ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STEUBEN COUNTY AN OVERVIEW PREPARED BY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STEUBEN COUNTY:  AN OVERVIEW

 Prepared by:

 Greg Heffner, AICP
 Planning Director

 Steuben County Planning Department
 3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, New York   14810

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. INTRODUCTION

II. COUNTY-WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

A. Alfred Technology Resources, Inc.
B. Business Development Center 
C. Chambers of Commerce
D. Chemung-Schuyler-Steuben Workforce Development Board
E. Regional Economic Development & Energy Corporation
F. Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board
G. Steuben County Industrial Development Agency 
H. Steuben County Planning Department 

III. CORNING AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

A. Corning Enterprises
B. Corning Intown Futures
C. Erwin Industrial Development Agency
D. Three Rivers Development Corporation

IV. HORNELL AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

A. Hornell Industrial Development Agency
B. Hornell Partners for Growth

V. COUNTY FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

APPENDIX A-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STEUBEN COUNTY
APPENDIX B- DIRECTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STEUBEN COUNTY

I. INTRODUCTION

There are a variety of agencies and organizations playing a role in the economic development of Steuben County.  The numerous actors in the economic development network can sometimes result in confusion as to the specific function of each and their specific geographic areas of concern.  Some serve the entire County, while others have been created to work primarily in particular municipalities.

This document is an attempt to create a better understanding of the economic development effort in Steuben County.  The agencies are grouped according to their primary geographic area of operation, although some can be appropriately placed in more than one category.  This will be apparent in the description of the activities of each.

In addition to geographic differences, the agencies have differing purposes and functions.  Some are engaged primarily in the planning stages of development.  They focus on providing the information and expertise needed by the actual developers.  Other organizations spend most of their time in the financing of projects, either through the generation of capital (i.e. IDA’s), or through the administration of grant or loan programs.  Finally, some agencies become involved, in various ways, in actual development at the individual project level.

In many cases, an agency’s role encompasses more than one of these functions, depending upon the specifics of individual projects.  To assist in the identification of program functions, the following notation scheme will be used in the descriptions of each economic development agency.  Following the name of the agency, a symbol or symbols will denote its activities, following the three general areas described above:

[*] = Planning, Technical Assistance, Education
[$] = Financing
[#] = Project Development and Implementation

Appendix A presents a chart summarizing the network of economic development agencies.  Appendix B provides a directory of the agencies, including address, telephone number, and contact person.

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II. COUNTY-WIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
 

A. Alfred Technology Resources, Inc. [*] [#]

Alfred Technology Resources is the organization which administers the major economic development project commonly known as the “Ceramics Corridor.”  The Ceramics Corridor is an economic development initiative to encourage the start-up and expansion of ceramics-related businesses by emphasizing existing ceramics research at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and at Corning Incorporated.  The project has been funded by a $10 million combination grant/loan from the State of New York.

The key elements of the project are industrial incubators, buildings located in Alfred in Allegany County, and the Town of Erwin in Steuben County.  These incubators will provide space for new ceramics-related businesses which, after a period in the incubator, will then “graduate” to another site.  It is anticipated that the incubators will graduate self-supporting enterprises which will produce 1,000 to 1,500 new jobs over the next ten years.  Since the incubators are located in Alfred and Erwin, the greatest initial impact will be felt in those areas.  It is hoped, however, that the incubator graduates will locate throughout the corridor from Alfred to Corning.

B. Business Development Center [*]

The Business Development Center, sponsored by Corning Community College, provides facilities and training programs for businesses, industries, and professions.  The Center is a designated Small Business Development Center, part of the program co-sponsored by the State of New York and the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Under this Program, the Center provides counseling and training to assist in the start-up and operation of small businesses, including the preparation of business plans.

C. Chambers of Commerce [*] [$] [#]

Although there is no County-wide Chamber of Commerce in Steuben County, the general functions of all the Chambers will be described here.  Chambers of Commerce currently exist in the Bath Area, Canisteo, Greater Corning Area, Greater Hammondsport Area, Hornell Area, and Village of Painted Post (Board of Trade).  While the specific activities of each are determined by the size of the organization and area served, as well as the resources available, the Chambers are generally responsible for the promotion of their respective areas, especially the commercial retail sectors.  They develop and implement local promotional programs and strategies, often develop community beautification projects, and generally act as a voice for the business sector of their respective communities.  The Bath, Corning, Hammondsport, and Hornell Chambers have recently become more actively involved in tourism promotion with the help of a computer network which links the four chambers to the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

D. Chemung-Schuyler-Steuben Workforce Development Board [*]

The C-S-S Workforce Development Board administers the funding available through the Federal Workforce Development Act.  This funding supports various types of training activities, the goal of which is to train participants for permanent, non-subsidized employment.  Included in WDB programs are classroom training for special skills, on-the-job training, and Job Club programs designed to provide participants with job seeking skills.  Special programs are offered for persons over 55 years of age, as well as special programs for young people.  Recently. CSS WDB has opened three “One-Stop Career Search Centers, including one in Hornell and one in Corning, both located in the New York State Department of Labor offices, and one in Bath in the ProAction Building.  These centers offer jobseekers the opportunity to compose their own resume, view job listings, send their material by fax, make free job-related phone calls, and receive guidance from WDB job coaches.

E. Regional Economic Development & Energy Corporation [$]

The Regional Economic Development and Energy Corporation (REDEC) provides financial assistance for business start-ups and expansions which have job creation potential.  Originally established as a revolving loan program for energy-efficiency improvements, REDEC currently provides loans to businesses in Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler Counties for a variety of business activities.

F. Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board [*] [$]

The Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board (STC) was established in 1969 by a joint resolution of the Legislatures of Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties to provide a variety of services to units of government and the private sector in the three-County region.  In the area of economic development, a primary focus of STC is the administration of State and Federal economic development programs.  STC is designated as a local Development District of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and as a designated Economic Development District for the Federal Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Program.  Each year, STC coordinates the development and submission of local applications to these programs, as well as providing various economic development technical assistance, grantsmanship services, and related activities.

G. Steuben County Industrial Development Agency [*] [$] [#]

The Steuben County IDA provides a variety of services to assist in the creation and retention of employment opportunities.  The IDA has the authority to administer various financing options for economic development projects, as well as providing technical assistance to developers, industries, and other economic development organizations.  The IDA’s activities include financial packaging, site location assistance, and ombudsman services for local industrial firms.  When appropriate, the IDA has also participated at the project implementation level, such as acquiring and leasing property, especially in the area of railroad service.  The IDA has recently acquired title to a portion of the Steuben County “farm property” on Route 54, north of the Village of Bath.  The IDA will market the property for industrial, commercial, and office development.

H. Steuben County Planning Department [*]

The Steuben County Planning Department provides a variety of services which relate to economic development.  The Department is a source of demographic data, information on available community services, and other types of information needed by prospective developers.  The staff provides technical assistance to municipalities in the areas of planning and land use regulation, and acts as liaison with County government, as well as providing a source of information on State and Federal assistance programs.

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III. CORNING AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

A. Corning Enterprises [$] [#]

Corning Enterprises is the community and economic  development division of Corning Incorporated.  With the pervasive presence of Corning, Inc., in the greater Corning area, Enterprises becomes involved in many community-wide economic development activities.  Production and location decisions made by Corning, Inc., can have profound effects on the economy of both the Corning area and Steuben County as a whole.  Corning Enterprises has become a very active player in local economic development.  Current initiatives include efforts to significantly increase the economic impact of manufacturing in the region; partnerships with the City of Corning and other organizations to sustain the economic viability of Market Street and Intown Corning; sponsorship of projects and programs which reduce the dependent care difficulties (child care, elder care) of Corning employees and other community residents who work; partnerships with other businesses and education institutions in the seven-county region to improve the quality of education; and efforts to expand diversity awareness throughout the regional community.

B. Corning Intown Futures [*] [#]

Corning Intown Futures is a private, not-for-profit development corporation created in 1981 to plan for the development of the Intown area of the City of Corning.  Intown Futures assists in the implementation of both private and public projects which create or retain jobs and strengthen the overall economic vitality of Corning.  A major activity of Intown Futures is the maintenance of demographics and market data to be used to attract businesses.

C. Erwin Industrial Development Agency [$]

The Erwin IDA provides the financial mechanism for the operation of the Erwin Industrial park.  The actual staff services necessary to administer the IDA are provided through a contract with Three Rivers Development Corporation.

D. Three Rivers Development Corporation [*] [#]

Three Rivers Development Corporation is a private, not-for-profit development corporation responsible for developing and maintaining a planning and implementation program regarding all aspects related to community-wide commercial and industrial development in the Corning area.  Three Rivers’ activities encompass financing, utility development, transportation, promotion and marketing materials, and prospect development.  The corporation is under contract with the Erwin IDA to market and develop the Erwin Industrial park.  The Three Rivers Committee of 50 assists local industrial employers in maintaining and expanding operations, as well as recruiting new businesses to the Corning area.

A related organization which actually pre-dates the development corporation, Three Rivers Development Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1966 as a not-for-profit charitable organization to act as a community development catalyst.  The staff provides technical assistance to the southeast Steuben Council of Governments member municipalities, in the areas of planning and zoning, as well as in the planning and implementation of community-wide projects such as recreation, assisted housing, and recycling.  A for-profit subsidiary of the Foundation, the Three Rivers Realty Corporation, undertakes activities which complement the work of the Foundation, mainly in the development of housing and health-care facilities.

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IV. HORNELL AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

A. Hornell Industrial Development Agency [*] [$] [#]

The Hornell IDA provides all the functions described above for the Steuben County IDA, within the boundaries of the City of Hornell.  The Hornell IDA also provides support to the Coordinator of the recently designated Hornell-Corning-Steuben County Empire Zone.

B. Hornell Partners for Growth

The City of Hornell has established a Business Improvement District(BID) to promote the development and continued viability of the downtown business area.  The BID, which has been designated Hornell Partners for Growth, will work to support existing downtown businesses as well as promote the downtown as a site for new or expanding enterprises. 

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V. COUNTY FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Funding for the economic development agencies described above comes from a variety of sources, both public and private.  The following agencies receive funding as part of the Steuben County budget:

Business Development Center: Although not receiving funding directly, the BDC is a facility of Corning Community College which receives County funding through chargebacks for Steuben County students attending the College.  In 1997, the budgeted appropriation for the Community College is $2.4 million.

Chambers of Commerce: The Chambers of Commerce receive funding from the Steuben County Conference and Visitors’ Bureau (SCCVB) for tourism promotion.  The source for this funding is the County’s 2% Occupancy Tax on hotel, motel and bed and breakfast rooms.  The 1997 SCCVB budgeted appropriation for local Chamber tourism activities is $24,300.

Steuben County Industrial Development Agency: The Steuben County IDA receives a portion of its operating budget from the General Fund.  In 1997, the IDA budget appropriation is $98,700.

Steuben County Planning Department: The Planning Department is a County Department, funded from the General Fund.  In 1997, the total Planning Department budgeted appropriation is $203,064.

Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board:  STC receives a portion of its funding from the three member Counties.  In 1997, the budgeted appropriation for STC from Steuben County is $54,750.
 

In addition to either directly or indirectly funding these agencies, the County Legislature has contributed significant  funding to two major development projects in 1997.  The Corning Incorporated Photonics Technology plant was assisted by a $1 million grant to the Town of Erwin for infrastructure improvements.  In support of the GEC Alsthum project in Hornell, the Legislature appropriated over $500,000 to provide the local match for an EDA infrastructure improvement grant.  These actions represent the Legislature’s more proactive position in the County’s economic development activities.

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APPENDIX A

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STEUBEN COUNTY

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APPENDIX B

DIRECTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY     ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

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