BUFFALO, NY, December 2004 - Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano and Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform Director, Daniel D. Hogan today announced that North Forest Development's Wehrle Commons project has been awarded Shovel Ready Site Certification status. Located at the corner of Wehrle Drive and Harris Hill Road in the Town of Lancaster, County of Erie, Wehrle Commons office park offers both professional and medical office space for lease. When completed, the Wehrle Commons office park will consist of eight single-story brick office buildings totaling 144,000 square feet of office space.
The New York State Shovel Ready Certification is given to sites that have been determined ready for new development and job creation. Sponsors of Shovel Ready sites have worked cooperatively with State and local officials to gain the necessary approvals for the site to be developed. Each site certified "Shovel Ready" is reviewed to match the needs of growing industries and commercial interests. Shovel Ready Certification from New York State is recognized by site selection consultants and real estate executives as an industry-wide mark of excellence.
ESD Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "Since taking office, Governor Pataki has implemented record tax cuts and sensible policies that have helped create new, private sector jobs. The positive response to the Build Now-NY program is a terrific endorsement of the Governor's successes. The new Shovel Ready Site Certification program will assist in revitalizing New York State's economy and will provide these sites with an important edge on the competition."
GORR Director Daniel D. Hogan said, "Governor Pataki's policies of cutting governmental red tape and pre-permitting economic development sites has already helped fuel New York State's economic revitalization. Shovel Ready Certification is another business-friendly, common-sense, job-creating tool which will ensure New York State retains its competitiveness edge in the global marketplace."
North Forest Development President Roy Jordan said, "We're happy to be selected for the Shovel Ready program. Participating in the program will allow us to reach a larger number of potential customers."
New York's Shovel Ready Site Certification program is administered jointly by Empire State Development (ESD) and the Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR). Participating permitting agencies include the departments of Environmental Conservation; Transportation; and Parks and Recreation.
The March 2004 issue of Site Selection magazine reported that New York State remains at a solid second in the nation in attracting new and expanded corporate facilities. In 2003 New York attracted 552 projects and expansions, compared with only 75 in 1994 when the state placed a disappointing 20th.
Information on Build Now-NY's Shovel Ready Site Certification component may be found at www.ShovelReady-NY.com and at www.nylovesbiz.com.
