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Press Release:

Driving conditions can change quickly so be prepared for those changes. This is the time to check over your vehicle for proper operation of all safety features.  This is the time to put on those snow tires if you use them. This is the time to check over your entire vehicle for winter driving.

Please remember:

• There is “No Parking” on city streets between 2 to 6 a.m. If at all possible, try not to park on the street when snowing so snow can be cleared to the curb line/ edge of pavement.
• Stay back from snowplows at least 100 feet.  If you can’t see the mirrors on the snowplow then the snowplow operator cannot see you.  Snowplow operators are out there to help make the roads safe.
• Please keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. It is the property owner’s responsibility keep the sidewalks, adjacent to your property, clear. There are significant numbers of pedestrians in the city.
• Do not shovel, plow, or snow blow into the road.  If you have your driveway plowed, do not push it into or across the road or block sidewalks.  These all create hazards for you and the community.
• Be patient and plan ahead.  None of us can control the weather.  Leave more time for travel if the weather is forecasting snow. In severe weather, try to limit any unnecessary travel.

Bureau of Maintenance’s first response:

• When it does snow the City Department of Public Works – Bureau of Maintenance responds to the weather.  
• Upon the initial on-set of snow the Bureau of Maintenance will respond with what we call a salt run.  
• Three plows outfitted with material spreaders are dispatched to apply anti-icing materials (rock salt) to roadways and parking lots.  
• This will help prevent or break up snow from binding to the pavement.  
• If snow persists and depending on the type of snow this operation will change from a salt run to a plowing operation.

Bureau’s typical plowing operation:

• In a plowing operation there are nine distinct routes designed for the most efficient use of our equipment. 
• Be it wide streets, narrow streets, dead-ends or parking lots we have different equipment to handle each unique area. 
• It takes about four hours to get through the city once in a moderate snow event.  
• We normally try to get through the City twice during a plow operation. 
• Each snow event is different.  
• Snow events vary from low moisture to high moisture, from flurries to high intensity, from relatively warm to bitter cold, with traffic or without traffic, day/night/weekends and holidays. 
• Each impacts how we fight the snow, with our ultimate goal to keep the City open for business and safe for travel.

We thank you for your cooperation and ask you to be safe this winter season.

Press Release:

Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of Batavia, Arc GLOW was able to purchase the necessary equipment for the Genesee County Meals on Wheels program.

Since 2012, Arc GLOW has contracted with the Genesee County Office for the Aging to deliver meals to Genesee County residents over the age of 60. Meals are delivered between 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and are prepared by the agency’s culinary team. 

Through the grant, Arc GLOW was able to replace outdated equipment including utility carts, heating stones and coolers. It was also able to update to a new steam table, allowing for larger quantities of food, improving efficiency and ensuring meals are served at proper temperatures.

“We are very thankful to the Rotary Club of Batavia and their generous support,” said Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW CEO. “With this support, we will continue to provide top quality service to our area seniors.” 

Arc GLOW serves up to 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties, and is the largest geographic Arc chapter in the state. For more information on Arc GLOW, visit ArcGLOW.org. To make a referral to the home delivered meals program, call (585) 343-1611.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

Concerned residents on behalf of the Reservation Territory of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation are highlighting the Genesee County Economic Development Center's (GCEDC) plan to hold daytime public hearings on proposals from three investor groups vying to site a data center at the WNY Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) mega industrial site, currently being constructed in the town of Alabama.

The February 3 hearings are required by Article 18-1 of the General Municipal Law and pertain to financial incentives promised by GCEDC to each of the three applicants. GCEDC has not released any details on these financial incentives, meaning that the public will not have a chance to review this information prior to submitting written or oral comments. 

Moreover, GCEDC has refused to disclose the identities of the companies represented by the investor group applicants. ‘Data center’ is a generic term that can refer to operations ranging from cryptocurrency mining to Artificial Intelligence processing.

Based on financial incentives offered to the only other confirmed tenants at STAMP - Edwards Vacuum and Plug Power, these incentives are likely to be in the ballpark of several million dollars - despite the fact that data centers create minimal jobs, use massive amounts of water and energy, and face opposition from other WNY communities concerned about their noxious public health and environmental impacts. The proposed data center would be sited on a parcel of land characterized by wetlands and located immediately adjacent to the Reservation Territory of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose Council of Chiefs opposes STAMP.

Three public hearings held by STAMP developer GCEDC to gather comments on proposed data center applications. GCEDC is also accepting written comments to gcedc@gcedc.com before 12 p.m. on Friday, January 31. The email must contain the project name in its subject line.

On Monday, February 3 at Town of Alabama Fire Department 2230 Judge Road, Alabama

• 2 p.m. - Project Potentia, formerly Hydroscale 
• 3pm - Project Rampart
• 4pm - Project Double Reed

For more information: linktr.ee/NoSTAMPDataCenters 

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the Protecting School Milk Choices Act to ensure schools participating in the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture offer students at least one flavored milk option.

Additional cosponsors include Representatives Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Derrick Van Orden (WI-3).

"Throughout the United States, local governments are attempting to replace nutritious dairy products with less healthy artificial alternatives. The Protecting School Milk Choices Act ensures schools continue to offer students at least one flavored milk option, such as chocolate milk. Flavored milk is a delicious and nutritious choice that kids enjoy, helping them get the essential nutrients they need. At a time when many students are struggling to meet their nutritional needs, we should focus on expanding healthy natural drink options in schools instead of promoting artificial, highly processed alternatives. As the Representative of the leading dairy-producing district in the Northeast, I am committed to championing legislation that supports our dairy farmers and ensures children across the country have access to wholesome, nutritious dairy options," said Congresswoman Tenney.

“Between 68% and 94% of school-age children are failing to consume the recommended levels of dairy. The Protecting School Milk Choices Act (H.R. 592) ensures schools will offer the nutritious milk options kids prefer, including low-fat flavored milk like chocolate milk. With 13 essential nutrients for growth, development, and immune health, flavored milk helps reduce waste and boost consumption, ensuring children benefit from dairy’s nutrition. Thanks to IDFA's Healthy School Milk Commitment, 37 processors—representing over 90% of school milk—have cut added sugar to an average of just 7.4 grams per serving. IDFA thanks Rep. Caludia Tenney, and Reps. G.T. Thompson, Scott Fitzgerald, Michael Lawler, and Derek Van Orden for their leadership in supporting nutritious and delicious milk options for students nationwide,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association.

Press Release:

Join GO ART! on Saturday, February 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the accomplishments of GO ART! member artists and staff members who participated in the annual members show and honor the awardees, including the President’s and Peoples’ Choice Awards winners.

The public is invited to share this evening with us and view the visual art of local, regional, and GO ART! staff member artists. In addition to viewing the exhibition, visitors will be treated to light refreshments and live music, meet the awardees, and access the GO ART! bar.

This annual art show features work in all media created by GO ART! member artists and staff members. GO ART’s! Board of Directors, members, and staff look forward to this special exhibit each year that has become a signature event that wraps up all our fantastic events for the last year and kicks off the New Year’s exhibition series.

Don’t miss this opportunity to consume this multi-media exhibit that will evoke pleasurable emotions of joy, happiness, and peaceful contemplation. It is also an opportunity to purchase a unique gift for your special Valentine!

The GO ART! member artists and staff exhibition opened on December 12 and will close with the awards reception on February 8. So, come celebrate with us, and we look forward to welcoming you. This event is free, but the experience will be invaluable! 

Press Release:

Peggy Marone has been selected to receive the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce’s Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award. The Chamber’s Board of Directors gives this award, no public nominations are solicited. It is not an annual award and is only given when the Board feels there is a qualified candidate. 

The Award is named after Mr. Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III who was President of the Wyoming County Bank (Pavilion State Bank/Five Star Bank). He was extremely involved in the community as a volunteer and encouraged his employees to develop a commitment to volunteerism and community. He was a visionary that could see the big picture and made real improvements to his passionate beliefs.

Peggy has served as Leadership Genesee’s program director for the past 23 years. During this time, Peggy has shaped the leadership within our community with more than 600 alumni participating under her tutelage. Peggy challenges each graduating class to contribute and make an impact on Genesee County. 

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 53rd Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 1 at Batavia Downs, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.

Tickets are $65.00 per person or a table of 10 for $480.00. 

The evening begins at 5 p.m. with Hors D’oevures, Entrée Tables & Cash Bar (no formal sit-down dinner is to be served). The Award Program starts at 7 p.m. where dessert and coffee will be served.

This year’s honorees are:

Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award: Peggy Marone

Business of the Year: H.E. Turner & Co.

Small Business of the Year: Southside Deli

Agricultural Business of the Year: Alexander Equipment

Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: Meraki Beauty, LLC

Special Recognition of the Year: Genesee County 4-H Critter Crew

Geneseean of the Year: Mickey Charters

Call Kelly J. Bermingham, at 343-7440, ext. 1026 or email kbermingham@genseeny.com to make your reservations or with any questions you may have.

Press Release:

If you are someone who is civic-minded, independent, ambitious, enjoys exploring creative solutions to problems, and wants to make an impact in your community, we want to talk to you about running for local office.

If you are interested in getting involved politically in any capacity, please reach out to us at geneseenydemocrats@gmail.com or www.geneseenydemocrats.org

The following local elected offices will be voted on in November 2025.

County Legislature District 7: City of Batavia Wards 1 & 6

County Legislature District 9: City of Batavia Wards 4 & 5

City of Batavia – 3 City Council at Large Seats

Press Release:

The fourth annual “Music at St. Mark’s” concert series begins on Thursday, February 20, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 East Main St. in Le Roy. All concerts are free to attend, as the project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program administered by GO ART! (Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council).

On Thursday, February 20, the series opens with The Rochester Bagpiper. Jake Kwiatkowski is a professional piper who will present an evening of performance, education, interaction - and some humor - that explains just how unique bagpipes are in the world of music. He'll cover things like how bagpipes work, the origins of the instrument, stories about the tunes being played, and a wide variety of modern and traditional bagpipe music.

On Thursday, March 20, Laura Dubin and Antonio Guerrero present an evening of jazz. Laura Dubin, a virtuoso pianist as well as a composer and arranger, and her husband and percussionist Antonio Guerrero, will play a repetoire of Dubin’s creative pieces that combine works of classical greats and popular contemporary pieces with elements of jazz.  The duo play an astonishing number of concerts each year and have produced 11 albums of their music, including the latest recorded in Vienna, Austria in 2024.

On Thursday, April 24, the Genesee Valley Recorder Ensemble performs music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods along with some contemporary compositions.  Their instruments include recorders of all sizes, from the small sopranino to the very large Great Bass. The group also includes harpsichord, gamba (an early bowed string instrument), and various percussion instruments.  The eight members of the group are from the northern Genesee Valley region, and all have had formal music training and enjoy playing music on period instruments. Several of the members also play with the Rochester chapter of the American Recorder Society.

On Thursday, May 15, the Batavia Swing Band is back by popular demand.  This is a full 17-piece band that has been playing music in Genesee County and the surrounding areas for over 40 years. Members range from music educators, professional musicians, and advanced amateurs who love to play; a few high schoolers join the group occasionally.  They play standard jazz/swing classics like “In The Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade” to more modern songs from Frankie Valli, Disney, and Michael Bublé. Membership may have changed over the years, but the one thing that keeps the band going, is that they all love to play and make music together.

For more information, call the church office at 768-7200 or visit stmarksleroy.org/upcoming-events.

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

Leadership Genesee welcomed 30 individuals from all walks of life representing our community’s public and private organizations, on January 22 and 23 for the 2-day Opening Retreat.

Leadership Genesee Director Peggy Marone said, “We believe it takes people from all walks of life and opinions to lead our county. Our future generations deserve a community with people who care about it, are knowledgeable, able to listen to each other and respect the difference of opinions about all sides of an issue.” 

She continues, “There is a lot going on in our world, we must have leaders who embrace inclusion, listen generously and understand we all have opinions and that’s what makes a community great. This kind of respect is missing in many conversations, it’s up to each of us to bring that respect back to our relationships.”

First time organizations include Gateway Home, Oak Orchard Community Health Center, Council Rock Wealth Advisory Group-Ameriprise, Crossroads House, Coordinated Care Services Inc./Wyoming County Mental Health and SMG-Batavia, LLC (The Daily News, Livingston County News). The class represents a broad cross-section of the community, including education, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, service industry, not for profits and the public sector.

The retreat was sponsored by Leadership Genesee Alumni, hosted by Grace Baptist Church and was facilitated by Skip Helfrich of Human Energies. Leadership Genesee is a program of CCE Genesee County, an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

For more information, visit LG’s website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/leadership-genesee; “like” LG on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipgenesee; or contact Director Peggy Marone at 585-343-3040, ext. 118 or mem77@cornell.edu. Up next for the Class of 2025: Our Business, Our Economics on February 26.

Press Release:

The NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program (NYSLTAP-CLRP) congratulates the Genesee County Department of Public Works as one of the winners in the 2024-25 Work Zone Equipment Package Grant - funded by a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. We know that many agencies with small budgets have difficulty getting new work zone
equipment, especially when it’s stolen or damaged due to circumstances beyond their control. 

The equipment includes cones, safety vests, work zone signs, and stop-slow paddles for setting up a proper work zone. These materials help keep our highway and DPW crews safe when working out on the road. 

“We know that many agencies have difficulty getting work zone equipment, especially when it’s stolen or damaged due to circumstances beyond their control. Good work zone signs protect the workers, improve communication with the public, and make the work more efficient by allowing it to be done faster.” said NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program Director, David Orr, PE.

The NYSLTAP-CLRP Work Zone Equipment Package Grant is for NYS highway and public works departments that have lost, damaged, or are in need of work zone equipment. This year’s grant, from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, allows the NYSLTAP–CLRP to purchase 30 work zone packages, each work zone package comes to just over $1,900.

The NYS LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program provides technical assistance and training to highway and public works departments across New York State. Additional information can be found www.nysltap.org by contacting NYSLTAP-CLRP at 607-255-8033 or clrp@cornell.edu. 

Press Release:

Batavia Lion's Club inducted new members at their monthly meeting, Dr. Ross Fanara led the induction.

Press Release:

Genesee County’s ACT Work Ready Communities campaign has quickly achieved its first milestone with the support of manufacturing, Main Street, and professional service employers.

ACT Work Ready Communities is a workforce initiative connecting area students to businesses and in-demand careers available across Genesee County. The program demonstrates a community’s engaged participation by its workforce and businesses through the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

Genesee County has completed the first of four targets to achieve ACT Work Ready Communities certification. 92 businesses located in and/or serving Genesee County have signed up as supporters of the initiative, matching the program’s goal.

“Genesee County is the second county in New York state to pursue work ready community status, and as a result of an expedited sign-up process by local businesses we see the region’s commitment to addressing workforce development needs,” said Fred McConnel, Senior Director, ACT Workforce. “As this initiative continues, more connections between these employers and the current and emerging workforces will grow.”

To reach the Work Ready Communities goal, Genesee County will also need to achieve targets for participation by students, incumbent workers, and job seekers in NCRC for applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents. This assessment can be utilized to assist individuals in their job searches and by employers to match skills with job opportunities.

“As we grow our region's workforce readiness, there are many great pathways for our youth and adults to grow their careers. Through ACT WorkKeys assessments, apprenticeships, and training programs, these are paths to success. And with direct support available for qualifying jobseekers and workers to complete training and start their new careers, we are truly ready to help you get ready,” added Jay Lazarony, Executive Director, GLOW Workforce Development Board.

Genesee County businesses that have signed up to date include companies in advanced manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, education, professional services, hospitality, and more.

“The National Career Readiness Certificates will fast-track current and future job candidates who are exploring career opportunities and provide companies across Genesee County with a pool of applicants that can easily match their skills with job openings,” said Chris Chadbourne, Plant Manager, Oxbo. 

“By supporting the ACT Work Ready Communities, we are supporting the future of our workforce,” said Matthew Gray, owner, Alex’s Place. “Encouraging students, job seekers, and incumbent workers to gain a nationally recognized certificate and demonstrate their skills provides us with applicants ready for work.” 

Any business located in and/or serving Genesee County can sign up to be a certified organization that recognizes or recommends the NCRC for applicants.

With this achievement, Work Ready Communities supporters are focused on achieving the next set of goals by collaborating with schools, workforce institutions, and other stakeholders to recruit candidates and local companies to participate in the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative.

“Partners across economic development and workforce development have demonstrated, through the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative, an ecosystem that allows our local and growing business to thrive,” said Chris Suozzi, Executive Vice President of Business and Workforce Development, Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). “ACT Work Ready Communities shows how we will continue to prepare our students and residents for in-demand, good-paying careers.”

To see the list of participating businesses please visit https://www.workreadycommunities.org/NY/037/businesses.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia is working with the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC) to apply to New York State for a second Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant.

Governor Hochul and State Legislative leaders have ensured that New York Cities can continue to grow their tax base and business by championing the DRI grant program. The City was a recipient of a DRI in 2018 and have completed seven (7) out of eight (8) transformational projects in the core of downtown Batavia. 

“Without the Governor, the Department of State, and Empire State Development the City of Batavia would not have seen such a dramatic transformation from a fledgling downtown into a flurry of investment; sparking retail, commercial, and residential progress.

The DOS Brownfield Opportunity Area program gave Batavia the blueprint to focus investment on contaminated and underutilized sites. The DRI added the funding to move these projects from the planning stage to construction and completion. The City is ready to extend this winning combination and apply for another DRI grant with a new project boundary,” said Rachael J. Tabelski, City Manager, Batavia. 

Over $75 Million of investment by the private sector was matched to the $10M grant funds to make major improvements in the City. 

1. DRI 1.0 Grant Projects
2. City View Residences
3. Healthy Living Campus/YMCA
4. Carr’s Department Store
5. Main Street Theater 56
6. Building Improvement Fund
7. Jackson Square
8. City Centre Improvement Project
9. Savarino

One of the primary goals of the DRI was to identify projects that are catalytic, leverage additional private and public funding, and are ready to move from planning to construction. 

Batavia’s first DRI Steering Committee recommended 16 final projects ready for investment and New York State choose the top 8 projects for funding. 

“The DRI program was a tremendous success in the City of Batavia providing our citizens with new opportunities for recreation, arts, culture, entertainment and housing. I’m thrilled to work on new opportunities for investment in the City,” said Eugene Jankowski Jr., City Council President.

The City and the BDC continue to assist and incentivize many new projects across the City, however, there are many more projects that are ready to spur more economic development, building revitalization, and housing construction with grant assistance that a DRI award could provide.

“The BDC continually pairs properties and building owners with grants and incentives to drive investment and business development in the City. Since the first successful execution of the DRI program there has been an increase in developer interest within the City. New projects that qualify for the DRI 2.0 will continue to boost the quality of life in our City,” said Tammy Hathaway, Executive Director of the BDC. 

If you are interested in learning more and have a project in the City please send a letter to Tammy Hathaway, BDC Executive Director expressing your interest. Please include the following:

1. Name of Project
2. Address
3. Proposed Project or Idea
4. Potential Investment

After you submit your letter of interest you will be contacted by a member of the DRI Steering Committee to assist you with preparing a full project application and due diligence. 

Full Project Application https://www.batavianewyork.com/home/pages/downtown-revitalization-initiative

Full Project Applications will include:

1. Drawings, renderings, or plans.
2. Order of magnitude cost estimates
3. Description of project benefits
4. Timelines and schedules for implementation
5. Proof of funding
6. Zoning and other permit information

An initial map of the project area is attached, however if you have a project outside the boundary please send a letter of interest to the BDC Executive Director Tammy Hathaway at director@bataviadevelopmentcorp.org.

Press Release:

The Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery is kicking off 2025 with an exciting new sculptural exhibit! The Bennington Concrete Collective features artwork by Ed Hallborg and J. Brian Pfeiffer. Hallborg and Pfeiffer both use concrete/cement as the foundation of their pieces. 

Hallborg creates relief sculptures by spreading layers of cements onto wood, and then carving into it. Recently, he has been experimenting with color in his artwork by layering chalk pastels onto the dried cement for added dimension. Take note of the colorful strokes used in Collaboration Piece, which consists of many interlocking sculptures on display together for the first time. 

Pfeiffer creates stone blocks out of concrete and marble dust, which he then carves into to create his free-standing sculptures. In contrast to his smaller pieces on display, Pfeiffer also creates large scale sculptures, some of which you'll find permanently displayed around Western NY. This requires him to weld metal armatures to create a stable base, which he then covers in concrete. 

Pfeiffer says most of his sculptures are built for interaction, and he encourages viewers to get up close to his artwork. Feel free to take a seat on Sitting Man when you visit the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery. Texture and shadow take center stage in The Bennington Concrete Collective. There is a playful mix of abstract artwork on display next to figurative pieces, from both of these talented artists.

Ed Hallborg is a Western New York based studio artist, theatre designer, educator and musician. He first began working with wood forms and concrete while studying as a Carpenter's Apprentice in the Southwest United States. Graduating SUNY with a BS of Design in 2002, he currently serves as Professor of Practice and Resident Designer/Technical Director for the Theatre Department of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. 

In June 2024, he was selected as one of the four Roycroft Emerging Artists:Cohort 2024, sponsored by the Roycroft at Large Association, a Craftsman community in East Aurora, NY. In October of the same year, he was juried in as an exhibiting member of the Buffalo Society of Artists. Ed just finished up a delightfully collaborative NYSCA Independent Artist Grant working with elementary aged artists in the fall of 2024 which he'd be happy to tell you about. He has shown at gallerys throughout the Western and Central NY region.

J. Brian Pfeiffer is a self-taught sculptor, born in 1964. He has been creating sculptures using concrete or stone (alabaster) since 1984. Pfeiffer is the owner of A Sculptor's Soul Studio, which is located in the rolling hills of Bennington, a small town in Western New York. He has abstract and figurative sculptures of all sizes scattered around his property, as well as commissioned pieces in private collections and public installations peppered throughout Western New York. The largest being a 6-ton concrete sculpture, which is called UNITY, a 911 Memorial donated to the Fireman's Home/Museum in the Hudson Valley. He is a recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts Community Arts Grant in 2024, and has won numerous awards for his sculptures at the Allentown Arts Festival.

Two receptions will be held on January 30 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and at 5 to 7 p.m. Meet our artists and enjoy some refreshments while viewing this exciting new sculptural exhibit.

The Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Wednesdays 5 - 7 p.m. The gallery is also open on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Any changes to the gallery hours will be posted on the gallery social media pages.

For more information please contact: Jessica Skehan at the Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery via email jeskehan@genesee.edu or gccgallery@genesee.edu or telephone 585-343-0055 ext. 6490.

Press Release:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act to protect pro-life pregnancy centers from attacks by radical activists and ensure attackers are held accountable for their violent actions.

Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson 's decision in 2022, pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation have faced an increase in violent attacks from radical pro-abortion extremist groups. In Upstate New York, CompassCare Pregnancy Services, a pro-life center in Amherst, New York, was firebombed in 2022 and was criminally vandalized again in 2023.

The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act aims to strengthen protections for abortion-alternative providers and places of worship by:

• Elevating first-time offenses from misdemeanors to felonies and increasing fines from $10,000 to $25,000;
• Ensuring that successful lawsuits by pregnancy resource centers and religious facilities result in compensation of no less than $20,000, up from the current $10,000 minimum; and
• Raising the mandatory minimum sentence for arson-related attacks from 5 years to 7 years.

"Radical pro-abortion extremists have targeted pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide by attacking workers and volunteers, vandalizing facilities, and even firebombing buildings like CompassCare in Amherst, New York. The Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act is a critical measure to protect women and families who depend on pro-life health centers like CompassCare for compassionate care. This legislation also strengthens penalties to ensure violent perpetrators are held accountable for their attacks on pregnancy resource centers. I remain steadfast in my commitment to defending the sanctity of life and supporting these essential pro-life care centers,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

“A recent study revealed that nearly 70% of women who had an abortion were coerced. Pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers like CompassCare provide a third of a billion dollars of free medical care and support to women facing unplanned pregnancy every year. Pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers provide a woman with true choice: the ability to say ‘no’ to abortion. And yet, pro-abortion domestic terrorists have attacked hundreds of pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers—firebombing CompassCare in 2022, vandalizing us in 2023, and engaging in cyber terror acts in 2025. Added to that, Big Tech censored us, preventing women from finding our free, ethical services in their time of need; pro-abortion politicians like NY Gov. Hochul weaponized legislation against us; NY Attorney General Letitia James engaged in lawfare, seeking specifically to prevent women from receiving life- saving emergency abortion pill reversal at our medical offices; all while a politicized federal law enforcement turned a blind eye. From the terrorists to pro-abortion politicians, the goal of their attacks is the same: shut down all competition to the abortion industry. What Congresswoman Tenney understands is the need to shut down the unjust attacks and abuse of peaceful pro-life citizens, sacrificially investing in their neighbor in crisis. Rep. Tenney’s bill is a strong step in that direction,” said Reverand Jim Harden, CEO of CompassCare.