Great Lakes News and Notices
GSA's Great Lakes Region Public Affairs Office, located in Chicago, issues media releases and advisories to provide the public with important information on GSA projects and activities within the six states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Great Lakes Region News Briefs
Region Strengthens Small Business Outreach (5/13/13)
Great Lakes GSA hosted a virtual roundtable with officers from the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTACs) to improve small business engagement between GSA and PTACs in the region. Regional Administrator Ann P. Kalayil and staff from the region’s Office of Small Business Utilization and Public Buildings Service led attendees in discussing the importance of educating small businesses on available opportunities; Kalayil noted that GSA has a variety of resources for small businesses and the agency must continue to stay connected to its customers. This was the third in a series of virtual statewide roundtables with PTACs throughout the Great Lakes Region, which plans to continue strengthening relationships with small businesses by providing more training on how to find available contracting opportunities.
Indiana Students Benefit from 'Computers for Learning' Donation (4/24/13)
The Great Lakes Region recently participated in a Computers for Learning donation event at Grissom Elementary School in Gary, Ind. Regional Administrator Ann P. Kalayil and Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson were on hand in a first grade classroom to see four of the 57 donated laptops in use to supplement the teacher’s current reading curriculum. Kalayil, speaking directly to a group of students, stressed the importance of education and making sure today’s students are prepared for the future. She also quizzed students on what happens when computers are thrown away, and how GSA is committed to reusing and re-purposing technological equipment, achieving the agency’s priority of making a more sustainable government. Photos from the event, taken by the Post-Tribune, are available on-line at http://posttrib.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/index.html?story=19400162.
Chicago FEB Honors Mayor Emanuel’s Commitment to Sustainability (4/23/13)
As chair of the Chicago Federal Executive Board (FEB), Great Lakes Regional Administrator Ann P. Kalayil recently honored Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel with the 2013 FEB Sustainability award for his leadership and support in green initiatives throughout Chicago. During presentation of the award at the Interagency Sustainability Forum, Kalayil noted the Great Lakes Region’s accomplishments in reducing its energy and water consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Mayor Emanuel shared his goal of bringing sustainability policy to life, making Chicago the model green city in America and partnering across all levels of government to achieve these efforts. Forum panelists stressed the importance of continuing to build partnerships with one another in order to build a legacy of sustainability for future generations.
President’s Budget Provides Funding for Four Regional Projects (4/18/13)
Four Great Lakes projects – new construction of an FBI Tactical Support Operations facility in Detroit and renovations of three other buildings, the Federal Center in Chicago, Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis, and Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit – are part of the major public building construction and repair projects outlined in President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
The President’s Budget calls for common sense investment in the nation’s public buildings, enabling GSA to properly maintain assets owned by the American people.
“By investing in our public buildings, a smaller federal footprint and improved border crossing stations, GSA will not only create savings for the American people, but also assist in providing them with the most efficient and effective government possible,” said GSA Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini. “The President’s Budget will ensure that federal agencies can support economic and job growth in communities across this country.”
Illinois Child Development Center Achieves 20th Year of NAEYC Accreditation (4/17/13)
GSA’s One Hope United Child Development Center in Des Plaines, Ill., was re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), marking 20 consecutive years of accreditation. Accredited child care centers demonstrate satisfactory performance on at least 80% of all criteria in NAEYC's 10 early childhood program standards. With more than 400 criteria, accreditation is an intense process that requires a high level of commitment and hard work from the childcare provider and staff, along with support from their GSA partners. By becoming accredited, One Hope United has shown its continued commitment to maintaining and improving quality childcare.
Media Releases
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