Albany, NY – In a collaborative effort to evaluate and enhance New York’s economic development programs, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119), Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business, joined Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-127), Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce, and Industry, for a joint public oversight hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

The hearing brought together lawmakers, agency leaders, and business voices from across the state to assess how state-funded economic development initiatives are serving new and existing businesses, and whether these programs are effectively reaching historically underserved communities and small business owners.

“As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I believe it’s vital that we listen directly to those on the ground, our entrepreneurs, chambers of commerce, educators, and workforce leaders, to ensure our investments are creating opportunity where it’s needed most,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Today’s hearing reinforced that inclusive economic growth must be intentional, data-driven, and community-informed.”

Representatives from the Mohawk Valley played a key role in the discussion. Testifying jointly were Bruce Hairston, Executive Director of the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, and Kari Puleo, Executive Director of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. Their remarks emphasized the need for stronger program accessibility for small business owners, better communication of available grants and workforce pipelines, and increased coordination between local chambers and state agencies. Hairston and Puleo delivered a unified message that reflected the shared needs of both urban and rural parts of the region.

Also offering testimony was Dr. Randall VanWagoner, President of Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), who spoke about the critical role of community colleges in workforce development. He highlighted how MVCC programs are designed to train the next generation of workers, meet regional employment needs, and support economic sustainability across sectors.

Dr. Christopher Spence, Superintendent of the Utica City School District, shared compelling insights on how school systems and community-based economic planning must go hand-in-hand to address long-term growth. Throughout the day, Assemblywoman Buttenschon engaged deeply with testifiers, asking thoughtful and community-focused questions that reflected her commitment to lifting up small businesses across Oneida County. She also spoke about the importance of supporting existing businesses in the community and raised concerns she has frequently heard from local owners, such as the overwhelming amount of paperwork required to apply for grants and the overly burdensome bureaucracy that often makes seeking government assistance more costly and time-consuming than it’s worth.

“This hearing was not just about oversight, it was about opportunity,” Buttenschon said. “We must ensure that every dollar spent on economic development is building a stronger, more inclusive New York. I am grateful to our local business leaders who made the trip to Albany today to have their voices heard.”