Bee Editorial
Regional IDAs can't offer the same attention
The reason for local newspapers, governments, industrial developmental agencies and other entities is to represent the best interests of a town or village.

In the hands of a larger agency or organization, the "little" people and their concerns are lost. There is no room for small school announcements in a large daily paper; state or federal government officials can't meet with residents about their neighbor's garage, and a countywide industrial agency won't offer the same attention as one on a town level.

By taking away the Amherst IDA's purpose, the town could potentially be hurt.

Currently, businesses and community members from the Main Street and Eggert Road region are working toward revitalizing the area and have met in the AIDA office. One massive ECIDA won't offer that same attention to or interest in a project that right now is trying to find its legs. The end result could mean major changes for the region, with new businesses, apartments and restaurants, all aesthetically connected, but it will be thanks to the people who were there from the start, offering advice and guidance.

Does the town want Erie County making its business deals? Offering attractive incentives and collecting the benefits from businesses that choose to develop in Amherst?

Smart business growth supports towns, and Amherst can't afford hasty decisions, especially as it continues its efforts for responsible development and land preservation as described in the recently adopted comprehensive plan.

The ECIDA won't care what agenda Amherst has developed when working out a business deal. But the AIDA would, and it would continue to be in "big business" with companies such as Geico and HSBC Bank.

If the Town Board is as concerned with the AIDA's effort level and decision making, as members have stated, then what do they expect from the ECIDA? What is it that the ECIDA is willing to do for Amherst that the AIDA hasn't?

With talks of a merger on the forefront following Monday's ECIDA meeting, we hope the Town Board knows what it has been pursuing. Only four members supported the request for the merger in August. The three other members strongly opposed it.

It's a proposal that could mean major changes in regionalism and business development in Western New York. Is Amherst willing to lose projects to other towns if the ECIDA pegs them for new projects? The AIDA is focused on one thing only - bringing business (and thus tax revenue) to the town.