PLATTSBURGH -- Local labor leaders want local contractors to build projects that receive incentives through the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency.

Several local labor leaders who recently met with the Press-Republican Editorial Board also would like to see the IDA require the construction jobs pay prevailing (union) wages.

Tom Millea of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 910 said IDA's were created to benefit the people of the area they cover.

Industrial Development Agencies were created through Article 18-A of New York General Municipal Law, titled The New York State Industrial Development Agency Act.

Section 858 of that act partially reads that IDAs should attract or retain industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, commercial, research and recreation facilities to "thereby advance the job opportunities, health, general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the state of New York and to improve their recreation opportunities, prosperity and standard of living."

That should not only include the jobs when the facility is operational, but also those who are involved in its construction, Millea said.

"We feel that's not being done on several jobs, going back to Falcon Seaboard," he said.

Construction of the co-generation plant in 1993 involved about 500 non-local workers, Millea said.

Plattsburgh-Saranac Lake Building and Construction Trades Council President John Donoghue Jr. said there are a number of local construction projects contracts where work went to out-of-area contractors, including Target, Aldi, CVPH and Hampton Inn and Suites.

Patty Bentley, a member of the Executive Board of the Plattsburgh State University United University Professors and the New York State United Teachers, said IDAs could write requests for proposals that require most of the work be done with local labor. Millea said that is encouraged but not required, which is one of the reasons he is in favor of the IDA reform legislation that was not acted on in the last State Legislature session.

Harold Brohinsky, a retired small business owner, father and grandfather, said using prevailing wage labor tends to raise the standard of living in the community, which allows his children and grandchildren to stay in this area.

Brohinsky said the state is not likely to lose jobs by requiring prevailing wage, especially in this region.

"I believe Clinton County has special advantages to offer Canadian companies," he said.

That includes proximity to the border and access to multiple modes of transportation.

"That's what the IDAs should be selling," Brohinsky said.