It is one more blow to Western New York in terms of how we treat business.
Greatbatch Inc., which is located in Clarence, announced last month it is moving its headquarters to Frisco, Texas. The company, which began in Western New York 40 years ago, is a medical device and battery manufacturer that provides 680 jobs to the region.
"I think it's just really sad," said Clarence Supervisor David C. Hartzell Jr. told The Buffalo News. "If there's good news, it's that the bulk of their jobs will remain here."
But how safe are those other jobs once the headquarters have left?
Western New York has some of the highest taxed counties in the nation. That is a product of too many school districts, towns and villages. Texas, on the other hand, is a low tax and business friendly state.
Many of us like to brag when out-of-towners come here to visit and talk about how nice our communities are. How about asking those non-residents to relocate here?
Are we kidding? They are not here because they know what the taxes are - for business and property owners.
Greatbatch, like so many other businesses, is relocating a piece of their company elsewhere. Is it because of poor schools or a lack of services provided by public entities and government? Probably not.
Is it due to Western New York's high tax burden? You bet.
