Mayor: Rochester's Successful Because of Kodak
By: Deanna King
Updated: January 19, 2012
Rochester Mayor Tom Richards found out about Kodak's bankruptcy filing in an email. Richards says his main concern is for current employees and retirees. "We've had a lot of reasons to believe this was coming, but it's a bit of a shock when you actually have to say it," said Mayor Tom Richards.
Richards says Kodak gave Rochester a lot to be grateful for. The city has a number of successful companies that were started because of Kodak by former employees. "One of the reasons our community has been successful in making this transition is we already absorbed 50-thousand job loses because of these institutions," said Mayor Richards.
"He's not a man who threw his hands up and quit. It's a huge challenge for him," said Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy. Duffy spoke to Kodak CEO Antonio Perez on the phone last night. Duffy says this community needs to support Kodak now more than ever. "The company can make decisions to get back to its core strength and get rid of areas of the company that aren't profitable. I think it has a chance," said Lt. Gov. Duffy.
Richards says if this had happened in the 70's or 80's the impact would have been much greater. This announcement was 30 years in the making and the city was prepared. "I didn't want it to happen. I am sorry for the impact it will have on some people, but it terms of the community we will get through it," said Mayor Richards. Kodak does own a lot of property in Rochester. It pays $3.3 million in taxes a year. Richards says they are current. It's too soon to say what will happen to that property.
Richards says Kodak gave Rochester a lot to be grateful for. The city has a number of successful companies that were started because of Kodak by former employees. "One of the reasons our community has been successful in making this transition is we already absorbed 50-thousand job loses because of these institutions," said Mayor Richards.
"He's not a man who threw his hands up and quit. It's a huge challenge for him," said Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy. Duffy spoke to Kodak CEO Antonio Perez on the phone last night. Duffy says this community needs to support Kodak now more than ever. "The company can make decisions to get back to its core strength and get rid of areas of the company that aren't profitable. I think it has a chance," said Lt. Gov. Duffy.
Richards says if this had happened in the 70's or 80's the impact would have been much greater. This announcement was 30 years in the making and the city was prepared. "I didn't want it to happen. I am sorry for the impact it will have on some people, but it terms of the community we will get through it," said Mayor Richards. Kodak does own a lot of property in Rochester. It pays $3.3 million in taxes a year. Richards says they are current. It's too soon to say what will happen to that property.
