What happened to the Data Center and the Jobs?

Griffo: Administration Owes Area Explanation Regarding Data Center

           (Utica) Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R, I, C –Rome) today voiced disappointment and concern that the Paterson administration is moving forward with plans to build a state Data Center in the Albany area instead of in Oneida County, as was committed to the area in 2006.

“The loss of a promised project that could have brought over 200 good-paying jobs and a $99 million construction project to Oneida County is a very bitter pill to swallow,” Griffo wrote in a letter to Gov. David Paterson. “The commitment made by a former Governor  was one that should have been kept, despite the change in administrations, because it was a project that meshed with local strengths and helped address the serious need for development in the Mohawk Valley region.”

Griffo, who was a leading advocate of bringing the project to Oneida County, said that it was an important element in growing a new economic future for Oneida County and the surrounding area. “The reneging of this state initiative is a serious blow to Oneida County,” Griffo wrote. “Although previously announced investments in the SUNY Institute of Technology Campus are great efforts that will help our region develop a better trained workforce and economy, there is a tremendous need for investment that will create jobs here and now – not someday down the road. The Data Center project was a very tangible reality, and a very positive project that has been stolen away from the people of this area. I protest this action and I regret that the administration decided to move forward to enrich one part of the state at the expense of another.”

Griffo called upon the administration to work with the region to develop new projects. “Despite the administration’s failure to move forward on this key project, I believe that our role is to work together for the greater good of the people of my region. I am asking for a meeting in the Utica area so that we can work together to discuss comparable state resources that also have outstanding potential to move Oneida County forward and help its economy.  I am asking you to meet with our local leaders with your sleeves rolled up and a willingness to invest state resources in priority fast-track projects that can provide jobs now. ” he wrote.

Full Text of Letter below:

December 11, 2009

Governor David Paterson                          
State Capitol                                                                                                             Albany, NY 12224                                      

Dear Governor Paterson:

I am writing to express my deep disappointment, based on media reports and comments from the Office of General Services that your administration has already decided to take the State Data Center promised to Oneida County and instead locate it in the Albany area. It is with great concern that I ask that you halt current action and reconsider or identify  what steps are being planned to make up to Oneida County and the region surrounding it for this decision by your administration.

The loss of a promised project that could have brought over 200 good-paying jobs and a $99 million construction project to Oneida County is a very bitter pill to swallow. The commitment made by a former Governor was one that should have been kept, despite the change in administrations, because it was a project that meshed with local strengths and helped address the serious need for development in the Mohawk Valley region.

The reneging of this state initiative is a serious blow to Oneida County.  Although previously announced investments in the SUNY Institute of Technology Campus are great efforts that will help our region develop a better trained workforce and economy, there is a tremendous need for investment that will create jobs here and now – not someday down the road. The Data Center project was a very tangible reality, and a very positive project that has been stolen away from the people of this area. I protest this action and I regret that the administration decided to move forward to enrich one part of the state at the expense of another.

Despite the administration’s failure to move forward on this key project, I believe that our role is to work together for the greater good of the people of my region. I am asking for a meeting in the Utica area so that we can work together to discuss comparable state resources that also have outstanding potential to move Oneida County forward and help its economy.  I am asking you to meet with our local leaders with your sleeves rolled up and a willingness to invest state resources in priority fast-track projects that can provide jobs now.

I truly want to work with you to bring new investment, new opportunities and new jobs to the region, and I hope we can meet soon to begin giving the region the action and attention it deserves.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Griffo
Senator