Real State of WNY Economy

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The Investigative Post crew after Wednesday’s event: reporters Charlotte Keith and Dan Telvock, Editor Jim Heaney, Development Director Kate Heidinger. (Photo by Sara Heidinger Photography.)

 Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney delivered his first “Real State of the Community” address Wednesday night before a packed conference room at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site.

The audience, which included City Comptroller Mark Schroeder and Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs, heard Heaney use data to detail the state of the Buffalo and Western New York economy.

The region is enjoying the start of an economic revival, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo has described as a “national success story.” Heaney noted improvements in the local economy, but said claims that Buffalo is booming are overstated.

He noted the local economy is adding jobs, after years of steady job losses. But the pace of job growth here lags behind the nation and balance of New York state, he said. Moreover, wage increases are failing to keep pace with inflation and poverty rates are increasing.

Heaney was joined by WGRZ co-anchors Scott Levin and Maryalice Demler, who delivered opening remarks.

Heaney’s analysis will be the subject of future coverage on InvestigativePost.org and its media partners.

Below is an audio file of the evening’s event, provided by Dennis Galucki, founder of the Center for the Study of Art, Architecture, History and Nature.