First hour: An update on New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Project
Second hour: Chris Cerf on possible answers for the Rochester City School District
Leaders with New York State’s Upstate Revitalization Project say nearly all of the $500 million in funding has been committed. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the funding in 2015, and to date, the money has been allocated to 100 projects in the Finger Lakes Region. Those projects are grouped under the “United for Success: Finger Lakes Forward” initiative. Critics have asked why there hasn’t been more progress, but project leaders say a foundation is being built and the initiative represents the beginning of meeting the goal to create thousands of new jobs, reduce poverty, and more. This hour, we sit down with some of those leaders to discuss what the investment will cover and what they hope its impact will be on the region. In studio:
- Anne Kress, co-chair of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, and president of Monroe Community College
- Bob Duffy, co-chair of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, and president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
- Vinnie Esposito, executive director for the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, and regional director for Empire State Development, Finger Lakes Regional Office
Then in our second hour, the Rochester Beacon is hosting an event focused on exploring possible answers for the Rochester City School District. This afternoon they’ll host panel discussions led by Mayor Lovely Warren, the RTA’s Adam Urbanski, ROC the Future’s Jackie Campbell, and more. And they’ll welcome Chris Cerf, who has led schools in both New Jersey and New York City. Our guests:
- Chris Cerf, former commissioner of education for the state of New Jersey, and former deputy chancellor of New York City public schools
- Marty Walz, Rochester native and attorney who has experience in school receivership in Massachusetts
- Kent Gardner, economist and opinion editor for the Rochester Beacon
