Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $700 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round VI of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. A centerpiece of the Governor’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils were established in 2011 to replace the state’s old top-down approach to economic development, with one that is community-based and performance-driven. The initiative empowers community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region’s unique strengths and … Read More

ONEONTA – Floor plans for the Susquehanna Regional Food & Beverage Hub – they include a meat-processing plant, a “double-sized” commercial kitchen and 33 units of apartment housing – were detailed during a meeting at Foothills this morning. “I worked on one Main Street with a butcher and a baker who were struggling, and we found that if we grouped them under one roof, there was success there,” said Hugh Boyd of Hugh A. Boyd Architects. “You want to bring as many people together as possible.” On the first floor, Boyd explained, a large commercial kitchen will help support a … Read More

ONEONTA – Mayor Gary Herzig has announced a blue-ribbon panel of some of the city’s top community leaders to plan how to best spend Governor Cuomo’s $10 million downtown revitalization grant received in July to help implement the “food hub” concept on Market Street. Herzig will co-chair the “Authentically Oneonta” steering committee with Ken Meier of the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Commission, and yesterday announced the following committee members: Nancy Kleniewski, SUNY Oneonta president Margaret Drugovich, Hartwick College president Jeff Joyner, Fox Hospital president Dan Maskin, Opportunities for Otsego CEO, Planning Commission member, downtown resident Wayne Carrington, principal, B-Side … Read More

Hartwick College was recently named Partner of the Year by Otsego Now, the hub for economic progress of Otsego County. The organization cited the College’s increasing role as an advocate and partner in driving economic growth in Oneonta and the county. “Hartwick College has a long tradition of supporting the economic development of not only the county but the region at large and beyond,” said Otsego Now Chief Executive Officer Alexander “Sandy” Mathes, Jr. “The launch of its Center for Craft Food & Beverage, its participation as a StartUp New York program campus, and emphasis on creating STEM-based experiential opportunities … Read More

ONEONTA – Governor Cuomo couldn’t make it, called away from a City of the Hills appearance by a collapsing crane on the Tappan Zee Bridge project. But he sent the check. $10 million. Howard Zemsky, Empire Development Corp. president, announced at 3:45 p.m. that Oneonta has won the special multi-million allocation earmarked for downtown redevelopment in the whole Mohawk Valley Economic Development Region. In making the announcement, Zemsky said this city’s application – it was championed and fast-tracked in May by Mayor Gary Herzig, assisted by Otsego Now President Sandy Mathes and his staff – had it all: an affordable … Read More