On Thursday, I posted a story (as did many, many others)
about a $15 million investment in Allegany County. A Rochester-area group says
they have a contract to build a 90 room hotel, restaurant and fueling station,
maybe more, off I-86 in Belmont…home of a former truck stop. One would think
this would strike a few smiles. However, as I researched media and social media
sites that covered the announcement, I was surprised. Yes, there were a few
positive comments, but most were negative. Sham. Scam. Hoax. Believe it when I
see it. One person even wrote…a 90 room hotel? What is there to see? Clearly,
Houghton College, Alfred State and Alfred University have failed to make a compelling
case to the public of the visitors they bring in annually. From research to
athletics, these colleges have not effectively made their case, apparently. As
a media member, I’ve heard their stories. I’ve heard their need. They want
this. They need this. When there is an event in Allegany County and you have to
lodge 45 minutes away, it’s a concern. When people book room in Olean, Hornell
or elsewhere, that sales tax revenue doesn’t benefit Allegany County. I recently
had a relative from North Carolina who wanted to return to Wellsville. No rooms.
Big wedding. At one point, his closest option was to stay in Corning/Elmira. To
be fair, he had certain lodging requirements. But he also had the cash and
wants what he wants.
I applaud all those involved with this I-86 adventure. Just
keep your word! Folks in Wellsville are pissed over the Lufkin departure near
the airport. People were hurt. The town was hurt. Yep, bad deal. It doesn’t
mean you give up. Everyone wants lower taxes. But when an opportunity exists,
people run. You either want development or not. The Burrous Building? To soon to tell...
In 1984, with a blank sheet of paper, I took a vacant piece
of land on Railroad Avenue in Wellsville and had WJQZ radio built. It was a
struggle, for sure. One person said, “We already have a radio station in town…why
do we need another?” And that was a relative. I pushed on and within the first
year of operation, the station had the #1 morning show in western New York (excluding
Buffalo metro area). I have no regrets. I built. I employed.
It’s okay to be suspicious. Hell, we all wanted the Amity
Water Park and that didn’t happen. But we just can’t reject…everything.
President Trump wants entrepreneurs. He wants things to happen HERE. This
project IS happening here. I’ll bet when the founders of the Great Wellsville
Balloon Rally proposed the idea, they were met with skepticism. Look at it
today. When Microtel wanted to build in Wellsville, the local motels were
pissed. They are all in business today.
This, by the way, is not an endorsement of the Allegany
County Legislature, nor is it a slight. Those men and women (facing voters) can
defend themselves!
Look, the bottom line is…give development a chance. Give
this project a chance. If it fails, then I’m the media fool. In 1984, building
WJQZ, I asked for a chance. I don’t think I disappointed at the time.
