Orange County Chamber Salutes O&R's Diversity Efforts

PEARL RIVER, NY October 18, 2007 — Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. has been named the winner of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Diversity Award.

The award, presented to the utility today at the Chambers' Annual Meeting and Awards Reception at Kuhl's Highland House in Middletown, was made in recognition of O&R's successful Supplier Diversity program.

In making the presentation to the Program's Administrator Daryl White, Chamber President Dr. John A. D'Ambrosio praised O&R's program for its positive impact on the future of minority and women-owned businesses in Orange County.

White said of the program, "Our goal is to create win-win relationships by identifying new opportunities in O&R's purchasing decisions for minority- and women-owned businesses, particularly in procurement areas where there is little or no minority business participation."

He added, "In this way, O&R receives products and services that help it provide safe, reliable energy to its customers while, at the same time, O&R helps to grow jobs and economic stability in local communities."

From landscaping to technical support, O&R buys a variety of goods and services from diverse vendors.

This procedure allows O&R, as an integral part of the communities it serves, to help contribute to the prosperity of the local economy.

One aspect of this procedure is O&R's encouraging minority- and women-owned businesses to join its bidding and procurement processes. This involvement helps build a foundation so these businesses can, over time, effectively compete with larger, more established companies.

If you own or operate a minority- or woman-owned business — or know someone who does — and want to expand your business partnerships, consider having O&R as one of your clients.