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Guest Editorial
Senator Volker Announces the Launch of Upstate Now
The New York State Senate recently unveiled the Upstate Now agenda, a comprehensive job creation and economic growth plan that will transform and revitalize the upstate economy, generate billions of dollars in new investment, and create thousands of new jobs for New Yorkers.
The Upstate economy must be our top priority--period, We must not continue the rhetoric, of saying we must improve the upstate New York economy. We are at a critical juncture and it is time to enact proactive business reforms that make our region competitive and grow an economic environment conducive to job creation, job retention and enhanced economic opportunities for our residents. The Senate's proposal does just that and will ensure that businesses can look at our region and see that we arc serious about changing the way we attract businesses and provide them with the tools and resources that make our region an enviable place to do business. The 10-point plan would invest a total of more than $1.7 billion into economic development initiatives over the next three years, including new tax relief and incentives, new and existing capital investments and private sector matching funds More than $2 billion would be invested in the first year of the program.
The Senate's comprehensive plan will: reduce taxes, energy and health care costs for employers; provide upstate with a 21st century economic infrastructure strengthen small businesses, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and other key industries throughout the state; make upstate an international leader in new and emerging technologies; revitalize downtowns and local communities throughout the region, support clean, renewable energy initiatives; strengthen our workforce; and enact sweeping reforms to make the upstate region more business-friendly and economically competitive The Senate's Upstate Now plan includes more than $2.6 billion in tax outs and incentives, when fully implemented in three years; as well as $300 million in existing venture capital funds that will generate an additional $300 million in private sector matching funds; $300 million in capital monies originally proposed in the Executive Budget, big not included in the adopted budget; $155 million in new capital investment funds; and $58 million in new economic development program investments.
From tax cuts, to the JOBS NOW and Pipeline for Jobs, initiatives, to the Jobs 2000 Plan (J2K), Gen*NY*sis, and Centers of Excellence programs the Senate Majority has always been the principal driving force in Albany behind efforts to promote economic growth and job creation fox New Yorkers. The Upstate Now strategic plan will build on this legacy with a broad, comprehensive and integrated. 10-point plan:
1. Reducing taxes for Small Businesses, Manufacturers and Key Industries 2. Building and Investing in a 21st Century Infrastructure for the Upstate
Economy 3. Making Upstate an International Powerhouse in New and Emerging
Technologies 4. Reducing Energy Costs for Employers and Promote Energy Independence 5. Reducing Health Care Costs for Small Businesses to Insure More Families 6. Creating Thriving main Streets 7. Winning the Global Competition for Manufacturing Plants 8. Preparing the finest workforce in the Nation 9. Providing Around the Clock Access to the State's Economic Development
Programs 10. Marketing Upstate Outstanding Recreational, Cultural and Tourism
Opportunities
Senator DaleVolker
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