Below is a copy of Economic Development Commissioner Michael Casale's full remarks for the final Economic Address in his 30 plus year career with Niagara County.

 

"As you may have heard, I am retiring later this month, so this will be my final annual report to this Legislative body. I thought I would take this opportunity to thank all of you for your unwavering support over the years, especially the past few years in the very important areas of business outreach and assistance, site development and workforce development.

 

Your support of Niagara County’s businesses, as the video so vividly expressed, is unchallenged in New York State. An example of that is your directive to administer the Niagara Production and Façade Programs in house; ensuring all funds are dispersed to our businesses without the need to pay a consultant to administer the program.

 

Your support in the department’s site development efforts is very much appreciated. This work is critical in order for Niagara County to be in the game when it comes to responding to inquiries from site selectors doing their due diligence while looking to site new economic development projects in our region. It is no secret that Niagara County, and all of WNY for that matter, continues to lose opportunities because we just do not have the sites we need to respond to many of the inquires that are presented to us.

 

Workforce Development is another key focus area going forward. The NCDED has worked hand-in-hand with Don Jablonski and his staff from the Niagara County Department of Employment & Training, to assist businesses with their workforce needs. We appreciate your support in the workforce space, including our efforts to implement the Niagara County Dream It Do It Advanced Manufacturing Program, which over the next three years will focus on building the early talent pipeline our manufacturing sector so sorely needs.

 

Thank you for giving us the tools to do this work.

 

Both Niagara County and IDA staffs worked hard this past year to provide services to the business community as well as to those seeking to start, or grow a business here in Niagara County. I would like to introduce those staff members in attendance this evening, and publicly thank them for their hard work. Staff works in teams on various projects, with a team leader assigned for each team.

Andrea Klyczek, Deputy Commissioner & Executive Director for NCIDA, serves as Team Leader of the department’s Site Development Team. With your support and working in collaboration with the NCIDA and the Town of Cambria, work continues on the development of a new 60-acre business park in the Town of Cambria.

 

Amy Schifferli, Director of Planning & Brownfield Development. Under Amy’s leadership, Niagara County continues to administer the Niagara County Browfields Program. Amy has brought millions of dollars into Niagara County over the years, including another $5.2 million in 2024 for brownfield clean up, assessment and planning efforts

 

Cathie Synor, Director of Administration, Programs & Grants, heads up our Business Outreach effort that includes our Business Growth & Retention Program, the successful business workshop series and the annual Agribusiness Outreach Forum, which gets bigger and better every year!

 

Nathaniel Bonafede, our Planner, is staff to the Niagara County Planning Board, administers the Local Affiliate Data Center Program and is our representative on numerous local and regional planning initiatives.

 

Joseph Marranca, Marketing Specialist, does a tremendous job implementing our marketing plan, which in 2024, continued to drive more traffic to our website than ever before.

 

Frank Campbell, Niagara County Sportfishing Program Coordinator, who puts Niagara County on the map as one of the best fresh water fishing destinations in the world. Frank has answered your call and has included additional outdoor recreational opportunities to his marketing effort, including kayaking, disc golf and bird watching.

 

Margit Denning, Account Clerk, who offers great support of programs like the William Mayne BCEP and Empower Niagara.

 

 

As you know, we work very closely with the NCIDA staff. The Niagara County IDA (NCIDA) approved nine Leaseback projects in 2024, which represents $147,383,439 million dollars in new private capital investment, the creation of 212 jobs and the retention of 131 jobs.

 

Joining us from the NCIDA this evening is Jeremy Geartz, Director of Business Development & Retention, and an integral member of our Business Growth & Retention Team.

 

The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation, Niagara County’s Land Bank, is also housed at the NCCED and here this evening is Project Manager Matthew Chavez, whose work has a huge impact improving neighborhoods throughout Niagara County.

 

Again, my heartfelt thanks to this staff, for your hard work over the years, and thank you to this Legislative body, and to County Manager Updegrove for all of your support. Thanks also to my fellow department heads. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your Commissioner of the Niagara County Department of Economic Development."