Monthly Archives: December 2016

Otsego Now Board Chair Because Economic Development Matters

blog, chairman of the board, Devin Morgan, economic development, job creation, jobs, Otsego Now December 29, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

Otsego Now has a new Chairman, as you may already know. In addition to all the other things does well, Devin Morgan is also adept at using technology to communicate. He recently posted to his own blog at 3Blazes about his new position and why it, and this organization, matter to the community. So, now that the staff here at Otsego Now have given you our perspective on our new Chairman, take a look at what the Chairman has to say: On March 3, 2016 I was named Chairman of the Board of Otsego Now, which really means jointly chairing … Read More

Otsego Now Connects with Local School Districts

education, labor market demand, NYS Labor Department, partnerships, workforce pipeline, workforce training center December 26, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

Workforce development professionals often have discussions among themselves and with economic development colleagues about the “workforce pipeline.” This refers to the training and education infrastructure that produces a satisfactory pool of employees within the community. Some say it is best to begin this regimen of training and education as early as kindergarten or elementary school. At the very least, students should be entering the workforce pipeline by the time they reach middle school. The pipeline infrastructure, then, will involve students from seventh grade through post-high school training or education, whether they seek a non-credit certification, an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree, … Read More

Cooperstown Comprehensive Plan – Project Update

comprehensive plan, Cooperstown, economic development, planning, project update, stakeholder participation, strategic development December 25, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

The Village of Cooperstown, in partnership with Otsego Now, is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan and preparing a Downtown Revitalization Strategy. Phase I of the project — Project Organization and Public Outreach — was completed in January 2015. The first phase of the project was designed to gain a better understanding of the community’s strengths, weaknesses and areas in need of improvement. Outreach activities included a multi-day design charrette, stakeholder and focus group interviews, attendance at various community events, surveying residents and visitors throughout the downtown, and development of a project website. Phase II of the project, … Read More

Otsego Now Celebrates Year-end Successes

Ag Hub, agribusiness, craft beverage, craft breweries, craft foods, distrtibution, Hartwick, infrastructure, Oneonta, Oneonta Rail Yards, transportation December 13, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

In December, the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council was awarded an unprecedented amount of State funding in Governor Cuomo’s latest round of CFA funding announcements. While we are disappointed not to have won one of the three Upstate Revitalization Initiative awards, we were thrilled to be named the year’s Top Performer among all the Regional Economic Development Councils in the standard competition for the first time. Regardless of the outcome of the URI competition, Governor Cuomo inspired us as a region to pull together to map out our common future, and we as a region will continue to benefit … Read More

Springbrook Eyes Bonds for Expansion Project

bond issue, community, Otsego County Capital Resource Corporation, Otsego Now, public hearing, Springbrook December 11, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

Springbrook is requesting bond funding for several upcoming projects that are designed to increase student and family access to housing, services and specialized health care, officials said. During a public hearing Tuesday at the organization’s Community Campus in Oneonta, Springbrook’s chief executive officer, Patricia Kennedy, detailed “Springbrook 2020,” a long-term plan that will include — among other additions and renovations — the creation of lodging for visiting parents and a medical clinic open to anyone with developmental disabilities. The meeting was held to solicit public comments, according to Elizabeth Horvath of the Otsego County Capital Resource Corporation; however, only Springbrook … Read More

Otsego Now to Receive Multiple Creative Awards

annual report, awards, brochure, marketing, NYSEDC, Otsego Now, promotional material, web site, workforce training center December 10, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

May 9, 2016 (Oneonta, NY) – The New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) recently announced that Otsego Now has been named a recipient of several 2016 Marketing, Literature and Promotion Awards. The awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet on Thursday evening, May 26th, during the 2016 NYSEDC Annual Meeting in Cooperstown. Otsego Now was honored as Best in Class for its fiscal-year 2014 Annual Report, which was distributed at a special meeting of the Otsego County IDA and CRC Board in June 2015. In addition, Otsego Now received a Certificate of Excellence for its Workforce Training Center … Read More

Otsego Now Embarks on Training Center Year Two

employability training, manufacturing skills, Otsego County, Otsego Now, workforce development, workforce training center December 9, 2016 Uncategorized webtech

In the months since our launch event last year, the Otsego Now Regional Workforce Training Center has been in a state of metamorphosis and evolution. Our second-year plan has called for a significant amount of business outreach, as well as meetings with prospective education partners, to forge the relationships we need to move forward. Training programs at the Workforce Training Center will be demand-driven, so business outreach has been critical. An important aspect of the value we intend to offer to area employers is to first understand their workforce needs, then help them meet them. Thanks to our recent outreach … Read More