the “Project”) for the benefit of the Company, said Project consisting of the following: (A) (1) the acquisition of an interest in an approximately 0.57 acre parcel of land located at 11 Vista Boulevard in the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York (the “Land”), (2) the construction on the Land of an approximately 2,500 square foot building (the “Facility”), (3) the further construction on the Land of related parking and other infrastructure improvements (collectively, the “Improvements”) and (4) the acquisition and installation therein and thereon of related fixtures, machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property including without limitation tenant improvement and finish (collectively, the “Equipment”) (the Land, the Facility, the Improvements and the Equipment being collectively referred to as the “Project Facility”), all of the foregoing to be owned by the Company and leased to a tenant for use by the tenant as a financial branch center for banking services and other related uses; (B) the granting of certain “financial assistance” (within the meaning of Section 854(14) of the Act) with respect to the foregoing, including potential exemptions from certain sales and use taxes, real property taxes, real estate transfer taxes and mortgage recording taxes (collectively, the “Financial Assistance”); and (C) the lease (with an obligation to purchase) or sale of the Project Facility to the Company or such other person as may be designated by the Company and agreed upon by the Agency.

The Agency is considering whether (A) to undertake the Project, and (B) to provide certain exemptions from taxation with respect to the Project, including (1) exemption from mortgage recording taxes with respect to any documents, if any, recorded by the Agency with respect to the Project in the office of the County Clerk of Albany County, New York or elsewhere, (2) exemption from deed transfer taxes on any real estate transfers, if any, with respect to the Project, (3) exemption from sales taxes relating to the acquisition, construction, renovation and installation of the Project Facility, and (4) in the event that the Project Facility would be subject to real property taxation if owned by the Company but shall be deemed exempt from real property taxation due to the involvement of the Agency therewith, exemption from real property taxes (but not including special assessments and special ad valorem levies), if any, with respect to the Project Facility, subject to the obligation of the Company to make payments in lieu of taxes with respect to the Project Facility. If any portion of the Financial Assistance to be granted by the Agency with respect to the Project is not consistent with the Agency’s uniform tax exemption policy (the “Uniform Tax Exemption Policy”), the Agency will follow the procedures for deviation from such policy set forth in Section 874(4) of the Act prior to granting such portion of the Financial Assistance.

The Company has applied for a Tier 1 enhanced real property tax abatement schedule pursuant to Section 1707 of the Agency’s Uniform Tax Exemption Policy.

If the Agency determines to proceed with the Project, the Project Facility will be acquired, constructed, reconstructed and installed by the Agency and will be leased (with an obligation to purchase) or sold by the Agency to the Company or its designee pursuant to a project agreement (the “Agreement”) requiring that the Company or its designee make certain payments to the Agency.

The Agency has not yet made a determination pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law (the “SEQR Act”) regarding the potential environmental impact of the Project.

The Agency will at said time and place hear all persons with views on either the location and nature of the proposed Project, or the Financial Assistance being contemplated by the Agency in connection with the proposed Project. A copy of the Application filed by the Company with the Agency with respect to the Project, including an analysis of the costs and benefits of the Project, is available for public inspection during business hours at the offices of the Agency. A transcript or summary report of the hearing will be made available to the members of the Agency.

Additional information can be obtained from, and written comments may be addressed to: Terrence W. Ritz, Executive Director and CEO, Town of Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, New York 12054; Telephone: 518-439-4955.

Dated: October 17, 2011.

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

By: /s/ Terrence Ritz
Executive Director and CEO