NYC Council Hearing Addresses Citywide Tech Business Issues

Telecom Policy Report, June 20, 2005

The New York City Council says its Committee on Technology in Government will hold an oversight hearing for tomorrow (Tuesday, June 21) for elected officials to hear and to discuss testimony on how the city government can support the development of the local information technology industry.

The session - scheduled for 1 p.m. in the Committee Room of City Hall - is expected to include an overview of the NYC software/IT industry and the importance of high-tech economic development to the region from Bruce Bernstein, executive director of the New York Software Industry Association (www.nysia.org).

In addition, the council committee - which has been heavily involved in encouraging IT, software, computer and telecom enterprises in the city as well as promoting various broadband Internet access initiatives - has invited a cross-section of CEOs from local IT companies, academics in the IT field and venture capitalists to speak.

Discussions will revolve around the current state of the IT industry in NYC, the problems and strengths of doing business in NYC, factors to improve industry growth and profitability, and workforce requirements. The city also is interested in whether it can be a "beta tester" for new technologies developed by local companies and if it can be involved in any way regarding technology transfer, commercialization and/or R&D processes.

There also are a number of issues involving the role of the city government, including whether it can help increase the city's share of federal R&D money, government-procurement policies related to local company awards, potential tax policies or incentives to help NYC companies, and whether it is possible for the government to provide financing to NYC IT companies.

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