New York doesn't have the best track record when it comes to figuring out how to entice businesses to come here. In fact, it's got the worst (according to the Tax Foundation's index of state business climates).
So why not take that job out of the state's hands, and let communities across the state make the call?
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wned/local-wned-950403.mp3
That's what will happen with the state’s hundreds of millions of dollars tagged for economic development, if Governor Andrew Cuomo has his way. The money would be split among 10 “regional economic councils,” that would be allowed to choose the projects to be funded.
The councils would give upstate areas the tools they need to sink or swim on their own, says James Allen, head of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency.
“We have a better understanding that we need it than some bureaucrat in New York [City] would,” says Allen. “And often times [Albany] has no understanding of the conditions in the region and therefore it’s not as easy for them to make a decision whether [a project] should be approved or not.”
Early reaction from the business community has been positive, says Kory Schuler with the Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce. Support for the idea will be there, Schuler says, if the plan doesn’t increase an already stifling bureaucracy and…
“…if it replaces organizations that already exist that aren’t really fulfilling their destinies, so to speak,” Schuler says. “If it’s just to add another layer on top of things that already exist, where you’re sort of duplicating services, I don’t think its productive and I don’t think its warranted.”
Where's the beef?
The lack of details surrounding the proposal means the jury’s officially still out. According to Allen, there’s a hunger for specifics.
“The actual details and how we do it, I don’t think anybody really knows,” Allen says.
And it might be awhile before the finer points are available. Some Cuomo economic development officials haven’t even moved into their offices yet, like Ken Adams, who has been tapped to run Empire State Development.
Overall, the business community is encouraged and intrigued, Schuler says, and wants the regional council idea to work.
“We have certain needs here that have to be addressed [that] I don’t think somebody from a different region could fully understand,” Schuler says.
Local businesses aren’t counting their chickens yet though. Approval of the councils by the legislature is uncertain. Even if they’re given the green light, the plan could take months, or longer, to see liftoff.
“It behooves us to get our act together and really make sure we prioritize what we want to have happen - because the state’s not going to fund everything,” Allen says.
