Jim Heaney

Jim Heaney is editor and executive director of Investigative Post. He was an investigative reporter with The Buffalo News from 1986 to 2011 and a reporter and editor with The Orlando Sentinel from 1980-86. His coverage over the years has focused on economic development, local and state government, politics, education, housing and transportation, and he was an early practitioner of computer-assisted reporting. Heaney has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Nov 26

2013

Delaware North’s endless subsidies

Those upset by the prospect of Delaware North Companies receiving public subsidies to move into new office space are 13 years and some $4 million too late. The company has been receiving public assistance since it moved into its present headquarters at Key Center in 2000. Sales and property tax breaks, some of which continue until its office lease expires in 2015, total an estimated $4.1 million. That’s not counting the $11.6 million low-interest line of credit Delaware North obtained from the city when it moved into its new quarters for a spell, until federal officials objected because the money[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 25

2013

Subsidies aplenty for Delaware North project

Jim Heaney of Investigative Post, in the first of a two-part series, counts the many ways Delaware North Companies and Uniland Development would reap tax savings from their proposal to build an office building at Delaware Avenue and Chippewa street. The assorted tax breaks add up to $12 million to $15 million and go well beyond what the companies are seeking from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. Tomorrow, Investigative Post documents the millions of dollars of subsidies Delaware North has been receiving since 2000. Check out WGRZ’s newscast at 6 p.m., along with a full story InvestigativePost.org and the[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 22

2013

iPost interviews architect of jobs deal

Jim Heaney interviews Alain Kaloyeros, who put together the clean energy project announced Thursday, and Howard Zemsky, co-chairman of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. Some underreported details emerged from the 20-minute interview, which was conducted Thursday afternoon at WGRZ.

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 21

2013

The skinny on Buffalo’s big jobs announcement

Investigative Post teamed with WGRZ to provide insight into Thursday’s announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that the state is investing $225 million to build and equip facilities that will house two fledging clean energy firms. Dan Telvock provided background on the two companies, both based in California. They have small work forces and are still searching for profitability, but are nevertheless regarded as innovation leaders in their industries. The deal with the state obligates the firms to invest $1.5 billion and operate in Buffalo for at least 10 years. Jim Heaney interviewed Alain Kaloyeros, the chief architect of the deal, and[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 20

2013

Major jobs boost for Buffalo

It was nearly two years ago when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to invest $1 billion to revitalize the Buffalo area economy. Not much of that money has been earmarked so far, but that will change Thursday morning when the governor is scheduled to come to town to announce what is shaping up as the state’s largest investment ever in the local economy. Sources tell Investigative Post this deal has been months in the making and far surpasses the first Billion To Buffalo deal involving drug research, development and manufacturing at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. That project, scheduled to[...]

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 11

2013

Heaney talks politics on WBFO

It’s not too early to talk about a post-Brown Buffalo, given speculation that Gov. Cuomo may be looking for a new running mate next year. Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney discusses the possibilities with Eileen Buckley on “Press Pass,” along with what he said is the “very poor quality” of elected officials across the region.

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 8

2013

Smaller subsidies for Delaware North HQ

Uniland, which has proposed building a new corporate headquarters for Delaware North, is no longer seeking tax breaks beyond the normal package offered to office projects. The developer appears to have miscalculated whether the project was fully eligible for some of the extra incentives it was seeking. Its original plan sparked an outcry.

Posted 11 years ago

Nov 7

2013

What $18,900 buys

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Congressman Chris Collins were tight when the latter served as Erie County executive. They’ve teamed up again to endorse tax breaks to help Delaware North move to new digs. Between them, Brown and Collins have received $18,900 in campaign contributions from Delaware North and members of the Jacobs family.

Posted 11 years ago