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Lt. governor addresses Chamber crowd

OBSERVER Photo by Amanda Dedie State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting Friday.

State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul feels right at home in Chautauqua County.

At the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting on Friday, Hochul gave a rousing and hope-inducing presentation about the new aid and features coming in the future not only to our home, but also to western New York.

She started describing her experiences here — her summer trips, and her travels from Hamburg to Bemus Point and Mayville, admiring the scenery, landmarks and the home-y feel.

After a bit more reminiscing, Hochul got down to business, describing the changes the area and a bit beyond should be seeing hopefully in the future.

“It took a governor from New York City, but who had spent a lot of time seeing upstate New York with his father when he was governor, to say, ‘Why is this happening? Why are places like western New York so overlooked and forgotten about?’ So he’s absolutely changed that philosophy,” Hochul said about Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Hochul then did a condensed address on “Building a New New York,” budgeting $100 billion for New York upgrades, expansions and improvements that include New Penn Station-Farley Complex, new airport at LaGuardia, new JFK International Airport, and more. She mentioned wage growth upstate is the highest it’s been in almost four decades as well as increases in employment. Millions of dollars have been invested in tourism and the potential for Chautauqua County and Buffalo is beginning to become reality.

She promised that economic and workforce development were, indeed, improving in the area in numerous ways, and that with everyone’s help, jobs will come back. Downtowns will improve. Municipalities will work together. Millenials will thrive, and so will western New York.

“We need to restore the trust of the public in their government — otherwise, it doesn’t work,” Hochul said.

Additionally, the Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award was presented to Carol Lorenc.

“This award is to recognize an individual in the region who works hard to bring groups of people together around the common goal or objective,” said Todd Tranum, county chamber president and chief executive officer. “It is presented to an individual who has helped move the region forward in a positive direction through collaboration and by building partnership. The award is particularly focused on those who have done their work consistently, but oftentimes in the background.”

Lorenc is a former executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as such during the 1990s. She has worked for the Gebbie Foundation as an assistant to then-executive director John Hamilton. In 1999 in partnership with SUNY Fredonia and Dr. Len Faulk, she helped form and then worked for the Center to Rural Regional Governance. She served on the Board of the Arts Council; as President of the board of The Resource Center; was involved in a variety of organizations that worked with youth; served on a variety of boards including as President of the Board of the YWCA; has been actively involved the development of equestrian trails throughout Chautauqua County; is the former owner of Fox Farm Bed and Breakfast and recently managed a company that took visitors on tour groups titled Amish Flair Tours. Lorenc is a graduate of Jamestown Public Schools, Jamestown Community College, and SUNY Brockport.

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