economic development

A Milestone in the Marathon

business-friendly, developer, economic development, Oneonta, Oneonta Business Park, Otsego County, shovel-ready, site approval, site selector December 20, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

On Monday, November 16th, the Oneonta Town Planning Board approved the proposed site plan for the Oneonta Business Park, clearing the way for future business expansion. The Planning Board approved a plan for mixed use development that translates into up to 400,000 square feet of building space, 170 parking spaces, and an opportunity to attract businesses that will create new, high-quality jobs. Sandy Mathes, CEO of Otsego Now, said in his press statement: “Gaining these approvals is critical to the ability of the Otsego IDA to effectively market the site and give confidence to the development community that a shovel … Read More

IDA 101

bonds, economic development, explanation of an IDA, IDA, industrial development agency, Otsego IDA, shovel-ready, tax incentives December 19, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

What is an IDA? IDA is an acronym for Industrial Development Agency or Authority. So, for example, COIDA is an acronym for County of Otsego Industrial Development Agency. IDAs were created in the State of New York back in 1969 for the express purpose of developing industry within an IDA’s particular jurisdiction. An IDA is created by legislation (the Otsego IDA was created by an act of the Otsego County Board of Representatives in 1973). It is a public benefit agency. There are actually quite a lot of public benefit agencies and authorities and we’re sure you’ve heard of some … Read More

COUNTY IN ‘HUNGER GAMES’ FOR $1.5 BILLION IN FUNDING

"Hunger Games", economic development, Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Council, state funding December 19, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

COOPERSTOWN – For the past month, four delegates from Otsego County have been part of a six-county task force seeking to win $1/2 billion in state funding, and to do so must out-compete at least four other regions of Upstate New York. The four representatives are county Rep.Craig Gelbsman, R-Oneonta, who as owner of First Choice Cleaners is also representing small business; Cooperstown Mayor Jeff Katz, representing municipalities; Sandy Mathes, representing economic development efforts, and Dan Robinson, president/CEO of New York Central Mutual, representing the county’s larger enterprises. The task force is participating in Governor Cuomo’s version of “The Hunger … Read More

Otsego Now Progress 2015

comprehensive plan, economic development, grants, Otsego IDA, Otsego Now, shovel-ready sites, tourism December 17, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

Here’s what’s new about economic development in Otsego County: It’s driven by iron logic, locally grounded, data based. Take tourism. The privatization of the county Tourism Office into Destination Marketing of Otsego County puts hospitality professionals, led by the ultimate pro, Otesaga GM & VP Jim Milse, in the driver’s seat. The goal is simple: “heads in beds.” The target audience: within 300 miles. TV, radio and print is [sic] being used; what’s new is cutting-edge Internet marketing, identifying likely visitors and delivering the message most ikely to bring them here. Then there’s the five-point approach to attracting family-supporting jobs. … Read More

The Long Haul

economic development, failure, incentives, long-term, marathon, success December 15, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

Neal Asbury, host of the popular syndicated talk radio show Made in America, recently delivered a commencement address to 350 graduating MBAs, which was subsequently published in The Manzello Report. It was a very good speech. Part of what Asbury said resonated with us here at Otsego Now because it described, in places, an important part of our economic development philosophy: Do not be afraid. The road to a success is full of twist and turns. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Any local economy that is suffering from neglect or atrophy or even just the consequences of historical … Read More

Another Round of Funding

economic development, funding, grants, Mohawk Valley, projects, regional development councils, Upstate Revitalization Initiative December 7, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

At this time of year, economic developers around the state get very busy, because this is the season of the Consolidated Funding Application, or CFA. Each of the regional economc development councils (REDCs) receives proposals from their member counties, to fund eligible development projects that will have a positive economic impact on the region. We figure out which projects are eligible for which pots of money by combing through a huge tome that lists all the various grants that have been consolidated into those Consolidated Funding Applications. And of course, IDAs are not the only entities that apply for these … Read More

ESD Tours Hartwick's Center for Craft Food and Beverage

Center for Craft Food and Beverage, craft beer industry, economic development, Empire State Development, Hartwick College December 4, 2015 Uncategorized webtech

Otsego Now CEO Sandy Mathes and COO Elizabeth Horvath made arrangements for a couple of important regional movers and shakers to have a tour of New York State’s first Center for Craft Food and Beverage, at Hartwick College. Like the Otsego Now Regional Workforce Training Center, Hartwick’s Center for Craft Food and Beverage is a relatively new addition to the community’s economic profile. According to the Hartwick College web site, “The Center is a resource for testing, business development, and education that supports small and mid-sized breweries, wineries, distilleries, farms, and other craft food and beverage producers. The Center offers … Read More