Strictly Business

From Business Today:

While it's nothing to get too excited about, the local job market seems to be thawing a bit. The private sector added 2,700 jobs in November, compared to last year at this time. The improving job climate also brought out more job seekers, putting them back into the state Labor Department's calculations. The result: a slight increase in the unemployment rate. Nevertheless, any job added is a step in the right direction.

Businesses are tilting against a strong headwind in New York State, as a News editorial today points out. Taxes and burdensome regulations earn New York the dubious distinction of having the "most hostile business tax climate in the nation," according to the Tax Foundation. Asking government to change that is akin to asking the fox to guard the henhouse, but it's about all we can do at this point. For all of us, and for future generations, let's hope Governor-elect Cuomo can reduce state spending. It's really our only hope.

The Erie County budget adopted this week does not continue a break that non-profits have enjoyed, and it could halt some local projects. Non-profits that got funding through the Erie County Industrial Land Development Corp. were exempted from paying "prevailing wages," which are the local union wages. This saved them lots of money. That exemption is now gone.

The Goodyear Dunlop tire plant in the Town of Tonawanda has a new leader. Aaron Hildebrand had been named to head the 1,240-job plant, one of the largest manufacturing operations left in the region.

Who else it getting hired, honored or promoted?