Spitzer outlines plan to invest $1 billion in region
Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to invest $1 billion in Upstate New York could help boost Mohawk Valley's economy, but it left some local and state officials concerned about how much this region will receive and where the funds will come from.
Upstate New York needs the kind of statewide support that helped revitalize New York City beginning in the 1970s, Spitzer said during his second State of the State address Wednesday in Albany.
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<td>WATCH THE SPEECH</td>
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<td><u><font color="#0000ff">Click here to watch the governor's address</font></u> </td>
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<td>LOCAL POLITICIANS REACT</td>
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<td>State Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, D-Rome The Mohawk Valley has plenty of possible ways to use its share of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's $1 billion upstate spending plan, Destito said.
"There are projects we can bring to the table," she said. "And we will."
State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome In his State of the State address, Gov. Eliot Spitzer discussed several plans that coincide with ideas the state Senate has been talking about, Griffo said.
"I think I was encouraged because it appears we recognize and are on the same page for some of the key issues - and that would be tax relief and economic development," he said.
State Assemblyman David Townsend, R-Sylvan Beach Townsend said he's optimistic about Gov. Eliot Spitzer's spending plan, and it's about time Spitzer realized the state consists of more than just New York City.
"Hopefully his words will be put into action promptly, as I know residents in our communities will hold him to task," he said.
Utica Mayor David Roefaro Roefaro said he was encouraged by Gov. Eliot Spitzer's speech.
"I think he's very interested in Upstate New York," Roefaro said. "He's shown he's listening to us. I think he's changing the way they do business in Albany."</td>
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"Together, we must enact this $1 billion Upstate Revitalization Fund and create an upstate whose best days aren't behind it but are ahead of it," Spitzer said.
Spitzer's speech touched on a number of other areas, including proactive health care, public safety, tax relief, state parks and higher education. Spitzer plans to outline his upstate spending plan during the state's first State of Upstate address Wednesday at Buffalo State College.
Every region in upstate will receive funding, said Daniel Gunderson, whom Spitzer appointed as upstate development czar. Funding will be allocated based on Regional Blueprints designed in meetings across upstate and will be specific to each region, Gunderson said.
Mohawk Valley leaders expressed particular desire for basic infrastructure improvements involving water and sewer availability, Gunderson said.
"We know what needs to be done," he said. "The governor is prepared to outline the strategy for how we can get there."
Some other areas of concern common throughout upstate, according to Gunderson:
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<li>Advancements with Brownfields. </li>
<li>Downtown and urban development.</li>
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State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, said Mohawk Valley officials need to take a broad approach and see what funding becomes available to improve and market the area as one region.
"I'm hopeful now that we can implement a plan that shows results," Griffo said.
Going for the green Mohawk Valley business and political leaders had no problem coming up with ideas for how the region's share of the $1 billion could be used.
M. Brian O'Shaughnessy, chairman of Revere Copper Products in Rome, said he wishes Spitzer would include a long-term plan to produce low-cost energy for industry in the region.
"It's an area that is the biggest cost difference between this state and other states we have to compete against," O'Shaughnessy said.
Utica Mayor David Roefaro said he spoke to Gunderson last week and after Spitzer's speech. The two plan to meet in Utica shortly after the State of Upstate address to Utica's needs, Roefaro said.
Spitzer's City-by-City plan already allocated $6.4 million to projects in Utica and Rome. This funding is already in-hand and is separate from the $1 billion investment fund, Gunderson said.
Several officials had other ideas for the new fund:
State Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, said funding should go toward helping efforts to work with the new owners of Remington Arms in Ilion and expanding developing companies in Herkimer County that do high-tech machining.
State Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, D-Rome, said money could be useful for the Marcy NanoCenter infrastructure, downtown Utica, Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome and possible expansion of the Empire Aero Center in Rome.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said he would like to see funding to address the water management situation at Hinckley Reservoir, continue efforts to promote the Marcy NanoCenter, improve Utica's infrastructure, create business parks and stimulate current businesses.
Herkimer County Administrator James Wallace said county officials have had several discussions with towns hoping to create new business parks. The funding could provide water and sewer for those projects, he said.
Rome Mayor James Brown expressed the need for as much as $3.75 million in Rome to develop five Brownfield sites, the 50-acre former site of Rome Cable and a site in south Rome.
Show me the money Some local officials expressed concern about how Spitzer will fund the many plans he made during his speech. Spitzer said he won't increase taxes.
Assemblyman Butler said he will reserve judgment until Spitzer explains his plan for the state budget on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The state, however, already has a budget deficit, and most of Spitzer's proposals included additional costs, Butler said.
"It's kind of an interesting equation right now," Butler said. "We'll see how that works out."
Mayor Brown said he had similar concerns stemming from Spitzer's speech.
"I think it was very aggressive," Brown said. "Some of his initiatives - the revenue we're going to have to come up with to support them - that's the key. That's where the challenge is for the governor."