News & Media

 This webinar and event will be rescheduled at a later time. If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact Meredith (maperrea[at]syr.edu) or Jes (jeschn01[at]syr.edu)

Canceled: Thursday, March 19th 2020, 10am-12pm

What: Due to new Syracuse University policy, the Thursday, March 19, 2020 in-person Engineers Roundtable in Syracuse, NY has been canceled.  

Who: Project managers and grant writers from engineering firms consulting with local governments, municipal town planners, engineers, and water infrastructure managers.

Agenda:
10:00am Welcome and introductions
10:05am An Insider’s Perspective to Developing a Preliminary Engineering Report
11:00am The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Quality (SEQR) Reviews – Are You Doing Them Right?
12:00pm Webinar Adjourns

Webinar Speakers:

• Anni Balbian • Assistant Engineer, Bureau of Water Supply Protection • NYS Department of Health
• John T. Helgren, P. E. • State Engineer/State Environmental Coordinator • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
• Ken Kosinski, P.E. • Professional Engineer II, Division of Water• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• Scott LaMountain • Senior Community Developer for Economic Development, Office of Community Renewal • NYS Homes & Community Renewal
• Liz Ricci, P.E. • Environmental Project Engineer III • Program Manager, Western Projects • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation
• Brenda Smith • Community Programs Director • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
• Heather Spitzberg, Esq. CFM • Director, Environmental Analysis Unit • NYS Homes & Community Renewal
•  

Contact: Contact Jes Eckerlin at jeschn01@syr.edu or 315-350-8534 with registration or program questions.

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion

When: September 19th, 2019

Location: Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs, NY

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure.

Who: Municipal Supervisors and Mayors, Council/Board Members, Town Clerks and Managers, DPW Staff, Town Planners, Engineers, and other interested community leaders were invited to attend.

Presentations:

• Charlie Philion – New York State Homes and Community Renewal
  Co-Funding for Municipalities
• John King – Village of Montour Falls and Greg Cummings – Larson Design Group
  Regional Approach for Managing Wastewater Facilities
• Jenn Sunkes – New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation | David Phillips – New York State Department of Health
  Water Infrastructure Investment
• Lelia Mitchell – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  Water Quality Improvement Projects
• Howard Kunz – USDA Rural Development
  Clean water and sanitation help for rural communities

Click here for a database of presentations at previous SU-EFC events.

Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable

SU-EFC will be hosting a funding roundtable at the New York Rural Water Association’s 40th Annual Technical Training Workshop and Exhibition. Join us to learn more about funding opportunities and other resources!

When: May 22, 2019, 10am-12pm

Speakers: Charles Philion (NYS Homes and Community Renewal),  Audra Nowosielski (NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation), Brenda Smith (USDA Rural Development), Scott Alderman (NYS Department of Health), Christopher Grant (NYS Department of State), Leila Mitchell (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation). Facilitated by Meredith Perreault (SU-EFC).

New York Rural Water Association’s 40th Annual Technical Training Workshop and Exhibition
May 20-22, 2019
The Turning Stone Resort
5218 Patrick Road
Verona, NY 13478
Conference Agenda

Register here: https://www.nyruralwater.org/conference
Registration deadline: May 2, 2019

Local Leaders Conference

When: April 2-3, 2019

Location: Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure. The conference provide rural leaders in New York State the opportunity to discuss local governance needs and develop leadership skills while networking with technical assistance providers and state and federal funding agency representatives.

Who: Supervisors and mayors, council/board members, town clerks and managers, DPW staff, town planners, engineers, and other interested community leaders are invited to attend.

Presentations:

• Brenda Smith – United States Department of Agriculture
  Infrastructure for Rural America
• Charlie Philion – New York State Homes and Community Renewal
  Partnering with Local Governments to Build Strong Communities
• Christopher Grant – New York State Division of Local Government Services
  Local Government Funding
• Jason Denno – New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
  EFC Funding Overview
• Jonathon Mayr – New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
  Clean Energy Communities Program
• Khris Dodson – Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
  Workforce Development
• Leila Mitchell – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  Water Quality Improvement Projects and Engineering Planning Grant
• Monika King – United States Department of Health
  Drinking Water Infrastructure Project Funding Programs
• Khris Dodson – Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
  Getting to ‘Yes:’ Engaging the Public in Decision-Making
• Khris Dodson – Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
  Grantwriting 101
• Sarah Diefendorf – EFC West
  Storytelling
• Sarah Diefendorf – EFC West
  Framing Your Message
• Sarah Diefendorf – EFC West
  Presentations for Impact

https://sustainableengagement.syracuse.edu/resources/presentations/

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion

When: February 19th, 2019

Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York City

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure.

Who: Municipal Supervisors and Mayors, Council/Board Members, Town Clerks and Managers, DPW Staff, Town Planners, Engineers, and other interested community leaders were invited to attend.

Presentations:

• Meredith Perreault – Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
  Roundtable Introduction and REDC Overview
• Charlie Philion – New York State Homes and Community Renewal
  Partnering with Local Governments to Build Strong Communities
• Brock Rogers – New York State Department of Health
  Drinking Water Infrastructure Project Funding Programs
• Jenn Sunkes – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  EFC Funding Opportunities
• Kyle Wilber – New York State Department of State
  Department of State Grant Funding Opportunities
• Brenda Smith – United States Department of Agriculture
  Infrastructure for Rural America
• Leila Mitchell – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  Water Infrastructure Facts Sheets [1] [2]

https://sustainableengagement.syracuse.edu/resources/presentations/

Join us for a series of no-cost workshops that will teach you natural, easy-to-implement ways to prepare for an uncertain future. These events are open to all members of the public, and refreshments will be provided.

Register now by clicking this link: https://goo.gl/forms/8hMbRLQkUdW7JfJu1
Or register by phone: Kathy Forrest, (315)443-1131
We highly encourage you to attend multiple workshops, and please list any dietary restrictions!

Click to download.

When:
April 4th, April 25th, and May 9th, 2019, 6pm – 8:30pm
6:00pm: Hot hors d’oeuvres and registration
6:30-8:30pm: Program

Where:
Wolcott Elks Lodge
6161 W Port Bay Rd
Wolcott, NY 14590

Schedule:
April 4th, 6pm – 8:30pm
Lindsey Gerstenslager, Wayne County SWCD
Managing Water Through Naturalized Design

April 25th, 6pm – 8:30pm
Gregory M. Sargis, The Nature Conservancy
Lessons Learned from Four Recent Habitat Improvement Projects

May 9th, 6pm – 8:30pm
Jayme Thomann, Genessee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
Land Use Tools for Stormwater and Floodplain Management

Who Should Attend:
Homeowners, municipal board members, business owners, elected officials, and municipal staff.

This work is supported by agreement with New York Sea Grant, funds provided by the Environmental Protection Fund under the authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act.

Develop Your Leadership Skills
April 2-3, 2019
Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY
View the full program here.
Download program descriptions and bios.

Haven’t registered yet?
Check for space availability at the conference by calling Kathy Forrest, (315)443-1131.

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About the Conference: 
We invite you to join the SU-EFC for our annual Local Leaders Conference to be held at the Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY. The purpose of this conference is to provide rural leaders in New York State the opportunity to discuss local governance needs and develop leadership skills, while networking with technical assistance providers and state and federal funding agency representatives.

Who Should Attend: 
Supervisors and mayors, council/board members, town clerks and managers, DPW staff, town planners, engineers, and other interested community leaders are invited to attend.

Learn how to:

• Build support for decisions, reduce conflict and become a compelling communicator;
• Find funding for community resiliency and clean and safe water infrastructure;
• Communicate with the public, your board, regulatory and funding agencies;
• Engage the public and hold effective meetings;
• Develop competitive grant applications;
• Recruit and retain excellent talent for your workforce;
• Participate in the funding and financing roundtable for municipal infrastructure, with program updates and one-on-one discussion with state and federal agencies;
• And much more!

Registration Rates:

• Local Municipalities and Non-Profits: $50
• For-Profit Organizations: $75

Breakfast and lunch are included. After registering on the website, if you are paying by check, the check should be made out to Syracuse University and mailed to:

Syracuse University
Environmental Finance Center
727 E. Washington St.
Syracuse, NY 13244

Book overnight accommodations at the special conference rate of $134.00 per night for single/double occupancy, by contacting Holiday Valley Mountain Resort & Conference Center, 716-699-2345. When reserving accommodations, be sure to mention the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center’s Local Leaders Conference special rate, which is available to registrants for the nights of Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

About the Venue: This unique resort, located one hour south of Buffalo in the charming village of Ellicottville, is the perfect mix of business and leisure. Its large meeting rooms are centrally located near lodging, and attendees will be able to access the venue’s various recreational activities in their free time. Learn More

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About SU-EFC | The SU-EFC facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities throughout US EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight tribal nations).

Contact |  Please contact Kathy Forrest at kpforres@syr.edu for payment questions or if you have dietary restrictions. Please contact Meredith Perreault at maperrea@syr.edu for program questions.

This work is supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and by the Smart Management for Small Water Systems program, administered by the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN), a university-based organization creating innovative solutions to the difficult how-to-pay issues of environmental protection and improvement.