New bill aims to help municipalities promote business growth

PLATTSBURGH | Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) has introduced a bill that would create a Strategic Site Readiness Fund to provide grants to counties and municipalities for costs related to creating "shovel-ready" sites for new development projects. The legislation would increase the number of geographic sites available to attract and expand businesses in New York State and would appropriate $500 million for the fund in the 2023 fiscal year. "After a prolonged economic downturn due to the pandemic, New York's economy is finally beginning to rebuild and regrow," Assemblyman Jones said Feb. 8. "However, a lack of development-ready ground will hinder localities' ability to attract new businesses and promote the expansion of existing ones. Providing grants to localities that increase the number of 'shovel-ready' sites in their area will incentivize the creation of more sites and attract new and expanding businesses to the state, leading to local job growth and further economic development." North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said "In today's world of economic development, it is essential to have shovel ready, market-ready sites in order to accommodate job-creating projects, but state funding is not normally supportive of site preparation, even in an area like ours with a strong track record of success once sites are ready. "As an active partner in our regional economic development strategies, Assemblyman Jones understands the need to change this and is leading the way toward the needed creation of more development-ready industrial sites. It directly responds to the expressed priorities of our Chamber and of a coalition of partners across the state, including the New York State Economic Development Council. We thank the Assemblyman once again for seeing the need, listening to key economic developers on the front line, and responding. We are committed to working with him toward passage." David Champagne, President/CEO of TDC Premier Industrial Parks, said "The area's ability to attract, grow, and retain industrial business is largely driven by having certain elements in place when companies are in the planning stage. "The availability of shovel-ready sites is always one of the first questions a company asks when thinking about setting up in the North Country. The readiness of a site plays a crucial role in these discussions and having an avenue to financially support the creation of more development-ready sites will be an asset to any New York community in the site selection process. Assemblyman Billy Jones clearly recognizes the competitive edge the Strategic Site Readiness Fund will provide in attracting quality investments and jobs. The cost to fully develop all sites with infrastructure can be the factor that prevents a company from expanding or locating to the North Country." Ryan Silva, Executive Director of New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC), commended Jones for the "proactive approach to preparing our communities for economic expansion. Investing in shovel-ready/market-ready sites is an investment in the future economy of New York State. Preparing sites for industrial growth also creates good-paying public works jobs, reinforces our aging infrastructure, and creates economic opportunity for the next generation of New Yorkers." New businesses and businesses seeking to expand are more likely to take an interest in states with large amounts of "shovel-ready" sites. The lack of available sites in New York could result in a loss of business and job opportunities. Several states, including Ohio, Michigan and Massachusetts, have already implemented similar programs promoting the creation of development sites, and New York municipal leaders and statewide stakeholders have asked for state assistance in creating more of these sites in the past. Jones said the fund will not only make New York a more appealing state for new and expanding businesses but will also help create new, higher-paying jobs for New Yorkers.

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New bill aims to help municipalities promote business growth

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