Pointers for Successful State Economic Development Programs

Michael Wasylenko, professor at Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

NEW YORK CITY—Economic development programs require sustained support with horizons of 20 years, according to Michael Wasylenko, a professor at Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. As a presenter at the Citizens Budget Commission conference on economic issues facing New York state, he emphasized fiscal and job programs are not quick fixes where results can occur in one or two years.

He warned that economic development efforts are not alleviating poverty. In upstate New York 49% of the people live below the poverty line, where the statistic is even greater for people under the age of 18, he said.