Tim Kennedy speaks at Industrial Support Inc.
A little less than three months ago, President Barack Obama drew intense local and national media attention when he stopped by Industrial Support Inc. to spread his message of economic optimism.
Today another politician, Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy, drew a slightly smaller crowd to the Depot Street factory to unveil his plan to create jobs.
No New York Times. No national TV and cable networks. No woman from Chaffee commenting on the South Buffalo Democrat's "smokin' little body."
But Kennedy plowed ahead in discussing his strategy to break the "stranglehold of excessive taxes and fees" that the state imposes on businesses, according to a statement released by Kennedy's campaign after the visit.
Kennedy is running against State Sen. William Stachowski, D-Lake View, in the Democratic primary on Sept. 14.
At today's news conference, Industrial Support's president and founder, Dave Sullivan, thanked Kennedy for helping steer him to economic-development programs that boosted the company's fortunes.
If elected, Kennedy said he would set up a local business advisory board and he would hire a small-business expert to work closely with small businesses to create jobs.
He also called on the state to boost its investment in the Excelsior Jobs program, which replaced the state's much-larger Empire Zones program.
"Western New York's revival will rely heavily on the work ethic and energy of small business owners," Kennedy said, according to the statement. "For that reason, we need give them a voice, and we need to listen to their concerns."
