The federal government is creating some new jobs downtown. As WBFO's Chris Caya reports - the Buffalo Passport Agency is among 29 such centers across the country that will be hiring new workers over the next few months.
Buffalo Passport Agency Director, James Theis says, by January, his staff will double in size to about 75 employees.
The State Department is increasing its passport processing workforce to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
"When we first required passports to cross back and forth to Canada and Mexico we had a surge in demand, greater than we expected. Of course passports for adults are good for ten years - so we're expecting an echo surge next year. And we expect to issue over 21 million passports next year," Theis said.
That's a 50-percent increase from 2014. Along with doubling staff, Theis says, the Passport Agency, on Genesee near Oak Street, will be doubling its office space.
"We'll be doing a lot more work behind the scenes of processing passport applications that are submitted through our acceptance facilities like Post Offices, county clerks," Theis said.
Anyone who needs a new passport, or has one that's about to expire, can avoid the rush by applying in person this Saturday.
"Next year it could take some more time and we want to make sure that people get their passports on time," Theis said.
The special Passport Day at the Buffalo Passport Agency runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. October 15. No appointment is necessary.