Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program

COVID-19 Pandemic and Opportunity for Government and Corporate Partnerships to Jump Start the Economy

With the spread of the COVD-19 pandemic into our communities, many small business owners have been totally devastated and many have closed down and may never open or recover with substantial assistance from government loan programs and corporation partners dedicated to revitalize our economy. Under these circumstances it is extremely important to ensure that our small and micro-business owners that are major employers that sustain our communities succeed. 

ICMS, Inc has a proven track record of evaluating and assisting small and micro-enterprises to start and run their businesses successfully.  

We are seeking committed corporate and government business partners to further our business cause of helping the self-employed grow and sustain their business passion. We ask lending banks and government agencies offering government recovering assistant loans to support our Micro-Enterprises Assistance Program by sponsoring a business evaluation for a small business owner eligible for assistance today.

Contact us to see how we can partner to help jump start our small business community. Email us at okuret@gmail.com or icmsinc@aol.com

 

Many small entrepreneurs regularly take advantage of our expertise and technical assistance to turn their business dreams into business success. ICMS, Inc  helps big and small business owners write winning business plans, review their business operations and determine what constraints may be hindering their successful growth and financial performance. Meet some of our self employment clients:

Richard Bloomquist

Richard Bloomquist owns a sole proprietorship massaging business called Helping Hands (or HH). The business provides a supportive environment for individuals who need massage for its benefits in relaxing and as an alternative treatment to help in the recovery from specific medical conditions and injuries

Louis Vendetti

Louis Vendetti owns a business that creates and sell specialty promotion gifts and souvenir products to individual and business consumers. Customers can choose from a catalog list of over 600,000 specialty products and can have any graphic or image imprinted onto any product or component quickly and inexpensively.

Patricia Tanksle

 

Patricia Tanksley is self employed and the owner of "The Garden Keys" or (TGK). She owns and operate a flower shop stemming from her passion and love for floral design and gift basket making. She puts together floral designs for friends, relatives and church members for major holidays as well as weddings, anniversaries, and funerals

Dr. Okure and Edward Borowsky

Edward Borowsky is professionally certified as a tool-sharpener. He owns a small business called TEJEM Sharpening Service (or TEJEM). The business sharpens all types of equipment and tool blades such as circular and chain saw blades, clipper blades, carbide equipment, and routers and drill bits.

Dr. Okure and Charles Hartman

Charles Hartman used to be a professional bowler. He now runs a small business called “Chucks Bowling and Sports Emporium” (CBSE) which sells bowling balls and bowling related equipment and supplies, including sports trophies and other types of sports equipment.

Richard Bloomquist and Dr. Okure

Billy Searles owns and operates a small business called Adirondack Woodcrafts. He uses a variety of woodworking tools including saws, sanders, drill sets, hammers, plane and chisel sets to make and sale woodcrafts such as birdhouses, picnic tables, business signs and a variety of holidays gift products based on catalog designs.


For technical assistance on how we might help you grow your business, email us at okuret@gmail.com or icmsinc@aol.com


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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D President and CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS, Inc). The information included in this article may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc. The author Dr. Tom Okure is President of ICMS, Inc, a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York. Dr. Okure is a writer, author, business/management consultant, public policy advisor and commentator and a change advocate.

Job Placement and Work Readiness Services

ICMS, Inc is part of an Employment Network with a direct link to many national and reputable employers seeking job applicants to fill vacancies in their firms/organizations as the need arises.

Dr. Tom Okure, CEO ICMS, Inc

We provide vocational assessment services designed to improve the likelihood that an individual planning to obtain and maintain competitive employment in the job market or an individual seeking self-employment as a vocational goal will be successful. Our evaluation reports are detailed and describe each referred individuals skills, recent level of vocational functioning, potential qualifications for an open market job, and areas of interests and characteristics which may enable the individual to succeed in a work environment.

We also perform assessments for self-employment. Self-employment is best suited for individuals who have owned or operated a business in the past or who require a work setting or schedule that they can control. Self-employment is also suitable as a vocational closure for an individual when the competitive labor market is tight and placement of the person is unlikely. Even more important, the person should have a good marketable idea.

Before you can actually obtain our service, we work with you to develop an Individual Work Plan (IWP). We also provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the services we offer and explain to you your rights and our expectations in working with you to return to the Job Market. We service all types of clients from highly educated individuals with specialized technical skills to individuals with moderate entry level job skills that may need individualized coaching/work readiness assistance in order to return to the job market. All the information you need to get started is incorporated into an IWP information sheet and teaming agreement.

If you are out of work and need job leads and placement assistance, email us and ask to complete our IWP/teaming agreement form. As soon as we receive your filled out IWP form, we process your application and start providing you with job readiness and placement assistance. To get started email us with your questions and discuss your technical assistance needs.

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ENERGY AND UTILITY SERVICES

Constellation Energy's Nine Mile Point  1,  Oswego, NY

ICMS, Inc provides a full range of management, economic advice, and training and research services to utility clients and government regulators. We specialize in strategic planning, deregulation and regulatory reform, management and operations audits, integrated resource planning, cost-benefit analysis, cost of service studies including forecasting, rate design, revenue requirements, customer and competitive analysis.  Our seasoned professionals with expertise in public utility regulation and the utility industry are available to provide you expert rate case testimony, or simply help you to effectively prepare and intervene in the regulatory process.  We work closely with you to develop sound regulatory strategies that meet your short and long-term objectives and ensure a favorable regulatory outcome. 

ICMS, Inc - SAMPLE OF PUBLISHED ARTICLES IN  UTILITY REGULATION

"The Function of Electric Discount Rates in the Economic Development of a State." in Demand Side Management, Strategies for the 90s.  Proceedings:  Fourth National Conference on Utility DSM Programs - Cincinnati, Ohio. (Palo Alto, California: Electric Power Research Institute, April 1989), Section 9, pp. 1-12.

"Estimating the Marginal Distribution Customer Cost of Serving

New and Existing Customers -- The Opportunity Cost Approach," in Enhancing Electricity's Value to Society: Proceedings of the Canadian Electrical Association, Toronto, Canada: October 22-24, 1990, pp. 559- 568.

"Pricing Water Services to Foster Efficient Consumption: Rhetoric, Substance and Politics," in Proceedings of the Eight NARUC Biennial Regulatory Information Conference, Volume IV: Water, Columbus, Ohio: September 9-11, 1992, pp. 3-20.

"Competitive Pricing of Energy Services in New York State: Current Trends and Issues." in The Electricity Journal Volume 8, Number 1, January/February 1995, pp. 41-53.

"The Use of Flexible Rates By Utilities to Meet Competitive Challenges posed by Large Industrial Customers," in Proceedings of the Ninth NARUC Biennial Regulatory Information Conference - Volume II: Electricity and Gas, Columbus Ohio: September 7-9, 1994

FILED UTILITY RATE CASE TESTIMONY BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (NYPSC).

NYPSC  Case 29670-7    (Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 89-E-107   (Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 89-E-166   (Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 89-W-1151  (Spring Valley Water Company, Inc)

NYPSC  Case 90-E-138   (New York State Electric and Gas Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 91-E-0462  (Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.)

NYPSC  Case 91-E-0506  (Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 89-W-1151  (Spring Valley Water Company, Inc., -- Phase II)

NYPSC  Case 91-E-0765  (Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 93-G-0756  (National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation)

NYPSC  Case 94-E-0098,

       Case 94-E-0099

            and

       Case 94-G-0100  (Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation)

    

GENERIC UTILITY PROCEEDINGS & LEGISLATIVE BILLS -- COMMENTS AND BRIEFS.

New York State Assembly

Bill Number:  A. 7154-BAssembly Standing Committee on Energy and Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Economic Development -- "Energy and Economic Development Partnership Act."

NYPSC Case 92-E-0814 -Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Establish Conditions Governing Curtailment Clauses in Contracts for On-Site Generation.

NYPSC Case 88-E-081 -Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Establish Conditions Governing Curtailment Clauses in Contracts for On-Site Generation.

NYPSC Case 92-M-0229 -Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Address Competitive Opportunities Available to Customers of Electric and Gas Service and to Develop Criteria for Utility Responses.  

                    

NYPSC Case 93-G-0932 -Proceeding on Motion of the Commission to Address Issues Associated with the Restructuring of the Emerging Competitive Natural Gas Market.

ORDINARY TARIFF FILING -- COMMENTS AND BRIEFS TO THE NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

NYPSC Case 92-E-0893 --New York State Electric and Gas Corporation - Ordinary tariff Filling (SC-13) for Industrial Customers, With Terms of Service Subject to Negotiation between the Company and the Customer.

NYPSC Case 92-G-0847 --Brooklyn Union Gas Company - Interruptible Transportation Service.

NYPSC Case 92-E-1062 --Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation - Ordinary Tariff Filling to Establish Incentive for Customers to Occupy Existing Vacant Buildings.

NYPSC Case 93-E-0208 --Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation -- Ordinary Tariff Filling (SC-10) for On- site Generation Bypass Deferral Service. 

NYPSC Case 93-E-0672

           and

      Case 93-E-0405 --Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation -Ordinary Tariff Filling (SC-10) for Large Volume General Service With Individually Negotiated Contracts.

NYPSC Case 93-E-0976 --New York State Electric and Gas Corporation - Petition Under NYCRR 3.3 for Waiver from SC-13 Tariff Provision.

NYPSC Case 93-E-0961 --New York State Electric and Gas Corporation - Ordinary Tariff Filling to Revise SC-13 TERM Provision.

NYPSC Case 93-E-0960 --New York State Electric and Gas Corporation - Ordinary Tariff Filling to Sale New York Power Authority (NYPA) Economic Development Power.

NYPSC Case 94-E-0611 --Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) - Ordinary tariff Filling to Establish a New Rate for Non-Bypass Service for Large Commercial Customers.

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ECONOMIC (COMMUNITY) DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING SERVICES

ICMS, Inc offers expert advice and the insight and experience you need to revitalize your local economy, or improve the efficiency and viability of your programs and agencies.  We have cultivated a reputation for providing high quality, objective and well-thought out solutions to our clients in the area of economic (urban) revitalization, institutional development, program planning and evaluation, human resources training and development etc. 

We can serve as your Master Servicing Agent (MSA) for your federally funded or state sponsored programs, especially economic revitalization programs such as the Micro enterprise Assistance Program (MAP).  Our services as MSA range from designing of appropriate management and administrative systems for general program operation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting to process re-engineering, and developing networking and outreach elements for your program.  We can help you identify funding sources and capitalization arrangements, or simply evaluate the effectiveness of your existing state or federally supported grant programs.  At ICMS, we are committed to providing you excellent service backed by the integrity, knowledge and responsiveness that our clients expect from us. If you think your organization or agency can benefit from the services of a Master Servicing Agent (MSA) for your federally funded or state sponsored programs, please email us with your questions and discussion on how we can provide you with the technical assistance you need.

Business Planning and Assessment Services

At Inter-Continental Management Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc) we provide a broad range of business and management consulting services in addition to a host of other technical assistant support services. Our services are designed to help simplify the complex managerial and technical problems that our clients face in their daily operations.

At ICMS, Inc "the success of your business is our business" and we seek to build a lasting relationship with you and your organization that will be a foundation to your continued business growth and success.  Below is an overview of our customized business planning and assessment services:

Custom Made Business Plan

If you fail to effectively plan for your business success, you are planning to fail in your business venture. At ICMS, Inc we specialize in developing custom business plans for new startups and expanding businesses. At your request, we will work with your company to develop a comprehensive business plan that will be ready for the review of your investors in a timely manner.

Planning ahead is not an easy process especially because you cannot readily get a feedback as to its value. Nevertheless, when you start planning for the success of your business, the objective and advantages of planning become clearer. Planning enables you to deal with unforeseen circumstances that may suddenly plunge your business into a sudden difficult situation through no fault of your own. Planning for all types of eventualities that may confront your business allows you to deal with them in a rational manner and still reach your objective in spite of temporary setbacks. On the other hand, failure to plan can spell disaster or bankruptcy for your business.

Planning to meet the funding requirements of your lenders and the unique circumstances of your company is a complex process. Developing a customized business plan requires an unwavering commitment of time and effort from everyone involved in the process. Our objective in any business planning engagement is to provide you with a quality business plan that will please you and your investors and mirror your unique operational circumstance. To achieve this goal, we have to create an effective partnership and working relationship with your firm that merges your business vision and experience with our expertise and insight to produce a winning business plan document for you.

Irrespective of the size or stage of your firm or the amount of capital you are seeking, we guarantee that we can tailor our experience and expertise to help your company to develop an effective plan. If you think you or your firm can benefit from developing a customized business plan, email us with your questions and a price quote for technical assistance.

 
Assessment and Review of Existing Business Plan

If your lender or investors have recently rejected your business loan application, your business plan may be flawed and needs to be reworked and strengthen before you reapply for funding from another lender. ICMS, Inc can review your existing plan and give you expert advice and ideas on ways to turn your existing plan into an effective plan. Our technical consultants will read your plan from cover to cover and make blunt and insightful recommendations to help you improve your plan to meet the expectation of your bank and investors. Our reviews include the following:
 

·        We provide a blunt critique and thorough analysis of each section of your business plan with substantive suggestions for improvement.

·        We ask probing questions to stimulate your thinking on various aspects of the plan that may need clarification from your investors.

·        We provide useful insights and suggestions to enable you to be well prepared to successfully defend your plan before your lenders and investors.

·        We edit your document and provide technical write-up of sections that need critical improvement to make your business plan arguments more effective.

·        We restructure sections of the plan document that are weak to strengthen your presentation.

·        We design an impressive cover page for your plan and provide you with binding assistance to ensure your document has a professional look.

If you think you or your firm can benefit from a thorough assessment of your existing plan, don't hesitate to email us with your questions and a price quote for technical assistance.

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Biography of Chief Udo Udo Okure, B.A; O.B.E

Chief Udo Udo Okure was a Public Service Commissioner in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria (1960-67). He was a top government administrator and policy maker in the Eastern Nigerian Government and an active member of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), known at its birth as the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon. The NCNC was the ruling party in Eastern Nigeria of the 1960’s. During this period, the Governor of Eastern Nigeria was Dr. Akanu Francis Ibiam and Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria.

Okure, of Annang descent, was the third son of Umoton Abatekpe, who was a paramount chief and ruler in the village of Ikot Ekpene in the then Ikot Ekpene province of Eastern Nigeria.

After attending mission schools in his home town of Ikot Ekpene, he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad in England. Okure studied in Oxford University in England where he obtained a bachelors degree in government. He also obtained a bachelors degree from Exeter University in England. After completing his studies in England, he returned home and began a teaching career. He served for a number of years as the Principal of Uzuakoli Methodist College in Bende district (Umuahia Division) before being appointed by the Eastern Nigeria Government as a Public Service Commissioner. As Public Service Commissioner, he traveled extensively abroad to recruit and bring back many Eastern Nigerians who were living or studying abroad. In recognition of his outstanding government service to Nigeria and the former British Colonial Government, Queen Elizabeth 11 of England awarded Okure the high honor award of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds.

Okure was a prominent Annang leader who worked tirelessly with his political colleagues like Minister Akpabio of Ukana Ikot-Ekpene and Minister Afia of Abak to bring economic development to Annang land. He was outspoken and uncompromising with the Ibo ethnic majority in Eastern Nigeria on vital economic development issues affecting minority Efik, Ibbibio and Annangs. He was actively involved in bringing about the electrification of Ikot Ekpene and the establishment of Ikot Ekpene Library, to name a few of his accomplishment.

He established many scholarship funds to educate his townsmen and brought together and unified the seven diverse families which then made-up Ikot Ekpene. He was instrumental in establishing what is today commonly referred to and celebrated as Ikot-Ekpene day.

After the military coup of January, 1966, which brought an end to civilian rule in Nigeria, Okure was reassigned and appointed as the First non-white Chairman of the then newly created Calabar Cement Company (CALCEMCO) by the then Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. After the liberation of Calabar and the mainland part of South Eastern State by the Nigerian Army from the secessionist state of Biafra (1967-70) during the Nigerian civil war, Okure was appointed by the then military Governor of South Eastern State of Nigeria, Governor Esuene to serve as the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee for Ikot Ekpene. Shortly after his appointment, he was detained and then released by the field military commander in charge of the Ikot Ekpene war zone. He continued his work as Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee, but as a result of a conspiracy to get rid of influential Annang tribesmen, he was subsequently arrested and detained again with a number of other prominent Annang natives during a rehabilitation plan nary meeting. Udo Udo Okure was later executed while in Nigerian military detention. The mystery surrounding his detention and eventual murder while in military detention in June 1968 has not been resolved.

By Tom U.U. Okure, Ph.D



All rights reserved by Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (ICMS, Inc). The information included in this publication may not be used, reproduced, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of ICMS, Inc.