Western New York has what advanced manufacturing companies want: water, power and a trained manufacturing workforce.
Now what it needs is federal investment and shovel-ready sites, and that’s what they would get from legislation proposed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The proposed Onshore Act would provide $100 million per year for five years through the Economic Development Administration to bolster site readiness with utility infrastructure, workforce development, distribution and logistics at sites throughout the state.
Over the past decade, Erie County and New York State have spent nearly $50 million to buy land, move rail lines and lay the groundwork for development.
“It solves the chicken and egg problem that municipalities and companies have faced for years when it comes to locating critical industries, like semiconductors supply chains and advanced manufacturing,” Schumer said Monday at Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna on the former Bethlehem Steel site.
Western New York is “primed to lead the way” in bringing jobs back from overseas, he said.
Schumer pointed to Renaissance Commerce Park as proof that infrastructure investment and developing shovel-ready sites work to attract business.
“This was once the lifeblood of…
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