Wednesday, October 10, 2007 

798-5800

Picente: Oneida County Honored by

NYS Industries for the Disabled (NYSID)

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today announced that New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) has honored Oneida County as its “2007 Local Government Agency Customer of the Year.”

“ Oneida County government’s support of NYSID’s services and products makes good fiscal sense for agencies serving county residents,” Picente said. “By procuring services and products from vendors that employ workers with disabilities, we are not only upholding our high standards for products and services, we are contributing to the lives of workers with disabilities who are able to retain employment.”

NYSID has called Oneida County government “a leader in providing effective, efficient services to meet the needs of its community while also creating a growth-oriented business climate. On the leading edge of growth and innovation during our state’s formative years, Oneida County is still a leader in today’s information age -- a county where value of quality workmanship, pride in community heritage, and a commitment to making government work on behalf of the people endures and flourishes.”

In a little over one year’s time, the county has steadily increased its usage of NYSID agencies’ products and services in several departments including the Departments of Central Services, Mental Health, Buildings & Grounds, Airport, Records Management, and Social Services. This escalating support has grown by more than 200% within 18 months -- an amazing increase in employment of people with disabilities at NYSID member agencies, including Utica-based Human Technologies Corp.

            “Working with NYSID benefits both county residents by securing high quality services at extremely reasonable costs and by providing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities,” Picente said.