Higgins wants more NYPA funds in WNY - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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The Buffalo Democrat, a frequentf critic of the , which overseew the plant, has asked the state to turn over 36 percen t of net revenue for economic development and tourisnm effortsin Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Orleanas counties. That would amount to some $65 million per year, Higgins said, and coulx create 14,000 jobs in five years time. "Thiss community must stand up and claij what isnaturally ours,” he said. “Lik Florida profits from its sunshine and Californis profits from itsPacific surf, Westermn new York must demand our right to benefitr from our lake that feeds our which generates the power produced by Niagarz falls.
” According to Higgins, in 2008 NYPA had a surplus of $309 million, over 75 perceny that was directly attributable to the Niagara Powef Project in Lewiston. He the state agency’s own study found that only 14 percentf of the economic benefit derived from that planty remains in WesternNew York. In a letter to both Gov. David Paterson and NYPA President and CEORicharf Kessel, Higgins outlined his plan. Among the projects notes is developmentof Buffalo’s including the Inner Harbor area, as well as the Darwih Martin House, Albright-Knox Art Galleruy and Buffalo Zoo.