Sen. April Baskin named Chair of the Senate Commerce, Economic Development andSmall Business Committee

Sen. April Baskin

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin announced today that she has accepted an appointment to serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, a key post that aims to focus on strengthening local economies and supporting small businesses statewide.

“I am grateful to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for entrusting me to lead this prominent committee at the beginning of my tenure as a state senator,” stated Senator Baskin. “I want to assure residents of New York State, as well as my colleagues in the Senate, that I will remain focused, assertive, and attentive to all economic development and small business reform and practices across our great state.”

Senator Baskin brings extensive economic development experience to the role. Prior to joining the New York State Senate, she served six years as Chair of the Erie County Legislature, where she played a leading role in major initiatives including the creation of Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna and securing Erie County’s first-ever NFL Community Benefits Agreement with the Buffalo Bills. She also served for six years on the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, where she supported the effort to create an Economic Inclusion Tax Credit that provided an enhanced incentive for projects and companies that created MWBE and small business contracting opportunities.

While serving in the County Legislature, Senator Baskin passed small business-focused legislation, such as the MWBE modernization bill that increased opportunities for such businesses in Erie County. She also launched a pilot program connecting marginalized business owners to corporate contracting opportunities, generating a total of $1 million in revenue for participating businesses. Senator Baskin currently has a package of bills aimed at expanding public and private contracting opportunities for small businesses across New York State.

"Throughout Senator Baskin's tenure on this committee she has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to economic development and helping small businesses thrive across New York,” Stewart-Cousins said. “I look forward to having her leadership in this new role.”

Senator Baskin will also continue serving as chair of the Senate’s Procurement and Contracts Committee.