The annual wish list for the region from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is out and it's heavy on legal and regulatory changes rather than high-cost economic development projects.The list, prepared by government and economic development officials from Erie and Niagara Counties of projects aimed at helping the local economy, is now on it's 13th version. It next goes to Albany and Washington and elected officials from both were present as Partnership President and CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen announced the plan.
Many of the proposals, like controls on unfunded mandates, cover both counties. The agenda calls for regulatory changes like easing the rules for asbestos removal during demolition and extending the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program for reuse of old industrial sites, as well as improving traffic flow across Niagara River bridges and protection for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
Gallagher-Cohen says public money is tight and there are a lot of proposals which don't need cash.
"We live at a time when government funding is at a premium and, quite frankly, more difficult to come by. We still have included some economic development projects in this list. We're actually trying to get a little bit away from that because that kind of funding just doesn't exist as it did previously. However, we want to focus on initiatives and policies that can improve our economy and create jobs without an influx of public funds," Gallagher-Cohen said.
Gallagher-Cohen told the meeting in Pettibone's a real priority is the proposed Regional Workforce Advancement Center and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Competitiveness. She says they are essential for maintaining a strong and well-trained workforce locally.
