This site receives e-mails and messages all day long, everyday. We carefully vet these messages. History has dictated that some of these messages are from credible, knowledgeable sources. Such was the case on Thursday. We received a credible tip on the potential next occupant for the former GE-Lufkin facility next to the Wellsville Airport. Following due diligence, we attempted to confirm the news.
We called County Legislative Chairman Curt Crandall, who suggest we contact Craig Clark from the Industrial Development Agency. We got his voice mail. We called other lawmakers - voicemail. We called Legislator Karl Graves, who did call us back...and suggested we contact the Wellsville Town Supervisor. We called Don LaForge, who recommended a call to Clark (who attempted to return our call while speaking with LaForge). We called Clark back - who, long story short, had no comment. "I can't comment," he said...but hinted that there could be breaking news in the coming weeks.
The bottom line is, everybody knows something, nobody will talk...and that's fine...because the underling theme was - everybody knew there was potentially great, well good news...it's just nobody was going to jinx the process. And it is a process. Nobody denied the name of the business we gave them. In fact, nobody denied anything. I'm fine with that. It's a business deal...jobs. Wellsville and Allegany County have taken a body blow in recent months. I'm fine with the 'powers that be' meeting privately and working out a deal. Everyone seemed to have hope that a deal would happen. I hope so. This potential deal won't eliminate the pain the area has felt, economically, but it could stabilize things. Economic development is a marathon, not a sprint. If the tip we received becomes reality and if the local and county leaders share that information responsibly, all is fine. The potential new tenant, if information is accurate, has roots here. It would be a good thing.
