U.S.
Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that
the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial
Services and General Government has approved the Fiscal Year 2010
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill. The bill
includes $117,500 for The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce to
provide technical education to small businesses in and around Onondaga
County. This funding is provided through the Space Alliance Technology
Outreach Program. The SATOP funds The Tech Garden which is a small
business incubator for high tech companies in Central New York. It has
helped over 400 companies in the area by helping businesses find
investment capital, providing advice on business development plans, and
recruiting high tech talent. The bill will now move to the full Senate
Appropriations Committee, after which the bill will proceed to the
Senate Floor. Schumer and Gillibrand worked closely with members of
the Subcommittee to include funding for the project in the 2010
spending bill.
“When
we give our small businesses the tools to succeed, they create jobs
and our families and communities reap the benefits,” said Schumer. “In
tough economic times, it is crucial to the region’s economic health
that our small businesses receive up-to-date education about
developments in technology. This funding will give local businesses a
leg-up that will allow them to remain competitive. When our small
businesses thrive, New Yorkers are given a better quality of life. This
funding will bring a much-needed boost for the local economy.”
“This
is the right investment for Syracuse small businesses,” Senator
Gillibrand said. “Small businesses are our biggest job creator. When we
invest in them, we’ll help retrain workers, retool and expand
businesses, create new jobs and help revitalize the economy for the
long term. I will continue working with Senator Schumer and the entire
Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from
the federal government.”
The
Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce is the largest business
organization in Central New York. The Chamber is a driving force for
economic vitality and high quality of life in the Central New York
community and represents more than 2200 businesses of all sizes. The
Chamber’s mission is to create an economic climate that enhances
growth, prosperity and the quality of life for all who live and work in
Greater Syracuse. It provides networking, business development,
education, training, employee benefits, and visibility to participating
businesses.
Senators
Schumer and Gillibrand pushed the subcommittee to include funding in
the 2010 Appropriations Bill to provide technology-based occupational
training to small businesses in the Greater Syracuse area. Schumer and
Gillibrand noted that technological education is a cost effective and
wise investment in the economic success of the region.
Next,
the appropriations bill will need to be approved by the full Senate
Appropriations Committee, after which it will be sent to the Senate
floor. Following approval by the Senate, the bill will move towards
Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.