Last week, the Partnership finalized its 09/10 target industry sector action agendas - initiatives and goals that we will undertake and strive for for the next year in each of Buffalo Niagara's five growth sectors - advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, life sciences, logistics and professional services.
Our reason for putting together these agendas was two-fold: (1) to set a track of tangible, deliverable actions the Partnership can engage in to grow the respective industry sectors and report back to our members at the end of our fiscal year in June; and (2) the evaluate the Partnership's place in the regional economy in each of the industry sectors. While we will continue to "get our hands dirty" in each sector in advocacy, business development and making business-to-business connections, we want to make sure we're not duplicating the efforts of other industry-specific groups that exist. Instead, we're working hard to form strategic partnerships, for example, the Partnership's co-sponsorship of this week's Border Trade Alliance Conference, "Our Borders: Our Future" or our recent advocacy effort opposing trucking restrictions in the Finger Lakes region in conjunction with the NYS Farm Bureau and other agribusiness and logistics industry groups. This goal is nothing new - it is simply being formalized to avoid duplication of efforts within the region.
The important thing is that these agendas, while compiled and edited by Partnership staff, were crafted by employers in the respective industry sectors. Special thanks goes out to all of our members who donated their time and expertise to participate.
Of course, the industry sector agendas in no way diminish the importance of the annual Buffalo Niagara Regional Agenda, which will be released in cooperation with Buffalo and Niagara Falls and Erie and Niagara Counties in November. The Regional Agenda outlines the Partnership's advocacy agenda each year, and while components of the industry sector agendas could be representated, it will not be all-inclusive.
We're very excited about moving forward on these action agendas - and we hope that you'll join us in the efforts.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Partnership Week in Advocacy
The Senate Finance Committee's current health reform proposal creates a devastating tax on the medical manufacturing industry with a resulting $40 billion cost to companies over the next 10 years. $40 billion! This means $40 billion not spent on research, jobs, and new product development - which is a particularly tough hit on our life sciences industry here in Buffalo Niagara, and, as a result, our regional economy as a whole. This week, we advocated in opposition to this new tax to Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, and urge you to do the same - we've prepared a sample letter for you to cut and paste onto your company letterhead.
As the health care debate burns in Washington, it is still amazing that the focus is on health insurance, and not the cost of health care, itself. So much so, in fact, that proposals such as this one that would actually ADD to the cost of health care continue to arise. It's important to corral this debate.
Also, the Partnership weighed in this week on a stipulation of SAFETEA-LU federal highway funding that would rescind $8.7 billion from states on September 30 (yes, five days from now) if the measure is not repealed. New York State stands to lose $407 million (over $35 million from our region). With the federal government JUST pumping billions of dollars into infrastructure, it makes little sense for Washington to now begin pulling other highway money back. It's understandable, of course, that the purpose of including the rescission in the initial SAFETEA-LU legislation was to make sure the funding was used and not stockpiled. But times have changed, and the success of the stimulus program relies upon states following through with these capital programs. We need Congress to act quickly on this in the midst of the on-going healthcare debate, because next Wednesday, a mass of infrastructure funding will go away if the rescission is not repealed. We'll be pushing for this repeal more next week.
As the health care debate burns in Washington, it is still amazing that the focus is on health insurance, and not the cost of health care, itself. So much so, in fact, that proposals such as this one that would actually ADD to the cost of health care continue to arise. It's important to corral this debate.
Also, the Partnership weighed in this week on a stipulation of SAFETEA-LU federal highway funding that would rescind $8.7 billion from states on September 30 (yes, five days from now) if the measure is not repealed. New York State stands to lose $407 million (over $35 million from our region). With the federal government JUST pumping billions of dollars into infrastructure, it makes little sense for Washington to now begin pulling other highway money back. It's understandable, of course, that the purpose of including the rescission in the initial SAFETEA-LU legislation was to make sure the funding was used and not stockpiled. But times have changed, and the success of the stimulus program relies upon states following through with these capital programs. We need Congress to act quickly on this in the midst of the on-going healthcare debate, because next Wednesday, a mass of infrastructure funding will go away if the rescission is not repealed. We'll be pushing for this repeal more next week.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
NYS Enhanced Driver License Info
Applied for your EDL yet?
Here's the local link to learn more and make it easy to get the right information
http://www.erie.gov/depts/government/clerk/pdfs/EDLs.pdf
http://www.erie.gov/depts/government/clerk/pdfs/EDLs.pdf
You can also click the image above to learn moreAs of June 1, 2009, only WHTI approved documents can be used for return to the United States. On September 16, 2008, NYS began to issue WHTI-Compliant Enhanced driver licenses (EDL) (includes Enhanced learner permits) and Enhanced non-driver photo ID cards (ENDID) to applicants who can prove U.S. citizenship and NYS residency. An EDL or ENDID can be used instead of a passport to travel by land and sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean. Contact your travel agent, your cruise line or the specific countries of destination to verify travel document requirements.
An EDL or ENDID is not acceptable for air travel between these countries.
WHTI is a federal rule that regulates which documents U.S. citizens can use when they travel in the Western Hemisphere. You can read more about this initiative at the web site of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Examining the CanAm Border in Buffalo Niagara
Last Thursday, the Buffalo Niagara region had a unique and exciting opportunity, playing host to members of the International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC), specifically ITAC-14, the group charged with advising the federal government on customs matters and trade facilitation. Among the attendees were a number of members of the Obama Administration, representing the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Treasury and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), as well as their counterparts in the Canadian government. Following morning presentations, we took this group of about 50 on a tour of the Peace Bridge and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge facilities so they - many of whom had never physically seen the northern border in action - could get a clear picture of the situation related to trade.
These opportunities do not come along often, and it was imperative that we take advantage of having these federal decision-makers as a captive audience for about six-and-a-half hours. A local coalition of the Partnership, Peace Bridge Authority, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, Hodgson Russ LLP and reps from the private sector including Chip Bowen from FedEx Trade Networks and Carl Savarino from Speed Global Services put on a full-day affair for our guests. I have to admit, we're thrilled that the feedback we received from the ITAC members and government reps included "outstanding," "excellent program," "enlightening" and "extremely valuable." That met our expectations.
With the day focusing on trade, much of the discussion centered around two topics: infrastructure and overregulation by the federal government. The infrastructure dialogue included, of course, a detailed update on the Peace Bridge project (which is now in it's NINTH year of environmental review) as well as proposals for Lewiston-Queenston. Interestingly, the existing infrastructure has been a hindrance to important border facilitating programs such as NEXUS and FAST, in that, while special booths are available to expedite "trusted travelers" through customs, logjams in the mixing of passenger and commercial traffic often make it impossible to get to those booths. As a result, the programs are not working to their greatest potential. Canada has optimized these efforts (or, is in the process at L-Q). It's up to the U.S. to follow suit.
Regarding regulation, an open discussion was held midday, and U.S. regulation after regulation on trade took center stage. But the dialogue was constructive - and not simply an attack on federal regulation... More a plea from the private sector to be engaged when regulatory decisions related to trade are on the table. Often, new policy is implemented in reaction to an incident, and done haphazardly - many times before even congressional representatives are aware of what is happening. In our conversation, there was no dispute that many of the regulations - up to and including the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) - have merit, but are unfortunately devised in a conference room hundreds of miles from the border, and users are subject to changes that often don't make sense from a commerce point-of-view. Our message was that border policy could be made better by exploring all perspectives before implementing.
Why is this so important? The Buffalo Niagara region is within 500 miles of 55% of the U.S. population and 62% of the Canadian population. Our CanAm border is the center of the trade universe - or, at least, it should be. As a result, the logistics industry is one of our region's fastest growing sectors - as is tourism. From the perspective of moving both people and goods, we need Buffalo Niagara's border working as efficiently as possible.
That's not to say we should forego national security to do so. But the Partnership has long supported a balance in focus on the way the border operates - strong security to keep bad actors out, but enough openness to maintain the positive trade relationship shared by the world's two largest trading partners - the U.S. and Canada. For the private sector to be a part of that conversation is pivotal - and Thursday's tour was vital to that effort.
More to follow, we hope.
These opportunities do not come along often, and it was imperative that we take advantage of having these federal decision-makers as a captive audience for about six-and-a-half hours. A local coalition of the Partnership, Peace Bridge Authority, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, Hodgson Russ LLP and reps from the private sector including Chip Bowen from FedEx Trade Networks and Carl Savarino from Speed Global Services put on a full-day affair for our guests. I have to admit, we're thrilled that the feedback we received from the ITAC members and government reps included "outstanding," "excellent program," "enlightening" and "extremely valuable." That met our expectations.
With the day focusing on trade, much of the discussion centered around two topics: infrastructure and overregulation by the federal government. The infrastructure dialogue included, of course, a detailed update on the Peace Bridge project (which is now in it's NINTH year of environmental review) as well as proposals for Lewiston-Queenston. Interestingly, the existing infrastructure has been a hindrance to important border facilitating programs such as NEXUS and FAST, in that, while special booths are available to expedite "trusted travelers" through customs, logjams in the mixing of passenger and commercial traffic often make it impossible to get to those booths. As a result, the programs are not working to their greatest potential. Canada has optimized these efforts (or, is in the process at L-Q). It's up to the U.S. to follow suit.
Regarding regulation, an open discussion was held midday, and U.S. regulation after regulation on trade took center stage. But the dialogue was constructive - and not simply an attack on federal regulation... More a plea from the private sector to be engaged when regulatory decisions related to trade are on the table. Often, new policy is implemented in reaction to an incident, and done haphazardly - many times before even congressional representatives are aware of what is happening. In our conversation, there was no dispute that many of the regulations - up to and including the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) - have merit, but are unfortunately devised in a conference room hundreds of miles from the border, and users are subject to changes that often don't make sense from a commerce point-of-view. Our message was that border policy could be made better by exploring all perspectives before implementing.
Why is this so important? The Buffalo Niagara region is within 500 miles of 55% of the U.S. population and 62% of the Canadian population. Our CanAm border is the center of the trade universe - or, at least, it should be. As a result, the logistics industry is one of our region's fastest growing sectors - as is tourism. From the perspective of moving both people and goods, we need Buffalo Niagara's border working as efficiently as possible.
That's not to say we should forego national security to do so. But the Partnership has long supported a balance in focus on the way the border operates - strong security to keep bad actors out, but enough openness to maintain the positive trade relationship shared by the world's two largest trading partners - the U.S. and Canada. For the private sector to be a part of that conversation is pivotal - and Thursday's tour was vital to that effort.
More to follow, we hope.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Double Standard We Can’t Afford
Imagine working for an employer who pays a salary 30 percent higher than you would make elsewhere, with fringe benefits that are 70 percent better. Then suppose you had a legal guarantee that your salary and benefits would keep going up, even if your contact expires, no matter how bad the economy gets.
That’s a deal most of us might dream about having. But for government workers in New York – alone among the 50 states – it’s a reality that creates a double standard. While workers in the private sector shoulder more of the burden for their health care and retirement, public employees receive benefits from New York taxpayers that keep getting richer.
· Public pensions cost $486 for every state resident in 2007, the highest in the nation. Most private-sector workers have a 401 (k) or other defined contribution plan, if they receive any retirement benefit.
· Public workers get 90 to 100 percent of health insurance premiums paid by their employer; the average for private-sector health insurance is 70 to 80 percent.
· Government employees also get more paid time off than people who work in the private sector. Some can be paid for 365 sick days in a year, plus vacations and holidays!
When benefits like these were first put in place, they were part of a general understanding. Government jobs paid a little less than those in the private sector, so fringe benefits would be a little better.
Today, however, state and local employees nationwide make 33 percent more than private-sector workers across all job categories. Across Upstate New York, comparing just full-time workers, the difference is 10 percent – an average salary of $47,036 for public sector workers, compared to $42,798 in the private sector.
New York’s double standard is detailed in an important new report available at www.unshackleupstate.com. Unshackle Upstate is a coalition of 75 business and trade organizations representing about 1.5 million private sector employees, and was co-founded by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
The report’s intent is not to criticize the public employees who teach our children, protect us from crime and fire and provide dozens of other services. They deserve the fairest compensation we can afford.
In many other states, however, public employees have accepted pay or benefit reductions in response to the recession. These unionized government workers, like many in the private sector, have negotiated to support the financial survivor of their employer in hard times.
In New York, unique legal guarantees give public employees little incentive to negotiate. Because of a 1982 law called the Triborough Amendment, employee pay and benefits increase indefinitely under terms of the expired contract. The Taylor Law, enacted in 1967, guarantees that fringe benefits can’t be changed unless both sides agree. Elsewhere, employee pay and benefits are frozen in place if a contract expires before the new one is negotiated. Here,
Maintaining these unique legal protections in today’s economic climate is fiscally reckless. Deficits are rising as far as the eye can see, revenues are falling, and New Yorkers already pay the highest state and local taxes in the nation.
Since labor costs account for 75 percent of government spending, fixing the double standard is the elephant in the room. Recognizing that employee compensation is a sensitive issue – and that we want to compensate public employees as fairly as possible -- legislators must deal with it to put New York on a sound financial footing. The fixes the Partnership and Unshackle Upstate continue to fight for:
· Change the Taylor Law and Triborough Amendment by freezing salary and benefit levels to the last in-contract year for public employees.
· Create a new Tier 5 in the retirement system for newly hired employees, shifting from a defined-benefit pension to a defined-contribution plan, like most of the private sector.
That’s a deal most of us might dream about having. But for government workers in New York – alone among the 50 states – it’s a reality that creates a double standard. While workers in the private sector shoulder more of the burden for their health care and retirement, public employees receive benefits from New York taxpayers that keep getting richer.
· Public pensions cost $486 for every state resident in 2007, the highest in the nation. Most private-sector workers have a 401 (k) or other defined contribution plan, if they receive any retirement benefit.
· Public workers get 90 to 100 percent of health insurance premiums paid by their employer; the average for private-sector health insurance is 70 to 80 percent.
· Government employees also get more paid time off than people who work in the private sector. Some can be paid for 365 sick days in a year, plus vacations and holidays!
When benefits like these were first put in place, they were part of a general understanding. Government jobs paid a little less than those in the private sector, so fringe benefits would be a little better.
Today, however, state and local employees nationwide make 33 percent more than private-sector workers across all job categories. Across Upstate New York, comparing just full-time workers, the difference is 10 percent – an average salary of $47,036 for public sector workers, compared to $42,798 in the private sector.
New York’s double standard is detailed in an important new report available at www.unshackleupstate.com. Unshackle Upstate is a coalition of 75 business and trade organizations representing about 1.5 million private sector employees, and was co-founded by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
The report’s intent is not to criticize the public employees who teach our children, protect us from crime and fire and provide dozens of other services. They deserve the fairest compensation we can afford.
In many other states, however, public employees have accepted pay or benefit reductions in response to the recession. These unionized government workers, like many in the private sector, have negotiated to support the financial survivor of their employer in hard times.
In New York, unique legal guarantees give public employees little incentive to negotiate. Because of a 1982 law called the Triborough Amendment, employee pay and benefits increase indefinitely under terms of the expired contract. The Taylor Law, enacted in 1967, guarantees that fringe benefits can’t be changed unless both sides agree. Elsewhere, employee pay and benefits are frozen in place if a contract expires before the new one is negotiated. Here,
Maintaining these unique legal protections in today’s economic climate is fiscally reckless. Deficits are rising as far as the eye can see, revenues are falling, and New Yorkers already pay the highest state and local taxes in the nation.
Since labor costs account for 75 percent of government spending, fixing the double standard is the elephant in the room. Recognizing that employee compensation is a sensitive issue – and that we want to compensate public employees as fairly as possible -- legislators must deal with it to put New York on a sound financial footing. The fixes the Partnership and Unshackle Upstate continue to fight for:
· Change the Taylor Law and Triborough Amendment by freezing salary and benefit levels to the last in-contract year for public employees.
· Create a new Tier 5 in the retirement system for newly hired employees, shifting from a defined-benefit pension to a defined-contribution plan, like most of the private sector.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Buffalo Niagara 360 Party a Success
Last night (9/17) nearly 500 local young professionals came out to the beautiful downtown Buffalo waterfront to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the Buffalo Niagara 360 young professionals program. Of those attendees, many were new faces to the program, coming out to explore what BN360 has to offer, meet others interested in networking, social and volunteer opportunities, and most importantly celebrate the large number of young professionals who continue to live, work, play and stay in Buffalo Niagara.
This young professionals group was a much needed addition to the large offering of programs from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. The organization recognized that a skilled and diverse professional talent pool is essential to the growth of the regional economy and that’s why they launched Buffalo Niagara 360, a unique program for the next generation of local business leaders and innovators last fall.
Through an innovative, multi-dimensional approach, the program is designed for young professionals who want to work in stimulating environments, connect with and learn from others by expanding their network outside the workplace, grow their careers and business development opportunities and become more active and engaged in improving their community.
The program also offers employers key opportunities to retain and attract high-skilled talent, identify and groom the region’s next generation of top executives, and influence the future of the area and their own organization.
Last night's event proved that there are a great deal of young professionals in the region interested in both community and civic involvement to make the region a better place. The event served as great networking opportunity to connect them with one another and also the employers who seek their talent.
To learn more about the program please check out http://www.buffaloniagara360.org/ or find the group on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter!
I'd first of all like to thank Emily Burns and Buffalo Niagara 360 for inviting me to this great 1 year anniversary event. Unfortunately I am not able to attend as I am at my training residence up in Calgary, AB for a National Team Camp this week. It's Olympic Year around here and things are getting pretty busy, pretty quickly! Once we get going starting this week, it is non-stop until the Olympic Games in February. It's quite a whirlwind of a year, Olympic Year. Between training, racing and media requirements it's tough to find much free time to do the things I want to do with this year. In this brief opportunity to say hello to my fellow Buffalonians, I'd like to talk just a bit about how I got here...
First off, I am an American Bobsledder that was born and raised on Potomac Ave. just off of Delaware in the heart of the city. I graduated from City Honors High School in 1996 and headed to the University of Florida. To make a long story short my track and field career at Florida wasn't heading where I wanted it to be so I did as many of us do when we reach a fork in the road, I figured out where I could succeed best and blazed a path. My path led me to the sport of Bobsled. It has taken me to two Olympic Games for our country and I've now found myself and my team defending World Champions heading into the Olympics in Vancouver this coming February. Not a bad 13 years since I left the Queen City! It's been a lot of fun and I have grown and matured in ways I never thought I could. I've learned how to win, I've learned how to react to a loss, I've learned how to plan and execute and sacrifice for those plans, and I've learned that once you are on top the work only gets harder. These are lessons that I try to instill in both the school kids I speak to as well as the businesses that invite me to come to speak to them. The lessons from sport carry across every aspect of life and this is something that I have really just come to appreciate in the last few years of my career.
I encourage all of you to follow what drives you. For me it was competition and success. To have the opportunity to put 'USA' on my back every weekend when I compete across seas and to have the privilege to wear it every 4 years behind the Olympic Rings makes me very proud of the path I have chosen for myself. It is something that I want to share with the city of Buffalo and I have already begun to set up relationships with various schools to try to let the kids of our region grasp that it is possible to do anything that you aspire to. When I was 10 years old all I could do is dream of being an Olympian. Now that I am there I try to keep in mind what it was like to be that 10 year old kid from Potomac Ave...waiting at the bus stop on those freezing January mornings day dreaming, or morning dreaming, of what it would be like to be that person. I thought that that person would be inspiring, honest, hard-working and thought provoking. That is what I aim to be today. The last thing we want to do is disappoint the 10 year old inside of each of us!
That is and has always been my community message. For each of us to think about what we would have liked someone to say to us when we were that young, bright-eyed kid at the bus stop. What words of wisdom can we share with them. We all have a unique story and path that we took to get to where we are. I hope my brief story here can help us all remember that we were young once. We once needed guidance, some of us still do, and maybe sharing our story with others can help give them what they need.
I hope everyone had fun and I really wish I could have been there. Hopefully I will be able to join you all in the spring and bring home the Gold that I've been waiting to carry back to Buffalo since I was 10 years old!
Thanks and take care,
Steve Mesler, B.Sc.
2002 & 2006 United States Olympic Teams
USA Bobsled2009 World
meslerbobsled@aol.com
www.SteveMesler.com
www.TheNightTrain.com
This young professionals group was a much needed addition to the large offering of programs from the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. The organization recognized that a skilled and diverse professional talent pool is essential to the growth of the regional economy and that’s why they launched Buffalo Niagara 360, a unique program for the next generation of local business leaders and innovators last fall.
Through an innovative, multi-dimensional approach, the program is designed for young professionals who want to work in stimulating environments, connect with and learn from others by expanding their network outside the workplace, grow their careers and business development opportunities and become more active and engaged in improving their community.
The program also offers employers key opportunities to retain and attract high-skilled talent, identify and groom the region’s next generation of top executives, and influence the future of the area and their own organization.
Last night's event proved that there are a great deal of young professionals in the region interested in both community and civic involvement to make the region a better place. The event served as great networking opportunity to connect them with one another and also the employers who seek their talent.
To learn more about the program please check out http://www.buffaloniagara360.org/ or find the group on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter!
GUEST BLOG: Steve Mesler, US Olympic Bobsled Team
I'd first of all like to thank Emily Burns and Buffalo Niagara 360 for inviting me to this great 1 year anniversary event. Unfortunately I am not able to attend as I am at my training residence up in Calgary, AB for a National Team Camp this week. It's Olympic Year around here and things are getting pretty busy, pretty quickly! Once we get going starting this week, it is non-stop until the Olympic Games in February. It's quite a whirlwind of a year, Olympic Year. Between training, racing and media requirements it's tough to find much free time to do the things I want to do with this year. In this brief opportunity to say hello to my fellow Buffalonians, I'd like to talk just a bit about how I got here...First off, I am an American Bobsledder that was born and raised on Potomac Ave. just off of Delaware in the heart of the city. I graduated from City Honors High School in 1996 and headed to the University of Florida. To make a long story short my track and field career at Florida wasn't heading where I wanted it to be so I did as many of us do when we reach a fork in the road, I figured out where I could succeed best and blazed a path. My path led me to the sport of Bobsled. It has taken me to two Olympic Games for our country and I've now found myself and my team defending World Champions heading into the Olympics in Vancouver this coming February. Not a bad 13 years since I left the Queen City! It's been a lot of fun and I have grown and matured in ways I never thought I could. I've learned how to win, I've learned how to react to a loss, I've learned how to plan and execute and sacrifice for those plans, and I've learned that once you are on top the work only gets harder. These are lessons that I try to instill in both the school kids I speak to as well as the businesses that invite me to come to speak to them. The lessons from sport carry across every aspect of life and this is something that I have really just come to appreciate in the last few years of my career.
I encourage all of you to follow what drives you. For me it was competition and success. To have the opportunity to put 'USA' on my back every weekend when I compete across seas and to have the privilege to wear it every 4 years behind the Olympic Rings makes me very proud of the path I have chosen for myself. It is something that I want to share with the city of Buffalo and I have already begun to set up relationships with various schools to try to let the kids of our region grasp that it is possible to do anything that you aspire to. When I was 10 years old all I could do is dream of being an Olympian. Now that I am there I try to keep in mind what it was like to be that 10 year old kid from Potomac Ave...waiting at the bus stop on those freezing January mornings day dreaming, or morning dreaming, of what it would be like to be that person. I thought that that person would be inspiring, honest, hard-working and thought provoking. That is what I aim to be today. The last thing we want to do is disappoint the 10 year old inside of each of us!That is and has always been my community message. For each of us to think about what we would have liked someone to say to us when we were that young, bright-eyed kid at the bus stop. What words of wisdom can we share with them. We all have a unique story and path that we took to get to where we are. I hope my brief story here can help us all remember that we were young once. We once needed guidance, some of us still do, and maybe sharing our story with others can help give them what they need.
I hope everyone had fun and I really wish I could have been there. Hopefully I will be able to join you all in the spring and bring home the Gold that I've been waiting to carry back to Buffalo since I was 10 years old!
Thanks and take care,
Steve Mesler, B.Sc.
2002 & 2006 United States Olympic Teams
USA Bobsled2009 World
meslerbobsled@aol.com
www.SteveMesler.com
www.TheNightTrain.com
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Don't forget to join us and 400+ young professionals tonight for the big event!
Our Buffalo Niagara 360 young professionals party is tonight.
5:30PM- 8:30PM
Shanghai Red's Restaurant
Downtown Buffalo
FREE EVENT
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Partnership Employer Outreach
Perhaps the most important program we run here at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is our employer outreach. That's due mainly to the two-way communication that is essential between employers and their employer-based membership organization, us. Our employer outreach feeds everything that we do here at the Partnership, guides our programming and advocacy efforts and, most importantly, ensures that we are accomplishing the goals that you set for us.
A couple years ago, we made a transformation in the way we think about Partnership membership, and renewed our focus on building relationships, rather than simply memberships. We created a team in our membership department called Investor Relations, whose job it was to basically sit down with as many of our members as possible to hear their stories, celebrate their successes and learn their challenges.
From the information we've been gathered, we've been able to steer Partnership programming to better meet the needs of our members. Think of Amazon.com - how every time you make a purchase, they collect your information. Then, the next time you visit, they put together specific suggestions for you that what you've already told them indicates might be useful to you. We've done the same thing here - you tell us what your company needs and we assess that information and find a way to present it in a way that benefits you. Some of the Partnership initiatives that have come out directly of listening to and analyzing the needs of our members include:
A couple years ago, we made a transformation in the way we think about Partnership membership, and renewed our focus on building relationships, rather than simply memberships. We created a team in our membership department called Investor Relations, whose job it was to basically sit down with as many of our members as possible to hear their stories, celebrate their successes and learn their challenges.
From the information we've been gathered, we've been able to steer Partnership programming to better meet the needs of our members. Think of Amazon.com - how every time you make a purchase, they collect your information. Then, the next time you visit, they put together specific suggestions for you that what you've already told them indicates might be useful to you. We've done the same thing here - you tell us what your company needs and we assess that information and find a way to present it in a way that benefits you. Some of the Partnership initiatives that have come out directly of listening to and analyzing the needs of our members include:
- Creation of Buffalo Niagara 360 - the region's young professionals program developing the Buffalo Niagara's next generation of business leaders and innovators. (Don't forget about the Buffalo Niagara 360 One-Year Anniversary Party, this Thursday, 9/17 at Shanghai Reds!)
- Partnership target industry "action agendas," which will be released next week, and will drive the Partnership's efforts in each of the region's six target industry sectors: advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, life sciences, logistics, professional services and renewable energy.
- Placement of UB2020 as the region's top economic development priority in the 2009 Regional Agenda
- A move from the day-long "Issues Summit" event from year's past to the very popular Innovate Buffalo Niagara awards program, which focuses on the region's growth industries and highlights successes in our region.
Friday, September 11, 2009
BN360 Spotlight Professionals Part 2
BN360 is spotlighting young professionals whose personal and professional efforts touch our waterfront, one of Buffalo Niagara’s greatest assets. Learn more about their work and come mingle with them at our Anniversary Party on September 17th.Kate Mini is the Director of Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education Foundation. BUOE was born from a deep passion for experiential education, a form of education dedicated to making connections through interactive experience. I first observed the profound effects of this type of education when I was part of the development of the New York Harbor School in Brooklyn, NY. Young people who had never left their neighborhoods found themselves on a traditional schooner and exchanged their provincial cultural barriers for individual pride and curiosity in their ability to experience new things. After my experience in New York, I vowed to dedicate my life to facilitating this process.
I see BUOE as one part of the solution to engaging disconnected youth of all backgrounds in this region. In a generation of youth increasingly disconnected from and fearful of the natural world, culture world and one another, young people are in need of increased exposure and opportunity to true hands-on experience and new perspectives. BUOE’s platform of the traditional sailing vessel incorporates elements of teamwork, self-esteem and history with standards-based lessons, but also offers intangible elements of quietude and reflection that most young people don’t ever experience in our technology-driven world. Our first season has been an incredible success and only reflects the great need for innovative educational programs in our region.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
BN360 Spotlight Professionals Part 1
BN360 is spotlighting young professionals whose personal and professional efforts touch our waterfront, one of Buffalo Niagara’s greatest assets. Learn more about their work and come mingle with them at our Anniversary Party on September 17th.
Matt Davison is currently the Director of Public Affairs for the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC), the state agency tasked with revitalizing Buffalo’s long-neglected waterfront. Matt’s responsibilities consist of overseeing the day-to-day operations of ECHDC’s public affairs effort, including media coordination, government and public relations, community and stakeholder outreach, as well as general communications activity and messaging. In addition, Matt helps manage special events and programming at the Erie Canal Harbor site, and works with Buffalo Place Inc. to ensure the general maintenance and upkeep of the 12.5 acre waterfront location.
With substantial progress being made in the waterfront redevelopment effort almost daily, it is critical that the WNY region stay informed of these continued successes, in order to generate and maintain momentum for the overall revitalization effort. Some of the key advancements Matt recently helped publicize include the grand opening of the $53 million Erie Canal Harbor site, demolition of War Memorial Auditorium (the Aud), reclamation and remediation of the General Donovan State Office Building and the unveiling of the 2009 Erie Canal Harbor summer events and activities schedule.
With substantial progress being made in the waterfront redevelopment effort almost daily, it is critical that the WNY region stay informed of these continued successes, in order to generate and maintain momentum for the overall revitalization effort. Some of the key advancements Matt recently helped publicize include the grand opening of the $53 million Erie Canal Harbor site, demolition of War Memorial Auditorium (the Aud), reclamation and remediation of the General Donovan State Office Building and the unveiling of the 2009 Erie Canal Harbor summer events and activities schedule.
Big Press Conference Day
With the State Senate going back into session tomorrow, there were some messages that needed to be sent today. As a result, the Partnership participated in two press events today, and I wanted to pass the information on to you.
As you know, one of the things Albany will be undertaking in the coming days is a budget hole that's been described as being as big as $3 billion. Regardless of the explanation of how it got to be that way (though we did point out that the 09/10 state budget passed in April had a multitude of problems), it needs to be filled. To us, new taxes and fees are absolutely not an option. But, we don't want to be another one of those entities that cries wolf without any solutions, so today Unshackle Upstate and other business groups from throughout the state unveiled our plan for addressing the state budget problems. This isn't just rhetoric - we've provided a breakdown of the cuts and savings that we feel need to be made. That's the first issue of the day.
Second, related to a topic that has been well-covered in this blog... We also participated in a press event calling for Albany to reinstate a component of Industrial Development Agency (IDA) legislation that would allow the IDAs to incentivize not-for-profits projects. For 21 months now, these projects, which include senior homes, hospitals and schools, have languished due to a political fight in Albany over stipulations that organized labor wants imposed on any entity receiving IDA benefits. Over $2.4 billion in projects has been held up - at a time when New York State's working men and women could use the work! After cash-for-clunkers and federal bailouts, we like to call legislation that puts people to work on $2.4 billion worth of projects with no cost to taxpayers... well, real stimulus for our economy.
We'll keep you posted on the special State Senate session.
As you know, one of the things Albany will be undertaking in the coming days is a budget hole that's been described as being as big as $3 billion. Regardless of the explanation of how it got to be that way (though we did point out that the 09/10 state budget passed in April had a multitude of problems), it needs to be filled. To us, new taxes and fees are absolutely not an option. But, we don't want to be another one of those entities that cries wolf without any solutions, so today Unshackle Upstate and other business groups from throughout the state unveiled our plan for addressing the state budget problems. This isn't just rhetoric - we've provided a breakdown of the cuts and savings that we feel need to be made. That's the first issue of the day.
Second, related to a topic that has been well-covered in this blog... We also participated in a press event calling for Albany to reinstate a component of Industrial Development Agency (IDA) legislation that would allow the IDAs to incentivize not-for-profits projects. For 21 months now, these projects, which include senior homes, hospitals and schools, have languished due to a political fight in Albany over stipulations that organized labor wants imposed on any entity receiving IDA benefits. Over $2.4 billion in projects has been held up - at a time when New York State's working men and women could use the work! After cash-for-clunkers and federal bailouts, we like to call legislation that puts people to work on $2.4 billion worth of projects with no cost to taxpayers... well, real stimulus for our economy.
We'll keep you posted on the special State Senate session.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Got a $$$-saving idea for NY? Send it in...
On Tuesday, Governor Paterson unveiled NYS's new Taxpayer Accountability web site, designed to provide information on Albany's efforts to "cut spending, improve the efficiency of state offices, save taxpayer dollars and provide property tax relief." The site is a public extension of the Office of Taxpayer Accountability (although shouldn't it be the Office of Accountability to Taxpayers?), which the Governor created in June.
On the web site, taxpayer.ny.gov, there is information about some of the efforts in which the governor has engaged to cut costs in NYS government. Of course, he would need the help of a state legislature that is generally stingy with cutting the size and cost of government, so some of the actions are concrete, and some are... well, a little more hopeful. For instance, we like the New NY Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, which could hopefully be useful to a county like Erie, which has within it 1,044 local governing entities (e.g. too many!). The site also talks about proposed pension reform, which has been a staple Unshackle Upstate agenda item the past two years - and while it makes good rhetoric on what the governor is trying to do, we think the implementation of a Tier V pension level for state employees needs to be pushed harder in the state legislature.
The best part of the site is the "Share Your Ideas" section. Here, you can actually submit an idea to the governor on how to save NYS taxpayers money - kind of like a citizen suggestion box. Interestingly, the Partnership gets a lot of e-mails from members and non-members with ideas on how to change government - here's the chance to put those thoughts right into the governor's hands. Who knows what will happen with any ideas that are submitted - and I'm not saying that negatively... Maybe they'll unearth some interesting concept and run with it. Stranger things have happened. I encourage you to send your brainstorms in - and then share them with us as well here in the blog comments. You can be sure we'll be engaging, because we've been beating the "reduce the size and cost of government" drum for a long time - we just have to figure out how to get the Unshackle Upstate agenda down to the 500 word limit!
On the web site, taxpayer.ny.gov, there is information about some of the efforts in which the governor has engaged to cut costs in NYS government. Of course, he would need the help of a state legislature that is generally stingy with cutting the size and cost of government, so some of the actions are concrete, and some are... well, a little more hopeful. For instance, we like the New NY Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act, which could hopefully be useful to a county like Erie, which has within it 1,044 local governing entities (e.g. too many!). The site also talks about proposed pension reform, which has been a staple Unshackle Upstate agenda item the past two years - and while it makes good rhetoric on what the governor is trying to do, we think the implementation of a Tier V pension level for state employees needs to be pushed harder in the state legislature.
The best part of the site is the "Share Your Ideas" section. Here, you can actually submit an idea to the governor on how to save NYS taxpayers money - kind of like a citizen suggestion box. Interestingly, the Partnership gets a lot of e-mails from members and non-members with ideas on how to change government - here's the chance to put those thoughts right into the governor's hands. Who knows what will happen with any ideas that are submitted - and I'm not saying that negatively... Maybe they'll unearth some interesting concept and run with it. Stranger things have happened. I encourage you to send your brainstorms in - and then share them with us as well here in the blog comments. You can be sure we'll be engaging, because we've been beating the "reduce the size and cost of government" drum for a long time - we just have to figure out how to get the Unshackle Upstate agenda down to the 500 word limit!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
High Speed Rail
I wanted to share with you a letter our High Speed Rail coalition received from Stanley Gee, Acting Commissioner of the NYS Department of Transportion, in response to the coalition's regional impact statement. While NY winning the federal stimulus money for the project is no sure thing at this point, it's very refreshing to see an Upstate-wide effort like this come together in the due diligence that will be necessary to compete with other states. More to follow...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Countdown to the BN360 1-year Anniversary Event
The Buffalo Niagara 360 young professionals program created by the Partnership last fall helps support the region's next generation of business leaders, those who will support the area and guide Buffalo Niagara into the new economy and the future. The program kicked off with a splashy launch party last October at downtown Buffalo's Electric Tower and drew over 400 guests, plus members of the business community and local elected officials who support young professionals in the area who aim to live, work, play and stay in Buffalo Niagara.
The program has had a great first year of offerings including lunch and learn activities, networking events and after work parties, educational seminars including an "advocacy boot camp" event to educate members on how young professionals can make a difference for themselves and for the community, an active Facebook group and even a kick ball team!
On September 17th from 5:30-8:30PM, the program will celebrate its 1st anniversary with an evening event on the downtown Buffalo waterfront at Shanghai Red's restaurant. Along with food and drinks, networking opportunities and beautiful waterfront views, the organizers plan to have a few unique things happen, including tours of the Moondance Cat and additional waterfront tours and activities.
The organizers are also seeking local young artists for submissions (photography, mixed media and paintings) to include in a small "mini gallery" showcasing their work centered on the themes of Buffalo Niagara, the downtown waterfront, the local waterways, city skyline and local landscapes, etc.
** If you are a local young artist or know someone who is, please note that submission ideas are due (high res. jpg format please) NO LATER than Sept. 7th via email to eburns@thepartnership.org
Chosen artists will have the chance to expose their work to the business community and other local young professionals at the event. **
If you are interested in learning more about the anniversary event and the Buffalo Niagara 360 young professionals program please check out the website or contact program manager
Ann Mestrovich at amestrovich@thepartnership.org to learn more.
Get involved today with Buffalo Niagara 360!
The next generation of business leaders.
The program has had a great first year of offerings including lunch and learn activities, networking events and after work parties, educational seminars including an "advocacy boot camp" event to educate members on how young professionals can make a difference for themselves and for the community, an active Facebook group and even a kick ball team!
On September 17th from 5:30-8:30PM, the program will celebrate its 1st anniversary with an evening event on the downtown Buffalo waterfront at Shanghai Red's restaurant. Along with food and drinks, networking opportunities and beautiful waterfront views, the organizers plan to have a few unique things happen, including tours of the Moondance Cat and additional waterfront tours and activities.
The organizers are also seeking local young artists for submissions (photography, mixed media and paintings) to include in a small "mini gallery" showcasing their work centered on the themes of Buffalo Niagara, the downtown waterfront, the local waterways, city skyline and local landscapes, etc.
** If you are a local young artist or know someone who is, please note that submission ideas are due (high res. jpg format please) NO LATER than Sept. 7th via email to eburns@thepartnership.org
Chosen artists will have the chance to expose their work to the business community and other local young professionals at the event. **
If you are interested in learning more about the anniversary event and the Buffalo Niagara 360 young professionals program please check out the website or contact program manager
Ann Mestrovich at amestrovich@thepartnership.org to learn more.
Get involved today with Buffalo Niagara 360!
The next generation of business leaders.
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