Mark Davison Economic decline in WNY

St. Lawrence Seaway

St Lawrence Seaway President Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth work together to open St. Lawrence Seaway. President Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth work together to open St. Lawrence Seaway. This now allows ocean-going vessels to bypass Buffalo and go to more western lake ports. This now allows ocean-going vessels to bypass Buffalo and go to more western lake ports. The impact on Buffalo is immediate. Ocean-going vessels carrying goods both to and from the Midwest now bypass Buffalo. The impact on Buffalo is immediate. Ocean-going vessels carrying goods both to and from the Midwest now bypass Buffalo.

St. Lawrence Seaway continued: With little or no reason now for ships to go to Buffalo, a whole range of waterfront industries: boat companies, ship chandlers, ship repairers, and shipbuilders, begin to decline and eventually disappear. Thousands of jobs also disappear. With little or no reason now for ships to go to Buffalo, a whole range of waterfront industries: boat companies, ship chandlers, ship repairers, and shipbuilders, begin to decline and eventually disappear. Thousands of jobs also disappear.

Grain Industry Buffalo was a key place for Grain storage prior to the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Buffalo was a key place for Grain storage prior to the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Buffalo was the grain storage capitol of the world. Buffalo was the grain storage capitol of the world. But with the Seaway that grain was shipped to Montreal via the Seaway But with the Seaway that grain was shipped to Montreal via the Seaway The creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1960 hurt Buffalo terribly. The creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1960 hurt Buffalo terribly.

Bethlehem Steel Bethlehem steel closes down its plant in Lackawanna NY.(1983) Bethlehem steel closes down its plant in Lackawanna NY.(1983) In 1965 they employed 20,000 employees and in 1977 it dropped to 8,500 employees, before being disbanded in 1983 to just a Skelton crew. In 1965 they employed 20,000 employees and in 1977 it dropped to 8,500 employees, before being disbanded in 1983 to just a Skelton crew. A serious fiscal crisis was a direct result of the closing of the steel plant. A serious fiscal crisis was a direct result of the closing of the steel plant.

Bethlehem Steel continued Not only did the city of Lackawanna suffer but also the city of Buffalo and Erie county. Not only did the city of Lackawanna suffer but also the city of Buffalo and Erie county. The effect that this had on the economy was very significant. The effect that this had on the economy was very significant.

Smaller contributions to decline 1985-The first segment of the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit System opens. Construction took six years, disrupted business along Main street, and made driving downtown a motorist's hell on wheels The first segment of the Buffalo Light Rail Rapid Transit System opens. Construction took six years, disrupted business along Main street, and made driving downtown a motorist's hell on wheels. Traffic was often backed up for hours steering motorists away from downtown Main street. Traffic was often backed up for hours steering motorists away from downtown Main street.

Businesses steer clear of WNY City is unwilling and reluctant to give tax breaks to incoming businesses. City is unwilling and reluctant to give tax breaks to incoming businesses. Buffalo is under the national average in net earnings per worker. Buffalo is under the national average in net earnings per worker. In 2000 there were 110 U.S. that had a higher average than Buffalo. In 2000 there were 110 U.S. that had a higher average than Buffalo.

Poor planning Buffalo for once attracts a high caliber event; Buffalo hosts the World University Games. Buffalo for once attracts a high caliber event; Buffalo hosts the World University Games. Attracted athletes from over 130 countries. Attracted athletes from over 130 countries. But with poor planning no major sponsors were obtained, thus leaving a deficit in the range of $2.9 million and $4.4 million. But with poor planning no major sponsors were obtained, thus leaving a deficit in the range of $2.9 million and $4.4 million.