Gov. Kathy Hochul says the state-funded creation of over 800 new jobs will not only boost the Western New York economy, but also protect the U.S. from attacks both physical and financial.
Speaking Friday at One Seneca Tower in downtown Buffalo, Hochul announced over $23 million inExcelsior Jobs tax credits for two Western New York companies.
Moog, an Elma-based aerospace and defense company, will receive $15 million for adding over 500 new jobs. Meanwhile, AML RightSource, a firm that detects financial crimes and operates an office out of One Seneca Tower, will receive $7.4 million to add 360 jobs, more than doubling its Buffalo workforce.
Hochul, who recently banned state agencies from doing business with Russian companies, said Moog and AML’s work is all the more crucial in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We're thinking even more so about our national security, building up our defense systems, but also our cyber security, protecting our critical infrastructure, our water lines, our power lines,” she said.
The companies will not receive the tax credits until they have added the promised amount of jobs, Hochul added.
The governor had little to say on a new Buffalo Bills stadium. She said that negotiations have been productive and that she’s committed to the team staying in Western New York.
As for the reports Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, is considering challenging her in the June Democratic primary, Hochul said she’s focused on the April first budget deadline and will worry about politics later.
