PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
October 17, 2018
Members Present: D. Root, G. Barnes, J. Burdick, P. Curran,
W. Dibble, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, J. Ricci, C. Crandall
Others Present: T. Boyde, B. Budinger, C. Clark, D. Decker,
M. Denhoff, K. Dirlam, K. Graves, L. Gridley, G. Hanchett, B. Harris, S. Havey,
K. Hooker, C. Knapp, R. Lynch, M. McCormick, A. McKay, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle,
T. Ross, P. Stockin, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m.
by Planning & Economic Development Committee Chair Debra Root.
Media Present: C. Potter – Wellsville Daily Reporter, C.
Dutton – Cuba Patriot
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by
Legislator Ricci, and carried to approve the Planning & Economic
Development Committee minutes for September 19, 2018.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Allegany County Economic and Industrial Development Agency
Executive Director Craig Clark attended the meeting and submitted his monthly
report to the committee for review.
Crossroads Development Project
Dr. Clark stated his meeting with the developers on
September 28 went very well. Construction is delayed until Spring 2019 due to
the upcoming winter months. Dr. Clark indicated he has submitted the
consolidated fund application in the amount of $2 million. Committee Chair Root
stated it was a very positive meeting, and she is looking forward to moving
ahead with the project. Legislator Stockin stated they continuously hear the
same things and asked if there is anything they can do at the site to show the
project is progressing. Dr. Clark stated he discussed with developers to put a
project sign at the site as soon as possible. Legislator Healy asked for an
update on the fueling station. Dr. Clark stated he has not been told who the
developers are talking with for the fueling station; however, they are
discussing the possibility of building the fueling station and hotel at the
same time now. Once those are complete, then they will market the area for a
restaurant to come in.
Waterline Project
Dr. Clark stated the Waterline Project was approved to go
out to bid; however, they do need one more easement and are currently working
on it.
PM Research
Legislator Barnes asked for an employment status at the new
PM Research facility. Dr. Clark stated currently, they have approximately 20
employees with their goal to eventually be at 70.
Bio-Refinery
Dr. Clark stated that Sunstrand, one of the largest hemp
processing companies in the United States, visited Alfred State and have
submitted a letter to be a partner.
Fulmer Farms
Dr. Clark stated that Senator Young has secured $300,000 in
funding for Alfred State for the Fulmer Farms project that includes equipment
for growing greens using greenhouses and electricity produced from natural gas.
The project includes Cornell University as well as Alfred State College
students.
Community Colleges of Appalachia
Dr. Clark indicated the Community Colleges of Appalachia
will be involved in a technical assistance grant for approximately $3 to $4
million that will develop a plan for entrepreneurship as well as addressing the
opioid crisis across the region.
Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Dr. Clark stated that the Village of Alfred received $2.5
million from the Smart Growth Community Fund, and they will make sure it is put
to good use for economic development.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Planning Director Kier Dirlam attended the meeting and
submitted his monthly report to the committee for review.
Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development
Board
Mr. Dirlam stated he was recently appointed chairman of the
Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board. Chairman Crandall
congratulated Mr. Dirlam, stating it has been 20 years since this board has had
an Allegany County chairman, adding that it’s a very important organization, and
he appreciates Mr. Dirlam representing our County.
Community Visualization Study of Andover
Mr. Dirlam stated the Alfred State students’ presentation
will be held on Monday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Town of Andover
Community Center, and it is open to the public.
Shared Services
Mr. Dirlam stated the Shared Services Plan has been
officially submitted to the State and is currently under review. The County
plans to begin implementing the plan late 2018 into 2019.
Marketing Communications Campaign Committee
Mr. Dirlam referenced the Marketing Communications Campaign
Committee that was recently formed that is directed at attracting young
professionals to live and work in Allegany County. Committee Chair Root stated
this committee came about as a result of Maker City, adding their first meeting
went very well. The committee consists of six communications professionals,
three who are young professionals and chose to move back to the area. Mrs. Root
indicated the committee has an aggressive timeline, and they hope to have a
Request for Proposal ready to go out to marketing agencies by the end of
December.
TOURISM DEPARTMENT
Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Gretchen Hanchett attended the meeting and submitted her monthly
report to the committee for review.
Tourism
“Discover Allegany” Videos
Ms. Hanchett presented all four “Discover Allegany” videos
created by Nick Davis from Genesee Valley Media. Ms. Hanchett indicated that as
they move forward with the project they will focus on some historic videos.
Legislator Decker asked where the videos are being used. Ms. Hanchett stated
social media and marketing, and she plans to look into the affordability of a
tv spot. Committee Chair Root asked if they are available on the website. Ms.
Hanchett stated not at this time as they are currently in transition to the new
County website. Legislator Hopkins asked how much the videos cost. Ms. Hanchett
stated approximately $1500 for all four.
Erie Canal Boat Company
Ms. Hanchett stated Peter Abele, owner of Erie Canal Boat
Company, recently visited the County for a kayaking trip from Riverside
Campgrounds to transit bridge in Angelica, as well as touring different parts
of the County. Mr. Abele loved the experience and hopes to get his ExPods in
the County in 2019. Ms. Hanchett indicated he is also looking into creating
tourist packages.
EMPLOYMENT &
TRAINING DEPARTMENT
Employment and Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch attended
the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review.
New Employees
Legislator Healy asked if the 1 full-time and 4 part-time
new employees are through Ms. Lynch’s office. Ms. Lynch stated those
individuals are customers who informed their office that they obtained new
employment in the month of September. Ms. Lynch is going to work with the
Department of Labor to determine the number of Allegany County residents that
enter employment on a monthly basis.
Unemployment Rate
Legislator Barnes referenced the County’s 5.2 percent
unemployment rate for the month of August and asked how we stand with
surrounding counties. Ms. Lynch indicated that our County does not have the
highest unemployment rate.
LAND BANK APPOINTMENT
The Chairman of the Board plans to reappoint Brian Loucks as
a member of the Allegany County Land Bank Corporation Board of Directors for
another two-year term commencing October 1, 2018, and expiring September 30,
2020, subject to confirmation by the Board of Legislators. A motion was made by
Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried to re-appoint
Brian Loucks to the Allegany County Land Bank Corporation Board of Directors.
Prepare Resolution
OLD TURNPIKE ROAD TOURIST MAP
Legislator Dibble distributed a tourist map highlighting Old
Turnpike Road. Legislator Dibble stated he would like to get people off of I-86
to travel through the County on this road. Committee Chair Root asked what the
estimated cost is to make this happen and who will be responsible for the
project. Legislator Dibble indicated there shouldn’t be any real cost other
than the State National Register and creating a brochure to advertise it,
adding the Tourism Department would be responsible for the project. Ms.
Hanchett stated this is the first she’s hearing of this; however, she is always
up for new projects and would like to get some more information and details
before moving forward. Committee Chair Root asked what the timeline is, and
Legislator Dibble stated six months to a year. Legislator Hopkins stated she
appreciates Legislator Dibble’s enthusiasm and creativity; however, she feels a
process needs to be developed so the Board isn’t continuing to throw new ideas
at committee members without any written plan or particulars, adding they also
need to develop a process for delegating work to County employees. Legislator
Decker stated if signage is going to be placed along this road, then the
Department of Public Works and the NYS Department of Transportation will need
to be involved, and they need to make sure this is vetted properly. Legislator
Dibble indicated he would assist Tourism on the signage for this project. Ms.
Hanchett stated at this point she will only collect information and not proceed
without further discussion with the committee. The request to refer this
project to the Tourism Department was approved on a motion made by Legislator
Dibble, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried. (Opposed: J. Hopkins) Refer
to Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gretchen
Hanchett
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:02 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
