Jobs, Economic Development Focus of Roundtable

Local government, business and economic development officials

given voice in 2010-11 budget

WATERTOWN (February 19, 2010)—Upstate Caucus Chair Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine and Sen. William T. Stachowski, chair of the Senate Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee, today brought local government officials, economic development and business interests together to discuss ways to use the 2010-11 state budget to strengthen the economy, create and sustain jobs.
“In these difficult times, we cannot afford to lose focus on our top priority, which remains protecting the jobs we have, while also putting in place the right tools to create new jobs here in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties, and throughout New York State,” Sen. Aubertine said. “These are the people on the ground working to build our economy, who have the most intimate knowledge of what can be done to spur growth. The input collected here today will be used shape policy and a budget that promotes jobs and economic growth, especially Upstate, while also laying the foundation for a sustainable, long-term recovery.”
“Our job is to get people back to work,” said Sen. Stachowski. “That means listening to the people we represent to help us take immediate action as well as implement a long-term strategy to address the state’s unemployment. The expertise of industry leaders will be used to draft comprehensive job creation proposals that will be included in the state budget.”
As part of the New Jobs New York initiative spearheaded by Sen. Stachowski, today’s forum at Jefferson Community College’s Jules Center Room 6-218, featured around 50 representatives from area municipalities, businesses and economic development agencies.
“This is a great opportunity to provide input to our elected representatives and ensure that business and economic development interests are heard in the budget process,” said Garry Douglas, president and C.E.O. of Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. “I want to thank Senator Aubertine and Senator Stachowski for putting together this forum and taking an interest in what we have to say. It is critically important that economic development and business friendly initiatives are the focus of our lawmakers. It’s clear to me that they are really listening and trying to respond.”
On Thursday, Sen. Aubertine met with school district officials to collect their input on the upcoming budget. Sen. Stachowski held similar forums with economic development as the focus in Buffalo on Thursday and Syracuse this morning.