Niagara Gazette — Calling Niagara Falls a "jewel" with potential to lift the economy of the entire state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo forged a deal with the Main of the Mist operators Tuesday afternoon to allow the long-time tour boat company to continue operations on the American side of the falls.
The agreement came as part of the governor's tour of Niagara Falls and Buffalo, as he received briefings on the progress and economic impact of a wide range of state-assisted projects in the region.
This is the governor's eighth progress tour to check on his Regional Economic Development Council and its efforts towards completing a long list of economic development plans and job-creating projects.
In the first round of the regional council Initiative, Western New York was awarded $100.3 million in state resources to support 96 projects. Currently, 96 percent of the projects are moving forward, according to state officials. Once completed, the projects are expected to significantly boost the local economy by supporting the creation and retention of more than 8,000 jobs and leveraging more than $525 million in additional private sector and other investment.
Editor's note: For more on this story, read Niagara Gazette reporter Justin Sondell's story, to be posted later today.
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