This post was submitted by the writer-
Having read about the eventual closing of Dresser-Rand and other economic issues facing this beautiful town that I still consider ‘Home,’ I feel compelled to challenge the community to do something to reverse this trend. As a long-time resident of Wellsville, N.Y., one of the best locations in the world to live and raise children, especially in the 1950’s and 60’s, I am submitting a RECOMMENDATION and CHALLENGE to local officials and community volunteers.
A Challenge - Requiring Community Collaboration
Everyone knows that economic development is crucial to the growth of jobs and increased income in a community, but many believe the approach to such is difficult, if not impossible to address. Recent research and experiments have demonstrated that through leadership and the willingness of many to work together, you can make an enormous and relatively quick impact on your community. Having spent over one year as an administrator of a community college researching this problem, I can tell you that Wellsville, N.Y., is in a perfect position to address this issue …if local LEADERS are willing to work together and commit TIME and RESOURCES that are already available to Wellsville and Allegany County. However, it will require a high priority commitment over a period of time, NOT JUST A STATEMENT of vocal support, because economic development is a major long-term challenge for this beautiful town.
What Do People Want?
Recent studies show that the majority of students graduating from high school want to be in charge of their economic future, and this does not mean just going to college. Why? Because they see their parents and their friends parents beholding to the companies or individuals who they worked for. In addition, people want jobs, and it is a fact that ‘net new jobs’ come from small businesses, not large established businesses. Young adults and those who have lost their jobs want to turn to ‘an established place’ providing growth opportunities in their workforce environment. Also, recent studies have shown that the average wage increases have greatly diminished over the past 20 to 30 years because businesses no longer share the benefits from hard work and increased productivity, but place instead more work on fewer employees and greater emphasis on company PROFITS. As a result, the very rich are prospering and studies show the middle class are disappearing. With the loss of opportunities, people are also prone to losing hope and turning to unhealthy alternatives such as drugs. People want to be in charge of their economic future, to share in the productivity and to have HOPE for a successful future. So, we know what people want, but what does a community like Wellsville need?
One way to start is by creating an action plan that brings residents and leaders together to improve the chances for economic growth and for the community residents, young and old, to prosper. A small town like Wellsville is in a perfect position to address these issues, if the COMMUNITY will work together. Hopefully, an individual with leadership experience will step forward and establish a time when interested residents can meet to establish an action plan. And the real commitment does NOT have to be overwhelming or take away from their regular jobs or family responsibilities. The key is having many agencies make a commitment by sharing time, working together and being creative in approaches to helping the current and future employees to progress, giving them hope and opportunities to grow. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of ESTABLISHING A MAJOR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT to make a real and long-term impact. Do the leaders and volunteers of Wellsville want to REALLY help the residents find or create successful jobs and strengthen the community, including all of Allegany County? They can, and you can help. Here are some proven ways to help.
A Practical Solution
Form A COALITION: One way to begin is by publishing an announcement, (i.e., supported by the Town Board and the Chamber of Commerce) for residents to attend for appointment or by nomination, to be accepted to an ‘Economic Leadership Team,’ for the coalition.
Establish “A Collaborative Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Wellsville:” If you go to the Amazon.com website and enter ‘Business Incubator’ in the search box, numerous books are available on this subject, including, “Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City (by Brad Feld).” Just imagine, if only one or two businesses were successful like you see on the television series Shark Tank, what the impact could be in creating new jobs, economic growth and prosperity in Allegany County. And, the high-speed Internet as well as companies like Amazon provide the outreach opportunity from any location to market and sell products, anywhere in the World.
If you go into the website; https://esd.ny.gov/certified-b
Create a Center for Entrepreneurial Development: With the leadership from a coalition team, identify a vacant store front in downtown Wellsville, with enough space to create small labs (or work spaces) utilizing partitions and include a small classroom setup in the Center. A visible and easily accessible Center in the downtown area should be convenient for high school students (i.e., after school and during summer months), other business owners who wish to participate, and the unemployed and under-employed who need assistance in job growth, and for anyone interested in exploring the creation of a new business. Hopefully, the Alfred State College Technical Division in Wellsville will also have a designated room for ‘more advanced incubator growth, but not in lieu of a downtown Center.
Partner with Local Colleges: When the coalition is formed local educational institutions, particularly Alfred Tech’s, Technical Division in Wellsville and Wellsville High School should be involved from the beginning. What is IMPORTANT here is for the Coalition Team to be thinking ‘Outside-The-Box.’ The resources available to Alfred Tech could include --- accessing what options are available and successful at other colleges in N.Y.S.; and, researching ideas from Workforce Development Centers in other states. In addition, the books and studies referred to earlier should provide ample thought for the development of a UNIQUE Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Wellsville, N.Y. The Alfred University, Ceramics College could be another helpful partner given the proximity of Corning Glass as a major employer in the region.
Create A Tier-Level System for Participation: Based on Applications by individuals or small groups submitting a specific ‘Business Plan’ to the Collaboration Team Selection Committee;’ assign work spaces in the Center for Entrepreneurial Development, based on the quality of plans submitted, for designated periods of time, with the renewal of space allocation determined by the progress of the proposals approved. This approach should apply to adults as well as high school students, and they should be encouraged to submit Business Plans. The Business Plans might target a new idea or concept as well as a possible new or revised business. Hopefully, the progress of the plans submitted will also be recognized in the community by the media.
What Existing Organizations Should Participate: Once a Coalition Team is created, the possibility of support from the N.Y.S. Incubator program in Albany, N.Y. should be approached for financial and personnel assistance. A strong Community Coalition will make a significant impact in a request to the State. With a copy of this newspaper release, I am mailing personal letters to the lead-person at many of the organizations mentioned above, encouraging their participation. I am also writing confidential letters of request to several benefactors from Wellsville who have the where-with-all and/or contacts for resources to help establish a downtown center in Wellsville.
Requesting Support from Local Resources: In addition to the cost to utilize a vacant store front, a Center will need to --- create/purchase partitions; supply desks/chairs; provide controlled access to the Internet in each workspace; purchase of computers and other office equipment; have designated volunteers, possibly an adjacent store owner to monitor (i.e., lock / unlock) the Center. As mentioned previously, I am writing a personal request to several individuals/friends who have potential resources to help obtain the funding needed to furnish the Center. My suggestion/request to them will be to -- A) discuss this proposal and support or find funding resources to obtain equipment / furnishings needed for a Center for A Collaborative Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Wellsville; and to agree B) to meet monthly (initially, at least by telephone) and eventually on at least a quarterly basis to monitor the progress and needs of the Wellsville Center.
In summary, I sincerely hope that this challenge and proposed Action Plan will receive the attention and support from local residents, businesses and organizations. The challenge for Wellsville, N.Y. to improve long-term economic growth and for residents to establish a positive outlook for prosperity depends on your willingness to work together with a specific ACTION PLAN.
Because I no longer live in Wellsville, I sincerely apologize if I have infringed on any current or previous initiatives to improve the economic well-being there. My motivation is simply to challenge the community and the leaders there to work together in a way that can significantly help 'Our Home Town,' by presenting an alternative that has enormous potential with little cost, if given the support that is needed.
Respectfully submitted: Dr. Howard C. (Howie) Smith, Jr.
Vice President of Customized Training - retired; and Dean at 7 different colleges/universities (& Marketing Analyst, Air Preheater Company)
Side note- I grew up on Grover Street and graduated from Wellsville High in 1959. After receiving my Bachelor's degree at The University of Oklahoma, I worked at the Air Preheater Corp for about 2 years. I am a graduate of Alfred Tech, Alfred University and I received my Doctorate in 1971 from SUNY at Albany.
Side note- I grew up on Grover Street and graduated from Wellsville High in 1959. After receiving my Bachelor's degree at The University of Oklahoma, I worked at the Air Preheater Corp for about 2 years. I am a graduate of Alfred Tech, Alfred University and I received my Doctorate in 1971 from SUNY at Albany.
