AUBURN - An economic development collective is drafting the city's future with a seven-point blueprint that it will unveil today.

The focus group of 23 professionals brought together by state Sen. Mike Nozzolio, R-Fayette, will issue its call to action for riverfront, cultural and entrepreneurial development among other initiatives at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast Luncheon. The presentation, about six months in the making, is focused on retaining young people with healthy commerce and quality of life.

“The best resource we have is young people,” said Bartolotta Furniture co-founder and focus group member Matteo Bartolotta. “If we can create opportunities for young people, I think that is the best to benefit the whole community.”

As a young immigrant 40 years ago, Bartolotta and his brother turned a burned-out building on State Street into a stable business.

“My grandmother back in Sicily used to say attitude is the best medicine,” he said. “If we can start a habit that people believe these things can happen, they will.”

The blueprint suggests the introduction of a summer theater festival using existing venues around the city. Another initiative centers around a Cayuga County Community College proposal to establish an entrepreneurship institute downtown.

“I think that sends the message that we want to be a partner and help the community,” interim college president and focus group member Phil Gover said. “I think it shows young people that we want to help them. They don't have to go to a big city to help their dreams come together.”

The tentatively titled Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cayuga Community College would include three centers for fostering and improving budding business. Some private funding to create it has already been set aside.

“It's real, it's happening, it's going to happen and we're working as quickly as we can,” Gover said.

In fact, all seven initiatives intended to bring together government, education and industry partnerships are reachable goals, according to those who drafted them.

“Anytime you bring together a group of local leadership in a nonpolitical environment to work for the greater good of the community, I think that has a positive effect,” focus group member Jack Bisgrove said.

The longtime co-owner and operator of Red Star Express Lines trucking found enthusiasm of younger focus group members promising. The group was challenged to abandoned the city's image rooted in declining industry and uncover untapped resources like the Owasco River, which can be developed for recreation.

“To me the biggest discovery was to see the excitement of other people,” Bisgrove said.

With the official endorsement of the county chamber expected today, the senator hopes other agencies and people will follow. As initiatives are accomplished, more will be added, Nozzolio said.

“The next step is to bring the entire community together and roll up their sleeves to take care of the action plan,” he said. “It's now up to everyone who has a stake in our future - and that's everyone who lives in the community.”

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net