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  • January, 2012

From the desk of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Building a New NY….with you

Dear Fellow New Yorker,

We are off to a great start in the State of New York in 2012. We’re building on the real progress we made last year in transforming our economy, balancing our state budget and reducing income taxes for the middle class to the lowest level since 1953. 

Most importantly, our government is performing and has regained the public trust. I believe the key to reforming Albany is mobilizing the public to get involved and express their views to elected officials. Special interests only win in a vacuum. Democracy works when every voice is heard.        

We have proposed a bold agenda for the upcoming year. It includes reforming our education system with real teacher evaluations, ending the practice of fingerprinting working families on food assistance, creating tens of thousands of jobs through major infrastructure investments, building a DNA databank to stop crime and protect all New Yorkers, and lowering the tax burden on localities through pension reform and eliminating state laws that drive up the cost of local government.

Without a doubt, this is an ambitious reform plan, but we cannot move forward without you. 

Make your voice heard and encourage your friends and family to join us at www.NYGetInvolved.com.

Only by working together can we move New York forward.

Sincerely,

Andrew M. Cuomo

2012 Legislative Forum Slated for Friday, February 10th

The Western New York Chamber Alliance is holding its annual State Legislative Forum on Friday, February 10th at The Creekside, 2669 Union Road at William in Cheektowaga.  Businesses will have the opportunity to give their feedback on the direction of state government to 18 invited state senators and assembly members representing Western New York. 

The panel discussion will be moderated by David Robinson, Buffalo News Business Reporter.   The event’s Presenting Sponsors are EnergyMark and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce with technical support from Sound Video Solutions.

Chamber members, business & education leaders, local elected officials, and community &service club leaders are invited to participate.  The cost for the event is $15 per person and starts with a continental breakfast at 7:30am.  The program will start promptly at 8:00am and will conclude at 9:30am.  Reservations can be made by calling the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce at 716-874-1202.   

The key issues to be discussed include Health Care Reform, Medicare Reform, Mandate and Property tax relief, the New York State Budget and other issues related to growing businesses and creating jobs.  After a question and answer session there will be an opportunity for questions from the audience.  

2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE FORUM

Friday, February 10, 2012
The Creekside, 2669 Union Road, Cheektowaga
7:30am registration/continental breakfast
8:00am – 9:30am program
Cost:  $15/person
Call 716-874-1202 to register or click on the link below:

Legislative Forum Registration Form 

The WNYCA consists of 25 local Chambers of Commerce working together to represent and promote the interests of their chambers and the business community of Western New York State. 

New Group Formed to Promote Marketing at Niagara Falls International Airport

 Substantial financial support gained from stakeholders, particularly Seneca Casinos

             At a press conference this morning, Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) joined key boosters of the Niagara Falls International Airport to announce the creation of the Niagara Falls International Airport Stakeholders Group, Inc., a 501(c) (6) not-for-profit organization that will work to promote the further development and utilization of the new, state-of-the art passenger terminal that opened in December 2009.

             “We need to keep the rapid growth at the Niagara Falls airport on an upward trajectory,” Senator Maziarz said. “We have seen huge increases in passenger traffic in the past two years but we have not yet reached our full potential. This new group of stakeholders will help chart our course forward, as the airport becomes an even bigger part of our region’s economy.”

             To bolster the initial work of the Stakeholders Group, the Seneca Gaming Corporation is providing passenger incentives worth up to an estimated $1 million over a five-year agreement.

             “Perhaps no project more clearly illustrates the shared benefits of the investments the Seneca Nation of Indians has made over the past decade than Niagara Falls International Airport,” said Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter, noting that the new terminal was partially funded by casino revenues. “The continued development of the airport as a transportation hub will benefit the local business and tourism community, in which we are an important player. This important initiative is another example of how the success and growth of the Seneca Nation and the success and growth of the local economy are inextricably tied.”

             “Building strong partnerships is something that Seneca Gaming Corporation believes in very strongly,” added Karen Karsten, Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. “Like any strong partnership, the partners in this initiative believe in the common good, that by working together, everyone can succeed. In the end, that will mean great things for Western New York.”

             Additional financial support will come from other stakeholders, including the County of Niagara, City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, Niagara Wine Trail, Niagara Workforce Investment Board, Fashion Outlets, the Niagara Falls Hotel/Motel Association, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, and more.

             The intent of the Stakeholders Group’s will be the augment and enhance current marketing efforts by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which owns and runs the airport. Specifically the new organization will focus on goals such as retaining and adding more carriers, developing incentive packages for tourists and businesses, building relationships with emerging markets for cargo service, foster growth at air-related properties near the terminal, and support the Niagara Falls air base.

             “The development of the Niagara Falls International Airport is paramount to moving this region forward,” said Assemblyman John Ceretto (R-I, Lewiston). “The formation of this Stakeholders Group is a major step in NFIA’s transformation. This news follows on the heels of NFIA’s award from the Regional Council and the regular addition of new commercial destinations and airlines. We are making progress and there is more to come.”

             The official members of the Stakeholders Group who will serve on its Board of Directors include:

  • Niagara County Legislature
  • Niagara County Department of Economic Development
  • Niagara County Industrial Development Agency
  • Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce
  • Buffalo Niagara Enterprise
  • Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation
  • Fashion Outlets of Niagara
  • Niagara Falls Hotel/Motel Association
  • City of Niagara Falls
  • Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce
  • Niagara Falls Redevelopment Corporation
  • Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Empire State Development
  • NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

Officers of the Stakeholders Group’s Board of Directors include: President – Sam Ferraro, Commissioner of the Niagara County Department of Economic Development and Executive Director of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency; Vice President – Cathy Walker, President and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corporation; Secretary – Andrea Klyczek, Director of Marketing for the Niagara County IDA; and Treasurer – Mary Whelan, General Manager of Fashion Outlets-Niagara Falls USA.

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