SCHENECTADY Panel eyes funds to open doors Critic says new economic council lacking in diversity BY DAVID LOMBARDO Gazette Reporter
Elected officials and private citizens appointed to the Capital Region Regional Economic Development Council touted the new body as a potential engine for growth in the area, while at least one observer warned New Yorkers to temper their enthusiasm. The Capital Region council will be competing with nine other regional councils for $1 billion in state economic development funds. The awards will be announced in December after a review of each council’s development plans. Serving on the Capital Region council on behalf of the Saratoga Board of Supervisors will be Clifton Park Supervisor Anita Daly, who said the competitive bidding process should help limit wasteful spending. “The cream will rise to the top,” she said. Councils with ideas that don’t rise to the top could end up receiving none of the $1 billion. Daly was optimistic that her council would not get shut out and pointed to initiatives under way in Saratoga County that the Capital Region council could utilize in making its pitch for state money. In addition to serving as a model for the council, Daly said, Saratoga County was also an area within the region that should be poised to receive funds. “We have invested millions in infrastructure that has allowed us to open the doors,” she said. Schenectady acting Mayor Gary McCarthy, who is a council appointee, noted that the Capital Region has recently benefi ted from investments in nanotechnology at the University of Albany, chip manufacturing at GlobalFoundries in Malta and by General Electric in Schenectady and Niskayuna. But he contended that there are still other areas that can benefi t. “Lots of strong things are happening, “he said, “but it’s about how you fi ne tune that.” Having previously served on the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and chaired economic development bodies, McCarthy was optimistic that he could be a valuable member in his role on the council. “Hopefully my background will bring some knowledge and perspective from a number of views that will represent Schenectady well,” he said. Council appointee Judith Dagostino, chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature, wouldn’t identify specific projects in the county that she thought could be part of the Capital Region council’s proposal, but hinted “there are some other things in the fi re … that we’re not quite ready to announce.” ......................>>>>.....................>>>>......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00103&AppName=1
Instead of getting the people who actually brought nanotech and industry to the area, this Council chose part-time Mayor McCarthy? Loved how he referenced several industries he has NO involvement in.
I'm sure the Council can use his expertise on how to bring business to a City while creating enormous tax burdens upon the middle class homeowner. I'm sure his expertise on moving a tax-paying business from one part of town to a tax-free Downtown area can spark enormous growth elsewhere. Oh, and the raping of the taxpayers while supporting for profit businesses should be of great interest to the Council.
Suprised they didn't get Gillen on this Council, he could have been great help on what NOT to do to bring revitilization to a City.
What a slap in the face to the DEM working together crew! Metrograft's Death Ray was totally passed over! He would have brought his expertise in opening tax free governmental gin mills that create no jobs and generate no tax revenue to this commission. Gov Cuomo knows what a total failure Metrograft has been. Taken $100 MILLION from our sales taxes and flushed it on connected millionaire developers.
The last thing this State needs is more hack filled commissions. Gov Cuomo, who is a huge improvement over the last two, should have divided the money up 10 ways and cut the Statewide dog and pony show.
That wasted $100 million could have gone a long way toward improving/repairing the failing infrastructure in the city and now the money is gone and the infrastructure is failing.
Where the hell did they find $9 BILLION dollars???????
Every single business in nys had to write a check out for interest due on the fed loan for 2011 unemployment!!!! Because the state claims they don't have the $$$$ !!! They still don't get it!! Stop this reckless spending and lower taxes. Make this state business friendly. It didn't get the title, 'worse business friendly state' for nothing!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Where is this money coming from? The taxpayer, by any chance? How about letting New Yorkers spend their money themselves? Or giving the most money to the areas where the State dumped the most dependent people? I don't like this. Is Cuomo implying that areas are in great need because they somehow aren't "competitive" enough? This is a big giveaway to corporations thinly disguised as "help".
It's one billion for the entire State not nine billion. In either event the State with a $12 BILLION deficit doesn't have the money. If this regional gets anything it will go to Saratoga County which is the only Upstate County with low taxes, efficient REP goverment and job growth. Schenectady is good for nonprofit handouts, poorly maintained parks, and DEM politicians that can't wait to move to Saratoga.
If this County got any money it would be flushed on the arts or more lob hires. Most telling are County "leader" Judy DAG's comments. She can't identify one economic need? Where are the jobs Judy? Too busy trying to shove the new County home and another $9 MILLION a year County tax increase down the sheeple's throats.
Schenectady county should not get any more taxpayer's money. The metroplex has given away millions of taxpayer money will little to no investment in return. Giving more money to the these folks would end up in just another disaster.
But not to worry.....another gin mill will soon be gracing the corner of union and broadway!! Now that is what is called ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.....hic-cup!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Dear Mr. Cuomo, we in Schenectady are ready to "compete". We have a rare site suitable for industrial development - oh, wait, we don't.
We don't need no high paying industrial jobs over at ALCO. According to Death Ray we don't need jobs anywhere in this County. We need more empty condos, unmaintained parkland and a unused multi-modal bike paths. Thanks Death Ray!
The City DEM implosion continues at the speed of light. At pathetic OSM/Morris coffeehouse lucky to gross $50 a day. Gross not net. Brilliant move by Mercury Morris in not renting it out to a private firm? That might lighten the County taxpayers burden. Over at Sheridan Plaza both Trustco and CVS ready to flee. That would leave another commercial plaza in the City 90% empty. Bring on the wrecking ball working together crew.
The City DEM implosion continues at the speed of light. At pathetic OSM/Morris coffeehouse lucky to gross $50 a day. Gross not net. Brilliant move by Mercury Morris in not renting it out to a private firm? That might lighten the County taxpayers burden. Over at Sheridan Plaza both Trustco and CVS ready to flee. That would leave another commercial plaza in the City 90% empty. Bring on the wrecking ball working together crew.
Has anyone been by the Apostrophe cafe (at peak times) to see if they are doing decent business?
What peak times? They are not even covering payroll. $50 gross is a good day, according to insiders. Another total failure from Morris & Metrograft. But don't fret the taxpayers can make it up.
Which one is that- the one that took over from the vaunted Muddy Cup?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Logged
What a slap in the face to the DEM working together crew! Metrograft's Death Ray was totally passed over! He would have brought his expertise in opening tax free governmental gin mills that create no jobs and generate no tax revenue to this commission. Gov Cuomo knows what a total failure Metrograft has been. Taken $100 MILLION from our sales taxes and flushed it on connected millionaire developers. 
