Senator Kennedy Writes to Apple CEO, Urges Company to Consider Buffalo for American Production Line

In appearance on NBC’s Rock Center, Apple CEO Cook announced plans to move a Mac computer production line to United States next year. 

Kennedy’s letter highlights region’s productive workforce, strategic geographic location, low-cost power from Niagara Power Project. 

Kennedy: Buffalo is a City in Resurgence; Apple could Help Lead our Underdog City’s Economic Comeback

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Economic Development Committee, wrote to Apple CEO Timothy Cook today and urged him to put Buffalo at the top of the list of potential locations for the production line that Apple intends to move to the United States next year. In an appearance on NBC’s “Rock Center”, Cook announced Apple’s plans to shift an existing line of Mac computers back to American shores in 2013. Kennedy’s letter lays out the case for Buffalo as the ideal site to relocate the manufacturing jobs.

“Buffalo is a city in resurgence, and an Apple decision to move this line to Western New York would be another victory in our underdog city’s economic comeback,” Kennedy said. “Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. means that companies like Apple gain access to the greatest workforce in the world. And in my opinion, there is no greater, stronger or more productive workforce than the one that calls Buffalo and Western New York home.”

Western New York has access to a young, energetic and educated workforce through the top-notch State University of New York (SUNY) system and other academic institutions throughout the region. More than 35 percent of the region’s workforce have a college degree, and over 116,000 students are enrolled in two- and four-year colleges in Western New York, according to Buffalo Niagara Enterprise.

“Buffalo is an ideal site for Apple’s new American production line not only because of our skilled workforce,” Kennedy said, “but also because of the low-cost power accessible through the nearby Niagara Power Project and our strategic geographic location along the nation’s border with Canada.”

Kennedy also pointed out the region’s affordability for both businesses and families: the cost of living remains 14.4 percent below the national average, and the average home price of $119,700 is also far below the national average. He also cited a recent CNBC report that designated Buffalo as one of the top cities to relocate to in America.

During Kennedy’s first term in the Senate, state government has made great strides toward making Western New York and the entire state more business-friendly – effectively sending the message that “New York is Open for Business.” Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed to invest $1 billion in state funds to create jobs and grow the economy of Buffalo and Western New York. In addition, the State Legislature has previously approved legislation to create a set of economic development tools that make Western New York even more attractive to firms like Apple – such as the ReCharge NY low-cost power program, the WNY Power Proceeds Allocation Board, the property tax cap and the Excelsior Jobs program.

You can read Kennedy’s letter below.

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Senator Timothy M. Kennedy represents the New York State Senate’s 58th District, which is comprised of the towns of Cheektowaga, Eden, Hamburg and West Seneca, the city of Lackawanna and parts of the city of Buffalo. More information is available at kennedy.nysenate.gov.

Senator Kennedy’s letter to Apple CEO Timothy Cook

Timothy D. Cook

CEO, Apple, Inc

1 Infinite Loop

Cupertino, CA 95014

Dear Mr. Cook:

I write today after hearing news that Apple intends to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. I applaud your decision and the substantial economic impact of Apple on the U.S. economy, and I ask that you consider locating these manufacturing jobs in Buffalo, New York.

As you know, reshoring jobs to the United States has become a popular trend, and we’re thrilled Apple will be joining the many notable companies that have brought production lines back to our shores. Setting up shop in the U.S. continues to become more economically feasible, given factors like our nation’s lower energy costs and the rising costs of doing business overseas. In addition to lower-cost energy, reshoring is made a viable option as a result of the stability of the American political system and the proximity to our nation’s large consumer base.

Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. also means that companies like Apple will have continued access to the greatest workforce in the world. In my opinion, there is no greater workforce than the one that exists in Buffalo and Western New York.

Buffalo is an ideal site for Apple’s new American production line not only because of our skilled workforce, but also because of the low-cost power accessible through the nearby Niagara Power Project and our strategic geographic location along the nation’s border with Canada. Buffalo was also recently designated as one of the best cities to relocate to in America by CNBC. Western New York is affordable for businesses and families – the cost of living is 14.4 percent below the national average, and the average home price is $119,700, well below the national average. We are also home to a growing arts scene, the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and other top-notch entertainment and cultural assets.

After facing some tough times, Buffalo is a city in resurgence. Your company has a unique opportunity to show the nation that Buffalo is open for business. Recently, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo committed to investing $1 billion to grow the Western New York economy. This commitment demonstrates a shared belief that Buffalo’s best days are directly ahead of us.

Again, thank you for your commitment to reshoring Apple jobs to the United States. I hope that you will strongly consider Buffalo as an option. If you have any question, please feel free to contact me at 716-826-2683.

Sincerely,

Timothy M. Kennedy

New York State Senator, 58^th District