PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
January 17, 2018
Not Approved
Members Present: D. Root, G. Barnes, J. Burdick, P. Curran,
W. Dibble, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, J. Ricci, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, T. Boyde, R. Christman, C.
Clark, D. Decker, K. Dirlam, K. Graves, G. Hanchett, B. Harris, S. Havey, K.
Hollis, R. Hollis, K. Hooker, C. Knapp, R. Lynch, B. Riehle, T. Ross, P.
Stockin, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.
by Planning & Economic Development Committee Chair Debra Root.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator
Barnes, and carried to approve the Planning & Economic Development
Committee minutes for December 20, 2017.
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. Dr. Clark stated there is a public meeting
set with the master planner regarding the Crossroads development on January 27,
2018, at the Crossroads Center from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Clark stated that the donation of the GE Lufkin facility
is final, and the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency owns the
facility as of December 29, 2017. Dr. Clark announced that PM Research has
signed a long-term lease and plans to expand their business in the facility.
Legislator Healy asked if they will be receiving a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of
Taxes). Dr. Clark stated there is a PILOT application in place, and a public
hearing has been set for February 22, 2018.
Dr. Clark stated that the Bioenergy Development and
Commercialization Center (BDCC) now has state and federal funding of $12.4
million required for the project. The Governor announced the remaining state
funding of $6.6 million on January 3, 2018. Dr. Clark indicated that they
continue to meet and work with Siemens, and are building a partnership
regarding the process control and other industry related support.
Dr. Clark stated that the ARC has approved funding for the
startup of an Angel Fund in the Southern Tier area and meetings will begin this
month.
Dr. Clark stated that Site Selectors have been to the County
twice and are now assisting with how to better market the County. Legislator
Decker asked if Site Selectors is a group or one individual. Dr. Clark stated
it’s a national group of 44 individuals, and he has met with two, one of which
is from Buffalo, NY, so is familiar with our area.
Legislator Graves stated there are rumors that Stouffers
moved their business to Pennsylvania because of the minimum wage increase and
asked for Dr. Clark’s opinion. Dr. Clark stated he heard second hand that they
were looking to consolidate, and the minimum wage increase helped make their
final decision to do so.
Dr. Clark stated that we have been very successful this past
year; however, from this point forward it depends on having our ambassadors and
public on board, adding we need to get away from the bad press about Allegany
County, and speak out about why we’re a good place to live and bring new
business in. Committee Chair Root stated that we need to acknowledge these
great things we are accomplishing for our County.
Planning Director,
Kier Dirlam
Planning Director Kier Dirlam attended the meeting and
submitted his monthly report to the committee for review. Mr. Dirlam provided
some background to his department for the new Legislators. Mr. Dirlam stated
the Planning Board dinner will be held on January 17, 2018, at the Off Duty
club in Belmont, NY. Cocktail hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00
p.m., and Dr. Craig Clark will be the featured speaker. Mr. Dirlam stated they
have been working with their GIS (Geographic Information System) consultant to
develop a methodology to review the census address data that will be arriving
in February. Mr. Dirlam stated they are beginning to prepare for the Census,
adding that the County chose not to participate in the last Census; therefore,
our data has not been looked at since 1999. Mr. Dirlam expressed concern
because these numbers will stay with us until 2032.
Tourism
Greater Allegany Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Gretchen Hanchett attended the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the
committee for review. Ms. Hanchett stated they continue to work with local businesses
to put together travel packages that will make visiting Allegany County easier
for our visitors. Ms. Hanchett stated they are working with Genesee Rivers Wild
Group on the development of a map that will highlight points to visit within
the County, and it will be mobile responsive. Ms. Hanchett stated the Watchful
Wildlife Program continues to move forward with developing a committee, and
they are also looking to bring a consultant in to assist in moving this project
forward. Committee Chair Root asked if these consultants specialize in these
types of projects. Ms. Hanchett stated, yes, and it is still in the very early
stages, and any suggestions are welcomed. Ms. Hanchett announced the following
upcoming events:
- Tri-State Outdoor Expo Regional show will be January 25 to
January 28 in Pittsburgh.
- The Great American Outdoor NYS Tourism show will be
February 3 to February 5 in Harrisburg.
- On Thursday, February 15, 2018, the Small Business
Administration (SBA) and Allegany County will hold a Cyber Security Tips for
Small Businesses workshop. The workshop will be held at the Crossroads Center
from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and admission is free.
- Thursday, February 15, 2018, will be the Annual Open
House/Community Night open to parents of career and technical students as well
as the general public. This event will be held at the BOCES Career and
Technical Center Campus in Belmont from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any local
business that would like to set up a table for this event should contact Tammy
Graf at Tammy_Graf@caboces.org.
- On Thursday, February 22, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45
a.m., Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman, LLP will be coming to the County to
discuss family business planning strategies that can help to ensure successful
business succession from generation to generation. This event will be held at
the Crossroads Center and admission is free.
Employment and
Training
Employment and Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch attended
the meeting and submitted her monthly report to the committee for review. Ms.
Lynch stated December was quiet, and they will not receive unemployment rates
for another week. Ms. Lynch stated that two Veterans used their service in
December which is low; however, they do have a Veterans representative in their
office every Tuesday. Ms. Lynch stated they have had five referrals for their
Work Experience Program, and the Cuba Patriot recently featured a nice article
outlining the program. Ms. Lynch noted that the Census is very important for
their department because their funding is based on our population.
Southern Tier
Extension Railroad Appointment
Chairman Crandall plans to appoint Brooke Harris of Alfred,
NY, to fill a three-year term on the Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, and
Steuben Southern Tier Extension Railroad Authority commencing January 2, 2018,
and expiring August 27, 2020. A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded
by Legislator Hopkins, and carried to approve this appointment. Prepare
Resolution.
