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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 4, 2011

Buffalo Niagara Partnership Endorses

Erie County Executive Chris Collins for Re-election

~Partnership Releases Full List of Endorsements~

(BUFFALO, N.Y.) - The Buffalo Niagara Partnership today endorsed businessman Chris Collins for a second term as Erie County Executive. Andrew Rudnick, President and CEO of the Partnership, Tim Loftis, Partnership Board Chair and Partner at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP and Jon Dandes, past Partnership Board Chair and President of Rich Baseball Operations joined Collins for an announcement at ITT Heat Transfer in Cheektowaga, NY.  The global manufacturing firm invests heavily in the Western New York workforce and is an active member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  ITT Heat Transfer is a full union shop that employs 250 workers who manufacture parts used to heat and cool buildings at their 185,000 square foot facility.

“Chris has ‘walked the talk’ and made county government far more efficient and its core services far more effective; and he’s done so under very difficult economic conditions,” said Andrew Rudnick, President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. "The Partnership is pleased to endorse Chris for re-election as Erie County Executive and looks forward to continue to work with him on growing our economy and making Erie County a better place to do business.”

Following the Buffalo Niagara Partnership endorsement announcement at ITT Heat Transfer, Erie County Executive Chris Collins, Rudnick, Dandes, Loftis, and ITT Director of Heat Transfer Tom Reid toured the manufacturing firm’s 25-acre Cheektowaga facility.  The global manufacturer has produced heating and cooling components for over 90 years at its Cheektowaga location and has 100 manufacturing locations all over the world.  The $11 billion company credits the quality of its Western New York workforce as a big reason why they are successful and growing private sector jobs here in Erie County.

“Erie County needs an executive with business experience to properly manage the massive $1 billion operation.  The economy is strong and growing again in Erie County.  I have the business background to continue this positive economic progress over the next four years,” added Collins.

“I am proud to have the endorsement of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.  The race for Erie County Executive boils down to three issues: jobs, jobs, and jobs.  I am the only candidate who has created private sector jobs.  My companies put 600 people to work, 500 of them here in Western New York.  We have record low unemployment in Erie County and private sector jobs are growing under my leadership,” said Erie County Executive Chris Collins.

Rudnick also released the Partnership’s full list of endorsed candidates for the November 2 election today.  The Partnership’s list of endorsed candidates are:

Chris Collins, R – Erie County Executive                

Paul Dyster, D – City of Niagara Falls Mayor

Chris Jacobs, R – Erie County Clerk

Mark Schroeder, D – City of Buffalo City Comptroller

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ABOUT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARTNERSHIP

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes nearly 2,500 employer members, working for improved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region.  The Partnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies and resources to increase private sector investment and jobs

The Partnership also offers programs and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.