June 01, 2010

Progress in WNY

The following post appeared in the June edition of Bee Newspapers:

In recent months we have seen great progress on long term initiatives that will benefit local residents and our economy.  Here are just a few of the initiatives we have been working on:

Economic Progress
Erie County and the City of Buffalo received $28 million in federal tax exempt bonds provided through the Recovery Act for local business development.  The funding will benefit five projects that will create jobs locally.  This includes $5 million for Multisorb Technologies to expand and renovate their manufacturing facilities in West Seneca and Cheektowaga.

Separately, we are urging the Governor to sign state legislation which mirrors our federal bill to keep more of the profits from the Niagara Power Project here in Western New York.  The bill has already been approved in the legislature and is awaiting executive authorization.  Currently unused Replacement and Expansion Power, provided to local businesses, is sold by the Power Authority and therefore not providing a direct benefit to WNY as originally intended. This legislation directs the profits from this unused power be reinvested into this region, providing millions more to WNY each year.

Health Delivery Progress
In a 2009 survey of 11 countries only 46% of U.S. doctors use electronic medical records (EMR) compared to over 90% in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden & the UK.  We can and must do better. A report published in the Health Affairs medical journal concludes that effective EMR implementation and networking could eventually save more than $81 billion annually.

Western New York has been selected as one of 15 communities out of 130 applicants nationwide for a highly competitive Recovery Act grant pilot project that will have this community leading the way on the eventual wide-scale use of health information technology.  HEALTHeLINK, a collaborative consortium of hospitals and health care providers received $16.1 million toward the goal of reducing costs and providing better coordination among health care providers throughout the 8 counties of Western New York.

Waterfront Progress
We continue to see the momentum build along our waterfront with a series of projects now underway where land previously laid dormant for years.  Fuhrmann Boulevard is being transformed into an Outer Harbor Parkway that will welcome visitors and new economic development.  The cobblestones are being put in place in the historic streets that will line the Erie Canal Commercial Slip.  In addition, a couple projects are adding new boardwalks, picnic areas and park space along the Buffalo River.   Come witness the progress and enjoy some of the free events happening along the Inner Harbor this summer.  For the schedule visit the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation website at: http://www.eriecanalharbor.com/.
 

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