War of Words Breaks Out Over Community IDAs | News

DEPEW, N.Y. - A war of words erupted this week over whether local Industrial Development Agencies should be giving tax break to restaurants and other small businesses, instead of large companies that would brings job in from outside the area.

On Friday, State Assemblyman Sean Ryan (D) held a news conference in the Village of Depew to highlight the fact that the nearby Lancaster IDA is encouraging the owners of Penora's Pizza to re-apply for $16,000 in tax breaks they did not get.

Things got testy when Depew Mayor Steve Hoffman showed up at Ryan's news conference angry that the assemblyman is targeting the village.

"Penora's is looking for $16,000 in sales tax abatement, they will double that back to the county in the first two months once their business grows," said Hoffman. "As far as I'm concerned (Assemblyman Ryan) has no business being here in Depew. You have far more business in the state fixing Transit Road. Fix our state corridor."

"Sadly, some members of the IDA are still determined to give out taxpayer dollars to small retail projects that don't create high paying, long lasting, economically sustainable jobs," said Ryan.