New York Counties Abuzz with Regional Development  
Deborah Najarro  |  Lakeshore News Writer

Governor Cuomo made his way around the state last week to introduce all ten of the new regional economic development councils and their leaders and members. This marks the official beginning of a new process for economic development in New York. Conceptually, regional councils were formed to discuss regional strengths and growth opportunities and then submit applications for funding. The goal is to help create jobs.

According to the Governor’s release, he describes the concept as “a community-based approach that emphasizes regions’ unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers communities to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide.”  Their task is to create a sustainable and comprehensive plan for development in each region that also has a strong public-private component. The Governor’s statement was, “The state will work with the Regional Councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.”

Councils will ultimately be asked to support and submit regional project applications for funding from existing state programs through an expedited competitive application process. Funding announcements are expected as soon and November. Over $1 billion has been collectively identified in these programs.

Each council has about 30 members with half from the private sector and half from the public sector. Elected officials will serve in an ex-officio basis and will participate in discussions and the planning process. In regions composed of more than two counties (except for the New York City region), members will include the chief executive or supervisor of each county and the chief executive or supervisor of the three municipalities with the largest population (limited to one municipal representative per county).

Although still a village, Newark, in the Town of Arcadia, met the qualifications for Wayne County. Therefore, Arcadia Supervisor, Dick Colacino will have a seat on the council. He said, “I firmly believe that the answers to our economic problems lie well beyond town and party lines.  I also believe that we must act locally and think regionally. What is good for Arcadia and Wayne County is good for New York State and vice-versa.” Jim Hoffman, Williamson Supervisor and Wayne County Chairman for the Board of Supervisors will also have a seat at the table.

While in Rochester on Tuesday, July 26, Gov. Cuomo announced the leaders of the Finger Lakes Regional Council which encompasses nine counties including Wayne. He named University of Rochester President Joel Seligman and Wegmans Food Markets CEO Danny Wegman as co-chairs of the Council. Other counties on the council include Seneca, Yates, Ontario, Livingston, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans.

Later that day he was at Syracuse’s OnCenter to announce the Central New York Council that contains five counties (Cayuga, Oswego, Onondaga, Cortland and Madison). There he named Nancy Cantor, SU’s chancellor, and Rob Simpson, CenterState CEOs president and CEO as co-chairs.

The Finger Lakes Council will meet for the first time on August 3 in the City of Rochester. Colacino commented on his thoughts for this meeting,” I plan on advocating for first rate infrastructure such as good transportation, high speed internet, solar and wind power, agriculture, the tourist industry including the wine trails, boating and recreation, as well as various incentives to help bring industry back to New York.”

While he believes that New York can become the empire it once was, he said, “I also am practical enough to realize that it will not be easy unless we can lower our taxes in New York and that is probably the toughest challenge of them all.”

In addition to the regional members, thirteen separate individuals will serve on a statewide Chairman’s Committee to evaluate and advise on issues that affect multiple regions. The two co-chairs from each of the ten Regional Councils will also serve on the statewide committee. The committee will facilitate cooperation among the ten Regional Councils and will resolve issues that affect multiple regions. Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, who serves as the Chair of each Regional Council, will lead the statewide Chairman’s Committee. The two co-chairs from each of the ten Regional Councils will also serve on the committee. An estimated total of just over 300 people (30 members times 10 councils, plus statewide committee members) will be involved in this new state process determining our state’s economic future.