Published: March 21, 2008 01:28 am            

ECONOMY: New governor supports upstate revitalization strategy

Niagara County officials received some welcome news Thursday from the state’s new governor, who said he’s fully committed to the Upstate New York revitalization strategy endorsed by his predecessor.

In his first upstate visit since being sworn in Monday, Paterson reaffirmed his commitment to the $1 billion Upstate Revitalization Fund that former Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced in January. The fund would infuse capital for infrastructure improvements and other projects in Niagara County and other upstate communities. During the visit, Paterson received a list containing 1,000 signatures from elected officials, business leaders, educators and laborers who have pledged their support for the revitalization initiative.

“Today’s endorsements demonstrate the bipartisan, statewide desire to revitalize the upstate economy,” said Paterson during his address at Rochester’s Midtown Plaza.

Local names appearing on the signature list included Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, Erie County Executive Chris Collins, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, who attended the event.

Dyster said he had a brief conversation with Paterson about making a visit to Niagara Falls at his earliest convenience. Dyster said it was clear from the governor’s speech that he is going to do all he can to support economic development in upstate communities such as Niagara Falls, in spite of the budget pressures currently being felt in Albany.

“I think the key point that he was trying to make was to reaffirm the continuity of the work that’s already been done,” Dyster said.

County officials were hopeful, but not certain, that the plan would move forward under Paterson, who was unexpectedly forced to replace Spitzer when the latter resigned over his involvement in a prostitution scandal.

The scandal broke the same week that city officials were submitting an economic development plan to the governor’s office that Spitzer had requested during a visit to Niagara Falls in February. Dyster said he has since spoken with Spitzer’s hand-picked Upstate Economic Development Director Dan Gundersen and representatives from Paterson’s office, who assured him Niagara Falls will get the attention it deserves. Dyster said the proposed Niagara Experience Center and the new train station at the former U.S. Customs house near the Whirlpool Bridge continue to top the city’s list of things it would like to accomplish with help from the state.

“That’s been what we’ve determined as our highest priorities,” he said.

Earlier this week, members of the Niagara County Legislature unanimously approved a $64 million list of projects they are hoping state economic development officials will consider as they implement the Revitalization Fund. The county’s finalized “wish list” is being forwarded to Paterson, Gundersen and local representatives of the state Legislature.

“I’m pleased to know that Gov. Paterson has embraced the former governor’s upstate economic development initiative,” said Legislator and Economic Development Committee Chairman Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport. “Infrastructure and marketing are fundamental concepts of economic development, and Niagara County has developed a comprehensive plan that addresses these needs across the entire county.”

The Upstate Revitalization Fund includes a $350 million Regional Blueprint that would provide capital for creating development-ready sites, industrial parks, establishing small business loan programs and supporting job creation and research. The fund also calls for an investment of $115 million as part of a “city-by-city” strategy that would target projects in smaller cities such as Niagara Falls.

Morgan Hook, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said Thursday that state economic development officials will begin implementing aspects of the revitalization strategy following approval of this year’s state budget. Hook said Paterson’s approach to the plan will follow along the same lines as Spitzer’s, meaning local officials will be encouraged to join in on discussions about where funds could best be applied within their respective communities.

“It’s certainly good that (Niagara County) is prepared,” Hook said.

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.

        

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