Local contractors may soon receive stronger consideration in projects supported by the county’s Industrial Development Agency.
Members of the agency’s Board of Directors agreed to meet next month to discuss the possibility of adopting a formal policy on local hiring requirements for developers interested in obtaining tax breaks and other forms of agency assistance.
The push for formal hiring guidelines came following a lengthy debate on the issue during a meeting on Wednesday.
The issue came up during a discussion on the merits of an application for agency assistance from Niagara’s Choice Federal Credit Union which is looking to build a new location next to its current office at 3577 Niagara Falls Blvd.
IDA Board member Robert Connolly, business manager for Laborers’ Local 91, expressed concern about the Credit Union’s choice of general contractor for the project. noting the job went to P.W. Campbell, a Pennsylvania firm.
“They are not local at all,” Connolly said.
Alfred Frosolone, chief executive officer for the credit union, said his company fielded roughly 85 bids for the project, about half of which came from local contractors. He said the company chose Campbell as the general contractor because there was no other firm in Western New York that performed the specific type of work the company required for its financial services buildings. He noted about 40 percent of the overall construction project involved employees from Niagara County companies, specializing in electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and other work. He said a large percentage of the available work also went to firms in Erie County.
IDA Board member and Niagara Falls School District Attorney Angelo Massaro said the project highlighted the agency’s need to adopt a formal policy on local hiring. Board members agreed to take a closer look at a policy adopted by the Lockport Common Council last October. The city’s local law requires a 30-percent hiring target on city jobs in excess of $50,000 and on projects in which developers receive city grants, loans, tax abatements and other incentives.
“This agency should have some criteria that’s legally acceptable in this area,” Massaro said.
Board Chairman Henry Sloma agreed that the concept should be explored, but expressed concerns about placing additional obstacles in front of developers.
“In my mind we are trying to remove barriers,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s consistent with our mission to put barriers in place.”
The board voted 6-1 to grant tentative approval to the credit union’s application for a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement. Connolly cast the lone vote against.
Board member Robert Petrozzi abstained because his company, Fiddler Roofing, was among those submitting bids on the job. Petrozzi said he felt as though the credit union made every attempt to seek local contractors during the bidding process.
With help from the IDA, Niagara’s Choice intends to invest $1.7 million to build a new, 3,000-square-foot location on property it owns next to its current location in the Meadowbrook Plaza. Frosolone said the move will not impact services at the credit union’s other location at 3619 Packard Road in Niagara Falls.
The IDA sent a public hearing on the credit union’s application for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Vantage International Pointe, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn.
Local News
NIAGARA COUNTY: IDA’s hiring practices called into question
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
