AUBURN - Cayuga County could soon be looking for a new person to focus on attracting business and developing the local economy. County legislators talked Tuesday during a Planning Committee meeting about hiring a new economic developer. The purpose of the developer position would be to encourage expansion of local business as well as help market the county to outside businesses as a site for relocation and expansion.
The position would be funded for the first three years by the county Industrial Development Authority (IDA), according to Daniel Schuster, chairman of the committee. However, funding from area foundations could also be an option, he said.
The county IDA is currently working out the details of a possible contract and a resolution could be on the county Legislature's agenda for a vote by July or August, Schuster said. The developer would work under the Cayuga County Development Corporation (CCDC), an organization similar to the county's IDA, he said.
“The concept has been discussed, and everyone supports that concept,” Schuster said.
During the meeting, county Planning and Economic Development Director Stephen Lynch said the person would ideally serve as the first stop for any economic development issues or projects in the county. Through the developer, the CCDC could serve as a “uniting element” for planning in the area, Lynch said to the legislators.
“This could be a way to focus on coordinating economic development here,” he said.
In most counties and cities, such positions usually becomes self-sustaining after five or six years, due to revenues from projects, Lynch said.
During the meeting, County Manager Wayne Allen warned the committee members that it would be important for the Legislature to keep its “eyes wide open” when creating such a position. Economic development organizations handle a lot of federal and state funding, the person will deal with a large amount of reporting requirements, Allen said.
Because of this, mistakes can create headaches that last for decades, he said.
“If it is set up so it does report to the proper authorities, it will work,” Allen said. “But it has to be watched.”
In other news:
- Committee members approved a proposal which would add 60 acres in Auburn and Owasco to the county's Agricultural Districts. The land belongs to Dickman Farms, which grows various plants, vegetables and garden herbs
The resolution will appear on the legislative agenda for a vote during the June 24 meeting. There will also be a public hearing on the proposal during the same meeting.
- The county Employment and Training Department, also known as the Cayuga Works Career Center, is one step closer to keeping its home at Cayuga Community College.
Committee members passed a proposed resolution that would allow the career center to continue to lease 8,850 square feet in the college. The proposed terms for the lease are approximately $13 per square foot.
The resolution is scheduled to appear for a vote on the June 24 legislative agenda.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
The county IDA is currently working out the details of a possible contract and a resolution could be on the county Legislature's agenda for a vote by July or August, Schuster said. The developer would work under the Cayuga County Development Corporation (CCDC), an organization similar to the county's IDA, he said.
“The concept has been discussed, and everyone supports that concept,” Schuster said.
During the meeting, county Planning and Economic Development Director Stephen Lynch said the person would ideally serve as the first stop for any economic development issues or projects in the county. Through the developer, the CCDC could serve as a “uniting element” for planning in the area, Lynch said to the legislators.
“This could be a way to focus on coordinating economic development here,” he said.
In most counties and cities, such positions usually becomes self-sustaining after five or six years, due to revenues from projects, Lynch said.
During the meeting, County Manager Wayne Allen warned the committee members that it would be important for the Legislature to keep its “eyes wide open” when creating such a position. Economic development organizations handle a lot of federal and state funding, the person will deal with a large amount of reporting requirements, Allen said.
Because of this, mistakes can create headaches that last for decades, he said.
“If it is set up so it does report to the proper authorities, it will work,” Allen said. “But it has to be watched.”
In other news:
- Committee members approved a proposal which would add 60 acres in Auburn and Owasco to the county's Agricultural Districts. The land belongs to Dickman Farms, which grows various plants, vegetables and garden herbs
The resolution will appear on the legislative agenda for a vote during the June 24 meeting. There will also be a public hearing on the proposal during the same meeting.
- The county Employment and Training Department, also known as the Cayuga Works Career Center, is one step closer to keeping its home at Cayuga Community College.
Committee members passed a proposed resolution that would allow the career center to continue to lease 8,850 square feet in the college. The proposed terms for the lease are approximately $13 per square foot.
The resolution is scheduled to appear for a vote on the June 24 legislative agenda.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 4 comment(s)
Dan W wrote on Jun 5, 2008 2:35 AM:
tome8689 wrote on Jun 4, 2008 9:59 PM:
MJOHNSON wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:58 PM:
The taxpayer watchblog wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:13 PM:
I thought the creation of the county manager position was partially for this purpose.
Also, what do we have a Planning and Economic Developement
Director for?
It is crucial to focus on the economic developement of our county, but aren't we already paying for this? "