MASSENA -- Mayoral candidate Tim Currier says if elected, he will use a five-point plan that he says could boost job creation and economic development in Massena.

"Our community has changed in the last several years. The impact of the loss of industrial jobs brought about by the deterioration of our manufacturing base has created a hardship on many levels," Currier said, who is also Massena's police chief. "Not only has it directly impacted hundreds of our citizens, it has caused a ripple effect upon many other people in Massena and the region. Many businesses have suffered, and far too many have closed."

Currier's plan follows, as quoted in a news release that he sent out on Friday.

Point 1: No political influence.

Government which supports the economic development process, and invests in it, is better than government which controls it.

In recent years, the political influence upon the Business Development Corporation (BDC) has lessened. Politicians should continue to stay out of the way and let the professionals do their job. The Mayor and Supervisor get to propose line item funding in their budgets for the BDC, and the respective boards approve and allocate that funding. They also appoint board members to the BDC. Allocating money and appointing board members should be the extent of their involvement.

Government should assist economic development when it can, and create an environment which will develop, grow and maintain successful business in our community. Government which supports the economic development process, and invests in it, is better than government which controls it.

Point 2: Regionalize our efforts while maintaining our vision for Massena.

For Massena to prosper, we must make sure our interests and strengths are aligned with regional strategies, and we must develop a strong economy in Massena to enable us to compete on a level playing field with other communities.

Our primary goal must always be to grow Massena’s economy, to create new jobs here and sustain the ones we currently have. We must consistently articulate our place in the region’s economy, as we have a lot to bring to the table. It is vital to regional growth that we play our part, and that our strengths are understood and supported by the region so that we continue to be an economic engine in the North Country.

Our chances for success increase dramatically when our efforts extend regionally. We accomplish this by partnering with neighboring communities on projects of mutual benefit, by collaborating with our colleges and universities, and by joining forces with agencies and organizations involved in county and regional economic development. In doing so, we will not only grow Massena’s economy, but we will also be a part of the regional efforts. That, in turn, will broaden our chances for success. We must recognize our strengths, acknowledge our challenges, put what we have to offer on the table, and look beyond our community resources while working with others to ensure we succeed in economic development.

I want to be clear. Our primary goal should continue to be on Massena’s economy. But the fact remains that much of the economic development process – and funding – has switched to regional approaches. For Massena to prosper, we must make sure our interests and strengths are aligned with regional strategies, and we must develop a strong economy in Massena to enable us to compete on a level playing field with other communities.

Point 3: Seek input from utilities, major employers and unions.

Utility companies, major employers and unions stand to gain from job creation, so partnering with them makes great sense.

The utility companies, major employers (such as Alcoa, the school district and the hospital), and our unions stand to gain from economic development, so partnering with them makes a great deal of sense. Let’s bring them into our discussions about the future of this community. Let’s see how we can work together on goals that will help to build on the strengths and resources we have and use that energy to move us forward.

Point 4: Give the BDC resources, including more megawatts of power, allocated locally.

We are asking the BDC to do important work with one hand tied behind their backs. Let’s give them the resources that will create an environment for real job growth.

Resources:

What a great team we have at the Business Development Corporation – led by Tom Sullivan, along with a board of smart, dedicated people. But let’s be honest: we are asking them to do a job with one hand tied behind their backs.

We need to find a way to give them the resources they need to be effective. Currently, the Town and Village are giving them around $105,000.00. That simply is not enough to create an environment to bring about real job growth. Let's give the BDC the resources to expand their professional capacity and the tools they need to be successful.

Furthermore, as explained previously in Point 3, if we partner with the utilities, major employers and unions to bring their resources and skills to the table, greater success can be achieved.

More Megawatts:

The current agreement with NYPA and The RVRDA provides 20 megawatts of low-cost power to support economic development. Rather than threatening to file a law suit against NYPA, and continuing to blame them for our nearsighted approach to our negotiations during the last relicensing, why don’t we work with them and the Governor’s office to dedicate low-cost power here in Massena? Think of the economic development that would spur!

We know Massena is greatly impacted by the power project, and we know we failed to reach an equitable deal during the relicensing. Let’s not blame NYPA for our shortcomings. Instead, let’s sit down with them and see if we can’t find ways to work together to create new jobs and sustain those we currently have.

Point 5: Think long-range development with an action plan, supported by grant writing.

Every successful approach to growing a local economy starts with a long range plan that is developed with local interests in mind, and also aligns itself with regional efforts.

The best way we can compete is to develop and implement a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Massena. That strategy MUST take into account and work hand in hand with regional strategies, such as those developed by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and the St Lawrence County IDA, to name a couple.

The BDC should be given the resources to increase its ability to develop a comprehensive strategy, and to secure and administer greater grant funding for the community. Imagine how effective the BDC could be in the long term, if they had a comprehensive strategy to follow that the community supported, and the resources to secure the funding needed to achieve that strategy.

Closing Thoughts

In closing, we all must recognize that economic development takes time. Many small steps, and learning what works, need to happen to revitalize and grow a community’s economy. Patience, long range planning, partnerships, increased resources and political support are, in my view, the best recipe for success.

With our industrial heritage, let’s continue to look for manufacturing jobs, the kind that are out there today and growing economies in other parts of the country. Let’s also broaden our thinking by examining job creation in all kinds of areas that match our strengths and assets. We should look for opportunities in health care, education, science, technology, entertainment, tourism and recreation. Let’s look at all those things, and more. Let’s think creatively and be clever about what we can make happen here in Massena for our good, and the good of Northern New York.

Let’s work together to grow our economy, create jobs and build our future.