NORWICH – It’s time for business people to become more active, to write letters and make calls to New York State representatives and Chambers of Commerce in support of economic development and job creating policies.

That was the principal message delivered to Chenango County yesterday from Albany’s leading business advocacy organization, The Business Council of New York State Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Heather Briccetti told those attending a Commerce Chenango and NBT Bank-sponsored breakfast at the American Legion that activists who oppose economic development have to become louder.

“We all need to be activists to make sure the legislature stays on track as pro-business and pro-job growth,” she said. “For too long the antis have been very, very vocal. The business community needs to band together and say something positive in support of growth and jobs.”

During her powerpoint presentation, Briccetti tipped her hat to Governor Andrew Cuomo for closing a $2 billion spending gap and strengthening New York’s economy for the past two years in a row. The Governor has laid a strong foundation upon which existing businesses can grow and new corporations are welcomed, she said, and the Business Council fully endorses him.

“I remember after 9/11, and the jobs lost on Wall Street. People in Albany weren’t sure we would ever get those jobs back. ... But we did, and we have to maintain state fiscal discussions to keep New York on track.”

The Business Council supports local government regulatory relief, broad business tax reforms, promotes private capital investment, particularly in upstate New York, and endorses Marcellus Shale development. Briccetti sits on a state panel created to ensure that state agencies and local governments will have the adequate resources to monitor hydraulic fracturing activities should the state decide to permit shale drilling. The council’s pro-gas drilling position is responsible for between 30 and 40 “hate e-mails” that Briccetti personally receives daily.

“We think it can be done safely, in an environmentally sound way and in a way that benefits those counties like Broome and Chenango where the shale is. But the antis have been more vocal. We need to be pro-activists,” she said.