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 11
2013
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.
Nov 8
2013
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.
Nov 7
2013
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.
Nov 4
2013
A half-dozen firms, including some of the region’s most prominent developers, have entered the competition to build economic development hubs the Cuomo administration has proposed for Buffalo, Investigative Post has learned. Firms responding to a request for proposals include LP Ciminelli Inc., Uniland Development and Acquest Development. Others submitting proposals include McGuire Development, TM Montante Development and Mark Balling on behalf of Lend Lease, an international contracting and finance firm. The developers, in their submissions, identify elements of the team they would assemble to first design, finance and construct the hubs and then recruit companies function as anchor tenants. At least[...]
Nov 1
2013
Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney discusses the latest developments, and government transparency, with the morning hosts on 103.3, WEDG FM.
Oct 24
2013
The state has quietly launched a major initiative to develop a series of economic development hubs in Buffalo aimed at attracting medical, energy and technology companies that would generate thousands of good-paying jobs. The state recently issued a request for proposals seeking developers to construct two or three facilities in the city and partner with a handful of anchor tenants who would employ an estimated 1,500 to 2,000. Much like a shopping mall, these large tenants would attract small and mid-sized firms that would add to that employment base and build a critical mass in fields regarded as regional strengths. The[...]
Oct 21
2013
Editor Jim Heaney, along with Geoff Kelly of Artvoice and S.J. Velasquez of The Buffalo News were interviewed for their take on writing for digital media. Heaney discussed the possibilities and challenges of digital story telling and running an investigative reporting center. “What we need to be, above all, is independent, aggressive and accurate,” he told Buffalo Spree. “We can’t ignore, though, the need to present news in the format that younger people want. I think more journalists are seeing that locally. But digital story telling requires a lot of manpower and resources. It can’t just be cutting what’s in[...]
Oct 21
2013
Catharine Miles-Kania, an experienced fund-raiser and executive with one of the region’s leading social service providers, has joined Investigative Post’s board of directors. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Catharine Miles-Kania to our board of directors,” said board President Lee Coppola. “An accomplished professional, she brings a world of fund-raising and non-profit experience to our board. I and my fellow board members are excited she’s joined us.” Miles-Kania is vice president of organizational development for Gateway-Longview, a child and family service organization serving the needs of disadvantaged children and families in Western New York. She advances the agency’s mission by raising funds[...]