WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY By New York State District 89 Assemblyman Adam Bradley. March 13, 2004: New York’s economic development efforts must focus on the strengths of its various regions. Here in Westchester, we must take advantage of our strong education system and skilled workforce. To help revitalize our struggling economy and meet the challenges of a changing business environment, the Assembly recently released a comprehensive plan called NY@Work. The plan would create tens of thousands of jobs, help businesses, and leave New Yorkers better prepared to compete in today’s high-tech economy.

     New York is an uncontested leader when it comes to high-tech research and development. This plan would bring new research-driven technology to commercial markets, and provide businesses with important capital to foster growth in biotechnology, nanotechnology and other advanced technologies to create the jobs of the future.

Developing a workforce for the future

      Another Assembly initiative, Expand Local Economies through Vocational and Technical Education (ELEVATE NEW YORK), will help the state invest in its workforce by:

·        supporting school-to-work programs that help students by providing career orientation and work experience;

·        investing in vocational education and support programs that train workers in the changing technology in trade industries;

·        initiating a new program called “Experience and a Degree” which promotes the use of internships that help bridge the classroom to the workplace;

·        backing Educational Opportunity Centers which provide job training and educational services to roughly 20,000 low-income New Yorkers; and

·        supporting apprenticeships that provide on-the-job training and access to the skilled trades.

     This program will help support high-tech training for jobs that will develop in our area. It’s time we kept professionals trained in our universities as part of our workforce, rather then exporting them to the rest of the nation. These initiatives will blend career awareness, education and work experience into a winning formula.

Providing low-cost power

     Lowering the cost of energy is vital to keeping the manufacturing sector viable. The Power for Jobs Program – first proposed by the Assembly – provides low-cost power to manufacturers. NY@Work would reform and extend the program for three years, while making key changes so it runs more efficiently.

   New York’s high energy rates are not only unattractive to new businesses, they are forcing many established businesses out-of-state. Lowering energy costs through programs like Power for Jobs has kept jobs here and will help create new ones.

Supporting community-based economic development

     The Assembly’s plan recognizes the importance of community-based development, and offers support to programs like the Minority and Women-Owned Business Development Lending Program and the Rural Revitalization program. It also provides the business community greater manufacturing, agricultural, small business and tourism assistance.

Redirecting the state’s failed approach to economic development

To improve the accountability and efficiency of the state’s economic development efforts, the Assembly’s NY@Work plan would create an Economic Policy Coordination Board to develop a long-overdue strategic plan for economic growth and oversee the state’s investments in research and development projects.

It will also replace the current Empire State Development Board with a new, three-member Economic Development Control Board – providing the governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Senate Majority Leader each with one appointed member.

The decisions we make now will affect the prosperity of our region and state for years to come. Investing in economic development policies which take advantage of our unique strengths will ensure that New York continues to move forward economically.

For a copy of the NY@Work plan, visit www.assembly.state.ny.us.