Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced the final 2014-15 budget includes several measures to spur job creation across Central New York, including property and energy tax relief and initiatives that make our region more business friendly (A.8557-D, A.8554-E, A.8555-D).

“Creating good paying jobs here in CNY is vital to keeping our communities strong, but we also need to make sure we have the trained workforce needed to fill those jobs,” Assemblyman Stirpe said. “It’s time to start focusing on building a stronger, better workforce.”

Cutting Taxes for Manufactures:

In an effort to help bring manufacturing jobs back to our state, the final budget eliminates the corporate income tax for manufacturers. The budget further relieves manufacturers by offering a tax credit equal to 20 percent of their property tax cost. Businesses that were hesitant to locate or expand in New York will no longer face the same burdensome property taxes that have discouraged those before them. This will save manufacturing businesses another $100 million each year starting in 2015-16.

“Central New York manufacturing is poised for growth thanks to our tradition, talent and cutting-edge tools,” Laura Miller, General Manager for Darco Manufacturing Co. “The 2014-15 final budget eliminates any perceptions that New York State is somehow at a competitive disadvantage. There is a world of opportunity for CNY manufacturers to seize.”

Closing the “Middle Skills” gap:

The 2014-15 budget also allocates $600,000 in funding for advanced manufacturing training in Central New York, an initiative Assemblyman Stirpe spearheaded.

“For too long, businesses have struggled to find skilled workers to fill openings in advanced manufacturing fields such as machining, metal fabrication and CNC programming,” Assemblyman Stirpe said. “By funding advanced manufacturing training, we can help Central New Yorkers learn the skills they need to compete for the jobs that are out there, while providing employers with a skilled workforce.”

Positions in advanced manufacturing and technology require education, certification and training beyond a high school diploma, but less than that of four-year degree, creating what has been called the “middle-skills gap.” This funding will help close that gap. Federal and state programs have long provided funding to traditional higher education institutions, but there is a lack of aid for middle-skills education, Assemblyman Stirpe noted.

“As the economy improves, businesses, and particularly manufacturers, are facing a shortage of skilled workers," said Robert Simpson, President of The CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity. "These jobs exist throughout upstate communities. And we know all too well that too many people remain unemployed. Skills training is critical to bridging this gap and helping our manufacturers stay competitive while putting people back to work. We congratulate and thank Al Stirpe and the NYS Assembly for recognizing this need and providing the resources to accelerate training opportunities for our region's residents.”

The budget also includes $1 million for the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) at Griffiss International Airport in Utica (A.8553-E). The funding for NUAIR’s drone program – which is anticipated to create 486 jobs and generate $10 million in tax revenue – will assist with start-up costs.

In last year’s budget, the Assembly fought to phase out the temporary energy tax -18-a utility surcharge imposed on energy bills. This year’s budget accelerates that reduction, lowering the surcharge rates by $200 million annually for both residential and commercial customers and will be completely phased out by December 31, 2017.

Finally, the budget provides $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for a fourth round of Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) and $150 million in flexible, new economic development capital funding. REDCs will continue to focus on the unique strengths and priorities of each region, providing crucial funding and boosting the economy, Assemblymember Stipe noted.