The New York State Department of Labor recently released the state’s jobs performance for the year Nov. 2011 to Nov. 2012.  It is not overly greatly and it is not bad.  There was a 1.2% jobs increase statewide totaling 83,500 brand new private sector jobs.  While in the Niagara Frontier region of Western New York  job creation does not exist.  Too many people continue to make excuses for being dismal.   From the average citizens, to business people and media types who should know better, this poor performance is laid at the feet of New York State or the Federal government.  Too many rules, regulations, road blocks, obstructions, and they move at glacial speed.  These are all excuses “We can’t get a handout.”   Everybody needs assistance from time to time but when it becomes a continuous mantra it surely drives people away.  You don’t see it in other parts of this state  that blocks performance because of “too many rules, regulations, taxes………”  Results show 83,500 new private sector jobs were created in New York State and not one in Buffalo-Niagara Falls.   Repeat.    Results show 83,500 new private sector jobs were created in New York State and not one in Buffalo-Niagara Falls.

This crutch – blame government, appeared once again today when Buffalo News reporter Brian Meyer, interviewed Craig W. Turner, VP of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  Two times Mr. Meyer raised the issue of government causing problems for Western New York businesses.   And yet 60 miles down the road Metro Rochester is creating jobs with the same state government.  One hundred fifty miles to the southeast of Buffalo , the Ithaca area with 1/10th the population  created more jobs in one year than Buffalo-Niagara Falls in a long time with the same New York State.

Here’s how the figures fell statewide as provided by the New York State Department of Labor.

A big part of the dismal bottom ranking for this community is the abject failure to take seriously the tourism potential this area possesses. They don’t even take Niagara Falls seriously.  Are community, business, and political leaders satisfied with drive by day trippers, incidental travelers, and a small number of visitors that stay overnight?  I think so.    The simple proof is you cannot buy an extended stay package for this area that includes accommodation, meals, sightseeing, shopping, historic/cultural/architectural attractions, theater, discounts etc.  Millions of Canadians visit the area and no one is thinking of ways to get them to do more than just shop and leave.  They stay in suburban hotels and no one bothers to provide transportation to get to theaters, Chippewa, Kleinhan’s,  etc.  You want out-of-town visitors to waste precious time driving around looking for things to do?  How about getting behind Niagara Falls International Airport by finding a way to bring in air charters with vacationers.  Put together a charter with a package offer it from Buffalo’s Sister City of Dortmund or Lille or Rzeszow or Siena provide a native language guide show them a good time and send them home happy to tell their friends.

The Business Council of New York Travel and Tourism Committee has this to say about tourism (Staff Contact: Heather Jung):

New York State has always been one of the top Travel & Tourism destinations in the world, offering everything from scenic mountain ranges to amazing white sandy beaches, from historic and cultural sites to world-class museums and the performing arts, and from quaint village greens to mid-town Manhattan.  However, declining public sector focus, difficult economic conditions and poor funding of the state’s marketing budget have resulted in a Travel & Tourism industry that is anemic in many locations around the state.  The Business Council, in partnership with other Travel & Tourism industry associations, has initiated a new effort to advocate for the revitalization and development of the industry, and help the industry to realize its potential for job creation in New York State.

New York State Tourism Industry

• 5th largest employer in the state

• Supporting over 674,000 jobs

• Generating over $6.7 billion in federal tax revenue

• Over $6.4 billion in state and local tax revenue

• Over $49 billion in visitor spending at New York restaurants, hotels, theaters, vineyards and airports

It really is time for the business and leadership to get off their non-performing high horses, take a good look at what is right under your noses, and play the cards the game has already dealt you and not ignore them.