LT. GOVERNOR TOURS POLYMER CONVERSIONS
Promotes Job Growth Progress In Western New York

Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue today toured Polymer Conversions Inc. in Orchard Park, touting the state's "Power for Jobs" program as well as the progress made in private sector job growth in Western New York.

"Polymer Conversions has benefitted immensely from the Power for Jobs program and has remained competitive and a viable force in the marketplace here in Western New York," said Lt. Governor Donohue. "We are proud to be able to offer these type of public-private partnerships to help create new jobs for the people of Western New York and improve our economy."

Under the Power for Jobs program, Polymer Conversions, which produces plastic injection molded parts, has committed to creating 15 new jobs and expand its facility in Orchard Park in return for low-cost electrical power over a three year period.

New York State Power Authority Chairman C.D. "Rapp" Rappleyea said, "We're proud of the role the Power Authority plays in the Power for Jobs program, and in supporting Governor Pataki's efforts to revitalize New York State's economy."

Daniel J. Corbett, molding manager at Polymer, said "Power for Jobs has definitely helped us begin to hire people with the education and ability to help keep us on the leading edge of the Injection Molding Industry. Power for Jobs is helping us to continue to supply our customers with the best quality available."

Lt. Governor Donohue noted private sector job growth in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls region reached 1.8 percent in 1999, compared to 0.2 percent in 1998. The increase marks strongest rate of job growth in Buffalo in 10 years. Statewide, New York's private sector employment grew by 2.9 percent in 1999, compared to private-sector growth of 2.3 percent nationally.

"Governor Pataki fought for and delivered the tax cuts that have sparked our economic renewal," she said. "New York is the tax-cutting capital of America and now we are once again taking our rightful place as a leader in job creation. But we must never be satisfied. We must continue on the Governor's fiscally conservative path to ensure we keep our economy growing at a healthy pace."

Legislation creating Power for Jobs was signed into law by Governor Pataki in 1997 providing 400,000 kilowatts of low cost electricity. In 1998, an additional 50,000 kilowatts was added to the program. To date, more than 265,000 jobs statewide are linked to Power for Jobs, including 11,700 new jobs.