New York SBDC Research Network

We've received a number of questions over the years about making purchasing choices that are environmentally sound. The July 2005 Consumer Reports announced a new website so consumers can have reliable information in choosing "green" products. So far, the categories are autos, appliances, home & garden, electronics, and food, with more sections to be added. The site at GreenerChoices.org , was launched, appropriately, on April 22. It also shows how you can get rid of old cell phones, computers, and other electronics. "You might even get some money for them," the article states, but most links are donation sites. You, or your environmentally-concerned clients, may also be interested in: The Green Products Alliance , a "consortium of manufacturers and marketers who make and sell extraordinarily natural personal care products." Green Seal , an "independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by id

Roger presented information on NAICS codes at the recent staff training in Lake Placid. It was necessary because you'll need this information to enter the right code in the new WebMQS. For those who weren't at the workshop, I thought it'd be useful to pass on a search tip for finding the right NAICS code. In the new WebMQS, when you're in the "Add Initial Case" section, you'll notice that Al Scher provided a link to "Code Definitions" to the left of the "NAICS Code" field: http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naico602.htm . When you click on this, you'll notice a search box in the upper right (with the phrase "Enter keyword"). Enter a word that best describes the case at hand. The results you see are those codes that use that word. (The search box is accessing a database that is the equivalent of the 400-page Alphabetic Index, found near the back of the print version of the 2002 NAICS Manual). If you don't have access to

As of June 22, 2004, all New York State residents , 18 years and older, are eligible to receive a NYS Resident's Borrower's card for the New York State Library (NYSL). This card will allow those individuals to directly borrow items from the NYS Library and to remotely access NOVEL databases . This program gives New York State residents onsite borrowing privileges; materials will not be mailed to individuals under this program. What are the NOVEL databases , you ask? Some of the same tools your librarians at the Research Network use every day: Business & Company ASAP (database of full-text articles on companies, markets and industries) Business & Company Resource Center (database of company profiles, brand information, company histories, SEC reports, and periodical articles) Business Plans Handbooks volumes 5-10 (print out sample plans in PDF format) InfoTrac Custom Newspapers (contains the New York Times from 2000 on, 7 New York newspapers and more!) This list is ju

I checked out an article entitled Population Out-Migration from Upstate New York to see how my area (Troy) was doing and was surprised to see the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area is actually growing in population. Glens Falls was the leader with Rochester in third. This is a good site for information on national and local economic indicators, particularly the newsletter, even if the news isn’t always good. Upstate New York Newsletter is published by the Buffalo branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, it covers issues like tourism, the upstate economy under NAICS, and business cycles among other statistics. Empire State Manufacturing Survey For business conditions for manufacturers in the State including business outlook. The report covers inventories, orders, delivery time, employees and shipments overall. A broad overview. The Beige Book is a report published 8 times a year with information on current conditions, including consumer spending in various industries including tourism, and commer

Statistics are provided by the state Department of Transportation at the link here . There are figures for the whole length of specific highways (file 1), and total highway mileage by counties and municipalities (file 2). The third file is for Traffic Volume Report by County. This includes interstates and state roads. There are several streets that one may not consider a state road but are considered as such by DOT. They are often designated by a three-digit route number, followed by a letter. The Harlem River Parkway in New York County is 907D; most “parkways” are numerically designated. Old Route 16 in Erie County is 951V; many “old route” numbers have new numbers. Fort Drum Access Roads #1 and #2 in Jefferson County are 971Q and 971V, respectively; access roads and service roads are often noted numerically. Even named streets are sometimes given route numbers. For instance, Wolf Road in Albany County is 910B. Albany Avenue in Ulster County has three different numbers, 981M, 983F, an

For the next few months, we're lucky to have the services of not one but two interns from the School of Information Science & Policy at the University at Albany. One is Jessica Allard, and the other is Frank Fotia. They will be here three days a week until July or so. In time, some of you will likely see their names on memos attached to research, or you might hear them take a request from you over the phone. In addition, they'll be learning the mechanics behind how we operate and manage our active business library. Both are bright and engaging people, and we look forward to learning some new tricks of the trade from them!

Here at the Research Network we often get research requests from advisers working with clients selling "upscale" products. Finding markets for such products can be a challenge. Forbes Magazine annually does an analysis of ZIP codes to find the ones where home prices were the highest last year. This year's list features three ZIP codes in New York State: #5, 11765, Mill Neck, Long Island #11, 11568, Old Westbury on Long Island #13, 10013, the neighborhood known as TriBeCa in Manhattan The complete list in an easily-printed format is available at http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2005/04/22/cx_sc_0426homep.html?boxes=custom . Note: whether customers can afford your client's product is only one part of the equation. What will make them buy ?