08/16/09: Amherst Braces for 300 New Geico Jobs In Getzville

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 08/16/09
“I didn’t expect to come back home from college and see so many people that I graduated with still around,” said Amherst’s Lisa Klapper. She says the job market is tough.
Klapper graduated from Syracuse University this spring with degrees in marketing and advertising. Now she’s working as a part time waitress.
“It’s just so tough out there because I’m fighting for the same jobs as people who already have experience but were laid off,” said Klapper during her lunch break. She says many young adults like her are looking for permanent employment.
Sources close to Governor David Paterson’s office say Amherst may be ripe for job development and job growth. The governor is expected to be in Amherst Wednesday to announce 300 new jobs coming to Geico in Getzville.
“I think unemployment is a very difficult problem here in Western New York and we here in Amherst are going to be pleased to have any expansion of Geico or any other industry that can increase jobs and decrease unemployment,” said Amherst Town Councilman Daniel J. Ward.
Economists say any job expansion will filter more finances into the Western New York’s economy. While most the country cries out for economic recovery, some experts say the WNY region was spared.
“We didn’t have the growth, or the bubble that other places have had so consequently we haven’t had the drop that they have,” explained SUNY Buffalo School of Management Professor Emeritus Larry Southwick.
The new Geico jobs are expected to take three years to create. Sources say Geico will also bring in other products divisions. But will young professionals like Klapper line up to work at a call center? “There are a lot of people would take those call center jobs but just for a paycheck and they’ll be gone as soon as something else works out,” said Klapper