THOMPSON INITIATIVES ABOUND FROM THE GREEN INITIATIVE INSTITUTE TO THE NIAGARA ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER TO THE NIAGARA FALLS TRAIN STATION

Imagine the establishment of a Green Initiative Institute in Western New York that would offer grants to green entrepreneurs while serving as an all-purpose business incubator for up and coming green enterprises?

Fortunately, before long none of us will have to use our imaginations to conjure up such a vision, thanks to a $2 million appropriation secured by Niagara Falls NYS Senator Antoine Thompson.

“There are going to be only two of these Green Initiative Institutes, one on Long Island and one in Buffalo,” he reports. “The result will be that business people who live in Niagara Falls who have an idea for a green business enterprise that is commerically viable will have a place to go to apply for grants, share ideas, and get other help that will hopefully turn their greeni initiative into a success.”

Of course the Senator’s status as Chairman of the NYS Senate Environmental Committee couldn’t have hurt when it came to deciding where these Green Initiative Institutes would be located.

In fact, far from being a newcomer to the Environmental Movement, Senator Thompson has been holding events that encourage green entrepreneurs for years. His annual Green Expos for environmentally conscious entrepreneurs have grown exponentially..

“Participation in these Green Expos has doubled from the first year to the second,” he reports. “Obviously, interest in green technology is increasing because people understand as I do that it is the key to the economic development of the future for WNY.”

Still, traditional projects can’t be ignored either.

“I have been able to secure a lot of funding for Niagara Falls including money for roof repairs for the John Duke Center in Hyde Park as well as work on the Niagara Falls Train Station and the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center,” he adds. “Obviously, Niagara Falls is an international center for tourism and it is very important that its facilities be maintained and enhanced. All of these projects are crucial to maintaining and improving the quality of life for our people here in the Buffalo/Grand Island/Niagara Falls area as well as improving opportunities for job creation.”

And, all of this in addition to doing all he can to improve education and access to quality health care for all of all.

“I love this job because it gives me the opportunity to help people,” Senator Thompson concludes. “To me serving the people of Niagara Falls and WNY is the best job in the world.”