Young Citizens for ECC to Cuomo: "Over our dead bodies!"

Young Citizens for ECC to Cuomo: "Over our dead bodies!"

BUFFALO, NY -- Young Citizens for ECC delivered a message today to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “The ECC North Campus expansion happens over our dead bodies!”

The group is protesting the State University of New York’s proposed $15 million budget earmark to build a Health Sciences Center for Excellence at ECC’s North Campus, rather than the City Campus where it can tap into emerging opportunities at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

“We are calling on Gov. Cuomo to stop this runaway freight train,” says Bernice Radle, chair of Young Citizens for ECC. “It’s time to bring this Health Sciences Center for Excellence downtown where it belongs.”

Young Citizens for ECC is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to amend the earmark and shift the proposal to the City Campus, consistent with smart growth and workforce development goals of the Governor’s recently released WNY Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan.

“When Gov. Cuomo unveiled his regional economic development plan, there was reason for optimism,” says Bernice Radle. “Now we see this plan is already being ignored.”

SUNY forwarded the proposed earmark to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday for his consideration. The Governor has a 30-day window to amend the proposal.

“Buffalo has a long history of not implementing its plans, but we believe Gov. Cuomo can discontinue this pattern,” says Radle. “The smart growth solution to ECC expansion is to build in the regional hub of downtown Buffalo.”

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is now the leading job creator in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls region, which the Brookings Institute recently found had the nation’s 4th highest income growth among metro areas during the past two years.

“Why would ECC ignore an unprecedented opportunity to locate steps from the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus?” asks Radle. “ECC's proposal is insanity, pure and simple.”

In recent months, both the UB Medical School and the Health Sciences Charter School have have either relocated or committed to relocate to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Young Citizens for ECC is counting on Gov. Cuomo and his Regional Economic Development Council to make Erie Community College a more active partner in Buffalo’s fast growing health sciences sector.

“It’s time to expand ECC’s City Campus,” declared Radle. “It’s downtown or bust!”

For more information, contact Bernice Radle, Chair of Young Citizens for ECC, at (760) 408-7898 or youngcitizensforecc@gmail.com.