By Mark Scott and Avery Schneider
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-824514.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Niagara region's unemployment rate has reached a level not seen in at least 20 years.
The State Labor Department is reporting that January's jobless rate locally skyrocketed to nine percent. That was up nearly two percentage points from December. Labor officials say the region has lost 61-hundred private sector jobs since January 2008. Governor David Paterson admits such numbers are "not helpful." But he says the poor economy is no reason for people to be "timid" or "fearful."
Paterson wrapped up a two-day visit to the Buffalo region Thursday by meeting with his top economic development officials. He said the Bass Pro project slated for the Erie Canal Harbor downtown will happen. That's a reversal from comments he made in a radio interview earlier this week that the prospects for Bass Pro were "bleaker" than they were. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says he's satisfied that everyone is now on the same page.
Governor Paterson says he's willing to take the symbolic action of accepting a ten percent pay cut. But he said he won't demand that of other members of his staff. Paterson said he wants them to focus on their jobs and closing the estimated $14 billion deficit in the coming year's state budget.