Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) initiated a series of local business tours in an effort to help identify ways to stimulate economic development in Western New York as well as to further support of local businesses.

“The economy of Western New York has been struggling to survive as a result of the State of New York’s unwillingness to create an atmosphere where businesses are able to successfully compete. It is my pleasure as a businessman myself to listen and learn from these successful businesses. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with other legislators to foster a stronger business environment for our citizens.”

Hawley’s series of local business tours started earlier this week at the Washington Mutual customer service center in Albion. This center of the international banking and financial services institution currently employs roughly 850 local residents and is a major source of employment in Western New York.

The next day, Hawley embarked on a tour of Chapin, a manufacturing company that has been an industry leader in developing spraying technologies. In fact, at Chapin’s Batavia 700,000 square foot facility, the first United States pump sprayer was patented in 1902 and the company is now leading the market in manufacturing compressed air sprayers and progressive design technology for the home, yard, garden, turf and farm.

Hawley’s tour will continue with planned visits to many other local businesses, including LAPP Insulators, Liberty Pumps, and Pavilion Gift Company. Another Global company, LAPP Insulators was founded during World War II developing aircraft and field communications technologies as well as complex components for radar systems. Today LAPP, with headquarters in LeRoy, New York, and the State of Georgia and overseas in Germany, is arguably the most progressive porcelain insulator manufacturer on the continent.

Liberty Pumps is a Bergen-based company, which recently celebrated their expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Assemblyman Hawley. Part of an Empire Zone, Liberty Pumps’ $4 million expansion exemplified the success of the EZ program and has helped strengthen Western New York’s economy with the creation of new jobs.

Another Bergen company, Pavilion Gift Company, is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of high quality gifts and home accessories to retail stores across the Western New York Region. Their specialized products include pottery, Vitreous China and Fine Earthenware.