Le Moyne College to build Madden School of Business

Le Moyne College will start construction the Madden School of Business. The project is will be funded through a combination of gifts to the college, borrowing through tax-exempt bonds, and with a portion of the $2 million Regional Economic Development grant the college received in 2012. A new technology lab will be located on the first floor. The renovation is expected to be completed by the fall. The Syracuse Post Standard has more on the story.

Governor Cuomo on Peace Bridge discord

In an interview with the editorial board of The Buffalo News, Governor Cuomo said the Peace Bridge, and the state’s dispute with Canada over changes that would help New York’s economy, are symbols of economic stagnation.  Although discord between New York State and Canadian members of the Peace Bridge Authority, has increased recently, Cuomo said the current disagreement is “inconsequential compared with failing to address overall Peace Bridge problems for more than two decades.”  New York has recently been trying to acquire property and expand the Buffalo plaza, which would improve economic development in the area.

Odds are good for Saratoga casino

James Odato of The Times Union analyzes the odds of a casino being located in Saratoga.  Odato reports that the chance of a Las Vegas style casino in the area is pretty good, based on the designated casino zones and Governor Cuomo’s recent agreements with gaming tribes in the Western and Northern parts of the state.

Westchester Affordable Care Act Seminars

The Business Council of Westchester will offer seminars this summer for local businesses interested in understanding changes they will need to implement under the Affordable Care Act.

Below are the currently scheduled sessions:

•  May 23 – 12-1:15 p.m., Yonkers Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Plaza

•  June 4 – 12-1:15 p.m., Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 S. 1st Ave.

• June 18 – 12-1:15 p.m., The Warner Library – 121 North Broadway, Tarrytown

• June 19 – 12-1:15 p.m., Mamaroneck Public Library, 136 Prospect Ave.

•  June 25 – 12-1:15 p.m., Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 S. 1st Ave.

Lev Ginsburg, director of government affairs for The Business Council of New York State, recently highlighted what businesses can expect under ACA. If you are a Business Council of NYS member, and have questions about how ACA will impact your business, contact Lev Ginsburg at lev.ginsburg@bcnys.org for more information.

Briccetti on Tax-Free NY plan

The Business Council released a statement yesterday on Governor Cuomo’s Tax-Free NY plan.  The plan will allow nearly all SUNY campuses and private universities to be tax-free havens for startups, companies moving to the state, or firms looking to expand their business. Income taxes would be waived for a 10-year period.  The Times Union featured Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council, in an article today on the plan. Briccetti said, “It is an innovative approach and illustrates that we can and should do more to make the state’s overall economic climate more competitive.”

Job market brightening in Buffalo

Job numbers in the Buffalo Niagara region have hit a two-year low, standing now at 7.7 percent. In The The Buffalo News, David Robinson wrote that “among the state’s 14 major metro areas, Buffalo Niagara’s unemployment rate was tied with Syracuse, Kingston and New York City for the seventh-lowest.”

Click here to read more.

Capital Region leaders say growing skills gap will leave more students unprepared for jobs

Workforce development has been one of The Business Council’s leading concerns as more and more of it members report a shortage of workers with skills to fill high-skill jobs. On its Education and Workforce Development committee webpage, The Business Council wrote about the importance of training individuals in STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and math — “[it's] critical if we want to stay competitive in the global economy. The Business Council supports initiatives that foster the development of a 21st century workforce, ensure that students are well prepared for entrance into college and career, and strengthen partnerships between private-sector companies, colleges and local school districts.”

In a report in the Times Union, Eric Anderson cited a report by America’s Edge, “a business-supported organization that advocates investments in education, they warned that the state will eventually face a shortage of 350,000 workers with the skills to fill so-called “middle-skill” jobs, those that require training beyond high school but not a bachelor’s degree.”

Click here to read more.

Heather Briccetti on drilling: “We have to start framing our messages on science and facts.”

Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council, told energy and chemical industry leaders that “the antis have told a story that scares people, who are not hearing about the economic benefits” of natural gas hydrofracking. She was the keynote speaker at a forum hosted by the American Chemistry Council in Albany Tuesday.

Brian Nearing of the Times Union reported on the meeting which delved into what he wrote is “one of the most politically contentious issues in recent state history.”

Health insurance exchanges info is trickling in

Lev Ginsburg, director of government affairs responsible for The Business Council’s advocacy on Health Care & Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Insurance issues, will be attending the Capital District/Mid-Hudson/Northern New York Health Exchange regional advisory committee in Albany tomorrow. The committees were formed to provide advice and make recommendations on the establishment and operation of the Exchange.

Lisa Singer, writer for the Democrat and Chronicle, posted a story about the Central New York/Finger Lakes committee meeting held Tuesday. She wrote that committee members “expressed concern about how many people, particularly those already underserved by the health care system, will learn about the exchange.” Click here to read Singer’s good overview of the program.