We asked regional chamber of commerce presidents what they would like to see happen this year in Albany for their members and for all small businesses. Here are their responses:
Peter Bardunias, executive director, Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce:
“In these uncertain economic times, it”™s reassuring to know that a group with our proven track record is working hard for our local merchants.
“In addition to advocating for the best possible atmosphere for business to relocate to the mid-Hudson, we have entered a strategic partnership with the Westchester Campus of Long Island University; our member business owners and their employees can take advantage of a 25 percent reduction for their entire masters degree program offered. It”™s a tremendous opportunity for our businesses to have access to quality educational opportunities.
“The chamber is working diligently with other groups to make our voices stronger in the community. As part of the Hudson Valley Regional Coalition, we can speak with one voice with many of our fellow chambers: New Paltz Regional, Hudson Valley Gateway, Cold Spring, Brewster, Patterson and Kent, Greater Southern Dutchess, Greater Dutchess County and Orange County.
“The most important thing we can do as 2009 begins is to provide reassurance to businesses and residents alike that Putnam”™s economic interests are well-represented by its chamber. We are on the job looking for ways to make our collective lifestyle better. After all, we live here, too.”
John D”™Ambrosio, president and CEO, Orange County Chamber of Commerce:
“I”™d like to see an end to this economic ”˜event”™ and all the negativity surrounding it. Let”™s start focusing on the positives. An end to partisan politics would let the peoples”™ work get done. It”™s time to find a way to provide quality, affordable health care for everyone.
“I would like to see an end to the abuses in the Empire Zone program and a fair and equitable way to fund the Metropolitan Transit Authority. I”™d like to see that funding come from somewhere other than a payroll tax. We are already the second highest-taxed state in the nation.
“I think Governor Paterson has done a credible job under incredible circumstances. I congratulate the business community for making the best of a bad economic situation and thank all elected officials who listen to and address the business community”™s concerns. Our County Executive Ed Diana is to be congratulated for keeping Orange County on safe footing.”
Ann Meagher, president and CEO, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce:
“I”™d like to see Gov. Paterson and state legislative leaders enact tax policies and economic development programs that help New York businesses in these increasingly difficult economic times. I think this is one of our greatest challenges as we enter 2009.
“Over the past several weeks, I”™ve seen important economic development programs put at risk because of our state”™s current fiscal crisis. Proposed changes to the Empire Zone program are one important example of ”˜reform”™ gone awry.
“At the same time, I do believe there is willingness by the current administration to work with the business community to find solutions. One of my greatest hopes is that this work will bear real fruit and help better position New York”™s economy as one that is successful and strong.”
Â
Joyce Minard, president and CEO, New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce:
“Our local communities need shovel-ready sites. Businesses that want to come here need water and sewer and most municipalities do not have the funding for it. It then falls on the developer, a huge additional expense. If Albany wants to give us a true economic boost, we need some kind of funding to augment this approach.
“Rather than taxing new business when it comes in, making taxes uniform throughout the state would help New York be more equitable. While there are breaks for large businesses, we are not seeing enough done for the small-business owner, the backbone of this nation.
“I understand Gov. Paterson has a huge hole to fill. Most business owners do five or six jobs; there”™s nothing wrong with government taking the same approach. Perhaps Gov. Paterson should look at his own programs. When it comes to the Empire Zones, if they are not working, I”™m all for restructuring, but not getting rid of the program. If a business complied five years ago but the rules are changed now, they should not be penalized.
“We need some tax incentives for small businesses. It would be great to see some programs developed to make their lives easier. Let them know how important they are to our economy.
“I”™d also like to see the ”˜I Love New York”™ guide come back. Now, we have a little brochure with a lot of pretty little pictures, but when people come off the Thruway and are looking for accommodations, restaurants and attractions, if you don”™t have individual brochures, it”™s not much help to them when you are giving them directions from New Paltz to Niagara Falls. The loss of the guidebook is hurting tourism, a major part of our regional economy.”
Charles North, president and CEO, Greater Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce:
“Business owners have two choices during a recession: They can reformulate their business plan or they can shut their doors. If a situation is dire, there is still hope in seeking protection by filing for reorganization. Those who see the economy heading south and taking corrective measures to stay in business stand the best chance of defying this economic downtown.
“In order to achieve positive results, there may be negative fallout ”“ this includes cutting costs and reduction in expenses. That can lead to a reduction in work force, which in turn leads to further consolidation. ”˜Survive and thrive”™ plans should include an aggressive marketing strategy to maintain existing customers and attract new ones.
“While businesses are altering their itineraries, I believe our government ”“ including our school districts ”“ need to take a hard look at their own business plans. No doubt this will be a challenge.
“Our state government needs to take the lead and work with our local economic development agencies, employment centers and municipalities to provide a collective marketing plan to entice new business to this state and to help those already here grow. Provide us with incentives, such as an extension of the Empire Zone; bailout money is not an answer.
“Consolidation of government services alone will reduce taxes. Remember, it can”™t be done without a solution for those who will lose government jobs. Some will be eliminated by attrition, but the challenge is to provide jobs for those who want to remain here.”
“It”™s up to us to guide our elected officials in a positive way to achieve the solutions to the challenges we face in this economy.”
Al Samuels, president and CEO, Rockland Business Association:
“Next year, we are going to be redistricted. I”™d like to see politics removed from the process. Will it happen? I don”™t think so.
“Everyone is concerned about the economy and the infusion of money into it, but New York has larger issues. I”™d like to see an end to open-ballot voting. Forty-three states have done away with it. It”™s time for New York to do the same.
“I”™d like to see an end to unfunded mandates. No matter what kind of case you can make for one, unfunded mandates are vote-getting measures. I don”™t believe there has been a single one that hasn”™t helped someone or some lobbying group. I”™d like to see every health care mandate in this state rolled back.
“We”™re going to have a new head of the Department of Education. Perhaps it”™s time they recognize not every child is going to be a nanotechnologist. Right now, our education system panders to math and science. Not every kid is going into these high tech fields no matter how much they are needed. We need to start helping kids and stop pushing them into a niche. The whole program needs to be re-evaluated. It”™s time for a realistic approach to education; not every kid needs a Regents diploma. I believe it is the reason we have such a high dropout rate. We all have limits, and I think many of these kids are being pushed too far.
“I”™d like to see a reasonable approach taken to the issue of Empire Zones, not a political approach. For Rockland, economic development would come to a standstill if the Empire Zone program wasn”™t in place. It should be stringently regulated, but you just don”™t eliminate a program. If you bring obligations to a new level and make them retroactive, what business considering coming into New York will trust us?
“Richard Ravitch”™s proposal to create a commuter tax on employers does not apply to us. We don”™t have people commuting into Rockland on one track; we have people commuting out of Rockland.
“I do not want to see the Employee Free Choice Act passed in Washington. It would absolutely destroy small business in our community.”
Ward Todd, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County:
“The key to our economic recovery begins and ends with the governor and lawmakers making a conscious and concerted effort to allow reasonable and responsible economic development to occur. As many business leaders can attest, the process of developing a project or starting a business here simply costs too much and takes too long.
“It”™s essential New York level the playing field in relation to business incentives being offered by neighboring states. Making matters worse is the threat of elimination of our Empire Zones and the modest benefits they offer. While the program has not been perfect, we believe it unwise to eliminate entirely.
“Further, to renege on Empire Zone benefits given in good faith over the years that companies that complied with the agreed-upon rules and regulations is going to send a terrible message to all prospective developers: New York State economic development incentives may be taken away as quickly as they are handed out. That”™s not good business.
“State lawmakers should reject any and all new fees that would adversely affect the Hudson Valley, particularly those that will impact our tourism economy and any and all fees related to transportation. Most of our residents travel to work by car, not mass transit.
“If New York state has a recovery plan, the Hudson Valley can be a major economic engine in that turnaround. We have the work force, the infrastructure, the proximity to New York City and the Capital District, unique quality-of-life attributes that make this the best place in the work to live, work and raise and a family.
“Let”™s all work together to bring business back and reclaim the title of the Empire State.”
