By Bud Lowell, WXXI Radio
Rochester, NY – Business and educational leaders at an economic development conference in Rochester Monday said teaching younger children about the economy would help build businesses and jobs. Buffalo Sabres owner Thomas Golisano delivered the keynote address -- saying freshman economics at the college level is too late to start teaching about capitalism and how the economy works.
"I think we want to instill the desire and interest in the free enterprise system at the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade levels," Golisano said. "That's when you start."
Monday's economic forum was organized at the Rochester Institute of Technology by New York Congressman Amo Houghton. He said the next ten years will be critical for job and population development in Western New York.
Houghton said it's time for business, government and education to work together in developing highly-educated graduates who can hold down tomorrow's jobs.