Report on Rochester

The New York Times has a semi-positive story about Rochester.

Article is still a tad bit sad. Both of my parents worked at Xerox(Dad) and Kodak (Mother) for over 30 years. That is practically unheard of nowadays. Another thing hurting Rochester IMO is the lack of a downtown. The downtown currently looks like a war zone occupied by misbehaving teens.

Article is still a tad bit sad. Originally Posted by BlackJedi

But it is at least more upbeat than this article saying that Buffalo is hopeless even with Cuomo's proposed $1-billion investment.

But it is still more upbeat that this article saying that Buffalo is hopeless even with Cuomo's proposed $1-billion investment. Originally Posted by jackfengshui

And just to think if the Buffalo Bills leave that area the city would be crippled beyond belief. I could be wrong though.

Most of us in Buffalo love our town and will keep the faith despite the odds.

But it is at least more upbeat than this article saying that Buffalo is hopeless even with Cuomo's proposed $1-billion investment. Originally Posted by jackfengshui

Thanks Jack - I just read that after I listened to the Sabres game!

did the sabres win or lose

And just to think if the Buffalo Bills leave that area the city would be crippled beyond belief. I could be wrong though. Originally Posted by BlackJedi

Crippled? Even with the a sizable draw of fans from Roch and canada the bills are a drain on the economy. If people,From Buffalo, spent the money they spend on Bills tickets and merchandise to support other local businesses, Buffalo would be better off. Not to mention the benefit of governmental subsidies not being spent to "redistribute" wealth from average citizens to overpayed millionaires for playing a game.

But it is at least more upbeat than this article saying that Buffalo is hopeless even with Cuomo's proposed $1-billion investment. Originally Posted by jackfengshui

No Doubt Buffalo is a dirty city, politically and otherwise. But the article really never said why Cuomo's plan wouldn't work,only pointed out past failures.
As our local media likes to point out, Buffalo is the 3rd poorest city in the country. But when you consider the metro area it's about average. It's been quite some time since I lived in the Roch area, but my impression was that the various government entities worked together better than in Buffalo.
I also find it amazing that despite our high taxes and "onerous" regulation that Buffalo and NYS in general has a lower unemployment rate than most of the " low tax" southern states l. The same was true in 2005. Moreover, from my experience, the quality of life here is better than those states as well.

The New York Times has a semi-positive story about Rochester. Originally Posted by jackfengshui

The Times has some of the facts wrong. There where more than 60k of folks working in Kodak Park alone. Not counting Hawkeye, Elmgrove(jokingly elmgrave) KO, and other areas. But the meaning is right, even if not the facts.
"Rochester’s troubles go beyond Kodak. Xerox and Bausch & Lomb have shed thousands of jobs as well. Twenty-five years ago, the three companies employed 60 percent of Rochester’s work force. Today, it is 6 percent."(from the story)

total in Rochester today working for Kodak, about 7k

I wonder if things would better or about the same if IBM did not leave Rochester. Eastman and Watson drew cards once to see who would have to leave Rochester. Watson lost, so IBM OP(office products) left Rochester and was moved to Lexington KY. IBM OP is now Lexmark.
Edit add: IBM during the move keep the Rochester plant open for a time(till after a war ended) making gun parts for Colt.

IBM OP sold copier products (in Colorado) to Kodak before being spun off to become Lexmark. At first thought to be a good deal for Kodak(errr suckers)

When George Eastman was still working at a bank as a teller, Watson Sr. was a salesman for NCR in Rochester selling adding machines. And became friends.