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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Minutes: Allegany County Planning & Economic development Committee-Oct. 17, 2018

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