: 1164957448

Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) and local labor leaders took an important step in an environmental direction recently when they toured the premises of three of New York’s “green” manufacturers, including DFB Sales in Queens.

“Green manufacturing” is the practice of creating environmentally friendly products, and the means to build and distribute them. In New York City, the practice is set to become big business, with over $12 billion in “green” buildings on track to be built over the next 10 years, as a part of the city’s recent Green Manufacturing Initiative.

The initiative, passed in August, established New York as a city on the cutting edge of “green” manufacturing.

“One of our top priorities is to create good-paying jobs for New Yorkers and make the City a safe, healthy place to live,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), “and by supporting the ‘green’ industry we can do both.”

The initiative is headed up by the New York Industrial Retention Network, which works towards connecting local industry with suppliers, all while keeping the connections local. As a part of its commitment to the Green Manufacturing Initiative, it also works to connect “green” manufacturers to a network of “green collar” employees, specially trained to work in the environmental manufacturing sector. All tolled, the result of the program is a business shift that’s creating noticeably waves in New York’s business community.

“Increased construction of energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly buildings in both the private and the public sectors is causing a fundamental shift in the market,” said Adam Friedman, Executive Director of the New York Industrial Retention Network, “creating new opportunities for local manufacturers of green products.”

DFB Sales in Long Island City manufactures solar shades, which help buildings reduce energy cost by retaining solar energy and reduce heat requirements.

“As employers of over 100 people, who support 65 families in New York City, DFB is encouraged by our government showing that they understand the needs of industrialism and are committed to protecting these jobs and our businesses,” said Catherine Barton, Director of Business Development for DFB.

DFB Sales has served a huge compliment of businesses across the city, including NYU, Sony, IBM, as well as financial leaders like Merrill Lynch and Chase Bank.