New Economic Development Chair Wants To Be Part of State’s “Solution”
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- June
- 5
Robert Wilmers, chairman of M&T Bank, accepted Gov. Paterson’s nomination as head of the Empire State Development Corp. during a press conference just now in Rochester.
Wilmers joked that Paterson gave him the job because he’s been critical of the state’s efforts to help the upstate economy. The position will be unpaid, and Wilmers will look to hire a full-time CEO.
“The best way to shut me up is to give me this job,” Wilmers said. “For now on if I’m not part of the solution, then I’m part of the problem.”
Paterson said Wilmers is a leader who is “steadfast” and “honest” and will give the state’s economic development arm a leader who understands both upstate and downstate issues.
“I’m staying in the private sector, I’m just trying to help in the public sector,” Wilmers said.
Paterson said the state will pick a leadership team under Wilmers and retain the upstate economic development office in Buffalo, where Wilmers is based.
Paterson even suggested that ESDC jobs from downstate may head upstate.
Wilmers, 74, said the biggest impediment in New York is “Albany,” telling Paterson “I don’t know if I’m going to get in trouble with you, boss.”
He blamed the state’s economic climate on the huge bureaucracy in Albany, and said his goal will be to “try to get businesses to come here or stay here.”
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 2:55 pm by Joseph Spector.
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