City: What would you do differently from the Johnson
administration when it comes to economic development?

Duffy: I’d form an
economic-development impact team of business leaders, community leaders, and
labor leaders that would create a business plan for our city. The plan would
start with a one- or two-year objective. I want to hit on the highest impact
areas I can. I’d put together a team that thinks only about bringing wealth and
economic development to Rochester.

This
same group would drive to Albany and meet with our state delegation to help
foster changes. A similar trip would be taken to visit federal officials in
Washington. And it’s important we do that as a bi-partisan team.

I’d
examine every practice we have. I’d want to make an assessment. Are we doing
things that could inhibit business growth and development? And from that
analysis, I’d look at every opportunity to reduce bureaucracy, to reduce
waiting and cycle times for applications, and try to create a one-stop shop in
City Hall that would be geared toward facilitating business development and
growth.

The city’s
economic development department takes a lot of heat for being more about
regulation than development. We’ve heard several times that it can think of
lots of reasons not to do something.
Do you believe those criticisms are fair? If so, what would you do about them?

I’ve
heard the stories. Look, I want to be able to assemble one of the most
business-friendly groups I can find. But I’ve made no decisions on
appointments.

I’m
very mindful of what I’ve heard. Whatever impediments that are that stop our
growth, I intend to work through and eliminate very quickly. We’re gonna roll
out the red carpet for investors. I want them to come, buy property, open
businesses. I want them to see Rochester as a tremendous opportunity.

Would you
support city tax incentives to spur business development?

I
would look at every conceivable financial incentive and package I could put
together from the city, state, and federal government to keep businesses here
and encourage more to come.

Would you
spend city money on preparing development-ready sites, dealing with
environmental problems to get them ready?

I
think we have to look at preparing shovel-ready sites. It’s a very expensive
proposition, especially with brownfield cleanups. But there is money available.
Perhaps we can make a case to increase that funding stream. It may be a shared
responsibility with the city and investors, but we have too much empty
commercial space. If you cannot create an environment where an investor can at
least see some kind of a profit, they’re not going to invest.

What, if
anything, should be changed in the relationship between the various
economic-development bodies throughout Monroe County?

I
would fully support Greater Rochester Enterprise in any way I can. GRE is
responsible for putting Rochester on the radar for areas outside this region.

We
have a lot of ability to resurrect things from the inside, but we need to make
sure other governmental agencies are part of this process.

I’ve
heard that Rochester is seen in Albany as a successful city that doesn’t need
the same amount of help as other upstate cities. I think that’s a cop-out.
Especially when we’re the only upstate city that continues to lose jobs.

What would you
do to provide jobs for the unemployed?

Federal
and state funding is important. What sounds good in a budget cutting session, I
see the impacts on the street. It is making the case with data and specific
facts as to why certain funding for job training and jobs is so important. And
job training is important not only for the people being cut by the Valeos and
Kodaks. But also for young people who have chosen to leave school for the
streets. I’m a big believer in enhancing what Edison Tech provides. An
incredible living can be made by being a skilled tradesperson, a plumber or
electrician.

It’s
taking some of the problems we have and preparing our workforce to address
them. Take demolition, for instance: I intend to either rehab our 2,100-plus
vacant houses and get families in them, or take them down and offer them for a
dollar to a neighbor for a garden or parking spot. I want to remove the blight
that we have. Something as simple as demolition and rehab of homes — we can
create jobs and help our city at the same time.

As
mayor, I’d be looking to the business community for help. We need to generate
revenue to support jobs, and I’ll seek their assistance in investing or
providing part-time jobs. We can fill this void if we work together.

This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2005.