SCHUMER BRINGS STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TO ROCHESTER

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today brought his statewide Economic Development Initiative (EDI) to Rochester with a Business Roundtable. The purpose of Schumer's EDI is to help attract new businesses, financial resources, and jobs to the Finger Lakes region and other parts of the state. In a meeting cohosted by the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, Schumer met with local business, political and education leaders to develop a plan to spur growth in Rochester.

"The economy in Rochester is faring better than much of Upstate New York, but 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 Rochester a magnet for business."

The Rochester Business Roundtable follows on the success of a similar event in Albany in July. Schumer has planned other events in Buffalo, Syracuse and Binghamton for this fall and winter. Schumer said that these meetings are the first in an ongoing, longterm 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 RIT and University of Rochester, this area has a very highly trained work force, particularly in the fields of imaging, technology, and engineering. Yet too many of our graduates move to other places 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."

Attending the economic development initiative meeting were Congresswoman Louise Slaughter; Congressman Tom Reynolds; Assemblyman Joe Morelle; Albert Simone, President, Rochester Institute of Technology; Tom Mooney, President, Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce; John Casey, COO, Christa Construction; Joseph Clayton, Chairman, Frontier Communications; Gloria Cochran, CEO, Plaza Group; James Gleason, Chairman, Gleason Works; Jean Howard, Executive Director, Wilson Commencement Park; Samuel Hubbard, President, Genessee Corporation; Paul Nasipak, President, HatchLeonard/MarkinShaw; Michael Nuccitelli , President, Parlec; Lawrence Peckham, President, LPA Software Inc.; Ram Schrivastava, President, Larsen Engineers; Robert Tobin, President, Tobin & Associates; Sherry Tshibangu, President, The Comfort Zone; Harry Voss, President, Diamond Packaging; David Waterman, Managing Director, Capital Formation Group; Thomas Wilmot, President, Wilmorite, Inc.; Ronald Wilson, President, Dartnell Enterprises Inc.; Richard Glaser, Managing Partner, Hudson Venture; Patricia Malgieri, President, Center for Governmental Research; Len Redon, VP/Director of Rochester Operations, Eastman Kodak Company; Howard Berman, President, Excellus Inc.

(Schumer's opening statement is attached.)

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