June 29, 2007

Kennedy Pushes Ideas of Economic Prosperity

Focuses on region's growth

As chairman of Erie County's Economic Development Committee, Legislator Tim Kennedy recently sponsored two resolutions, continuing his efforts to push the envelope on ideas to advance economic growth in Erie County.

The resolutions call for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) to adopt a regional development plan titled, "Framework for Regional Growth," and for region's higher education institutions to collaborate with the Buffalo Employment and Training Center (BETC) to promote transparency and streamline resources available to students entering the workforce.

Not long after calling for the consolidation of Western New York's industrial development agencies, Legislator Kennedy has turned up the heat on the ECIDA to adopt what he calls, "a common sense framework for regional economic growth."

Kennedy's resolution calls on the ECIDA to adopt the "Framework for Regional Growth" plan, a document created by a steering committee from Erie and Niagara Counties, to serve as a blueprint to support decisions made by county and regional agencies in relation to the region's physical development.

"Economic prosperity and recovery are directly linked to regional development strategies," Kennedy said, "The document aims to help the region make decisions about its regional growth and development on a coordinated and consistent basis. The very purpose the ECIDA was created makes it a prominent factor in successfully adopting and implementing these growth strategies. In order for us to move forward, all stakeholders must work collaboratively toward the same goals."

"For decades Western New York has witnessed its population declined," Kennedy said, "In addition, suburban sprawl, scattered development and the disinvestment in urban areas, older suburban areas and town and village centers have only added to the cost of doing business in Erie County and the region as a whole. These factors are directly responsible for the increased operating costs that burden all levels of local government alike and create a disproportion in the amount of services rendered to taxpayers who fund those increases."

The Plan will serve as an important tool for local governments, development agencies, private developers, and citizenry to coordinate their decisions so they can anticipate how one decision may affect another. Included in the document are proposed policies, programs, and projects intended to encourage and facilitate development that is consistent with such framework.

The Erie County Legislature unanimously adopted the "Framework for Regional Growth" plan in April. Legislator Kennedy has invited the ECIDA to his economic development committee's next scheduled meeting to discuss their role in implementing the plan.

Legislator Kennedy also sponsored a resolution calling for higher education institutions to form a partnership with the BETC to ensure that students entering the workforce have the necessary tools and knowledge of opportunity to retain them in Western New York and make their transition successful.

"Workforce development is a powerful economic development tool for economic and business growth," Kennedy said, "With the upcoming retirement of the Baby-boomer generation, it is even more imperative that we take the steps to ensure we retain our young talent here."

"Western New York is not alone in facing unique workforce development challenges," Kennedy said, "Regional economic vitality depends on the strength of local businesses. With local economic development organizations devoting a considerable effort to attract and retain businesses in this area, collaborating with dedicated training centers, such as the BETC, provides an enormous advantage to this region by offering training and information most institutions do not provide or have access to."

"As a result of funding shortfalls there is a significant inconsistency in the amount of career resources each institution offers their students as they make the transition from the classroom to the workplace," Kennedy said, "The result of institutions forming a partnership with the BETC will ensure that each individual has every available resource to assist them to find jobs within the region and prepare them for their next step in employment.

"It is important that graduating students and residents alike, know that these resources are available to them, not to mention free of charge. Further collaboration will create the necessary vehicles to assist students who are seeking employment or to enhance their skills."

For more information on Legislator Kennedy's resolutions you may contact his district office at 824-6180. You may visit the following websites for more information regarding the two topics: "Framework for Regional Growth" plan - http://www.regionalframework.com and BETC - http://www.workforcebuffalo.org/default.asp .

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