In upstate New York, our communities have been working together to reverse the growing unemployment trend. Here, among our families and friends, the difficulties presented by the tough economy are felt by us all. I understand the pressing sense of responsibility we feel toward each other, and I have worked with my legislative colleagues to better invest in our economic recovery.
While there are parts of the 2013-14 Executive Budget Proposal that I dislike, such as the lack of unfunded mandate relief, I am encouraged by the renewed emphasis on our upstate economy. There are several programs and opportunities that I would like to learn more about and shape into workable and useful programs to promote our upstate communities and economies.
The economy is changing; it is built more and more on high-tech discoveries and manufacturing. I see great potential in the creation of an “Innovation Hot Spot” in the Mohawk Valley. State ivestments of $1.25 million, eventually growing to $5 million in these hot spots, will create incentives to develop new technologies and manufactured products. With Valutek moving operations to SUNY IT, we see the value of attracting industry to our region. It’s estimated that the project will create over 900 jobs in the Mohawk Valley.
Upstate New York, although more rural than downstate, has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and recreation. The district I now represent includes beautiful and pristine parts of the Adirondack Park as well as small, bustling villages. Each has qualities which should be celebrated and promoted through marketing programs. The budget proposal would create a $5 million marketing program called “Market NY.” The program would distribute funds through a competitive grant process to support regional marketing plans. It creates a $2 million “Taste New York Program,” which is a marketing plan for New York’s agricultural products that establishes several duty-free stores in the state.
Additionally, there is a $220 million investment for a third round of Regional Economic Development competition awards. As I have said before, we know the impact of job losses on our friends and neighbors, but we also have an understanding of what we can do to revive our communities into rapid economic recovery.
During this budget process, I will work to give our region every advantage, tool and resource we need to strengthen and spark interest in our economy.
As the representative of the new 118th Assembly District, I am eager to continue working with residents in Herkimer and Fulton counties, and I look forward to meeting those in Hamilton County; the towns of Boonville, Deerfield, Lee, Steuben, Trenton and Western in Oneida County; and the towns of Clare, Clifton, Colton, Fine, Parishville, Pierrepont, Madrid, Norfolk and Stockholm in St. Lawrence County. Please e-mail me any time at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us or call my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632 or my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486.