News from
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator for New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 1999

Schumer Brings Statewide Economic Development Initiative to Buffalo

Schumer Initiative "to work hand in glove with area business, educators, and government to make the Buffalo area a magnet for business."

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today brought his statewide Economic Development Initiative (EDI) to Buffalo with a Business Roundtable. The purpose of Schumer's EDI is to help attract new businesses, financial resources, and jobs to Western New York and other parts of the state. In a meeting co-hosted by the University at Buffalo, Schumer met with local business, political and education leaders to develop a plan to spur growth in Buffalo.

"The economy in Buffalo, and in much of Upstate New York, is really struggling. There is wide agreement that we can and should be faring better," said Schumer. "I started this Economic Development Initiative to help bring new jobs to the area because I believe that there are certain doors that a senator can open which aren't available to local business or political leaders. Getting the economy humming is my top priority, and I am anxious to work hand in glove with area business, educators and government to make Western New York a magnet for business."

The Buffalo Business Roundtable follows on the success of similar events in Albany in July and Rochester in October. Other Business roundtables will be held in Syracuse and Binghamton in December. Schumer said that these meetings are the first step in an ongoing, long-term plan to work closely with area leaders to attract jobs.

"Each region has their unique strengths and selling points which most of the nation's business community is unaware of," said Schumer. "For example, because of University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College and Erie Community College, this area has a highly trained, well-educated work force. Yet too many of our college graduates move to other areas to find work. We should be building upon the businesses and educational resources in the area, and working to ensure that the region prospers in the 21^st century."

Schumer has already met with site consultants and business analysts at top Fortune 500 firms to discuss Upstate's strengths and weaknesses. "Many of our strengths are real and many of our weaknesses are perceived," said Schumer. "But one thing is clear. There has been very little coordinated effort to pitch regions of New York to those in the business world who select sites for companies to locate and expand. I am happy to be New York's pitchman."

Among those attending the economic development initiative meeting were: US Representative John LaFalce; incoming Erie County Executive Joel Giambra; Keith Blakely, Advanced Refractory Technology; Anthony Blasting, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.; Paul Ciminelli, Ciminelli Development Co.; Dennis Controy and David Grant, Praxair, Inc.; Jonathan Dandes, Rich Entertainment Group; Susan Edwards, Mercy Hospital Foundation; Gale Fitzgerald, Computer Task Group, Inc.; Robert Greene and Lisa Smith, Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber; William Greiner, State University of New York at Buffalo; Allen Grum, Rand Capital Corporation; Pat Hotung, Mainplace Liberty Group; Muriel Howard, Buffalo State College; Peter Hunt, Hunt Real Estate; Stuart Hunt, Hunt Commercial Real Estate; Jeremy Jacobs, Delaware North Companies, Inc.; Stanford Lipsey, The Buffalo News; Diane McMahon, WNY Technology Development Center; Gerhard Neumaier, Ecology and Environment; Michael Rigas, Adelphia Cable; Andrew Rudnick, Buffalo Niagara Partnership; David Sweet, Main Seneca Corporation; Greg Zaepfel, The Zaepfel Development Co.

# # #