Gillibrand brings job talks to fair

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August 19, 2011

By Mark Boshnack Staff Writer The Daily Star Fri Aug 19, 2011, 03:30 AM EDT

WALTON -- The Delaware County Fair provided a setting for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., to talk with some area leaders about how her office can help with job creation. With unemployment officially at about 9 percent and the real number much higher, "we have to do better," she said.

She came to listen, she said, and recommend people in her office and outside who can help those in attendance meet their needs.

These included the Appalachian Regional Commission, members of which were at the approximately hourlong session. The commission is a regional economic development agency representing a partnership of federal, state and local governments that funds projects meeting its criteria.

She also made stops Thursday at high-tech manufacturer Ioxus, in Oneonta, and locations in Owego and Ithaca, with the focus on jobs.

Among the people who spoke in Walton was State University College at Delhi President Candace Vancko. She asked for help in finding matching funds for a project that the college helped develop.

It would allow two local manufacturers to add more than 70 jobs, Vancko said.

The $1 million that is needed would be matched by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city Department of Environmental Protection.

It would provide an infiltration basin that would allow treated effluent from the village of Delhi wastewater treatment plant to be used for irrigation at the college. This would allow the companies involved, Friesland Campina Domo and Morningstar Foods-Ultra Dairy, to expand, providing a $40 million capital investment and additional jobs.

Gillibrand said staff will work on that and other possible grants for projects. With federal earmarks gone, this was the best funding available in many cases, she said, adding that she will follow up the requests at the meeting to make sure there is action.

"The state has so many infrastructure needs," and this offers one way to meet them, Gillibrand said.

Andes Supervisor Martin Donnelly talked about some of Delaware County's concerns. These included several previously submitted funding requests, including $10-$15 million for needed improvements to the county's public safety communication system, more than $8 million for bridge projects and $350,000 for monument restoration in Delhi.

"One of the most important thing the federal government can do for us is pass a transportation bill," he said. This would give local governments some assurance that funds will be available and "we will have something to plan for."

Gillibrand agreed but said recent legislative actions show "Congress is broken." Despite this, she said she will continue to work with moderate legislators in both parties to hopefully meet the needs. This could include an infrastructure bank that would help provide public and private funds for needed items.

"If you can't invest in infrastructure, you can't rebuild the county," she said.

Sidney village Mayor Andrew Matviak talked about the village's efforts to get $3 million in federal funding for a flood mitigation project. This was important for those affected including Amphenol, a major employer that suffered millions of dollars of damage in the flood of 2006.

They have rebuilt, investing in their plant and keeping 1,200 jobs in Sidney. He was concerned that if the area is flooded again, they would not stay.

"We need your help," in getting the state to prioritize the village's $3 million grant application and having it approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he said. Gillibrand said she would work on behalf of the village.

Among the agricultural issues that Bloomville dairy farmer Barbara Hanselman addressed were the need for the end of ethanol subsidies that help drive up the price of grain for farmers. Gillibrand said that is something she voted to end.

"With feed prices so high, it's hard for farmers to make money," Hanselman said.

She also talked about the problems of market manipulation of cheese and how that can make the price of milk fluctuate.

"I am very committed to agriculture as an industry," Gillibrand said. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, "we have a big agenda, I'll continue to work hard."

After the meeting, Matviak said the session was very positive, and that Gillibrand understands the needs of upstate New York.

SUNY Delhi spokesman Joel Smith said he was glad she came to Delaware County.

"I was impressed by her knowledge of the area and her willingness to help," he said. Donnelly agreed, saying: "I was pleased she came and she listened." While she might not be able to help with everything, "at least she knows what the issues are."