Two business operators from Massena and one from Nicholville have signed on in support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to raise the minimum wage in the state.

Pat Curran of Curran Renewable Energies and Tom Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Office Supplies, both in Massena, and Mark Dzwonczyk, CEO of Nicholville Telephone Company, have joined the governor’s "Fight for Fair Pay" campaign to raise the minimum wage from the current $8.75 an hour to $10.50 statewide and $11.50 in New York City.

"As our economy comes back with new jobs and growth, we must do everything we can to ensure all New Yorkers are part of our new economic momentum," Cuomo said. "Raising the minimum wage statewide will give our lowest wage workers a much needed boost, while injecting billions of dollars into local economies across Upstate New York. I thank theses business leaders for recognizing that our proposal to raise the minimum wage will be good for workers and good for business, and look forward to working together to see this increase passed this year."

In total, 1.3 million New Yorkers would be paid more if the governor’s plan is approved, which translates into a $3.4 billion direct economic value statewide, according to a press release from his office.

A reasonable minimum wage can help improve the standard of living for workers, reduce poverty, encourage fair and more efficient business practices, ensure that the most vulnerable members of the workforce can contribute to the economy, and lift more than 100,000 New Yorkers out of poverty, the press release said.