O'Mara says 'Open for Business' conference signals economic focus for 2012 session

Albany, N.Y., September 28—After participating in the “NY Open for Business” conference convened at the capital yesterday by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a conference highlighted by a major economic development announcement by the governor and a keynote address by former President Bill Clinton, area State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) called the conference “an important agenda setter for a 2012 legislative session that many of us hope will be focused like never before on building a stronger state economy and a better business climate.”

O’Mara said, “This conference was an important and impressive kick off to New York’s renewed and revitalized focus on job creation and private-sector economic growth throughout the year ahead.  Now we need to turn today’s ideas and inspiration into the nuts-and-bolts strategies that will work to turn around our local economies, create jobs, and secure New York’s long-term ability to compete for opportunities throughout the world.”

Following Cuomo’s early morning announcement of a $4.4-billion public-private computer chip research and development initiative, and an early afternoon address by Clinton that encouraged the work of New York’s 10 economic development councils and singled out Corning Inc. for its manufacturing commitment and innovation, a series of individual panels were convened to examine key sectors of the state’s economy in detail, from agribusiness development to workforce development.

O’Mara was invited to help lead a panel discussion titled “Success Stories: Manufacturing.”  According to conference organizers, the goal of the panel was to “identify strategies for retaining and attracting sustainable manufacturing industries in New York.”  The panel’s moderator was Vinny Alvarez, president of the New York City Central Labor Council.  Featured panelists included Mark Pulver, chief executive officer of Syracuse Castings, and Peter Strugatz, co-chief executive officer of IceStone.

O’Mara said, “Those of us who have spent a lifetime living and working in upstate New York have witnessed manufacturing’s decline.  But we also know that a strong manufacturing sector remains productive, successful and hard at work.  We need to stay focused on ways to build on these strengths and recognize the opportunities that exist for a 21st Century manufacturing foundation in New York State.”

The panel on manufacturing was attended by approximately 150 regional council members, state legislators and members of the public.

The conference marked the first time that all of the members from the state’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils met together to explore local solutions and share new ideas on private-sector economic growth and job creation.  The councils were established as part of the 2011-2012 state budget and are currently at work in regions across the state, including the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, developing local economic strategies that will compete for upwards of $1 billion in state economic development aid.