UB President Tripathi Applauds Cuomo's Funding of WNY Plan

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi released a statement today applauding Gov. Andrew Cuomo for awarding $100.3 million in funding to implement the plan developed by Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.

Tripathi and businessman Howard Zemsky served as co-chairs of the Western New York council and met with people across the region to develop the plan. Called "A Strategy for Prosperity in Western New York," the plan focuses on priority projects that will prepare the region's workforce for employment in key industry sectors, drive innovation and commercialization, invest in smart growth infrastructure and attract more visitors to the region.

The governor's news release is available here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/12082011RegionalCouncils

It identifies the Western New York plan as a "best plan awardee" among plans submitted by other regions of the state.

Tripathi's statement is as follows:

Our plan's selection as a "best plan" awardee is a giant leap forward for Western New York. I applaud the governor for his vision in creating these regional councils to encourage collaboration, healthy competition and innovative thinking across all sectors, and I am grateful for this strong vote of confidence in our regional vision for the future.

Western New York is widely known for its collaborative spirit and its determined optimism, even in the face of challenges. Both of those qualities have been very much in evidence throughout this process. For the first time, we have come together as one community to envision our future -- to think collectively about where we want to go as a region, and our best strategies for getting there. While it is the product of many different perspectives, our proposal reflects a very clear and focused vision for Western New York's future: We want to create a dynamic, vibrant region that is a worldwide destination for people to live, learn, work and visit, and for entrepreneurs and businesses to invest their time and capital. To realize this vision, our plan seeks to maximize our existing strengths and resources in higher education, business and industry, and to create the environment that can help our people and institutions reach their fullest potential.

Speaking personally, it has been an amazing experience to work closely with such a diverse group of Western New Yorkers -- including all the members of our Regional Council, our visionary co-chair Howard Zemsky and the members of the various council working groups -- all dedicated to realizing a bright future for this region. And the public response has been overwhelming: a tribute to the collaborative spirit of the region as a whole. The result is a plan with great potential for success -- one that harnesses our region's unique strengths and puts them to work together in innovative and highly effective ways to create new opportunities for growth, prosperity and quality of life.