SEN. DEFRANCISCO JOINS BUSINESS LEADERS TO PROPOSE NEW MAJOR ECONOMIC INITIATIVE FOR UPSTATE NEW YORK
DATELINE: ALBANY, N.Y.
New York State Sen. John A. DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse (50th District), issued the following news release:
Sen. John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C-WF) today joined with major business leaders from across the State and his Senate Majority colleagues in unveiling the Upstate Now agenda, a comprehensive, 10-point 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.
Upstate Now calls for an investment of more than $3.7 billion in economic development initiatives over the next three years, with over $2 billion in the first year of the program.
The Senate's proposal would: 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.
"Doing all that we can to improve the upstate economy has always been a priority for me," said Senator DeFrancisco. "With the launch of our Upstate Now agenda, we are advancing a comprehensive, strategic plan that will strengthen the state's economy, particularly upstate, create thousands of new jobs and generate tremendous new investments in communities all across our State."
The specific points of the proposal are:
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's Outstanding Recreational, Cultural and Tourism Opportunities
"To help understand part of what is behind "Upstate Now," you can look to point number 6 as an example. To help restore our State to its former prominence, we have taken a lesson from its past by recognizing the importance of our cities as centers for economic growth," said Senator John A. DeFrancisco. "This initiative calls for restoring cities of all sizes that have been neglected far too long. Targeted investments in areas such as downtown revitalization, renewal of aging housing stock and brownfield remediation will allow urban centers to prosper once again by making them business friendly, attractive to people who want to live in a city and enjoy its many advantages, and once again be a magnet for retail customers who live in areas surrounding cities," Senator DeFrancisco continued.
"Our Upstate Now agenda is the best plan and the only plan to revitalize our state's economy to have been advanced in Albany this year," Senator DeFrancisco said. "We have heard a great deal of rhetoric about the upstate economy during the campaign season. Business leaders and other concerned parties have rightly asked why the issue has fallen off Albany's radar screen. The Upstate Now plan sends a clear message that the state's economy, and upstate in particular, is a top priority for the Senate Majority, and we will be fighting hard to ensure that this plan is enacted," Senator DeFrancisco concluded.