NEW BERLIN – Last week’s Commerce Chenango public comment meeting and update of the organization’s economic development strategic plan may not have been highly attended, but a handful of county residents were on hand for a discussion of the county’s various strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
The meeting, held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Unadilla Valley Central School, also addressed Commerce Chenango’s planning process and the county’s demographics and trends.
The key, said Commerce Chenango President and CEO Steve Craig, is understanding the area’s many strengths and weaknesses, as well as gauging the impact of population, housing, income, economic trends and other factors on communities across the county.
According to a recent Commerce Chenango press release, the county-wide economic development strategic plan will “help identify the economic needs of the county and the goals and strategies that should be implemented to improve quality of life, increase economic development opportunities and achieve greater economic sustainability.”
Craig also cited business and workforce development, downtown revitalization, tourism, agriculture and forestry, collaboration and infrastructure as key goals looking ahead. Communities, he added, must “create a business friendly environment to recruit and attract new businesses ... promote agricultural lands, forests and waterways,” in addition to promoting the area’s “cultural and historical resources.”
Those attending last week’s meeting brainstormed for approximately 20 minutes following Craig’s presentation, afterward weighing in with their opinions on the county’s varied strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Many noted, however, that a controversial topic such as hydraulic fracturing is seen by some as a strength, by others a weakness. And while those in favor of the process tend to see it as an opportunity for energy independence, those against the practice consider it a threat to the environment and their quality of life. Other topics included the county’s lack of a four-year college; the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad, much of which remains defunct due to flood damage sustained in 2006; the costs of milk production and plight of dairy farmers in the region; and the recent growth associated with local businesses such as Chobani, the Raymond Corporation and Unison, among others.
As for the county’s strengths – defined by Craig as “any factor or resource that contributes positively to business development or expansion” – those attending compiled a list which included an unemployed segment of the population that’s simply looking for work (also listed as a weakness, however), events and festivals such as Colorscape, Blues Fest and the Chenango County Fair that promote tourism, the area’s many forests, streams and central location, the quality of life in general, a solid manufacturing base, clean air and water, and natural resources.
Weaknesses discussed included that area’s aging infrastructure and need for repairs; the lack of reliable public transportation and a four year college; a lack of quality hotels; and the stagnant pace of employment growth.
There were opposing views when it came to the county’s opportunities and threats, however, both lists sharing more than a few of the same topics, such as the local development of natural gas and oil; the nation’s political leadership (or lack thereof); and increases in criminal and drug activity, although some of those attending saw that as a problem on the decline.
A final economic development strategic plan update and public comment meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Moore Memorial Library-Cynthia Raymond Room in Greene. For more information on the strategic planning effort or to learn about Commerce Chenango’s department of economic development, contact Jennifer Tavares at 334-5532 or visit chenangony.org.