On May 1, 2006, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Brooklyn Connects, Bomi Kim, was asked to testify before New York City’s Franchise & Concession Review Committee about Cemusa International, a subsidiary of the Spanish construction and services group, FCC, that manufacturers street furniture, and their bid for a $1 billion contract to provide services to New York City. Subsequently, the Committee voted overwhelmingly to approve the Cemusa contract. Prototypes of Cemusa's products currently are on display at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Following is the testimony as delivered:

My name is Bomi Kim, Director of Brooklyn Connects, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s comprehensive procurement assistance program. Ours is a program, designed to help Brooklyn’s minority and woman owned businesses find and secure business opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

Brooklyn Connects is looking forward to partnering with Cemusa and the New York City Department of Transportation to bring the highest quality street furniture possible to New York City. We urge you to approve this contract.

Cemusa has proven it is committed to our local economy. At the early stages of the RFP process they were the only company that reached out to us for a list of local companies that they could turn to as sub-contractors. This attempt to engage our local manufacturers as partners, even before securing the contract, should not go unnoticed. Their efforts showed Cemusa understands the value of public/private partnerships and the importance of inclusion to ensure healthy, long-term economic development.

In addition, we think Cemusa’s efforts have already proven to be a good sound business decision. We strongly believe Cemusa’s proposal was strengthened due to their engagement of local partners. More importantly, we know that by partnering with local businesses, Cemusa will be able to deliver creative, high quality products and services to New York City.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, in the second quarter of 2005 – in Brooklyn alone – over 483 companies were engaged in some form of manufacturing and fabrication work involving metal and wood. In addition, there are over 300 companies that supply building and fabrication material. Along with the presence of many able firms, Brooklyn also is home to many certified minority and woman owned businesses.  There are more than 100 of these firms in the fabrication and building supply sector that Cemusa can utilize to meet their needs.  

This contract is worth $1 billion to our city over 20 years. More than 120 people will be hired by Cemusa. An additional 100 new jobs will be realized through subcontracts with local manufacturers, suppliers, designers and construction companies. We are encouraged by Cemusa’s commitment to involve local partners in this project.

We believe when Cemusa issues the RFI within the next month or two they will include opportunities for local small businesses as they did in the early stages of this process. Subcontracting opportunities is one way to make sure all stakeholders in this franchise win. Small businesses become partners with larger businesses and government, which means they stand to learn and grow. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, through my Brooklyn Connects program, is ready to assist Cemusa to deliver quality products and services by collaborating with Brooklyn based minority and woman owned firms.

Thank you for your attention.

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