Allegany County to have 2,500 new jobs, when people retire

Allegany County will face the challenge within the next five years of replacing the positions of 2,500 workforce employees.

County legislators met on a different stage Tuesday night as a special committee of the whole meeting was called at the Allegany County Jail and Public Safety Facility in order to discuss a number of issues that face the county. Legislators were given updates on development and the upcoming budget by Development Director John Foels and County Administrator John Margeson.

"There will be cuts across every part of our workforce," Foels said.

Foels informed the board that because of an aging workforce a challenge the county faces is not only growing skilled workers here at home who will be able to replace outgoing workers, but recruiting workers into the area as well.

"I think we're going to have to get out in front of this one," Foels said, adding that the county may be limited on how to fill those job vacancies.

The county would have to work strongly and quickly to recruit people to the area. Foels said Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties all will be working together as the three all realize the challenge ahead of them.

"It's coming whether we like it or not," said Curtis Crandall, R-Caneadea, chairman of the full board of legislators. "It's something that has to be dealt with."

When William Hall, R-Alfred, asked what the county needs to do to get Albany on board with the county and Foels said his impression was the state wants the county to create incentive for people, not just businesses or companies, when looking to recruit workers to the area.

According to Foels, other states have been aggressive in its campaigns to recruit workers, which takes away from the pool that Allegany County has to chose from.

Dwight Fanton, R-Willing, agreed with the fact other states have been aggressive. Fanton said he had seen several advertisements for the state of Michigan on television rather than the state of New York.

After the discussion, legislators talked about the possible reasons why the county may not be the desired destination for workers. Aside from the limited number of jobs available in the area, legislators thought maybe the problem in recruiting had to do with the housing situation in the county.

Several homes throughout the county are older and not in the best of shape. David Pullen, R-Fillmore, noted that currently in Houghton, there have been homes built that he said, "were larger than I ever would have imagined" to be built in the area. Pullen added that some of those workers looking at the Southern Tier may be looking to buy or build homes that cost $300,000 to $400,000 and traditionally, Allegany County has not had the market for that type of housing.

Hall said that the problem with the housing situation was people coming into the area want a range of houses, maybe something more reasonably priced. Hall added the housing situation may be driving good, skilled workers away saying, "We are losing good people because of the living arrangements here."

Karl Kruger, R-Friendship, said people relocating here from urban areas have a hard time adjusting to the style of living here because in the city, they had much more options as far as shopping and things to do.

Daniel Russo, R-Wellsville, who moved to the area 35 years ago and formerly lived in New York City, said the county has to exert its positives when trying to attract new residents.

"What kept me here was the low crime and educational system," Russo said, adding the area's educational system is a strong point of the county. Russo also said people in the area are more friendly and welcoming.

"People in the city don't have everything," Russo said.

In the coming months and years, lawmakers and the Allegany County Comprehensive Planning Board will be developing strategies and coming up with ways to recruit skilled workers to the area to fill the inevitable job vacancies.

Legislators also took the time during the meeting to discuss the issue of the water and sewer line development to the Crossroads area.

Crandall said there has been talk around the county that $5 million has already been paid to lay pipe in the ground in that area.

"That's not true," Crandall said.

Foels said, of the development project, things have been going smoothly with municipalities as lawmakers try to work out deals to bring development to the area.

Kruger asked if the county would be the ones solely responsible for the funding to lay pipes into the ground. Foels responded that it would be a shared funding project between the state, federal funding, the county and users.

"By no stretch of the imagination would this be just a county responsibility," Foels said.

"Ultimately if this project goes forward, we'll be the responsible ones at seeing it through," Kruger said. "We've already laid out $150,000 of taxpayer money for engineering. They (taxpayers) will have to bear some more.

"It's not all going to be free," Kruger added. "The public is interested and concerned. They're anxious for things to get going."

Kruger also said he has heard nothing but support from residents for the Crossroads project.

Crandall was positive about the progress legislators have made in dealing with the project.

"Development has been talked about for 30 years," Crandall said. "I think we're making good progress."

Later in the meeting, Margeson informed the board there has been an agreement with local land owners to sell certain land to the county in order to build the necessary suppression tank for the water and sewer system. Margeson said the county attorney is working on developing a purchase order.