 
The Council of Industry, established in 1910, is still going strong when it comes to helping local manufacturers make their businesses leaner and, thanks to technology, greener.
Each year, the privately funded not-for-profit organization recognizes two leaders of industry, one from the public sector and one from a private enterprise.
For 2009, the town of Lloyd Supervisor Ray Constantino is being honored as municipal leader for contributions to local manufacturing.
Constantino has been a long-time supporter of shovel-ready sites, including the one that expanded municipal water service and enabled Se”™lux Corp., which manufactures and distributes interior and exterior lighting fixtures, and fellow manufacturer Zumtobel Lighting Inc. to move forward with expansions plans and add new jobs.
Constantino also was instrumental in the deal in which Prism Solar Technologies relocated to the former Panasonic Plasma Display Building.
“It”™s very important that we continue to have manufacturing jobs in Lloyd,” Constantino said in a prepared statement. The town of Lloyd plans to partner with Prism to secure a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to incorporate solar technology into the town”™s various municipal facilities.
In the private sector, Jack Effron, chairman of EFCO Products, will receive top honors.
The Council of Industry recognized Effron “for a lifetime of dedicated leadership, wisdom and friendship that has enriched the lives of EFCO associates, colleagues and the community.”
Effron, whose family”™s business was featured in the March 16, 2009 edition of HVBiz, sits on the council”™s board of directors.
Both men will be honored at the council”™s annual Manufacturing Champions Awards Breakfast on May 29, 7:30 a.m. at the Powelton Club in Newburgh. For information, visit www.councilofinudstry.org or contact Anna Maria Murabito at 845-565-1355.
