>> COMING UP TONIGHT: WE EXAMINE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN SYRACUSE.

SEE FIRSTHAND HOW A MICRO MOBILITY PROGRAM IS BOOSTING ACCESSIBILITY IN SYRACUSE.

AND OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES SHINES A MUCH NEEDED LIGHT ON BUFFALO BILLS' RUNNING BACK LATAVIUS MURRAY AND HIS MISSION TO OPEN UP A HOMETOWN COMMUNITY CENTER -- HONORING A BELOVED FRIEND.

ON THE MONEY BEGINS RIGHT NOW • GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ON THE MONEY, WCNY'S FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - THINK OF IT AS YOUR LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS PROGRAM FEATURING SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND HAPPENINGS FROM EVERY CORNER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

I'M LAIZA SEMIDEY.

DURING OUR SEASON WE'LL SEE WHERE MONEY IS BEING MADE, SPENT AND SOMETIMES LOST AND FOCUS ON PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES AFFECTING US LOCALLY.

OUR FIRST REPORT KEEPS US RIGHT HERE IN SYRACUSE.

RECENT REPORTS UNDERSCORE THE EVIDENT ECONOMIC REPER-CUSSIONS OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN SYRACUSE.

IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023, ONONDAGA COUNTY RECORDED 33 FATALITIES ATTRIBUTED TO DRUG OVERDOSES, PROJECTING AN ESTIMATE OF 132 DEATHS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THIS SCENARIO IS EMBLEMATIC OF A TRANSITION FROM CONVENTIONAL OPIOIDS TO A CRISIS DOMINATED BY FENTANYL, A SYNTHETIC OPIOID OFTEN AUGMENTED WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES TO HEIGHTEN ITS POTENCY.

FURTHERMORE, THE COUNTY CONTENDS WITH A WEEKLY AVERAGE OF 30 TO 65 OVERDOSE INCIDENTS, ENCOMPASSING BOTH FATAL AND NON-FATAL OCCURRENCES.

THIS SEGMENT FEATURES INSIGHTS FROM JEREMY KLEMANSKI, THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HELIO HEALTH, AS WELL AS A FATHER WHO HAS FIRSTHAND WITNESSED THE HARROWING CONSEQUENCES OF THE EPIDEMIC.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THE EPIDEMIC IS BETTER NOW THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO?

ARE WE THE SAME OR HAS IT GOTTEN WORSE?

>> I THINK IT'S FAR WORSE.

EATS FAR WORSE IF WE MEASURE IT IN TERMS OF OVERDOSE.

IT'S FAR WORSE IF YOU MEASURE IT IN TERMS OF DEATH, FAR WORSE IF YOU MEASURE IN TERMS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION ENOUGH TO BE PART OF THE WORKFORCE AND PART OF OUR ECONOMY OR BE PART OF THEIR FAMILIES OR BE A HEALTHY PART OF OUR FUNCTIONING SOCIETY.

>> MY STEP DAUGHTER, HOLLAND, HAD SOME ADDICTION ISSUES AND WENT INTO TREATMENT AND THINGS JUST ESCALATED AFTER HER-- AFTER SHE GOT OUT OF TREATMENT.

SHE SUFFERED AN OVERDOSE AND APPARENTLY IT WAS FENTANYL.

NARCAN DIDN'T WORK.

THEY GAVE HER A COUPLE DOSES OF NARCAN.

SOMEHOW OR OTHER THEY GOT HER ON LIFE SUPPORT, INDUCED A COMA.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE PLANNING FOR HER FUNERAL.

AND MIRACLE OF MIRACLES, SHE DID COME OUT OF THE COMA AND WE HAD HIGH HOPES THAT THERE WOULD BE A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY.

UNFORTUNATELY SHE HAS BEEN AT THE NORTHEAST REHABILITATION BRAIN INJURY CENTER FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

AND THAT'S WHY I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE PAID TO POST TREATMENT CARE TO THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW IS THERE IS A MISPERCEPTION THAT THERE IS ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THE ENORMITY OF THE BEEN.

-- TO DEAL WITH THE ENORMITY OF THE PROBLEM.

THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEEING HEADLINES ABOUT THE OPIOID SETTLEMENTS AND FUNDS THAT ARE COMING INTO NEW YORK.

THE FUNDS ARE NOT FLOWING TO PROVIDERS AT THIS POINT.

UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF PROGRAMS IS ACTUALLY DOWN.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS THEY'RE DOWN AND WE HAVE EMPTY BEDS ACROSS THIS STATE RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE PROVIDERS HAVE LOST SO MUCH STAFF.

THERE MIGHT BE A BED BUT THERE ARE ENOUGH NOT PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE CALLS COMING IN, NOT ENOUGH NURSES TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS THEIR MEDS PASSED.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH DOCTORS AND PSYCHIATRISTS TO SEE AND DIAGNOSE AND TREAT EVERYBODY.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH COUNSELORS TO GET EVERYBODY THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY WANT AND WHAT IT DOES, THINK WHAT IT DOES TO A NURSE OR A COUNSELOR, IT CRUSHES THEM INSIDE EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY THAT THEY CAN'T GIVE THE TYPE OF CARE THIS THE THEY WANT TO GIVE.

IT HURTS THEM AND BUILDS UP AND THAT TYPE OF PAIN AND MENTAL ANGUISH AND TRAUMA CAUSES PEOPLE TO LIVE.

-- CAUSES PEOPLE TO LEAVE.

THE THING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR VIEWERS TO KNOW IS PEOPLE WHO FIND RECOVERY GO BACK TO WORK.

THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

THEY BECOME TAXPAYERS AGAIN.

THEY BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR FAMILIES, WHICH REDUCES BURDEN ON OUR SOCIAL SYSTEMS.

TREATMENT AND RECOVERY AND HARM REDUCTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES ARE ACTUALLY HUGE ECONOMIC ENGINES.

THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN THIS TYPE OF SERVICE HAS A RETURN OF 7 TO $10 IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

I DON'T KNOW MANY PLACES YOU ARE GOING TO GET A BETTER RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT THAN THAT.

AND I DON'T KNOW MANY PLACES WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO FIX WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

FAMILY PROBLEMS, CRIME PREMATURE DEATH, SO MANY THINGS ARE IMPACTED BY UNTREATED SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

SO WHAT I SAY TO FOLKS THAT CONTROL THE PURSE STRINGS IS TAKE A LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT A GREATER INVESTMENT FROM YOU COULD HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FAMILIES AND ASK YOURSELF ARE WE SPENDING ENOUGH?

ARE WE REALLY COMMITTED TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM?

>> NEXT UP, OUR COMMON SENSE PIECE AND HERE TO JOIN US TODAY TO TALK ABOUT HOW MICRON WILL IMPACT BOTH SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM RENTALS IS CHIP HODGKINS.

CHIP IS WITH THE HODGKINS HOMES TEAM OUT OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WELCOME, CHIP!

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SO, WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THIS MICRON COMPANY IS COMING HERE.

AND AS SOMEONE THAT'S LOOKING FOR A HOME, I AM TERRIFIED THAT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME HERE AND BUY UP ALL THE HOMES.

HOW TRUE IS THAT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO BUY HOMES UP RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING FROM OUTSIDE.

AND THEY'RE TRYING TO BUY UP A LOT OF HOMES.

WHAT IS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN IS THE PEOPLE FROM MICRON, THEY'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING IN CONTRACTORS.

THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY WANT TO LIVE IN BALDWINSVILLE, CAMILLUS, LAFAYETTE OR AUBURN, THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LIVE.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO RENT FOR THE FIRST THREE, SIX, NINE MONTHS.

AND THEN THEY MAY ACTUALLY BRING SOME FAMILY IN AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO BUY.

SO THE FIRST CRISIS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH IS SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

THEY BE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A CRISIS IN LONG-TERM RENTALS AND I MEAN CRISIS.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH LONG-TERM RENTALS OR SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR THE CURRENT MARKET AND MICRON IS GOING TO BE BRINGING IN THOUSANDS OF WORKERS.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

>> THE GOOD THING IS I HAVE A HOUSE THAT I WANT TO RENT.

ANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF THAT DOES HAVE A HOME TO RENT OUT?

>> SO AS A HOMEOWNER, BIG OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE RENTAL COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP A LOT.

SO HOMEOWNERS, IF YOU WANT TO RENT OUT YOUR HOUSE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO-- INSTEAD OF RENTING A HOUSE LIKE A FOUR BEDROOM TWO AND A HALF BATH, RENT IT OUT FOR $2200 NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WENT IT OUT FOR $3,000, $3400, $3800.

>> HOW MUCH IS THAT A ROOM?

IS THERE LIKE A MATH.

>> ABOUT 600 TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER BEDROOM AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN SARATOGA OR IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW ALBANY OHIO OUTSIDE OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, WHICH IS WHERE INTEL IS GOING.

THEIR RENTS HAVE ALREADY GONE UP AND INTEL HAS JUST STARTED CONSTRUCTION SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE RENTAL PRICES GO UP BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INVENTORY.

>> CHIP, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING.

CHIP IS WITH THE HODGKINS HOMES TEAM OUT OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT IS OUR TECH BYTES SEGMENT WHERE WE BRING YOU SOME NEW AND INTERESTING TECHNOLOGIES FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK.

VEO IS CHAMPIONING THE MOVE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION, AIMING TO REDUCE CAR DEPENDENCY FOR EVERYONE.

COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY OF SYRACUSE, VEO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE REVIVAL OF THE MICROMOBILITY PROGRAM.

>> VEO IS MICROMOBILITY COMPANY MEANING THEY'RE SCOOTER SHARE, BIKE SHARE AND THEIR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH A CAR-FREE GREEN WAY TO GET AROUND.

THERE IS A LARGE PART OF THE POPULATION THAT DOESN'T HAVE A CAR.

THERE IS A LARGE PART OF THE POPULATION THAT HAS A CAR BUT DOESN'T WANT TO USE IT ALL THE TIME.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE CITY WAS MOSTLY FOCUSED ON WHEN THEY BROUGHT US IN.

VEO IS NEEDED IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE BECAUSE WE HAVE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS, DIFFERENT JOB CENTERS, DIFFERENT RESIDENTIAL AREAS THAT ARE CLOSE ENOUGH THAT A QUICK TRIP ON A BIKE OR SCOOTER MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

BUT THEY MIGHT BE A LITTLE FAR FOR A WALK.

IT MAY TAKE A LITTLE WHILE TO WAIT FOR A CENTRAL ROUTE TO COME BY, AND IT MIGHT BE A LITTLES DIFFICULT, SAY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE TO GET FROM ONE END OF TOWN TO THE OTHER.

SO THIS SERVICE REALLY BRIDGES THAT GAP AND IT OFFERS ANOTHER LAYER IN THE CITY'S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK.

>> THE BUS SERVICE WE PROVIDE IS BEING THAT FIRST MILE LAST MILE FOR BUS USERS.

THE BUS BECOMES A MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE OPTION WHEN YOU KNOW INSTEAD OF WALKING THAT LAST MILE, THERE IS A SCOOTER RIGHT THERE FOR YOU TO HOP ON AND RIGHT TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION.

>> VEO OFFERS THESE SERVICES AT NO COST.

THEIR FEES ARE BUILT INTO THE PROGRAM AND THEY RECOOP THOSE WITHOUT INVESTMENT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS OR ANY GRANTS OR ANY OTHER SORT OF SUBSIDIES COMING FROM THE CITY.

>> ALL OF OUR REVENUE COMES FROM OUR RIDERSHIP.

IT'S NOT SUBSIDIZED BY ANY INVESTORS OR ANYTHING THAT CAN PULL OUT AND KIND OF CAUSE THE WHOLE THING TO FALL APART.

>> LAST YEAR WE WERE TOPS IN THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS RIDES PER SCOOTER PER DAY.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT THING.

BUT I SAW IT AS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE OVERCOME BECAUSE WHEN THE SCOOTERS ARE ALWAYS IN MOTION AND SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS RIDING IT, THEY CAN BE HARD TO FIND ONE WHEN YOU NEED ONE AND WE WANT THIS TO BE A RELIABLE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND OUTSIDE BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE CITY AND INTO AREAS THAT CENTRO GOES AND HOPEFULLY SERVICE MORE PEOPLE.

YOU WOULD GO TO YOUR APP STORE AND DOWNLOAD VEO, IT'S A FREE APP.

ONCE YOU HAVE THE APP, IT WILL SHOW YOU WHERE EVERY SCOOTER IN THE CITY IS, HOW MUCH BATTERY EACH SCOOTER HAS, WHAT THE COST OF EACH SCOOTER IS.

THE BIKE IS $1 TO UNLOCK AND 36 CENTS A MINUTE.

IT'S PURPOSEFULLY SIMPLE.

BRAKES ON EACH SIDE, RIGHT IS REAR, LEFT IS FRONT.

WE HAVE OUR LOT TO TOLL GO.

NO RIDING ON SIDEWALKS SIGN WHICH IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT AND UP HERE YOU HAVE YOUR QR CODE SO YOU TAKE YOUR APP AND SIMPLY SCAN THE SCOOTER AT THE QR CODE AND PRESS START RIDE.

AND IT WILL TURN ON AND LIT SAY WELCOME TO VEO.

>> WELCOME TO VEO.

>> AND THE AMOUNT OF BATTERY WILL SHOW UP AS WELL AS THE SPEEDOMETER.

HOP ON.

PRESS FORWARD, LIT COME OFF ITS KICK STAND AND GO.

>> TODAY FOR BY THE NUMBERS WE BREAK DOWN HOW MUCH HOMEBUYERS WITH TODAY'S PRICES AND INTEREST RATES RIGHT HERE IN SYRACUSE.

WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND HOMES ARE SELLING FOR ABOUT (INAUDIBLE) 60% TO 7 P BT 57%.

SO THAT MEANS FOR 15 YEAR LOAN, YOUR PAYOFF DATE WILL BE JULY 20, 38 AND TOTAL AMOUNT FOR THE HOME WILL BE OVER $307,000.

PAYING ABOUT $94,000 OF INTEREST.

THAT'S FOR THIS HOUSE.

FOR A 30-YEAR LOAN, YOUR PAYOUT DATE IS JULY 253.

TOTAL AMOUNT FOR A HOUSE THAT COSTS $512,000 MEANS PAYING $242,000 IN INTEREST.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 15 AND 30 IS A BIG ONE $205,000.

THIS MARKET IS HOT.

CALIENTE BUT THOSE ARE YOUR NUMBERS FOR TONIGHT NUMBERS FOR TONIGHT WE FINISH TONIGHT WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES HIGHLIGHTING SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES OR PEOPLE.

IT'S NO SURPRISE, PLAYING IN THE NFL ISN'T EASY NOR DOES IT LEAVE MUCH TIME FOR ANY OUTSIDE INTERESTS.

BUT APPARENTLY NO ONE TOLD BUFFALO BILLS RUNNING BACK LATAVIUS MURRAY THAT.

HE'S ON A MISSION TO HONOR A DECEASED BEST FRIEND WHILE PROVIDING A POSITIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE TO DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS.

DANIEL FLUFF MET WITH HIM FOR A DISCUSSION.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO TALK FOOTBALL AND NFL WITH YOU BUT THIS IS NOT SPORTSCENTER.

WE ARE NOT AT ESPN.

WE ARE HERE FOR A DIFFERENT REASON SO LET'S GET INTO IT IF WE CAN.

THE JON DIAZ COMMUNITY CENTER, BEGS TWO QUESTIONS RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

WHO IS JON DIAZ AND WHY ARE WE NOT CALLING THIS THE LATAVIUS MURRAY COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> JON DIAZ IS MY BEST FRIEND, WAS MY BEST FRIEND WHO WAS TRAGICALLY TAKEN IN 2016 THANKSGIVING NIGHT DOWNTOWN.

POPULAR NIGHT OUT FOR EVERYBODY TO HANG OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

THANKSGIVING EVE.

THAT'S WHO HE WAS.

HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND, SOMEBODY I GREW UP WITH FROM THE AGE OF SIX YEARS OWED.

WE WERE IN KINDERGARTEN CLASS TOGETHER AND WE GRADUATED TOGETHER.

>> WE ARE NAMING THE CENTER IN HIS HONOR.

>> NAMING FROM THE IN HIS HONOR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS OUR RUNNING BACK DRILL.

RBs AND ALL THAT.

BREAK IT DOWN WITH THE RBs ON THREE.

WHO WANT IT?

>> I'LL DO IT.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET IT.

COUNT IT DOWN, RBs ON THREE.

>> RBs ON 3.

>> 1, 2, 3.

>> RBs!

YOU KNOW WHY WE HAVE THIS ARM OPEN OVER HERE.

TELL ME WHY?

>> BECAUSE OF A FUMBLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> RUN, RUN, RUN, GET THERE.

GO YOU GO.

GOOD WORK, GOOD WORK.

GROWING UP, I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH BUT WHEN YOU WEREN'T IN SCHOOL, WHEN YOU WEREN'T IN CLASS, THERE WASN'T A LOT TO DO.

THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF PLACES TO GO.

WOULD YOU AGREEY WITH THAT?

>> FOR SURE.

WE JUST HAD A KELLEY PARK, THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH IT BUT AS FAR AS PLACES TO GO, WE HAD TO TRAVEL SOMEWHAT OF A DISTANCE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO PLACES WE WANTED TO GO TO.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT A LOT HAS CHANGED.

THERE ARE POCKETS OF OUR COMMUNITY NOW WHERE I HATE TO SAY KIDS, BUT OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE, THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES.

THERE IS NOT A LOT TO DO.

THERE IS NOT STILL A LOT OF PLACES TO GO.

AND I JUST, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER THAT OFTEN TIMES CAN LEAD TO A LOT OF BAD BEHAVIOR.

>> YEAH.

>> ARE YOU SEEING THAT?

>> YEAH.

>> WE ALL NEED OUTLETS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK KIDS DO AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE, RIGHT, OUTLETS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO HAVE.

>> AND THAT'S IT.

I KIND OF DISLIKE THAT PHRASE OF GETTING OUR KIDS OFF THE STREET.

BUT THEY DON'T BELONG ON THE STREET.

NOT MUCH GOOD HAPPENS THERE.

THEY NEED A PLACE.

IS THAT PART OF THE REASONING BEHIND THIS?

>> GETTING THEM OFF THE STREET IS ONE THING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE OFF THE STREET, ARE THEY IN THE HOUSE NOW?

GETTING THEM OFF THE STREET AND OUT OF THE HOUSE IS IMPORTANT, TO GETTING THEM INVOLVED TO BEING AROUND POSITIVE, YOU KNOW, OUTLETS, POSITIVE PEOPLE.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR NUMBER TATTOOED ON YOU?

>> YEAH 28.

YOU SEE THAT, 2-8, BABY YOU SEE WHAT THAT SAY RIGHT THERE?

ONONDAGA.

>> YOU WENT TO ONONDAGA HIGH SCHOOL.

>> OF COURSE, ONLY THE BEST SCHOOL IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THE PROJECT AND GOALS THAT HAVE YOU IN MIND, YOU WANT TO BUILD THIS $5 MILLION-DOLLAR FACILITY.

>> PROBABLY MORE NOW.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

WHATEVER, 5 PLUS MILLION.

THE QUESTION IS FOR 5 MILLION BUCKS, WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN THERE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> FOR SURE WHEN THE WALLS ARE UP, WE'LL HAVE A JIP, EXERCISE ROOM, CLASSROOM, A GYM, INDOOR PLAYGROUND, DAYCARE, POSSIBLY RIGHT NOW THAT'S HOW IT'S LOOKING SO, YEAH, THERE WILL BE PLENTY.

>> A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING.

>> WHERE IS SOMEBODY COMING FROM?

>> WE HAVE TO GET IT, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY A GOOD LUMP SUM IN GRANTS FEDERAL, STATE.

OBVIOUSLY ONONDAGA COUNTY WAS VERY GENEROUS IN THEIR $THE MILLION PLEDGE.

>> MONEY IN THE BANK AS FAR AS YOU ARE CONCERNED.

>> YES.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE STATE?

>> THE STATE, WE ARE STILL WAITING ON THEM TO VOTE ON THAT.

AND THEN FEDERAL AS WELL.

I THINK THEY'LL VOTE SOON.

>> FROM WHAT I'VE LEARNED SO FAR, THERE IS A FOCUS ON ATHLETICS, WHICH, CERTAINLY WORKED FOR YOU IF I CAN SAY THAT.

I GOT TO BELIEVE YOU GOT TO GO BEYOND THAT, TOO, AND GO IT SOME KIND OF EDUCATIONAL ASPECT IN THERE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE EDUCATION IS THE KEY.

GIVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SOME-- SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT, SOMETHING TO GO FOR.

DO YOU AGREEY WITH ME.

>> DEFINITELY.

EDUCATION IS THE KEY.

ATHLETICS OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME AND WHETHER OR NOT I GOT THE EDUCATION PART RIGHT AWAY, ATHLETICS OPENED THE DOOR TO MY MIND EXPANDING EVEN WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

SO WHEN I TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES, WHATEVER IT IS, IF IT'S NOT SPORTS, ATHLETICS, WE JUST WANT TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE HOPE IN WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE.

IF THAT IS IN A CLASSROOM OR TRADE.

HOPEFULLY THEIR MINDS EXPAND LIKE MINE HAS TO WANT TO DO THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> BASIC GENERAL EDUCATION ON FAMILY, ON FINANCES, YOU KNOW, LATAVIUS.

I KNOW KIDS WHO GRADUATE COLLEGE AND CAN'T BALANCE A CHECKBOOK.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN ABOUT CREDIT, ALL OF THAT.

ALL OF THAT, I THINK, WILL BE IMPORTANT.

I HOPE YOU AGREE.

>> 100%.

FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT, IF I LOOK BACK NOW IN SCHOOL, I WOULD RATHER MUCH LEARN ABOUT FINANCES, WHAT SHOULD I BE INVESTING IN?

>> AND I WOULD RATHER BE A RUNNING BACK.

SO THAT'S THE TRADE-OFF.

>> THE STORY THAT YOU ATTENDED THE FIRST EVER CAMP.

IT'S A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT.

I WAS THIS THEIR SHOES.

THEY COULD BE IN OURS.

>> UFT J BEING AROUND GUYS THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE HIGH LEVEL.

THEY'RE AROUND GUYS THAT YOU KNOW, HAVE DONE IT, WENT TO COLLEGE, DID EVERYTHING YOU SEE, DID EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO DO.

SO WHY NOT BE AROUND THOSE GUYS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WHY NOT BE FIRSTHAND OR IN PERSON WITH THE GUYS WHO INSPIRED YOU.

>> I HAVE BEEN TO CAMPS WHERE THERE ARE NFL PRO-ATHLETES AND WHATEVER THERE MIGHT BE AND HOW MUCH THAT IMPACTED ME AND INSPIRED ME.

I THINK IT'S ONLY RIGHT THAT WE PROVIDE THE SAME KIND OF FEELING, THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> THERE WE GO.

MUCH BETTER!

>> NICE, NICE.

>> IN ALL HONESTY, IF I HAD COME UP WITH THIS IDEA AND GOT SUPPORT AND ALL THAT, TO BE TRUTHFUL, I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD PULL IT OFF BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE GOT THAT KIND OF CREDIBILITY TO TAKE TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

YOU DO.

AS YOU'VE TALKED TO SOME OF OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, I MEAN DO YOU REALLY SENSE THAT WE KNOW THERE IS A NEED.

BUT SOMETIMES SELLING THAT NEED TO THEM MIGHT BE TOUGH.

DO YOU SENSE THAT THEY'RE ON BOARD?

DO YOU SENSE THEY WANT THIS?

DO YOU SENSE THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS?

>> YEAH, I'VE GOTTEN TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY, YOUTH IN ITSELF.

THOSE THAT LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY EVEN.

I JUST THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE ONES LIVING IN IT.

I HAVE LIVED IT, RIGHT, BUT RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY THEY'RE THE ONES LIVING IN IT SO THERE IS A NEED.

THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS A NEED AND I THINK IT HAS HELPED THAT I'VE COME FROM THIS PLACE.

I'VE BEEN RIGHT WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN.

>> THEY'LL FOLLOW YOU.

SO HERE IS THE OTHER PART OF IT.

NO DISRESPECT.

DON'T GET MAD AT ME.

YOU KNOW, YOU ARE THE FACE OF THIS.

BUT LET'S BE CANDID.

I MEAN YOU ARE A YOUNG NFL STAR.

A COUPLE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, I MEAN REALISTICALLY, HOW MUCH TIME, HOW MUCH ENERGY, HOW MUCH OF YOU IS GOING TO BE IN THIS FACILITY?

>> YEAH, THIS WILL ALWAYS BE IN ME, RIGHT?

IF THIS IS ME BRINGING THIS FACILITY, THIS IS THE FOUNDATION , BRINGING THIS FACILITY TO THE COMMUNITY, SO I WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF THAT, ALWAYS.

AND SO MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS THING IS LONG LASTING, STABLE.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I PUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS, PARTNERSHIPS IN PLACE FOR THAT.

THAT'S MY JOB SO THAT THAT IS NEVER AN ISSUE AND SO THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO TO DO.

>> BEST CASE, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW.

>> I SEE KIDS GROWING UP 5, TO, 20 YEARS FROM NOW GROWING UP AND SAYING THEY WENT TO THE JON DIAZ COMMUNITY CENTER THE SAME AS THEY DID THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OR I GREW UP GOING TO THE JVCC.

-- JDCC.

>> OUR THANKS AGAIN TO LATAVIUS FOR SHARING HIS TIME WITH US TO DISCUSS THIS VITAL STORY -- AND BEST OF LUCK TO HIM WITH THE REST OF SEASON WITH BUFFALO.

BILLS.

THAT CONCLUDES TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

NEXT WEEK, WE HIGHLIGHT THE FIRST ALL-MINORITY LED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.

THEN WE HEAD OUT TO ROME TO GET AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT HOW DRONES ARE PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE FOR THE REGION'S PUBLIC SAFETY SECTOR.

AND FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES WE HEAD BACK TO THE SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

A YEAR AGO, THEY RECEIVED A MILLION DOLLAR STATE GRANT TO HELP EXPAND AND MODERNIZE ONE OF ITS TWO PASSENGER TERMINALS -- WE'LL SHOW YOU FIRSTHAND HOW IT'S GOING.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE COMING THIS SEASON SO IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A BUSINESS, PERSON OR JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, CONTACT US BY EXAMPLE MAILING NEWS@WCNY.ORG.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WCNY.ORG/"ON THE MONEY."

YOU CAN ALSO VIEW OUR PREVIOUS EPISODES THERE TOO.. AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AS WELL.

I'M LAIZA SEMIDEY, THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING.