Ryan Delaney, WRVO

While often seen as an economic lifeline of another era, New York's canals are poised to have a big year for moving freight; almost two centuries after goods were first transported on the upstate New York waterway.

Frank D'Agostino has his eye on a mostly vacant storefront in the Armory Square section of downtown Syracuse. It's a big part of his grand plan for a Syracuse homecoming.

"Dagsly," as he’s known by his friends, aims to open a computer service and repair store in the space, hoping to capitalize on the growing residential population downtown.

"People are moving back into Syracuse in droves and they’re going to need a place to bring their stuff when it gets busted," he reasons.

A promoter of the buy local movement in Syracuse will hold a regional summit next month to promote local business and encourage entrepreneurs to set up shop.

Syracuse First announced The New Economy Summit at a press conference Monday. It will be held May 22 at the Genesee Grand hotel in Syracuse.

A recent report claiming there are enough qualified Americans to work in the tech industry without  expanding current work visa programs, has drawn criticism.

On Wednesday the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) issued a report that undermined arguments proffered by the technology industry for additional guest workers to meet industry demand. 

The EPI argued its data shows there are more than enough workers in the U.S. with the appropriate STEM - science, technology, engineering and math - skills to fill the worker shortage. Those workers are just being displaced by the lower salaries of guest workers, the report says.

But the tech industry is calling the report's findings flawed.

Business leaders are joining with several New York members of Congress who oppose the idea of introducing a fee for visitors crossing the border into the U.S., citing the importance of Canadians to upstate New York’s economy.

The Department of Homeland Security says the proposed border crossing fee would help generate revenue, and wants to fund a study of the idea as part of its 2014 budget.

But business owners on this side of the border worry it would reduce tourism and hurt business.