Market Newsdesk

Thorold, ON, Dec. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — An innovative industrial site along the international Welland Canal invites companies to join a new complex destined to be a game-changer.

The Thorold Multimodal Hub, in the heart of Niagara, Canada, is offering more than 500,000 square feet of available indoor warehouse and 200-acre outdoor storage and material handling space, providing flexible solutions that can be configured to suit diverse industrial operations.

The Hub comprises space owned by HOPA Ports, as well as a 155-acre former paper mill; the latter is a massive facility purchased recently by Bioveld Canada Inc.. Bioveld specializes in the productive repurposing of brownfield and industrial sites. “As a single point of contact for communities and corporations looking for progressive, long-term solutions, we leverage our experience leading restorative development teams to provide long-term gains for the investors, partners, and communities we work with,” said Bioveld Canada’s Board Chair, David Townsend.

This new major regional facility will be managed by HOPA Ports, through its subsidiary Great Lakes Port Management. Available spaces within the Hub feature infrastructure to reduce transportation costs and boost efficiency, with integrated, multimodal connections for industrial tenants. It will also include on-site property management and development services provided by HOPA Ports’ experienced team.

This investment in Niagara by Bioveld Canada and HOPA Ports is a step towards a more efficient and integrated network of marine facilities in Ontario. “As Ontario positions itself for an economic recovery, and as the province’s population and congestion issues grow, it just makes sense for us to be making better use of Ontario’s industrial and multimodal transportation capacity,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. “With all of its advantages, Niagara is a natural place to invest.” HOPA Ports already operates integrated port facilities in Hamilton and Oshawa, and is very optimistic about the contribution to economic development and sustainable operation that the Thorold Multimodal Hub can make.

The Thorold Multimodal Hub is the first concrete step in the Niagara Ports plan, which was agreed by HOPA Ports and Niagara civic stakeholders in September. Niagara Ports is a plan to create a corridor of multimodal industrial hubs along the Welland Canal in Niagara. Other hubs, in Port Colborne and Welland, are currently in conceptual stages.

Spaces Available

“This is a highly flexible, waterfront space that can accommodate a variety of industrial operators,” said Jeremy Dunn, Commercial Vice President with HOPA Ports. “Leases here will include indoor, outdoor, turnkey and develop-to-suit. Companies locating here will benefit from the proximity to the U.S. border, the availability of marine and rail, and strategic location in the Niagara-Hamilton-Toronto trade corridor.”

Available spaces include a central warehouse, several other warehousing sites, truck dock and bays, train shed and manufacturing shops, as well as a wood shop, auto shop and offices. Some spaces are turnkey while others can be customized. With such variety, and the ability to be flexible in creating dynamic workspace for businesses, endless opportunities exist for businesses to prosper in the new Thorold Multimodal Hub.

 

QUOTES

Mayor Terry Ugulini, City of Thorold
This is a great day for the City of Thorold, and the people of Niagara. The City of Thorold is uniquely positioned to be the engine of a new era in marine transportation in Ontario. This investment by Bioveld Canada is testament to that. Today’s event is the culmination of years of planning and coordination. This is a true example of progress, working with our neighbouring municipalities, HOPA the private sector and higher levels of government to create economic sustainability. 

Niagara has a strong history in marine, and we are well positioned to be a trade and logistics hub for the world given the Welland canal, which runs through the great City of Thorold and our partner cities. The efficient movement of goods has never been more important to domestic and global supply chains. As Mayor of the City of Thorold I know that we will put our best foot forward as we work toward creating the future, one that will solve complex global problems and give rise to new possibilities for our citizens and businesses. We welcome this investment and more to come!

Niagara Regional Chair, Jim Bradley
For years we have touted Niagara’s strategic location as one of its key assets and this announcement proves how we are taking full advantage of our geographic position in North America. As COVID-19 continues to hamper economic growth across the globe, it is important to seek out ways to diversify Niagara’s economy while developing our status as a key trade corridor. I am confident this project will be a key element in helping to attract more investment and industry to our region for years to come.

Vance Badawey, MP Niagara Centre and Chair, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
 
This Multimodal Hub in Thorold is just the first step in the establishment of the Niagara Ports Trade Corridor. By working together with our partners, such as HOPA and Bioveld, we are improving supply-chain efficiency and transportation logistics, strengthening our region to become an innovative, economic, transportation/logistics-based leader. With our close proximity to major markets and recently ratified trade agreements that elevates our economic population to 1.8 billion, Niagara contributes to the inseparable relationship between Canada’s international trade performance and the integrated economies with our trading partners.

Chris Bittle, MP, St. Catharines

Niagara has long touted our strength as a strategic geographical hub with multiple transportation avenues available to businesses and manufacturers. Today’s announcement demonstrates the real economic opportunities this strength presents. As Canada emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that our economic growth is sustainable. Marine, rail and road transportation networks, as well as our proximity to major markets, present businesses and manufacturers with a unique way to do business efficiently. The Multimodal Hub in Thorold brings all transportation options to the table in one location and presents an excellent case for investment in our community. The result will lead to a stronger, more diverse local economy.

__________________________

About Thorold Multimodal Hub:

The Thorold Multimodal Hub is a 200-acre multimodal industrial complex in Niagara, adjacent to the Welland Canal. Unique to Niagara, it features marine, rail and highway access, as well as over 500,000 square feet of indoor warehouse and outdoor storage space, which can be configured to a wide variety of industrial, cargo handling and ancillary operations. The Hub comprises space owned by HOPA Ports, as well as a 155-acre former paper mill; the massive facility was purchased recently by Bioveld Canada Inc.

About Great Lakes Port Management and HOPA Ports:

Great Lakes Port Management (GLPM) is the manager of the new Thorold Multimodal Hub and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports). As an integrated port network, HOPA Ports offers port and marine assets on the Great Lakes. We are developing multimodal spaces, including in Niagara, to support Ontario’s industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, we build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities.

-30-

For more information, please contact Larissa Fenn, HOPA Ports:

[email protected]


Tel: 905-667-3292
Cell: 905-518-7632


www.hopaports.ca

More background on the Thorold Multimodal Hub and Niagara Ports.

Attachments

• _MG_87339(1)
• _MG_8764(2)

Larissa Fenn
HOPA Ports
905-667-3292
[email protected]

Baltimore, Md./Washington, D.C., Dec. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) announced an additional extension of benefits for fully insured members to ensure the health and well-being of those it serves as the community and national spread of the coronavirus continue to accelerate. The benefits, which include the patient cost share waivers for the testing and treatment of COVID-19, were initially put in place last spring and set to expire on December 31, 2020, except as otherwise required by law. The benefits will be extended into 2021.

“With the surge of positive COVID-19 cases in our communities and neighborhoods, no one should worry or put off getting tested or treated for this virus because they are concerned about how they will pay for it,” said Brain D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst. “The strength and health of our communities rely on each of us doing our part by socially distancing and wearing a mask. Together, we can beat back this virus and start down the road to recovery. Right now, CareFirst is protecting the health of our members, communities, associates, and frontline healthcare workers by ensuring continued access to the testing and treatments needed to recover and heal fully.”

COVID-19 vaccines are expected to gain Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year and will also be a covered benefit at no cost for CareFirst members. CareFirst is committed to helping communities access the vaccine as quickly and easily as possible but cautions patience as each state finalizes vaccination plans.

In addition to the extensions announced today, CareFirst encouraged individuals to get a flu shot and keep up to date on the immunizations vital to their children’s health. “We encourage everyone to get the flu shot because it is another easy step we can all take to stay healthy, keep our neighbors well, and lessen the impact on an already strained healthcare system,” said Pieninck. “Vaccinations are a safe and critically important tool that support and build community health.”

CareFirst has taken numerous actions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to support our members, providers, and communities. These include premium credits and rebates for individual, small and large group customers, premium deferrals, and relaxation of authorization and concurrent review criteria. CareFirst also provided accelerated payments to an array of healthcare providers experiencing financial strain and invested in community nonprofit organizations working to address complex and emerging health, social and economic needs.  In addition, CareFirst committed resources for personal protection equipment (PPE) to almost 200 federally qualified health centers and independent primary care providers and recently delivered care packages to vulnerable members and will continue to work within communities to ensure the health and safety of its members. 

Throughout the public health emergency, CareFirst will continue to work to identify barriers and solutions to ensure the whole health of the members, associates, and communities it serves.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 83^rd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.3 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2019, CareFirst invested $43 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. 

Media Relations
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
1-800-914-6397
[email protected]

Potsdam, NY, Dec. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Last year, I graduated from Clarkson’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. I secured my first teaching job in New York City and was excited to begin the rewarding career I had worked so hard to realize. I knew my first year of teaching would be challenging, but never could I have imagined that a pandemic would force a rapid shift to a new way of schooling.

Living and working in New York is not new to me. I was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island, just outside of Queens. Before I decided to be a teacher, I was a professional in the architecture/interior design field. But after the financial crisis of 2008, I decided to continue my education, first at the University at Albany and later at Clarkson’s Capital Region Campus. While student-teaching at Cohoes High School, in Cohoes, New York, I became passionate about educating students and preparing them for the future.

Moving back downstate and becoming a high school math teacher, however, stirred up a lot of emotions. I was anxious, nervous and excited. But despite these feelings, I also felt well-prepared to enter the school year with all the tools and experiences that I had gained in my full-year residency and Clarkson’s MAT program. It also helped that I would be working at a school that was a good fit for me. Cristo Rey New York High School checked all the boxes on my list: a small, independent school; close-knit faculty; and students with a genuine willingness to learn.

During the first two weeks in September, I was juggling a lot of new tasks: starting my days early to commute from Westchester County to the city via Metro-North train, getting to know the students and faculty, familiarizing myself with Cristo Rey’s policies and curriculum, creating lesson plans and adjusting to my schedule and the school’s schedule. An average school day consisted of teaching three to four classes, attending meetings, preparing lessons for the week, grading assessments and providing further academic support after school. I initially felt overwhelmed, but as time passed, I found my groove. I became more confident and comfortable with my teaching skills and in building relationships with my students.

Fast-forward six months to the coronavirus outbreak. The city that never sleeps fell quiet while the virus took its toll on New Yorkers. While not hit as hard as New York City, Westchester County was greatly impacted by COVID-19. A task as simple as going to the grocery store or running errands has turned into an obstacle course. Trying to protect myself and my loved ones by social distancing has been mentally draining. I’ve also had friends and relatives — nurses on the frontlines — contract the disease and, thankfully, recover. It has certainly been a scary time.

This situation is far from normal, but as humans, we learn to adapt to change. And like others in various roles within the workforce, teachers across the U.S. have faced rapidly changing demands amid the pandemic. Teaching through this experience has forever shaped my view on the resiliency of teachers and how they can make a difference in any situation — even during a global health crisis.

The shift from classroom to online instruction was an adjustment at first. It was similar to my first two weeks at Cristo Rey. I had to adapt to the online scheduling, find my groove and keep students engaged and on task remotely, despite all that was happening in the world. My students had to adapt, too. Some students did not have access to the tools needed for remote learning. Some of them come from low-income families, and they didn’t have a laptop or even internet access at home. After conducting a survey of the student body, Cristo Rey provided Chromebooks and internet service to those who needed it, so they would not be left behind.

I thought teaching in a classroom setting was challenging and a lot of work, but teaching remotely requires more innovative approaches and increased critical thinking. I easily put in twice as many hours teaching remotely as I did on-site. But the bigger challenge was trying to keep my students engaged. Not only did they have to adjust rapidly and keep up with schoolwork from other classes, but most of them had increased responsibilities at home, such as watching their siblings and helping their families. Some of my students’ parents and relatives contracted the virus, which took an emotional toll and impacted their studies.

However, the relationships I had fostered with my students earlier in the year were critical to successful learning at home — against the odds. In addition to the video and virtual classes I provided, I incorporated group activities for students to interact with each other, using real-world situations that reinforced what they had learned from a chapter or a lesson. We adapted together and finished the year strong.

Despite the workload and the myriad unknowns, my first year of teaching was a rewarding experience. Though remote learning was required — and has continued into the new school year — I can’t wait to get back to my classroom. Online learning cannot replace the important face-to-face interactions among students and faculty, no matter how well-equipped we are with tools to teach from home.

Melissa Lindell
Clarkson University
315-268-6716
[email protected]

Boston, Dec. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As states move to finalize their COVID-19 vaccination distribution plans, the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement is urging them to allow dentists and dental hygienists to administer the approved vaccine to patients.

On Tuesday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that health care workers — including dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants — be the first to receive vaccinations once approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Once vaccinated, dental professionals can be an important distribution channel for the general public when vaccines become widely available.

Oral health providers have previously been involved in administering vaccines during significant flu outbreaks and other health emergencies. Already, states like Illinois and Minnesota allow dentists to administer flu vaccines. Oregon passed a law in 2019 permitting dentists to administer vaccines more broadly, and last month the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners approved a change to allow dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

On Friday, states are set to provide updated COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans to the CDC. The DentaQuest Partnership is urging all states to include dental providers in these plans.

The following is a statement from Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO for the DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement and Catalyst Institute, urging states to allow dental providers to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their distribution plans.

“Dental professionals are essential members of our health care community, and they have the training, knowledge and capability to administer vaccinations safely to patients. We urge states to include oral health providers as part of their vaccine distribution plans to ensure people are able to receive the vaccine as quickly and safely as possible.”

Annually, more than 18 million people visit the dentist but not a primary care physician or other medical professional. Many dental professionals, especially those operating in community health care settings like Federally Qualified Health Centers, are well positioned to serve as an important public health access point for COVID-19 vaccinations.

The dental community in the early days of the pandemic came together to develop responsive safety standards and new infection control protocols that allow dental care settings to continue providing vital oral health care. Once again, the oral health community is stepping up and stands ready to assist in coronavirus vaccine distribution and administration once available to the public.

####

The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement is a nonprofit organization working to transform the broken health care system and enable better health through oral health. Through strategic grantmaking, research and care improvement initiatives, we drive meaningful change at the local, state and national levels. The DentaQuest Partnership is affiliated with DentaQuest, a leading U.S. oral health enterprise with a mission to improve the oral health of all. Find out more at www.dentaquestpartnership.org.

Kristin LaRoche
DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement
857-275-5038
[email protected]