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| Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council | |
|---|---|
| Name | Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council |
| Formation | 2011 |
| Type | Public-private partnership |
| Region | Finger Lakes, New York |
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council convenes public and private stakeholders to coordinate economic development efforts across the Finger Lakes, addressing regional competitiveness, workforce development, and infrastructure investment. The council assembles representatives from state and local agencies, municipal governments, higher education institutions, and private-sector firms to implement multi-year strategic plans linked to statewide initiatives. Its activities intersect with federal programs, statewide authorities, and regional nonprofit organizations to leverage grants and capital for project deployment.
The council operates within the State of New York regional framework alongside other regional councils such as the Capital Region and Western New York, coordinating with agencies including the New York State Department of Economic Development, Empire State Development, and New York Power Authority. It engages municipalities such as Rochester, New York, Syracuse, New York, Ithaca, New York, Geneva, New York, and Canandaigua, New York and links to institutions like Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Geneseo, Monroe Community College, and Finger Lakes Community College. The council's scope touches industry clusters represented by companies like Kodak, Bausch + Lomb, and startups emerging from incubators such as High Tech Rochester and The Tech Garden.
Established in the aftermath of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2011 regional initiative, the council formed as part of a statewide effort aligning with the Regional Economic Development Council Competition and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Early participants included regional planning agencies such as the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, county governments like Monroe County, New York, Ontario County, New York, Seneca County, New York, and economic development organizations such as Greater Rochester Enterprise and Finger Lakes Economic Development Center. The council’s formation drew on precedents from regional collaborations like the Hudson Valley Regional Council and policy frameworks referenced by the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly.
Governance comprises appointed co-chairs, advisory committees, and working groups representing counties including Ontario County, New York, Monroe County, New York, Yates County, New York, Schuyler County, New York, and Steuben County, New York. The council coordinates with state entities like Empire State Development and local development corporations such as Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Corporation (distinct municipal partners and private development firms). Stakeholders include higher education leaders from Cornell University Law School, University of Rochester, and research centers like the Wegmans School of Pharmacy and the Eastman Institute for Oral Health. Committees address sector-specific priorities (advanced manufacturing, viticulture, biomanufacturing) and liaise with federal programs from U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration.
Strategic plans align with statewide priorities such as the Clean Energy Standard and the NY Forward program, targeting clusters like agriculture and viticulture linked to wineries along Seneca Lake, Keuka Lake, and Canandaigua Lake, life sciences connected to University of Rochester Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine, and advanced manufacturing tied to firms like UTC Aerospace Systems and ITT Corporation. Priorities emphasize workforce development coordinated with training providers including Workforce Development Institute, apprenticeship programs referenced by the U.S. Department of Labor, and infrastructure investments in transportation corridors such as Interstate 90 and rail served by Amtrak routes. Plans also reference tourism initiatives integrated with attractions like Watkins Glen International and cultural institutions such as the Strong National Museum of Play and Cayuga Nature Center.
Major projects have included downtown redevelopment in cities like Rochester, New York and Geneva, New York, brownfield remediation efforts tied to the Environmental Protection Agency programs, and innovation hub projects modeled after incubators such as Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) and High Tech Rochester. Large-scale investments have supported the life sciences cluster at the University of Rochester Medical Center and commercialization partnerships with Cornell University, while agri-business projects have bolstered operations like Conesus Lake dairy farms and vineyard expansion tied to the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Infrastructure projects have upgraded airport facilities including Greater Rochester International Airport and multimodal freight supported by the Port of Rochester and regional rail improvements funded through federal grants.
Funding streams include awards from the New York State Regional Economic Development Council competition, allocations from Empire State Development, federal grants administered by the Economic Development Administration, and philanthropic contributions from entities like the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Community Foundation of Tompkins County. The council’s grant rounds have supported shovel-ready projects, leveraging tax incentives such as Industrial Development Agency (IDA) abatements and tax credits referenced in state statutes enacted by the New York State Legislature. Reported impacts cite job commitments with employers including Bausch Health Companies and small-business scale-ups assisted by SCORE and Small Business Administration programs, while metrics track capital investment, workforce placements, and regional GDP contributions.
Partnerships span municipal governments such as City of Rochester, New York and City of Ithaca, New York, county economic development offices, community colleges like Finger Lakes Community College, research institutions like Cornell Cooperative Extension, and nonprofit organizations including Regional Plan Association-affiliated planners. The council engages chambers of commerce including the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and industry associations like the New York Farm Bureau and New York Wine and Grape Foundation; collaboratives include workforce boards under the New York State Department of Labor and federal agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development for community development projects. Stakeholder engagement processes use public listening sessions, technical assistance provided by NYSERDA, and interagency coordination with entities like the Thruway Authority to align investments with regional priorities.