October 26, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON BRINGS NEW ECONOMY JOBS PLAN TO THE SOUTHERN TIER
Governor David A. Paterson today joined entrepreneurs, local manufacturers and business leaders in the regional innovation economy movement for a detailed discussion on the Governor’s Bold Steps to the New Economy: A Jobs Plan for the People of New York. Governor Paterson highlighted the emergence of a New Economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation – and outlined his vision for how New York will lead this New Economy. The discussion was hosted by the Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology (AM&T) and Johnson Outdoors at the Johnson Outdoors facility in the Town of Conklin.
“The high-tech industry will play an integral role in driving our State into the New Economy of the 21st century – an economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation,” Governor Paterson said. “We need to embrace this economic evolution, and prepare ourselves to capitalize on its opportunities. Organizations like AM&T and companies like Johnson Outdoors are at the forefront of the innovation economy movement.”
In June, the Governor unveiled his New Economy Jobs Plan to establish New York as a leader in the innovation economy. Through a coordinated effort by the State and its private sector partners, the New Economy Jobs Plan focuses on advancement in science, technology, heath care and energy to capitalize on existing resources and create the jobs of the future. As part of the New Economy plan, Governor Paterson created an Innovation Economy Matching Grants program that will provide a 10 percent match for every stimulus dollar the federal government awards through competitive grants to research facilities in New York State. This program will help ensure that new research centers are built in New York that will position the State for future federal grants and private investment.
Following his Jobs Plan announcement, Governor Paterson has met with regional business leaders throughout the State. On Friday, Governor Paterson was in Central New York to announce that Bannon Automotive, LLC, a New York-based company, will build plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in that region, bringing New Economy technology and jobs to the State.
AM&T is a private, non-profit organization, one of 10 statewide Regional Technology Development Centers (RTDC), with the primary mission of increasing the growth and profitability of new technology businesses and established manufacturing and technology businesses. It provides services in the areas of business assessments, strategic management, lean manufacturing, marketing assessment tools, grant assistance, venture capital connections, workshops and seminars.
Johnson Outdoors provides innovative, top-quality recreation products that make it easy for people to have fun outdoors. Johnson’s innovation extends from the consumer market into U.S. Military contracts where they provide state-of-the-art tents to various branches of the service. Their newest and most innovative partnership is with the U.S. Army and Power Films Inc. to develop and manufacture solar-powered military tents. Solar field shelters reduce dependence on fuel-fired generators that are noisy and require a constant supply of fuel. Johnson Outdoors has been a fixture in Broome County since 1896.
