MAYOR MASIELLO WELCOMES REPUBLIC OF IRELAND/NORTHERN IRELAND ATLANTIC CORRIDOR DELEGATION
March 14, 1999
Contact: Peter K. Cutler (716) 851-5841

BUFFALO (3/14/99) - Mayor Anthony M. Masiello today welcomed a six member delegation from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland who traveled to Buffalo to promote the nascent Atlantic Corridor Partnership.

Mayor Masiello was joined by Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo; United States Senator Charles E. Schumer; Congressman Jack Quinn; Mr. Paul Rose, Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate General (representing Hon. Mark Romoff, Canadian Consul General); and several regional elected officials and civic leaders.

On March 17, 1998 the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation and Quest Campus Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding, thereby establishing the Atlantic Corridor Partnership. The Partnership will focus on two specific geographic sub-regions: Western New York/Southern Ontario and Republic of Ireland Midlands/Northern Ireland Lower Bann.

"The Atlantic Corridor Partnership has established a unique and bona fide economic development bond between two developing sub-regions," stated Mayor Masiello. "Through the joint effort of the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation and the Quest Campus Ireland, the Partnership has developed a compelling strategy to stimulate growth for the respective region's small-medium sized enterprises and accelerate education for students in international leadership and trade. As we enter the 2 1 " Century, the City of Buffalo, through initiatives such as the Atlantic Corridor, will take its rightful place in the international marketplace."

The goal of the Partnership is to create a transatlantic bridge to stimulate and facilitate economic development and learning by joining together the two sub-regions in a new alliance that will include collaborative arrangements designed to take advantage of two of the world's most powerful markets: NAFTA and the European Union.

"The Atlantic Corridor gives people north and south of the border in Ireland the opportunity to work with our Buffalo colleagues toward a common goal," said Dudley Stewart, C.E.O. Atlantic Corridor, Quest Campus Ireland. "It is a tremendous opportunity to develop all Ireland initiatives for solid economic development. We believe that we help provide Western New York with a unique strategic position in Europe. It makes good business sense and will improve quality of life."

Among the potential benefits of the Atlantic Corridor Partnership to the Western New York/Southern Ontario sub-region are: gradual elimination of the cost, knowledge and fear barriers that typically prevent small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from engaging in international expansion; integration of local colleges and universities into the process of expanding local enterprise on an international level; gradual build-up of fast-track SMEs skilled in international markets, strategic alliances and operations; and identifying Buffalo Western New York)/ Niagara Region (Southern Ontario) as prime entry points for European SMEs seeking to establish operations in North America.

John Campbell, Director, Lower Bann Leader Ltd. (Northern Ireland), stated, "The Atlantic Corridor is a very appealing concept. It is something we can all get behind brings into being a transitional/international project."

Mr. Campbell's colleague Patrick James McLaughlin, Chairman of Portglenone Enterprise Group Limited and Director of Ballymena Partnership Board (a Peace and Reconciliation body), added, " This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the power of the peace process. We are grateful for all the help we received Tom the United States and President Clinton in getting to where we are now. This is our big chance to make it all work."

The delegation visiting Buffalo consists of three representatives from Northern Ireland and three from the Republic of Ireland. They are: David Campbell, Chairman, John Campbell and Patrick James McLaughlin Northern Ireland Lower Bann; John Flanagan, Bernadette Kinsella and Dudley Stewart Republic of Ireland Midlands (see attached biographies).

Due to a scheduling conflict, Fort Eric Mayor Wayne Redekop was unable to attend the reception, but in a letter to Mayor Masiello he stated, "I want to congratulate you on having the opportunity to host this delegation.... Please extend my greetings to your guests, my wishes for the success of the partnership, and the desire of my community to participate in the future in the ongoing economic development, educational, and cultural aspects of this initiative."

Mr. John Flanagan, Chairman, Offaly County Council and a member of the delegation observed, "It is a wonderful opportunity to meet the people behind the Atlantic Corridor on the US side. We hope to make solid friendship so that we can develop new opportunities, which benefit both Ireland and Western New York. As Chairman of Offaly County Council, I am delighted to show my support for this most positive initiative."

Following the reception in City Hall, the six members of the delegation joined Mayor Masiello in marching in the City Of Buffalo's 58 1h Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.