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Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy (WBEN file photo)

Duffy: state still working on billion dollar package for Buffalo



Buffalo (WBEN) -- The Buffalo area is expecting a billion dollars for economic development, as the Governor promised in early January.  A top state official says Albany is still working on that funding package.

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy says the process of finalizng that package is still ongoing.

"There's been a pretty intensive process with a lot of people working on that," Duffy said during a recent visit to Buffalo.

The funding is not yet ready to be announced, Duffy said. And state officials have something else that's become a priority, he added.

"In all honesty, one of the biggest hold ups for the state right now is all the tragedies down in New York City and New Jersey with the storm. I think that has really pushed a lot back," Duffy said.

The governor made the pledge during his most recent State of the State message in early January. It's an economic development package to entice companies to either locate or relocate in Buffalo.

Saying it's unacceptable that Buffalo is the nation's third poorest city, Governor Andrew Cuomo promised $1 billion to help re-start the Buffalo economy.

" Bringing one billion dollars to this region for economic development will not only be a game changer for my district, but for the entire region," U.S. Representative Kathy Hochul said in a prepared statement before Cuomo made the announcement. 

“The sky’s the limit with what we can achieve with this money.  Whether we lure another industry to Buffalo, invest more in the businesses already here, or provide our young people with more training and more education, this funding will have a major impact for Western New Yorkers," Hochul added in a prepared statement.
 



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Locations : BuffaloNew JerseyNew York City
People : Andrew CuomoKathy HochulRobert Duffy
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