Tag: economic development

Aug 10

2016

Record losses at SolarCity

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SolarCity posted a record net loss of $250 million for the second quarter of this year, according to financial statements filed Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Losses for the first half of this year stand at a staggering $533 million, putting the company on pace to lose more than $1 billion for 2016. Losses last year totaled $710 million. SolarCity’s financial woes are one of the reasons it’s in line to be taken over by Tesla, the electric car manufacturer. Noted entrepreneur Elon Musk is chairman of both companies and their largest shareholder. Tesla has its share of financial problems,[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Aug 1

2016

Heaney talks subsidies on ‘Pressroom

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Jim Heaney, in a wide-wide ranging interview with Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom, discusses the lack of transparency around state economic development programs and a dubious $125,000 grant made to an ice cream parlor under the Buffalo Billion. The interview, which broadcast July 28, runs from 22:20 to 36:43. Heaney will turn the tables on Arbetter when he interviews her Sept, 13 in front of a live audience at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased here.

Posted 9 years ago

Jul 14

2016

Buffalo Billion program at Daemen struggles

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When Sonja Slother enrolled in a fledgling film production program at Daemen College, her enthusiasm was buoyed by the college’s partnership with a company committed to creating more than 100 jobs. The initiative, which was awarded $4.5 million in Buffalo Billion funding, was meant to train a workforce for the visual effects industry Gov. Andrew Cuomo said would take root in Western New York – and, specifically, for the company Daemen had partnered with, Empire Visual Effects. State and college officials touted the training program as a fast track into high-paying jobs. A graphic designer by profession, Slother had recently been[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Jun 8

2016

Cuomo’s flawed model, Part 2

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Jim Heaney, in a second story prepared for WBFO and other upstate NPR stations, details how the model being used to develop major economic development projects upstate thwarts transparency and involves other questionable practices. Part 1 aired Tuesday.

Posted 9 years ago

Jun 7

2016

Cuomo model no game changer

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Jim Heaney, in first of two stories broadcast on WBFO and other major NPR stations across upstate, reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s model for revitalizing Buffalo and other major cities has several serious shortcomings. Is his model a game changer? Hardly. Heaney’s second story broadcasts Wednesday.

Posted 9 years ago

Jun 3

2016

Heaney talks about “dishonesty” on ‘Pressroom

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In an interview with Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom, Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney took on what he termed the “fundamental dishonesty” of politicians who continue to claim the Buffalo area economy is surging. Heaney was responding to a letter to the editor published earlier this week in The New York Times from four prominent public officials who took the newspaper to task for its coverage of the federal investigation into the Buffalo Billion program. Heaney also discussed Charlotte Keith’s recent story about continuing problems at Erie County’s Child Protective Services, Mayor Byron Brown’s pending selection as chairman of the state Democratic[...]

Posted 9 years ago

May 26

2016

Building a diverse pipeline for the trades

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Pre-apprentice programs that prepare minorities to enter the building trades are critical to diversifying the construction workforce, a national expert said Wednesday at an event hosted by Investigative Post. Buffalo needs a “big pot of money” for apprenticeship programs bolstered by community groups that work together to promote diversity in the construction trades, said John Goldstein, a national expert in workforce diversity in construction. “That seems like one critical piece that might be missing,” said John Goldstein, a national expert in workforce diversity. That money could come from contractors, foundations or be included in project labor agreements, he said. Download Goldstein’s[...]

Posted 9 years ago

May 20

2016

Heaney talks SolarCity on ‘Pressroom

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Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney and Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom discuss the latest developments involving the SolarCity project in Buffalo, including a reduction in planned factory jobs from 1,460 to 500. The interview, taped Thursday, runs from 22:30 to 37:19.

Posted 9 years ago
Investigative Post