The Buffalo Billion project was supposed to bring a much needed boost to the economy here in Western New York. While the bulk of the money is to be spent in and around the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, projects such as the Athenex drug research facility in Dunkirk might actually help Chautauqua County. Maybe. Corruption probes continue to plague the program and some investors are thinking twice before getting involved in Western New York.

My concerns are on a much smaller scale. Awhile back I spoke with one of our state representatives about opening a welcome center on Interstate 90 as it enters New York state at Ripley. The response was, of course, lack of money, and that a welcome center, while nice, would generate very few jobs and make no money for the state.

Really? Billions are being spent on not only business ventures but things like Niagara Falls downtown development to the tune of $20 million; removal of the Robert Moses Parkway to bring tourists into Niagara Falls instead of bypassing it on the parkway, $11 million; and an effort to fill Rainbow Centre Mall with businesses, cost unknown.

The object of all this money is to make Niagara Falls a major tourist attraction, as if it isn’t already.

Now, while it is true that many people look to the Internet for their travel information these days, isn’t it also true that when you stop at the rest area on Interstate 90 in Angola there is a large area devoted to tourist information for New York state? And don’t we all stop and look and maybe pick up a pamphlet or two? Why can’t there be a tourist travel information facility at the state line in Ripley? A mere couple million should do it. Certainly Gov. Andrew Cuomo could squeeze that into the billions somewhere.

Think what could be advertised at such a stop. Before entering the toll road at Ripley, travelers could learn about the local wineries (Ripley has three, did you know?) Traffic could be diverted from the toll road (sorry, Gov. Cuomo) and directed to Amish country in Sherman and Clymer. Restaurants in Findlay Lake could benefit from a little press. Westfield has always been a stopping point for people going to and from Chautauqua Institution, but would certainly appreciate any advertising at the state line.

New York state is a major tourist destination, mostly because of New York City. How many people know that this state is a major agricultural area as well? How many know the wonders of the Finger Lakes region? Letchworth State Park was voted No. 1 and Watkins Glen No. 3 in a nationwide poll of best state parks. There are so many natural wonders in this state, but we have no place on the Interstate system to brag about that, until you get almost to Buffalo and miss several opportunities along the way.

Interstate 90 is a major east/west highway, running from Boston to Seattle. We need a travel information center at the Ripley exit, entering New York state. And while travelers are perusing the brochures, they need a restaurant on Shortman Road, which would then necessitate a gas station now that gas prices have leveled out between New York and Pennsylvania. (The price of gas in Westfield is the same as at the Pennsylvania state line as of this writing.) And of course, with a restaurant and gas station at the Ripley exit, someone might decide to open a gift shop specializing in New York state products.

New York state is packed with interesting places. Why don’t we have a tourist information at our border? All the best states do.

Buffalo isn’t the only place in Western New York that needs a boost. A travel information center at the border in Ripley would bring even more tourists to our area, bringing more money, bringing a boost to our local economy as well as state economy.

Robyn Near is a Ripley resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com