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Written by Todd J. Tranum President/CEO Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
and Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

     Recently the New York State Senate and Legislature approved the Governors proposal for a one day per week furlough of public employees. It is certainly not a pleasant situation that the State faces and it is having an economic impact on working people within government. Yet without a sound budget in place and as Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warns that the state could run out of cash in June, these difficult measures have to be taken. Several states have resorted to furloughs to close budget gaps. In the face of the most challenging economy since the great depression, private businesses of all sizes have reduced their workforce or enacted layoffs and furloughs.

Written by Todd J. Tranum, President/CEO, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

     As a nation we must develop a diversity of energy sources and make significant strides toward developing and harnessing renewable energy opportunities. Specific to Chautauqua County and our region there are opportunities in wind energy development. As citizens of Chautauqua County we must keep an open mind to wind power. Wind provides a means of diversifying our energy portfolio. Wind presents an opportunity to increase the income for landowners, expand the tax base and create economic growth. New Jobs can be created that directly support the wind industry. Secondly, jobs can be created within the supply chain of industries that provide the components for windmill manufacturing.