Local Public Private Partnerships (LP3s)

LOCAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (LP3s) Public private partnerships (P3s) are nothing new. Cash strapped states have turned over bridges, parking facilities, prisons and other infrastructure to private enterprise to run for profit.  States typically get a piece of the action creating a revenue stream; and save on such things as huge capital outlays that may require tax increases,  maintenance costs,  payroll and pensions, etc. Illinois has even gone the P3 route for its state lottery; now run by private enterprise charged with increasing state lottery net revenue. On the local level P3s (I call them LP3s) can be a very powerful tool to meet local needs; particularly in the tough economic times we have been living through. Even Greenwich Connecticut, reputed for its wealth and exceptional lifestyle, can benefit from LP3s. Just this year a local business learning about a need for an Alzheimer's music therapy program at the town owned Nathaniel Witherell nursing facility, forged an LP3 by agreeing to pay the costs of the twice weekly program (in excess of $30,000) for a year. A local bank, learning that cash strapped volunteer fire companies needed help covering fire training tuition so the town could "mint" new firefighters; offered lines of credit, interest free after "donations", to cover tuition pending reimbursement from the town (often taking months). As a result, this past month 5 students entered firefighter 1 training, at a cost of $1,500 each, with no burden on the fire companies, the trainees or the town. Another 5 students are also in line to take advantage of this LP3 arrangement in the next month. The Greenwich Alliance For Education asked an "LP3 match maker" entity formed by State Representative Alfred Camillo and I, called the "Needs Clearing House", to help find businesses and individuals willing to help provide funding for sixteen $500 stipends to a special group of students attending college this fall.  The money goes towards books and supplies for 16 successful AVID program GHS students (Advancement Via Individual Determination); students who were mentored during their years in high school, pulled themselves up by the bootstraps, got into college and then earned in excess of a quarter million dollars in merit scholarships!   A truly remarkable achievement! As for the stipends, over 50 percent of the funding for the stipends was found in less than a week!  This demonstrates the power of just attacking the needs; no lengthy application process, no long wait times...just go out and try to meet the need!  Plus, no overhead expenses....every dime goes to the charity! Once again, LP3s were formed, matching local businesses and individuals with a charitable organization to fulfill a quantifiable, achievable objective that was "news" to the donors. I could give more examples, but the point is made.  LP3s are a great tool to solve local problems and meet local needs. Just think of the amazing possibilities if the local contributions could be leveraged with state and/or municipal funds to get things done. The fact that LP3s are alive, well and meeting needs in Greenwich, suggests the possibility of the concept working in other communities across the state. In any event, more LP3s are planned for Greenwich this year. Charities and public officials with knowledge of needs of up to $100,000 are invited to contact myself or Representative Camillo to see if we can help find the right "match" to meet a defined need.  There is no charge.

Joseph J. Kaliko
203-629-5555