Dear Neighbor,
The Democrat & Chronicle’s recent article on December 16th, highlights Rochester’s continued job growth. For the third straight month, our Rochester region leads the State in job creation and economic revitalization. Undoubtedly this success is in large part due to the ingenuity in our local workforce and the remarkable collaboration of our leading industries – from health care to higher education to manufacturing to the arts.
More than 8,600 private-sector jobs have been added in the Rochester area over the past 12 months – well above the 800 private-sector jobs that have been added in Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany combined. Rochester was also ranked among the top 20 strongest performing metro areas in the United States by the Brookings Institute.
Manufacturing has been credited with playing a key role in job growth and job creation in our area. According to the New York State Department of Labor, the manufacturing sector has added 1,400 jobs since November 2010. As Chairman of Economic Development, I fully understand that New York needs to ensure that manufacturing remains an important part of the State’s economic future. To do this, our State needs to continue to adopt sound policies that retain and grow our existing manufacturing industry and encourage new manufacturers to locate in New York.
While the State Budget expanded opportunities for businesses and manufacturers to receive tax credits for job creation through the Excelsior Jobs Program, the recent Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation Plan passed this month cuts taxes paid by manufacturing companies. As I work to lower the cost of doing business in New York – through capping local property taxes and enacting important reforms such as Recharge NY – the manufacturing sector will continue its revitalization, and in the process, spur the economic recovery in our Rochester region.
Furthermore, in emphasizing our area’s unique assets, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council also secured vital funding that will promote numerous sectors of our local economy, including the manufacturing sector. I am optimistic that these projects will continue the recent success of economic development and job creation in the Rochester area.
One of my top legislative priorities heading into 2012 will be to support legislation that reduces the cost of doing business in New York and saves taxpayer money. While our region experiences job growth greater than that of other regions within New York and the rest of the country, the job growth and momentum must be sustained. Together, we need to do everything possible to revitalize our economy, give our businesses the opportunity to succeed, and create new job opportunities for all New Yorkers.
Sincerely,
Jim
