High Speed Rail: A Key to Downtown Revitalization

Downtowns across Upstate New York got a major boost on November 23, when the High Speed Rail New York Coalition held a press conference to announce the potential regional impact of High Speed Rail Service on Upstate New York. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Congressman Dan Maffei, Congressman Michael Arcuri, New York State Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith and numerous New York State legislators spoke at the event in support of actively pursuing competitive federal stimulus funding for High Speed Rail service in New York.

Chamber President Darlene Kerr looks on while the Honorable Congresswoman Louise Slaughter from the 28th Congressional District talks about the positive impact of High Speed Rail to the Upstate New York region.

“We expect a more mobile work force, and strengthened economies throughout Upstate New York, a cleaner and faster way to travel, and a way to highlight the wonderful aspects of each of our cities,” said Slaughter. “In short, we expect progress.”

But what does high speed rail have to do with the revitalization of downtown Syracuse? High speed passenger rail service will stimulate Upstate economic development by creating jobs, improving travel quality and increasing tourism. Infrastructure improvements along our Upstate rail corridors will create nearly a quarter of a million jobs during the construction phase and, eventually, will lead to the employment of more than 1.7 million workers. Most importantly, passenger rail service delivers workers, residents and tourists into or close to the central business districts of our Upstate cities, thereby leveraging the planned $2.25 billion in urban development projects across Upstate.

For more information on the coalition, visit www.nyhighspeedrail.ning.com.

Syracuse

A region and its economy are only as vital and successful as the city at their core. Great things are happening in the city of Syracuse…lots of them! Each month, we will devote this space to news and information about the Renaissance that is taking place in our city. If you would like to share some good news about our city and the transformation that is taking place, e-mail us at news@SyracuseChamber.com.

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