Ceretto: $100 million for jobs, development in WNY

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, spoke Thursday on Western New York's receipt of $100.3 million through the Regional Economic Development Program in economic development funding and tax credits to help revitalize its local economy and create jobs. The funding was distributed according to a merit-based system in which the 10 regional councils competed for competitive grants.

"This is a phenomenal victory for Western New York and an important step for the revitalization of our region's economy and the good-paying jobs it will create," Ceretto said. "I applaud the members of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council for their work in putting forth such an in-depth and thorough plan to bring economic development funds to our part of the state. Now, I will continue to work with the council to help ensure that Western New York is selected to earn more economic funding in the later rounds of the Regional Economic Development Program."

Ceretto noted that $100.3 million in economic development funding and tax credits, which the Western New York Regional Council received, will help to fund a number of projects in key industries such as tourism, manufacturing and education, while providing additional resources for work-force development.

A number of the key projects in Ceretto's district include:

• $2 million in funding for Niagara County Community College for the renovation and expansion of its hospitality and tourism center and additional equipment to help promote job growth in the tourism industry;

• $970,000 for the completion of Niagara Falls International Airport master plan to help expand the airport and make the region a transportation and tourism hub;
• $811,534 toSentient Corporation to help promote high-tech manufacturing and job training;

• $391,150 forArtpark to make needed enhancements and improvements for the summer concert series;

• $75,000 in funding to revitalize homes for Niagara County seniors;
• $63,800 in funding to the Town of Newfane for upgrades and improvements to its marina to promote tourism and job growth;

• $50,000 in funding to Norampac Niagara Falls Inc., for workforce development and job training in the manufacturing sector;
• $102,000 toLaSalle Waterfront Park to help revitalize the Niagara Falls waterfront and attract tourism to this region; and

• $30,000 to theNiagara Wine Trail to help enhance the region's agritourism industry and promote local wines.

"These investments will go a long way to strengthen our region's tourism, education and manufacturing sectors, and will lead to long-term growth and job creation," Ceretto said.

"I have been an outspoken advocate for a number of these programs, such as the expansion of the Niagara Falls International Airport and the Culinary Institute, and I have worked to make certain that Albany invests in Western New York's economy. While today's announcement is long overdue, I am hopeful that the Legislature and Governor Cuomo can continue to work together to turn New York's economy around."

The award funding also contained $15 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to attract new companies to Western New York, which will invest in the community and create jobs.

"To turn our state's economy around, lawmakers must stay committed to lowering taxes, providing incentives to help foster economic development, and making real investments in our infrastructure," Ceretto said. "Over the last two days, we have made progress in all three of these areas, and we must continue to advance a pro-jobs agenda to improve New York's economy and make all of our state a more attractive and affordable place to live."