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Cuomo in Syracuse announces funding for two company expansions, praises Walsh, McMahon

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Wednesday

Gov. Andrew Cuomo was in Syracuse for the announcement of state funding to help two companies expand in the city. It came after pressure from Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. 

Bankers Healthcare Group, which provides loans and financing to healthcare professionals, will move to a new facility in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor and create more than 300 new jobs. The $35 million project will get $11 million in grants and tax credits from New York State.

JMA Wireless, which builds mobile wireless systems, will spend $25 million to renovate a building on the south end of downtown into a 5G manufacturing center and create 100 new jobs. The state is providing $5 million in Upstate Revitalization Initiative funding.

The story goes that while Cuomo was in town attending the New York State Fair this year, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, cornered him on a tram and pitched the governor these two projects, calling them game changers.

“As soon as I get there, the two of them come like an offensive line of the Buffalo Bills, and pin me in the corner of this tram," Cuomo said. "It was like a mugging, I felt like I was being mugged.”

Speaking in Syracuse, Wednesday, Cuomo offered them some advice.

“There is a concept in life, called foreplay," Cuomo said, which got big laughs from the crowd. "It starts with, hello, how are you today?”

In all seriousness, Cuomo said it was good to see the county executive and mayor teamed up.

“The future of the city of Syracuse and the county are inextricably linked," Cuomo said. "You can’t help one without helping the other. And that’s what this partnership says.” 

For Cuomo, the bottom line is 430 new jobs for the city. Mayor Walsh said it’s a win for his Syracuse Surge plan, to bring tech companies downtown and into the south side. And County Executive McMahon said it’s not just what these companies are doing, but also where they’re investing, in areas that are in need of redevelopment. 

The goal is have the projects completed in the next few years.

Tom Magnarelli is a reporter covering the central New York and Syracuse area. He joined WRVO as a freelance reporter in 2012 while a student at Syracuse University and was hired full time in 2015. He has reported extensively on politics, education, arts and culture and other issues around central New York.