'Upstate Now' invests in Western New York
MARY LOU

RATH

New York State Senator This week the Senate 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 10-point plan would invest a total of more than $3.7 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.

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.

Revitalizing the upstate economy and creating new economic opportunities for young New Yorkers is a top priority for the Senate. 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 plan includes more than $2.6 billion in tax cuts 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, but 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 for New Yorkers.

The Upstate Now plan will build on this legacy with a broad, comprehensive and integrated 10-point plan, that includes:

+ Reducing taxes for small businesses, manufacturers and key industries.

+ Building and investing in a 21st century infrastructure for the upstate economy.

+ Making upstate an international powerhouse in new and emerging technologies.

+ Reducing energy costs for employers and promote energy independence.

+ Reducing health care costs for small businesses to insure more families.

+ Marketing upstate's outstanding recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities.

We have the workforce, ideas and desire to make Upstate New York one of the premier economic growth regions in the world. This is a critical initiative for the future of the state.