finger lakes draft strategic plan 11-1-11

8/3/2019 Finger Lakes Draft Strategic Plan 11-1-11

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ACCELERATINGOURTRANSFORMATION

FINGERLAKESREGIONALECONOMICDEVELOPMENTCOUNCIL

STRATEGICPLAN

DRAFTNovember1,2011


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FLREDCStrategicPlanDRAFT11111 i

TableofContentsTableofContents ..........................................................................................................................................i

I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY: ............................................................................................................................ 1

II.REGIONALASSESSMENTOFEXISTINGCONDITIONSANDECONOMICOPPORTUNITIES......................... 5

KEYFINGERLAKESECONOMICCLUSTERS ............................................................................................... 6

HigherEducation ................................................................................................................................. 6

AdvancedHealthcare/LifeSciences..................................................................................................... 7

AdvancedHealthcare....................................................................................................................... 8

LifeSciences..................................................................................................................................... 8

Optics,Imaging&Photonics................................................................................................................ 9

EnergyInnovation................................................................................................................................ 9

AdvancedManufacturing .................................................................................................................. 10

BusinessServices/Software/Telecommunications ............................................................................ 10

AgricultureandFoodProcessing ....................................................................................................... 11

TourismandtheArts ......................................................................................................................... 12

III.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTVISION ...................................................................................................... 14

VISIONSTATEMENT ............................................................................................................................... 14

SPECIFICGOALS ..................................................................................................................................... 14

AccelerateJobCreation ..................................................................................................................... 14

StrengthenRegionsHighQualityofLife........................................................................................... 14

CRITICALISSUES..................................................................................................................................... 15BusinessClimate ................................................................................................................................ 15

UrbanandRuralPoverty ................................................................................................................... 15

Infrastructure..................................................................................................................................... 15

AccesstoCapital................................................................................................................................ 15

CommunityDevelopmentandHousing............................................................................................. 16

K12EducationandWorkforceDevelopment ................................................................................... 16

PUBLICSTAKEHOLDERENGAGEMENT................................................................................................... 16

IV.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTSTRATEGYANDCOMPONENTS................................................................ 17

REGIONALSTRATEGIES.......................................................................................................................... 17

StrengthenAcademicandIndustryPartnerships .............................................................................. 17

AlignWorkforceDevelopmentEffortswithSectorNeeds ................................................................ 17

MakeStrategicInvestmentsinResearchandDevelopment............................................................. 18

FosterEntrepreneurship,Innovation,andBusinessRetentionandExpansion................................. 18


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FLREDCStrategicPlanDRAFT11111 ii

InvestinCommunityDevelopmentandInfrastructure ..................................................................... 19

SECTORSTRATEGIES .............................................................................................................................. 19

AdvancedHealthcare&LifeSciences................................................................................................ 19

Optics,PhotonicsandImaging .......................................................................................................... 19


BusinessServices,Software,andTelecommunications .................................................................... 20

EnergyInnovation.............................................................................................................................. 20

AgricultureandFoodProcessing ....................................................................................................... 21


CRITERIAUSEDTOSELECTCATALYTICPRIORITYPROJECTSANDACTIONS........................................... 21

ProjectCriteria................................................................................................................................... 22

V.REGIONALIMPLEMENTATIONAGENDA ............................................................................................... 23

PRIORITYPROJECTSANDACTIONS........................................................................................................ 23

EmpireStateAcceleratedCleanTechnologyInnovationInitiative/U.S.RenewablesGroup............. 23

FingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperative ................................................................................ 24

RegionalInternalHarvestingandEconomicGardening .................................................................... 25

TheGolisanoInstituteforSustainabilityatRIT.................................................................................. 26

UniversityofRochesterHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovation............................... 27

NYBESTCommercializationCenter................................................................................................... 28

SenecaAgBioGreenEnergyPark....................................................................................................... 29

FingerLakesMuseum ........................................................................................................................ 30

FingerLakesHealthCooperative ....................................................................................................... 30

MidtownRedevelopmentandTower................................................................................................ 31

FIVEYEARPROJECTSANDACTIONS ...................................................................................................... 32

WorkforceDevelopment ................................................................................................................... 32

Healthcare ......................................................................................................................................... 32

AcademicIndustryCollaboration ...................................................................................................... 33

IndustrialDevelopmentandInfrastructure....................................................................................... 33

CommunityDevelopment.................................................................................................................. 33



VI.PERFORMANCEMEASURES .................................................................................................................. 35

ACCELERATEJOBCREATION .................................................................................................................. 35

STRENGTHENREGIONSHIGHQUALITYOFLIFE.................................................................................... 35


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FLREDCStrategicPlanDRAFT11111 1

I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY:

TheFingerLakesregionofNewYorkStatehas18universitiesandcollegesandranksatornearthetop

inpercapitadegreesinthesciences,engineering,andmathematics;ishometoWegmans,oneofthe

nationsleadinggrocerychains,andConstellationBrands,theworldslargestpremiumwinecompany;

hasatalentedandhighlyeducatedworkforce;isthestatesleadingproducerofagricultureproducts;is

aninternationalcenterforoptics,photonics,andimaging;hasthenationsleadingschoolofmusicand

leadingmuseumdedicatedtothehistoryandpreservationofphotographyandfilm;hashousingcosts

30percentlowerthanthenationalaverage;hasthehighestpercapitalevelofexportsinthestateandis

amongthetopinthenation;has10highschoolsrankedamongthebestinthenation;ishometooneof

thetoptenuniversitiesinthenationinsponsoredresearchwhennormalizedforfacultysize;isranked

fifthinthenationforpatentspercapita;andhasoneofthehighestqualityandlowestcosthealth

systemsinthecountry.

Theseachievementsarestrongevidenceoftheregionsresiliency,broadeconomicfoundation,high

qualityoflife,andabilitytoharnessinnovationtoreinventitself.

Toreachthispoint,however,theFingerLakesregionhasundergoneafundamentaltransformationthatradicallyalteredtheeconomiclandscapewithinthespaceofageneration.Formuchofthe20th

century,theregionseconomywasdominatedbyfour,largemanufacturingbasedcompanies.Inrecent

years,thesecompanieshavelosttensofthousandsofjobs.In1982,Kodakalonehad60,400employees

intheregion.Todayithas7,000.Thirtyyearsago,themajorityoftheregionstopemployerswerelarge

industrialbasedcompanies.Today,fiveoutofthetoptenprivatesectoremployersintheFingerLakes

areinstitutionsofhighereducationandhealthcareandtheUniversityofRochesterranksasthestates

6thlargestemployer.

FINGERLAKESREGIONTOP10PRIVATESECTOREMPLOYERS

1980 2010Kodak UniversityofRochester

Xerox WegmansFoodMarkets

UniversityofRochester Kodak

GeneralMotors RochesterGeneralHealthSystem

RochesterGeneralHealthSystem Xerox

GleasonCorporation UnityHealth

Bausch+Lomb LifetimeHealthcare

Sybron(NalgeNunc) Paychex

WegmansFoodMarkets RochesterInstituteofTechnology

RG&E HarrisRFCommunications

Whilethistransformationhasbeenpainfulformany,theregionhassuccessfullyremadeitselfintoa

moredynamic,diverse,andstableeconomybasedonmultiplesectorsthathavetremendouspotential

forfuturegrowth.Since1980,totalemploymentintheFingerLakeshasincreasedby18percentduring

aperiodofrelativelyflatpopulationgrowth.

EMPLOYMENT:ROCHESTERMSA


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TheFingerLakeseconomyisdrivenbytechnologicalinnovation.Manyofthecompaniesinthefieldsof

advancedmanufacturing,optics,imaging,photonics,fuelcells,andcomputertechnologyemergedfrom

theresearchanddevelopmentlabsofKodak,Xerox,andBausch+Lombandwerefoundedby

executives,engineers,andtechnicianswhoweretrainedatthesefirms.Thesesectorshavebeen

furtherstrengthenedbyaclosepartnershipwiththeregionsuniversitiesandcollegeswhichhave

providedindustrywithasteadysupplyofinnovativetechnologiesandhighlyskilledworkers.

Universitybasedresearchalsohashelpedpropelthegrowthofnewsectors,includinglifesciencesand

alternativeenergy.Thiscrossfertilizationextendsbeyondtechnologydrivensectors.Forexample,the

regionsexpandingagricultureindustryspecificallytherisinginternationalreputationofFingerLakes

wineshasinturnpropelledgrowthintourism.

Justnamedoneof35nationalInnovationHubsbyTheAtlantic,thefutureoftheFingerLakes

economywillbedrivenbyinvention.Thebirthplaceofpopularphotography,xerography,theHPV

vaccine,andthesoftcontactlensalsospawnedfirmsthatthriveinintenselycompetitivemarketssuch

asfoodretailingandpayrollprocessing.Futureinnovationwillbedevelopedthroughpartnerships

betweensophisticatedfirmsandtheregionsdeeparrayofcollegesanduniversities.

TheFingerLakesregionhasledNewYorkStateinjobgrowthoverthepastthreeyearsandcurrentlyhas

thestateslowestunemploymentrate.In2011,theBrookingsInstitutelistedtheregionseconomyas

oneofthe"Top20StrongestPerformingMetroAreas"inthecountry.Rochesterisoneofonlynine

metropolitanareasthathaverankedinBrookings'Top20inthethreeyears.

Despitetheseachievements,theregionfacessignificantchallengesincludinganaginginfrastructure,

urbanandruralpoverty,lackofcapitaltocreateandgrowbusiness,andabusinessclimatehinderedby

taxationandregulationthatdetersinvestment.

TheFingerLakesregionsstrategicplanisbasedonthreecoreconcepts.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1980:414,400jobs 2010:503,200jobs


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First,theFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilhasunanimouslyagreedtoleadan

efforttoachievegreaterefficiencyandlowercostamongFingerLakesgovernments.Thecouncil

appreciatesthatthiseffortwillparallelthosecurrentlybeingexploredbytheCuomoadministrationand

commitswhenappropriatetoworkintandemwiththestatewideinitiatives.Thecouncilbelieves

thatbyworkingtogethertheregioncanachievesignificantcostefficienciesthroughjointpurchasingby

governmentunitsandbythecreativesharingofservicedelivery.

Second,thisstrategicplanseekstoacceleratejobcreationandreinforcetheregionshighqualityoflife

pivotaltotheattractionandretentionofbusinessbyimplementingafiveyearplantostrengthen

keyinnovationhubsinourdiverseeconomyincludinghighereducation,foodprocessing,targetedfields

ofadvancedmanufacturing,businessservicesandtelecommunications,energyinnovation,tourismand

thearts.Theprojectsidentifiedbythecouncilwillleveragesignificantprivateinvestmentandaddress

criticaleconomicdevelopmentneedsthroughouttheregionsninecountryarea.

Third,theFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilspecificallyrecommendsthefollowing

transformativeprojectsasprioritiesinourfiveyearplan:

CreateaclusterofcleantechbusinessesatEastmanBusinessParkinRochesterledbyU.S.RenewablesGroup.Infiveyears,thisprojectisprojectedtocreate1,200jobsdirectlyandan

equalnumberindirectly.Thecenterpieceofthisprojectisanew$300millionstateoftheart

biofuelgeneratingplant;

CreatetheFingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperativeaninterconnectedhubandnodenetworkthatconsolidatesandstreamlinessupportandincubationresourcesacrossallnine

counties.Thecooperativewillsupportthecreationofearlystagecompanies,spurring

employmentgrowthofmorethan1,000directjobsinthefirst5yearsofoperation.

SupporttheexpansionoftheGolisanoInstituteforSustainabilityattheRochesterInstituteofTechnology.TheinstitutewhichwillmakeRITaninternationalleaderinprogramsthatembodytheprinciplesofsustainabilityinproductdevelopmentwillcreateanestimated750

directjobs.StudiedbytheCenterforGovernmentalResearch,theinstitutecouldcatalyzethe

creationandexpansionofrelatedfirmsintheregionthatcouldaccountforadditional5,000

jobsintheregionoverthenextfiveyears.

SupportthecreationoftheUniversityofRochestersHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovationapartnershipwithIBMtocreatethemostpowerfulcomputersystemdedicatedto

healthresearchintheworld.Thecenterwillenabletheuniversitytogrowitsresearchfunding

bymorethan$134millionandacceleratethedevelopmentoftheregionslifesciencessector.

TheCenterforGovernmentalResearchestimatesthatthisinitiativewillcreate800directand

indirectjobs.

CreateanadvancedenergystoragecommercializationcenterinEastmanBusinessPark.TheNYBESTCommercializationCenterwillinvolvemorethan80companiesfromacrossNewYork

Stateandprovidecriticaltestingandmanufacturingfacilitiesnecessarytodevelopthenext

generationoffuelcells.Thisinitiativeisexpectedtocreate400directjobsinthestateduring

thefirstfiveyearsofoperation.


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Implementaninnovative,regionwidebusinessretentionandexpansionprogramthatwillconnectandcoordinatealloftheregionseconomicdevelopmentorganizationsandagencies.

TheFingerLakesRegionalInternalHarvestingandEconomicGardeninginitiativewhichwill

targetgrowthorientedcompaniesandhelpthemexpandwillcreate500newjobsoverthe

nextfiveyears.

ExpandproductioncapacityattheSenecaAgBioGreenEnergyPark whichwillenablethreecompaniestolocatetheirmanufacturingoperationsatthesite. Thisprojectwhichwillfocus

ontheconversionofagriculturalbyproductsandwasteintobiofuelsandbiomaterialswill

accelerateplanstoredeveloptheformerArmydepotinSenecaCountyandcreate60newdirect

jobsinthisruralcommunity.

Accelerateplanstocreateasignaturedestinationmuseumthatwillcatalyzegrowthinregionaltourismandpromoteconservation.TheFingerLakesMuseumwillhaveacentralcampusin

KeukaLakeStateParkandsatelliteprogramsthroughouttheregion.Oncecompleted,the

museumisprojectedtodraw130,000visitors,reinforcingtheappealofexistingtourismassets,

includingtheregionsmanystateparks,theFingerLakeswinetrails,andotherdestinations.The

museumisexpectedtoemployabout40directly.TheCenterforGovernmentalResearchestimatesthatthemuseumwillspuranadditional50jobsinsupportingretailandservicefirms

intheregion.

ExpandthehighlysuccessfulandnationalrecognizedFingerLakesHealthCollaborativeapartnershipbetweentheRochesterBusinessAlliance,theFingerLakesRegionalChamberof

Commerce,theFingerLakesHealthSystemsAgency,andmorethan100localorganizations.The

initialprojectoftheCollaborativeconsistsofacommunitybasedefforttoreducetheincidence

ofhighbloodpressureandrelatedconditions.Theprojectwillhavebothanimmediatebenefit

andispartofalongtermstrategytoreducehealthcarecostsintheregionby$8.5millionper

year.

SupportongoingplansbytheCityofRochesterredeveloptheMidtownsitebyacceleratingthe

adaptivereuseoftheformerMidtownTowerintoamixedcommercial,office,andresidential

space.This$60millionprojectiscentraltoplanstoredevelopmentofthe8.2acreMidtownsite

andwillcreateandretain480directjobs.


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II.REGIONALASSESSMENTOFEXISTINGCONDITIONSANDECONOMICOPPORTUNITIES

Thirtyyearsago,majorindustrialcompaniesdominatedtheFingerLakeseconomy,employing

thousandsofproductionworkers,managers,scientists,andtechnicians.Kodak,Xerox,Bausch+Lomb,

andGeneralMotorsemployednearlyonefifthofthelocalworkforceandindirectlyhadanimpacton

halfofregionseconomy.Overtwofifthoftheregionsjobswereinfirmsof1,000employeesormore.

By2010,thesefourfirmshadeliminatedtensofthousandsofjobswhenentireproductlines

disappearedasglobalmarketsbecamemorecompetitive.Despitethisdisruptivetransformationand

relativelyflatpopulationgrowth,employmentintheFingerLakesregioncontinuestoexpand.Overthe

last30years,theregionhasadded90,000newjobs.Morerecently,theRochesterMSAhashadthe

bestjobcreationrecordofallthestateslargeMSAssince2008andhasbeenoneofthetopperforming

metrosinthenation.

Smallbusinesshasflourished.AsaNewYorkTimesheadlinedeclared,thecommunitywastransformed

fromacompanytowntoatownoftinycompanies.Fourfifthsoftheworkforcenowdrawsapaycheck

fromasmallormediumsizedfirm.

Theregionsremarkableresiliencehasbeenmadepossiblebyaricharrayofcollegesanduniversities,

supportingbothpersonalreinventionandthecreationofnewbusinesses.Collectively,18universities

andcollegesplacetheregionatornearthetopingraduatesinthekeyneweconomydisciplinesof

sciences,engineering,andmathematics.

Norhastheregionlosttheartandscienceofmanufacturing.TheFingerLakesregionremainsoneof

NewYorkStatesmostsuccessfulmanufacturinghubsandisbestequippedtocontinuethestateslong

manufacturingtradition.

Theregionisthestatesleadingproducerofagricultureproductsandhasapplieditsmanufacturingexpertisetofoodprocessing.Itisnoaccidentthattheregionishometotheworldslargestpremium

wineproducer,oneofthenationsleadinggrocers,andleadsthestateandmuchofthenationin

exports.

Healthcarehasplayedanessentialroleintheregionstransformation.Fewregionsinthenationhave

higherqualityatlowercost,reinforcingtheregionsappealtonewfirms.Alonghistoryofplanningand

coordinationamongtheregionshealthprovidershascreatedasystemrecognizedasanationalmodel

ofefficiencyandcostcontrol.Deeplyentwinedinitsclinicalexcellenceisarobustemphasisonhealth

researchanddevelopment,supportingagrowingclusterofpharmaceutical,biotech,andmedicaldevice

firms.

Qualityoflifeassetshavealsobeenessentialtotheregionsrevitalization.TheFingerLakesarehome

toleadingculturalinstitutionsandawineregionthatattractsmoreacclaim,andmorevisitors,every

year.

Twokeyelementshaveplayedacentralroleintheregionsrecenteconomicsuccess.Innovation

whichhasalwaysbeenattheheartoftheregionseconomyisnowbeingharnessedbyanew

generationofentrepreneursandcompaniestocreatenewproducts.Andtheregionshighlyskilled


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workforcehasenabledcompaniestoassemblethemanagerial,technical,andscientificteamsnecessary

tocompeteintheglobaleconomy.

KEYFINGERLAKESECONOMICCLUSTERS

HigherEducation

HighereducationintheFingerLakesregionplaysathreefoldroleintheregionaleconomy.Itservesas

economicdriverthroughitsroleasamajoremployer,resourceforresearchandinnovation,and

anchorstheregionsqualityoflife,anincreasinglyimportantaspectofeconomicdevelopment.The

totaleconomicimpactofthehighereducationsectorontheregionisestimatedtobecloseto$5billion

annually.

The18collegesanduniversitiesintheFingerLakesregioncollectivelyemployapproximately33,000,

withacombinedpayrollof$2.2billion.Addingintheimpactofjobsindirectlygeneratedbythese

institutions,thehighereducationsectorcontributestoatotalof46,400jobsthroughouttheregion.

Theseinstitutionsgenerateanadditional$1.9billionineconomicactivityintheregionthroughother

institutionalpurchases,includingconstruction.Twooftheareacollegesanduniversitiesareamongthetoptenemployersintheregion.TheUniversityofRochester(withmorethan20,000employees)isnot

onlytheareaslargestemployer,butitisalsothesixthlargestemployerinthestate.RochesterInstitute

ofTechnology(withmorethan3,200employees)istheninthlargestregionalemployer.

Approximately85,000studentstodayareenrolledattheseinstitutions,includingasignificant

percentagecomingfromoutsidetheregionandthestate.Spendingbystudentsattheseinstitutions

andthevisitorswhocanbeattributedtothemadds$513milliontotheeconomyeachyear.

Theregionisoneofthemostproductiveinthenationasmeasuredbydegreesawardedinfieldsthat

arecentraltoeconomiccompetitiveness.TheRochesterMetropolitanStatisticalArea(MSA),51stin

populationamongthenationsmetroareas,ranksfourthinthenationinnumberoftotaldegreespercapitaandisatornearthetopinthoseconferredinkeyscienceandtechnologyfields:

Firstindegreesinthephysicalsciencesandmathematics; Firstindegreesinthevisualandperformingarts; Secondinthebiologicalandlifesciencesfields; Thirdinengineeringandengineeringrelatedfields; Fifthincomputingandinformationsciences;and Ninthintechnicaloccupationfields.

Theseinstitutionsareimmeasurablystrengthenedbytheregionslongandproudhistoryof

philanthropy.Inadditiontothecontributionsofcountlessindividuals,organizationssuchasthe

WegmansFamilyCharitableFoundation,theGolisanoFoundation,theGreaterRochesterHealth

Foundation,andothershaveplayedanessentialrolesupportingthegrowthinhighereducation.

Theregionscollegesanduniversitiesattractsignificantresearchfundingfrominstitutionssuchasthe

NationalInstitutesofHealth,theNationalScienceFoundation,theDepartmentofDefense,Department

ofEnergyandotherfederalagencies,theNewYorkStateEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority

andotherstateentities,plusprivatefirms,particularlythepharmaceuticalindustry.Thesedollars

supportthousandsofhighlyskilledjobs.Theregionsuniversitiesalsoplayacriticalroleinprivate


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sectorR&Dthroughresearchpartnershipsbyhelpingaddressspecificindustryproductdevelopment

goalsandprovidingaccesstounique,universitybasedscientificresources.

Forthepasttwoyears,theUniversityofRochesterhasreceivedmorethan$400millioninannual

researchfunding.Whenfederalresearchawardsarenormalizedforfacultysize,theUniversityof

Rochesterplaceseighthinthenationinproductivity.In2011,RITreceived$52.5millioninnew

researchawards,includinggrantsandcontractsforresearch,instruction,outreach,andconstruction.

Abyproductofacademicresearchisintellectualpropertythatcanbeharnessedforprivatesector

growth.Foreightofthelastnineyears,theUniversityofRochesterhasbeenamongthetop10

institutionsinthenationinroyaltyrevenuereceivedfromitslicensedtechnologies.Notableexamples

includevaccinetechnologiesthatledtothecreationoftwouniversalpediatricvaccinesandtwo

vaccinesthatblocktheinfectionthatcausescervicalcancer.Since1996,51startupcompanieswere

createdbyUniversityofRochesterand14byRIT.

Venturecapital,focusedonearlystagetechnologycompanies,hassupportedthisgrowth.Excell

Partnersapreseed/seedstageventurefundfoundedin2005hasmade21investmentstodate;the

RochesterAngelNetwork,alsostartedin2005,hasmade18investmentsinto14localcompanies.TheTrilliumGroupandotherupstateventurecapitalfirmshavemanagedseveralearlystagefundsthathave

alsoinvestedlocally.

Theregionhasawellestablishedsupportinfrastructureforearlystagestartupcompanies,including

HighTechnologyofRochesteranditsLennoxTechEnterpriseCenter,theBioVentureCenter,andExcell

Partners.RITsVentureCreationsandtheUpstateMedTechCenterinBataviaalsoprovideincubation

andaccelerationsupportearlystagetechnologycompanies.

Therapidpaceoftechnologicalchange,theincreasingglobalcompetitiveness,andgrowingindustry

demandsforcareerreadyemployees,makearobustworkforcetraininginfrastructureanessential

componentofeconomicgrowth.Theregionscommunitycollegesandcommunitybasedadulteducationprogramsplayanessentialroleinpreparingindividualsformiddleskilloccupationsthe

sectorofthelabormarketrequiresmorethanahighschooldiplomabutlessthanafouryearcollege

degree.Thesejobsmakeupthelargestpercentageofthestatesworkforceandregionaldemandfor

theseemployeesisparticularlyacuteinfieldslikeadvancedmanufacturing,optics,andhealthcare.

TheFingerLakeshighereducationinstitutionshavebeenhighlyeffectiveingrowingtheworkforce

pipelineandhavedemonstratedtheabilitytopartnerwithindustryandofferhighlyresponsive

academicprograms.Manyattributetheregionscapacitytoabsorbtherecentjoblossestotheability

toretrainworkersacrossavastarrayofnewcareers.

AdvancedHealthcare/LifeSciences

AcogentexampleoftheFingerLakesemergenceasaknowledgebasedeconomyistheregions

growinghealthcaresector.Approximately200lifesciencescompaniesintheregionemploynearly

6,500individualswithearningsof$619millionandtheregionshealthcaresectoremploys57,000

physicians,nurses,otherhealthcareprofessionals,andsupportingemployees.Ofequalimportance,

theregionshighquality,lowcosthealthsystemisacriticalfactorinattractingcompaniestoexpandor

relocateintheregion.


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TheregionshighereducationinstitutionsarewellalignedwiththesectorandtheFingerLakesisunique

foracommunityitssizeinthebreadthandqualityofacademicmedicineispossesses.Itscollegesand

universitiesofferanarrayofdegreeprogramsrangingfromlicensedpracticalnursingormedical

technologycertificateprogramsatthecommunitycollegesthroughnursing,medical,andgraduate

degreesfromtheUniversityofRochestersSchoolsofMedicine&DentistryandNursing.TheUniversity

ofRochestersSchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciences,RITsCenterforBioscienceEducationand

TechnologyanditsalliancewithRochesterGeneralHospital,Monroe,Genesee,andFingerLakes

communitycollegesallofferbiotechnologydegreeprogramswhichsupplytheregionsgrowingnumber

oflifesciencecompanies.TheregionalsohasactivemiddleandhighschoolSTEMandworkforce

traininginitiativesincludingprogramssuchasiSciWNYwhichhelplaunchstudentsintocareersin

medicineandscience.

AdvancedHealthcare

Theregionishometoseveralhealthsystems,includingtheUniversityofRochesterMedicalCenter,

RochesterGeneralHealthSystem,UnityHealth,ThompsonHealth,FingerLakesHealth,Lakeside

Hospital,MedinaMemorialHealthCareSystem,MonroeCommunityHospital,UnitedMemorialMedical

CenterofBatavia,WyomingCountyCommunityHealthSystem,NicholasH.NoyesMemorialHospital,

CliftonSpringsHospitalandClinic,andSoldiersandSailorsMemorialHospital.

Hospitalsprovidenearly42,000jobsandgenerate$4.9billionineconomicactivity,leadingthe

healthcaresectortorankastheregionsthirdlargestemployer.From2004and2009,sector

employmentgrewbymorethan2,400jobs,accordingtotheNewYorkStateCenterforWorkforce

Studies.

Theregionhasachievedresultsbyefficientlyworkingtogether.Adecadeslongplanningcollaboration

haseffectivelyminimizedduplicationofservices,achievedsustainablequalitygainsandcostsavings,

andintegrateddeliverysystems.Theregionalsobenefitsfromoneofthenationsmostsuccessful

regionalhealthinformationorganizations(RHIO),withmorethan500,000individualssubscribingtoa

systemthatenablesproviderstoinstantlyaccesscriticalhealthinformation.

TheFingerLakesregionenjoysnationalrecognitionforhighquality,lowcosthealthcare.BothMedicare

andcommercialinsurerscostsare20to25percentlowerthanthenationalaverage.TheRobertWood

JohnsonFoundationandtheUniversityofWisconsinhaverecentlyrecognizedthehighqualityofour

healthsystem,highlightingthelowrateofuninsuredadults,higherthanaveragesupplyofprimarycare

providers,abilitytopreventunnecessaryhospitalizations,highpreventativescreeningrates,and

appropriateuseofhospice.

LifeSciences

Thereareagrowingnumberoflifesciencescompaniesintheregionrangingfromlargeestablished

firmssuchasBausch+Lomb,CooperVision,CarestreamHealth,andOrthoClinicalDiagnosticsto

smallercompaniessuchasasVaccinex,SimPore,Oyagen,VirtualScopics,andiCardiacTechnologies.

Theregionboastsastrongfoundationofuniversitybasedmedicalresearchthatformsthebasisfor

intellectualpropertycreation.TheUniversityofRochesterMedicalCenter(URMC)hasreceived$1.4

billioninbiomedicalresearchfundingoverthelastfiveyearsandfilesanaverageof47patent

applicationsperyearonitsmedicaldiscoveries.BoththeUniversityofRochesterandRIThavestrong

researchandtechnologycommercializationprogramsinrelatedfieldssuchasengineeringandcomputer

science.Theregionhasahistoryofsuccessfulandproductiveacademicandindustrypartnershipsinthe


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fieldofmedicine,includinghealthsystemspartnershipswithBausch+Lomb,CareStream,Pfizerand

otherlocalandnationalpharmaceutical,biotech,andmedicaldevicecompanies.

Optics,Imaging&Photonics

Buildingonitsimaginghistory,theFingerLakesregionisnowaninternationallyrecognizedcenterfor

opticsandphotonicsinnovation.Rochesterishometomorethan50leadingbusinessesfocusedon

opticsandimaging,boastingacriticalmassofoptics/imaging/photonicsrelatedcompaniesthat

employs31,000andgenerates$2.8billioninpayroll.

TheregionsopticsindustryincludesremotesensingcompaniessuchasITTGeospatialSystems,

sophisticatedsupplychainfirmssuchasCorningTropel,JMLOptical,RochesterPrecisionOptics ,CVI

MellesGriot,andsmallerstartupventuressuchasLumetrics, SydorOptics,andASEOptics.

TheclusterissupportedbysignificantandleadingresearchprogramsattheUniversityofRochesters

InstituteofOpticsthenationsfirstopticsresearchprogramandsourceofhalfofthenationsoptics

Ph.D.sandRITsChesterF.CarlsonCenterforImagingScienceandMicrosystemsEngineering

programs.

ThemergeroftheregionsInfotonicsCenter,nowcalledtheSmartSystemTechnology&

CommercializationCenter,hasstrengthenedtiestoSUNYAlbanysCollegeofNanoscaleScienceand

Engineering.ThisconnectiontotheboomingsemiconductorindustryintheCapitalDistrictprovidesa

criticalconduitthroughwhichtheFingerLakeregionsvastcapabilitiesinimagingandphotonics,

advancedmanufacturing,andsemiconductordesignmaybebroughttobearinthesemiconductor

industry.OtherkeyinstitutionsincludetheRochesterRegionalPhotonicsClusteranorganizationof60

optics,imagingandphotonicscompaniesthatcollaborateonprojectsfortheaerospace,automotive,

biomedical,defense,manufacturing,microelectronics,printing,remotesensing,semiconductor,and

telecommunicationsindustriesandtheCenterforEmergingandInnovativeSciencesaNYSTAR

sponsoredCentersforAdvancedTechnologythatsupportsacademicindustrypartnerships.

EnergyInnovation

Energyinnovationwind,solar,fuelcell,biofuel,andothertechnologieshaslongbeenthesubjectof

academicandcorporateresearchanddevelopmentintheFingerLakesregion.About8,400jobsare

associatedwith66firmsandinstitutionsinvolvedinemergingenergytechnology,withpayrollof$600

million.

Thisrelativelynewsectorbenefitsfromtheregionshistoricstrengthinmaterialandprecision

manufacturingexpertisewhichhasdevelopedaskilledworkforceadeptatmanagingcomplexelectro

mechanicalandchemicalproducts.Atthesametime,universityresearchhasbeenfocusedon

developingsmarterenergysolutions.

TheFingerLakesregionsstrongportfolioofcompaniesandacademicresearchprogramsinseveral

criticalenergyfieldspavesthewayforsustainablegrowth.Theregionsproductiveagriculturesector

helpsfuelethanolandbiodieselmanufacturing,includingNewYorkStatesfirststateoftheartdrymill

ethanolplantWesternNewYorkEnergyinOrleansCounty.TheFingerLakesisaworldleaderinfuel

cellresearchanddevelopmentconductedatGeneralMotorsandDelphi'sFuelCellActivityCenters

andinrolltorollfilmmanufacturing,akeyenablerfornextgenerationsolarapplications.Theregionis


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aleaderinthedevelopmentofbatteryandenergystoragetechnologyforheavydutytransportation,

electricgrid,andotherapplicationsandsupplychainresourcesinwindenergy.Sixwindfarms

consistingofmorethan330turbinesgenerating517megawattsofelectricityoperateintheregion.

Inacademicresearch,theLaboratoryforLaserEnergeticsattheUniversityofRochesterreceives$60to

$70millionayearfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyforitsroleinanationalnetworkoffederally

fundedresearchcentersinvestigatingtheuseofnuclearfusionasasourceofenergy.RIT'sresearch

activityanchoredbytheGolisanoInstituteofSustainabilityandtheNanopowerResearchLaboratory

includesprogramsinwindenergy,solarpower,biomass,andfuelcells.TheNewYorkStateAgricultural

ExperimentStationinGeneva anationalleaderinagriculturalresearchanddevelopmentis

conductingresearchinthefieldofbiofuelsproductionwithafocusondevelopingthenextgeneration

cellulosicethanol.

AdvancedManufacturing

Successfulmanufacturersapplyinnovationbothproductandprocessinnovationtothemarketplace.

TheregionstwoengineeringschoolstheKateGleasonCollegeofEngineeringatRITandtheHajim

SchoolofEngineering&AppliedSciencesatUniversityofRochesterhelpFingerLakesfirmsturninnovationintojobcreation.TheCenterforIntegratedManufacturingStudiesatRITsupports

technologytransferandexploreshowdomesticfirmscancontinuetobesuccessfulinglobalmarkets.

TheFingerLakesmanufacturingexpertisesupportsseveralclusters,oftenanchoringabusiness

concentrationthatincludesfirmsinmanufacturing,service,evenretail.Forexample:

GleasonCorporation,theworldsdominantsupplierofcomputernumericallycontrolledbevelgearcuttingequipmenttotheautomotivesector,supportsenergyinnovationbysellingits

precisionmachinestowindturbinemanufacturerslikeGeneralElectric.MKSInstruments

providesRF,DCandpulsedDCpowersupplies,measurementandcontroldevicesandsoftware

servicestothesolarpowerindustry.

Kodaksrolltorollhighspeedcoatingprocesslongwasaleaderofchemicalandmechanicalengineering.Thisuniquecapacityisnowbeingappliedtonewsolarenergyproducts.Optimax,

Americaslargestopticsmanufacturer,providesprototypeopticsforaerospace,display

technologiesandsolarapplicationsandOEMproductionopticsforthesemiconductor,military

andmedicalinstrumentsectors.

OrthoClinicalDiagnostics,adivisionofJohnson&Johnson,supportsmedicalresearchandclinicallaboratorieswithtestingdevicesandsoftware.Bausch+LombandCooperVision

competetodeliverinnovativetechnologytoeyecare.

Inthefoodprocessingcluster,technologyempowers140workersatBarillaAmerica,Inc.inAvontoproduce81,000tonsofpastaeachyearandLiDestriFoodsFairportmanufacturing

facilitycanproduceonemillionjarsofpastasauceeverydaywitharosterof400workers.

BusinessServices/Software/Telecommunications

TheFingerLakesregionishometooneofthestrongestembeddedconcentrationsofbusinessservices,

softwareandtelecommunicationsexpertiseinthecountry,primarilytheresultofthespinoffof


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noncoreintellectualinfrastructureandworkerstrainedatXerox,RochesterTelephone,andKodak.As

awhole,thisclusteremploysover47,000withapayrollofjustunder$3billion.

LeadingbusinessservicefirmssuchasPaychexandSutherlandGlobalServices,softwaredevelopers

suchasMindexTechnologiesandInfoDirections,andtelecommunicationsfirmssuchFibertech

Networks,and5LINXEnterprisescontributetotheregionsprosperityand,throughtechnological

convergence,oftenshareexpertiseandstaff.

Theincreasingirrelevanceofgeographytothedeliveryoftechnologyandrelatedservicesofferslow

cost,highintellectregionsliketheFingerLakesanopportunitytoexcel.TheFingerLakesregioniswell

positionedtocompeteatagloballevelinthisfield.Theregionboastsaseriesofcritical,strategicassets

whichhavefueledthisclustersgrowthandcanbefurtherleveragedtosustainitsexpansion.This

includesadeepknowledgebaseandavailabilityoftalentwithspecificexpertiseinsoftwareand

telecommunications,acriticalmassoftelecomenterprises,stronghighereducationinfrastructure

capableoffeedinggrowingworkforcedemand,andlowcost.

AgricultureandFoodProcessing

FingerLakesagriculturehaslongexportedtotherestofthenation.Regionalentrepreneurs,wholong

agorealizedthattheycouldaddvaluetotheirproducebyprocessingcropsandanimalproductsbefore

shipping,createdcheesefactories,wineries,frozenfoodprocessorsandmanyothers.Today,the

agriculturalandfoodprocessingclusterrepresentsacrucialpartoftheregionseconomy.Combined,

agricultureandfoodprocessingemploynearly19,000,earningincomeof$700million.

TheFingerLakesregionleadsNewYorkStateinsalesofmilk,fruitandnut,cornandorganicproducts.

Theregionleadsthestateinsalesofallcrops,harvestingonethirdofthestatetotalbyvalue,andin

salesofallanimalproducts,producingonequarterofthestatetotalbyvalue.In2007,halfoftheland

intheregionwasdedicatedfarmland,thehighestpercentageofanyregioninthestate.

TherenownedFingerLakesgrapeandwineindustryproduce41,403tonsofgrapesannually.The

regions90wineriesand9,124acresofvineyardsaccountfor85percentofthestateswineproduction.

Astrongframeworksupportsthegrapegrowingandwineindustries,includingUncorkNewYork,the

NewYorkWineandCulinaryCenter,andtheCornellCooperativeExtensionFingerLakesGrapeProgram.

Theseprogramshelpwinemakersthroughresearchandconnectthemtomerchantsandtourists.

TheFingerLakesregionisanimportantproduceroffruitsandvegetables.Inadditiontograpes,the

regionisaleadinggrowerofapples,helpingtomakeNewYorkStatesecondinthenationintheapple

production.Otherleadingcropsincludesoybeans,cabbage,sweetcornandonions,thoughthelistofall

cropsgrownintheregionismuchlonger.Asaleadingproduceroforganicproducts,theregionenjoysa

boomingnetworkoffarmersmarkets,farmmarkets,andCommunitySupportedAgricultureprograms.

TheFingerLakesregionleadsthestateindairyproduction,producingover2millionpoundsofmilkeach

yearandmakingNewYorkStatethethirdlargestdairystateinthenation.Dairyproductsareexported

tomarketsandusedlocallybycheeseandotherfoodandbeveragemanufacturers.

Farmersreceivesupportfromavarietyofprogramsthatoffereducationalandtrainingaswellas

agriculturalresearchandadvice.EachoftheregionscountieshasalocalCCEassociationwhich


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supportsprogramssuchastheNorthWesternNewYorkDairy,LivestockandFieldCropsTeam,theLake

OntarioFruitProgram,andtheCornellVegetableProgram.

CornellUniversitysNewYorkStateAgriculturalExperimentStationservesagriculturalproducers,food

businesses,andconsumersthroughoutthestate.Thestationworkstopreventfoodbornepathogens,

fightinvasivepestsanddiseasesthatthreatencrops,developnewmarketsandcultivatenewfruitand

vegetablevarieties.AdditionalregionalresourcesincludetheAgriculture&FoodTechParkinGeneva,

FingerLakesCulinaryBounty,FingerLakesSustainableFarmingCenter,theNewYorkFarmBureau,and

theWine&GrapeFoundation.

TheFingerLakesregionpossesseskeyassetsthatmakeitidealforfoodandbeveragemanufacturing.

Theregionishometolocallygrowncompaniesaswellasglobalmanufacturersthathavebeendrawnto

thearea.ConstellationBrands,foundedandbasedintheregion,istheworldslargestpremiumwine

producer.OthersignificantlocalprocessorsincludeWegmans,LiDestriFoods,SenecaFoods,andHigh

FallsBrewing.GlobalfirmsKraftFoods,Motts,andBarillaalsohavemajorprocessingfacilitiesinthe

region.

Theregionoffersfoodprocessorstwocriticalcompetitiveadvantages:abundantfreshwaterandeasyaccesstomajorNorthAmericanmarkets.MorethanonethirdofthecombinedpopulationoftheU.S.

andCanadalivewithin500milesoftheregion,reducingthecostandthetimeneededtogettheir

productstomarkets.

TheregionsmanufacturersalsobenefitfromRITsCenterforIntegratedManufacturingStudiesFinger

LakesFoodProcessingClusterInitiative,whichfocusesonimplementingsustainablemanufacturing

processtechnologiestoreduceoperatingcosts,minimizingenvironmentalimpacts,openingmarket

opportunities,startingnewbusinesses,andretainingandgrowingjobs.

TourismandtheArts

TheFingerLakesandtherecreationalcommunitiesalongLakeOntariocontributeimmeasurablytothe

regionsappealandqualityoflifeandarepowerfulassetsthathelpattractbothnewbusinessesandthe

nationshighlymobileworkforce.Scenicbeautyandrecreationalandculturalattractionsalsodraw

visitorstotheregion,withFingerLakeswinecountryrapidlybecominganinternationaldestination.

Theregionluresvisitorswithfinedining,winetasting,antiqueshopping,festivals,andopportunitiesto

hike,bike,kayak,sail,ski,hunt,orfishalongtheErieCanal,GeneseeRiver,theregionspicturesque

lakes,andnumerousparks.Theregionhasalsobeennamedoneofthetop10areasinthecountryfor

golfbyGolfMagazineandishometomanyworldclasscoursesincludeOakHillandLocustHill,which

hostPGAandWPGAtournamentsonaregularbasis.

Expendituresforlodging,meals,andshoppingpurchasescontributesignificantlytotheregions

economy.Clusteremploymentestimatedbasedonproportionsofaccommodations,culture,

recreationandamusements,foodservice,passengertransportation,andtravelretailconsistsofover

25,000jobsandcontributes$500milliontotheregionsincomeandisavitalsourceofjobsand

economicactivityintheregionsruralareas.

TheFingerLakesregionhaslongreceivedacclaimandrecognitionforitsnaturalbeauty,recreation,and

attractions.Thelakesthemselvesattractmanyvisitorseleveninnumber,theyareshapedliketheir


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name.TwoCayugaandSenecaarenearly40mileslongbutneverwiderthan3.5miles.Theseare

alsothedeepestlakeswiththeirbottomswellbelowsealevel.Theregionisrankedamongthetoplake

vacationdestinations,aheadofplacessuchastheLakeDistrictinEngland,andLakeSuperiorandLake

TahoeinNorthAmerica.Ithasbeennamedoneofthemostbeautifulwineregions,alongwithNapa

ValleyandtheLoireValleyinFrance.

TheregionhascapitalizedonitsnaturalbeautyandNewYorkStatemaintainsanumberofstateparks

forresidentsandvisitorstoenjoy,includingChimneyBluffs,KeukaLake,DarienLakes,andLetchworth

whichcelebratesaremarkablechasmthathasbeencalledtheGrandCanyonoftheEast.

Richwithhistory,theregionhasplayedamajorroleinthenationsindustrialdevelopmentand

transportation,theUndergroundRailroad,andtheWomensRightsmovement.Thathistoryisdisplayed

innumerousmuseumsandhistoricalsites,includingtheGeneseeCountryVillageandMuseum,the

SusanB.AnthonyHouse,andWomensRightsNationalHistoricPark.

Theregionoffersarichvarietyofculturalattractions,includingtheGeorgeEastmanHouse,thenations

leadingphotographymuseum,andtheStrongMuseumofPlay,theMemorialArtGallery,theRochester

MuseumandScienceCenter&StrasenburghPlanetarium,GEVATheatre,theRochesterCityBallet,andtheHochsteinSchoolofMusic,allinRochester.BeyondRochester,attractionsincludetheNewYork

WineandCulinaryCenter,GanondaganStateHistoricSite,CMACPerformingArtsCenter,Nazareth

CollegeArtsCenter,andtheSonnenbergGardensandMansionStateHistoricParkinCanandaigua.The

annualCornHillArts,XeroxInternationalJazz,andLilacfestivalsdrawvisitorsfromacrossthenation.


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III.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTVISION

VISIONSTATEMENT

PROPOSEDREVISION:TheFingerLakesregionwillaccelerateitstransformationtoadiverse,knowledge

basedeconomy,buildingonstrengthsthatincluderenewablenaturalresources,atalentedandhighly

educatedworkforce,ahistoriccommitmenttoinnovationandphilanthropy,leadershipasthestate's

topagriculturalregion,aninternationallyrecognizedcenterforopticsandphotonics,andnational

leadershipinpercapitaintellectualpropertyandhighereducationdegreesgranted.Wewill

increasinglyexpandasuccessfulhistoryofcollaborationbetweenpublicandprivateinstitutionsto

optimizeourregion'sperformanceinadvancedmanufacturing,thearts,tourism,andbasicandapplied

researchinmedicine,science,engineeringandtechnology.Throughtheseefforts,weseektobecomea

nationalleaderininnovationandcommercializationwiththelongtermgoalsofincreasingjobcreation

ataratethatexceedsnationallevelsandenhancingtheregion'squalityoflifetoattractandretain

businessandourcitizens.

Existingtext:TheFingerLakesregionwillcontinuetodiversifyandreinventitself,whileremaininghome

tomanyofAmericasbestcompaniestoworkfor.Wewillcapitalizeonourmanyassetsincluding

renewablenaturalresources,adiverse,talentedandhighlyeducatedworkforce,aswellascelebrated

entrepreneurialandphilanthropicspiritstoproudlypositionourselvesamongthemostprosperous

regionsintheUnitedStates.Wewillbuilduponthoseareasinwhichwearealreadyrecognizedas

leadersasthestatestopagriculturalregion,aninternationallyrecognizedcenterforopticsand

photonics,andanationalleaderinpercapitaintellectualproperty,andhighereducationdegrees

granted.Wewillleverageandexpandasuccessfulhistoryofcollaborationbetweenpublicandprivate

sectoremployerstomaximizeourstrongbasesinadvancedmanufacturing,thearts,tourismandbasic

andappliedresearchinmedicine,scienceandtechnology.Throughtheseefforts,wewillbealeaderin

innovationandcommercialization,withagoalofcreatinglongtermemploymentandeconomicgrowth

forcitizensthroughouttheregion.

SPECIFICGOALS

AccelerateJobCreation

WhiletheFingerLakesregionhasledNewYorkStateinjobgrowthinrecentyears,theregionwill

continuetomakestrategicinvestmentstosupportcontinuedgrowth.Thisentailsestablishingan

environmentthatisconducivetothecreation,retention,attraction,andgrowthofbusiness.Atthe

sametime,itrequiresthealignmentoftheregionsexceptionaleducationalandtraininginstitutionsand

resourceswithindustryneedstodevelopaworkforcewiththeskillsrequiredtocompeteintodays

globallycompetitive,technologydrivenmarketplace.

Theregionintendstousethisplantooutperformthenationin:

Jobgrowthandretention, Creationofnewcompanies,and Formationofminorityandwomenownedbusinesses

StrengthenRegionsHighQualityofLife


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TheFingerLakesregionoffersanexceptionalqualityoflife.A ccesstoculturalamenities,recreational

activities,alowcostofliving,nationallyrankedschools,shortcommutetimes,andhighqualityhealth

care,combinetomaketheregionanexcellentplacetowork,live,andraiseafamily.Specificgoals

include:

Continuetoimproveaccesstohighquality,lowcosthealthcare,improveleadingpublichealthindicators,andmaketheregiononeofthehealthiestinthenation;

Increasesattendanceandrevenueinrecreationalandculturalactivities.

CRITICALISSUES

Topromoteeconomicgrowth,communityandbusinessleaderswillworkwithstateandlocalelected

officialstoaddresssixcriticalissues:abusinessclimatethatishinderedbyexcessivetaxationand

regulation;pocketsofurbanandruralpoverty,anaginginfrastructure;insufficientaccesstocapital,

communitydevelopmentandhousing,andK12educationandworkforcedevelopment.

BusinessClimate

EconomicgrowthintheFingerLakesregionhasbeenlimitedby abusinesstaxclimatethattheTax

Foundationranks50thinthecountry.NewYorkerspaysomeofthehighestcombinedstateandlocal

taxesinthenation,aproblemmagnifiedinupstatewheretheratiooftaxespaidtohomevaluearethe

highestintheU.S.Hightaxes, inefficienciesingovernment,andanoverreachingregulatoryenvironment

arestranglingourbusinessesandinhibitinghomeownership.Thetaxandregulatoryclimatelimitsthe

abilityofthosewhoremaintoreinvestinourcommunity,makecapitalimprovementsandcreatejobs.

UrbanandRuralPoverty

Urbanandruralpovertyremainsasignificantbarriertoopportunityformanyoftheregionsresidents.ThepovertyrateinRochesterissignificantlyhigherthanthestateaverageandtheregionsothercities

andruralareasaremarkedbypocketsofpoverty.Educationalbarriersincludingaccesstotrainingand

lowgraduationratesincityschoolscoupledwithatightjobmarketandashortageofaffordable

housinginsomecommunities,havecreatedacycleofpovertyfortoomanyoftheregionsfamilies.The

regionwilltakethestepsnecessarytoensurethatfutureeconomicgrowthcreatesopportunitiesfor

individualsofallsocioeconomicclasses.

Infrastructure

TheFingerLakesregionsinfrastructureisagingandinneedofrepair.InMonroeCountyalone,252of

the608bridgesinspectedbythestateDepartmentofTransportationarecurrentlycategorizedas

structurallydeficientorfunctionallyobsolete.InboomingOntarioCounty,26percentofthe

inspectedbridgesareonthislist.Whiletheregionstransportationinfrastructureisgenerally

consideredsufficientintermsofoverallcapacity,thereareseveralkeypointsinthenetworkthatare

bottlenecksand,consequently,poseasignificantbarriertogrowthandsafetyunlessremedied.

Investmentsarealsoneededacrosstheregiontoupgradeandrepairwaterandsewerlines,andto

improvebroadbandinternetaccess,especiallyinsomeruralareas.

AccesstoCapital


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Oneofmostpersistentobstaclestogrowthofearlystagetechnologycompaniesisaccesstoseedand

venturecapital.WhileNewYorkStatehasmadestridestoaddresstheshortfall,itremainsasignificant

regionalchallenge.UpstateNewYorkonlyreceived3.3percentoftotalstateventurefundingsupport

in2011,adisparitythatisevenmoreglaringwhentakingintoconsiderationthefactthatthe$4.2billion

inannualstatewideuniversityR&Dexpendituresareroughlysplitbetweenupstateanddownstate.

Withoutadequateaccesstoventurecapital,theregioncannotfullycapitalizeononeofitscore

strengths:harnessingnewtechnologicalinnovationforeconomicgrowth.

CommunityDevelopmentandHousing

Bothqualityoflifeandeconomicvitalityrelyoncommunitiesvillages,towns,citiesthatprovidea

senseofplaceandarangeofsupportiveservices.Successfulcommunitydevelopmentreliesonabuilt

environmentthathelpstoreinforcethecharacterofthearea,anadequateandwellmaintained

infrastructure,andeffectiveuseofexistinginfrastructure,includingtheregionsmanydowntowns.

Effectivecommunityplanningleadstothepreservationofneighborhoods,increaseshomeownership,

andprovideshousingopportunitiesforthedisadvantaged.

Accesstoaffordableandqualityhousingqualityalsodrivecommunitywellbeing.Theinvolvementof

publicandprivateagenciesinthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofasufficientquantityofaffordable

housing,appropriatelydispersedthroughouttheregion,iscritical.

K12EducationandWorkforceDevelopment

The21stcenturyeconomydemandsahighlevelofliteracyandnumeracy,evenformodestjobsatthe

bottomoftheincomescale.Thefastpaceoftechnologicalchangecanalsorenderjobskillsobsolete.

Toomanyoftheregionsschoolsareplaguedwithhighdropoutratescreatingabarriertothejob

marketandtrappingmanyindividualsinacycleofpoverty.Additionally,notonlyshouldtheeconomy

provideforschoolagedchildren,italsoneedstocreateopportunitiesforadultlearnerstoobtainnewskills.

PUBLICSTAKEHOLDERENGAGEMENT

[Adescriptionofpublicforums,workgroups,andotheroutreachwillappearhere]


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IV.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTSTRATEGYANDCOMPONENTS

Overthenextfiveyears,theFingerLakeswillleverageitsstrategicadvantagesinacademicresearch,

workforcetalent,andhighqualityoflifetobecomeanationallyrecognizedleaderandinnovatorinnext

generationtechnologiesinenergyinnovation,medicine,optics,photonics,andimaging,business

services,telecommunication,andfoodprocessing.Itwillalsostrivetoharnessitsnaturalbeauty,

culturalinstitutions,andvineyardstobecomeoneofthestatesleadingtourismdestinations.

REGIONALSTRATEGIES

StrengthenAcademicandIndustryPartnerships

Highereducationwillplayacentralroleintheregionseconomicfuturethroughitscapacitytocatalyze

innovationandmaintainonetheFingerLakescriticalcompetitiveadvantagesahighlyeducated

workforce.Thesectorwilltakestepstoachievegreateracademiccollaborationandstrengthenits

capacitytogeneratenewideasthatfuelgrowthintheregionsemerginghightechnologysectors.

Collaborationbetweentheacademicandprivatesectorshasyieldedtechnologicaladvancesthathavepropelledregionaleconomicgrowthinhealthcare,alternativeenergy,sustainability,lifesciences,and

optics,photonics,andimaging.Toensurefuturegrowth,theregionwillcontinuetostrengthenand

encouragethesepartnershipswiththefollowingstrategies:

Streamlineandacceleratethematuration,transfer,andcommercializationofuniversitybasedintellectualproperty;

Developtheprogramsandsharedresourcesthatallowclosercollaborationbetweenacademicandindustryscientiststomeetthespecificresearchanddevelopmentneedsoftheprivate

sector;

Buildaregionalecosystemthatmoreeffectivelyharnessesuniversitybasedinnovation,withaparticularfocusonfosteringthecreationandgrowthofearlystagecompanies.

Developaskilledandeducatedworkforcethatcansupplythetalentrequiredtofuelrobustgrowthofregionalindustries

Priorityprojects:GolisanoInstituteforSustainabilityatRIT;UniversityofRochesterHealthSciences

CenterforComputationalInnovation

Fiveyearprojects:Optics/Photonics/ImagingHybridResearchandCommercializationCenter,

MicroprocessorInitiative,FingerLakesWorkforceDevelopmentCenter,FingerLakesCommunityCollege

ViticultureandWineTechnologyFacility,andtheFingerLakesVeteransInstitute

AlignWorkforceDevelopmentEffortswithSectorNeeds

TheFingerLakesregionsrobustfoundationofeducationalinstitutionscombinedwithitsothertraining

resourcestogethercreateandsustainahighlyskilledregionalworkforce.Tomeetthecurrentand

futureneeds,propelgrowth,retraindisplacedemployees,andprepareforemergingfields,theregion

will:

Expandopportunitiesfortheregionsemployeesandspurthecreationofhighskill,highwagejobs;


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Strengthenanddeveloptheeducationandtrainingprogramsneededtoprovideemployeeswiththeskillsetsforkeygrowthindustries;

Addressregionalworkforceshortagesinhealthcare,agriculture,informationtechnology,middleskillsmanufacturing,andotherkeyfields.

Fiveyearprojects:FingerLakesWorkforceDevelopmentCenter,FingerLakesCommunityCollege

ViticultureandWineTechnologyFacility,andtheFingerLakesVeteransInstitute

MakeStrategicInvestmentsinResearchandDevelopment

Tosustaingrowthandstrengthenemergingsectors,theregionwillcontinuetoinvestinthe

transportation,communication,energyinfrastructure,R&Dfacilities,andprogramsthatensuregrowth

andattractnewbusinessestotheregion.Specifically,theregionwill:

InvestinresearchandcommercializationfacilitiesandotherresourcesthatwillstrengthenuniversityandprivatesectorR&Dandpromoteclosercollaborationbetweenacademicand

industryscientists;

Investinculturalinstitutionsandotherkeydevelopmentprojectsthatpromoterecreationandtourismandimprovequalityoflife;

Priorityprojects:UniversityofRochesterHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovation,NYBEST

CommercializationCenter

Fiveyearprojects:Optics/Photonics/ImagingHybridResearchandCommercializationCenter,

MicroprocessorInitiative

FosterEntrepreneurship,Innovation,andBusinessRetentionandExpansion

EntrepreneurshipiswhatbuilttheFingerLakeseconomyandtheregionsbiglocalcompanies,suchas

Xerox,Bausch+Lomb,Wegmans,Frontier,Paychex,Kodak,RFCommunications,ConstellationBrands,andSenecaFoods,allstartedhere.Atthesametime,theregionishometoahostofcompaniesthat

arepoisedtomovebeyondthestartupandintotheexpansionphaseoftheirgrowth.Theregionwill

createabalancedaninnovativeapproachtofosteringthedevelopmentofnewcompanieswhileatthe

sametimeacceleratingtheexpansionofexistinggrowthorientedcompanies.Theseeffortsinclude:

Strengthenandexpand(bothintermsofcapacityandgeographicreach)theregionsnetworkofincubationandaccelerationfacilitiesandbusinesssupportandnetworkingservices;

Expandaccesstoseed,earlystage,venture,andotherpublic/privatecapital; Growthenumberofentrepreneursthrougheducation/trainingprogramsandrecruitment,

particularlythosewithdomainexperienceinkeysectors;

Developsystemsthatmonitorandidentifyfirmsandsectorswithhighgrowthpotentialandproactivelyengagewiththesecompaniestoconnectthemwiththeresourcesthatwill

accelerateproductdevelopment,accesstonewmarkets,andscalebusinessmodels.

Addresslocalandstatewidebarrierstogrowthandcompetitivenessandreducethecostofdoingbusiness.

Priorityprojects:FingerLakesAcceleratorCooperative,InternalHarvestingandEconomicGardening

Initiative


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InvestinCommunityDevelopmentandInfrastructure

Inordertocontinuetoimproveandstrengthenitscommunities,createeconomicopportunityfor

diversepopulations,andgrowandretaintheregionsworkforce,theFingerLakesregionwillimplement

communitydevelopmentstrategiesthat:

Reinforcetheidentity,senseofplace,andcharacteroftheareathroughdowntownredevelopment,adaptivereuseofexistingbuildingandinfrastructure,andhistoricpreservation.

Investinkeyprojectsthatwilladdresstransportationbottlenecksthatarebarrierstogrowth; Enrichlivingenvironmentsthroughincreasinghomeownership,mixedincomeunits,andenergy

efficiency;

Strengthenpublictransportationinfrastructure; Improveaccesstocreditandcapitalforrevitalizationandreinvestment.

Priorityproject:MidtownRedevelopmentandTower

Fiveyearprojects:KendrickRoadExchangeI390SouthernCorridorProject,InnerLoopEast

TransformationProject,Mt.HopeCollegeTown,CanandaiguaWaterfrontRedevelopment,thePortof

RochesterPublicMarinaandMixedUseDevelopment,PortagevilleFreightRailBridge

SECTORSTRATEGIES

AdvancedHealthcare&LifeSciences

TheFingerLakesregionisanationalhubforbiomedicalresearchandcommercializationandaleaderin

innovativehealthcaredelivery.Overthenext5yearstheregionwill:

Investinacademic/privateR&Dprojectsthatwillincreaseexternalresearchfundingandattractnewcompaniesandinvestment;

Acceleratethetranslationofscientificdiscoveriesintonewcommercialopportunitiesbyincreasingtheregionscapacitytosupportandfundnewstartupcompanies;

Leveragehistoryofcollaborationtoimplementcommunitywideinitiativesthatstrengthentheregionshighquality,lowcosthealthsystem.

Priorityprojects:UniversityofRochesterHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovation,Finger

LakesHealthCollaborative,FingerLakesAcceleratorCooperative

Fiveyearprojects:ComparativeEffectivenessDatabase

Optics,PhotonicsandImaging

Theoptics,photonicsandimagingindustryisacorestrengthoftheFingerLakesregionanditsfirmsare

alreadygloballycompetitive.Theacademic,industry,andworkforceinfrastructuretosupportthis

sectorhasevolvedoverseveraldecades.Despitethisheadstart,overthenext5yearstheregionwill

continuetotakestepstoprotectandaccelerateitsleadershipinthefaceofgrowingcompetition.

Specifically,itwill:

Ensurethattheregionseducationandworkforcetrainingprogramscontinuetoprovideoptics/photonics/imagingcompanieswithtechnical,scientific,andmanagerialtalent;


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Formalizethelinkageofindustry,government,andacademiatoencourageclosercollaborationandencouragescollegesanduniversitiestofocusonresearchthatismorecommercially

relevant;

Fiveyearproject:Optics/Photonics/ImagingHybridResearchandCommercializationCenter,

MicroprocessorInitiative

AdvancedManufacturing

ManufacturingremainsasignificantsourceofemploymentintheFingerLakesandisamajor

contributortotheregionsstrengthasanexporter.Theregionsexpertiseinadvancedmanufacturing

playsacriticalroleinthefuturesuccessofotherestablishedandemergingsectors,includingfood

processing,lifesciences,energyinnovation,optics,photonicsandimaging.Inordertopreserveand

growthesectortheregionwillcontinuetofosterinnovationthatfocusesonbothproductandprocess

improvement.Specifically,itwill:

Leveragecollectivestrengthofregionssmallandmediumsizedcompaniesthroughcollaboration;

Fosterpublic/academic/industrycollaborationtomeettheR&D,processimprovement,workforce,andmanagementneedsofmanufacturers.

Fiveyearprojects:UpstateNewYorkContractManufacturingAlliance,FingerLakesManufacturing

Collaborative

BusinessServices,Software,andTelecommunications

TheFingerLakesregionenjoysoneofthestrongestconcentrationsofbusinessservices,softwareand

telecommunicationsexpertiseinthecountry.Regionalstrengthssuchasahighqualityand

experiencedworkforce,lowoperationcosts,andcriticalmassofcompanieswhencombinedwiththeacceleratingnationaltrendofoutsourcingandtechnologicalinnovationincommunicationanddata

storagepositionthesectorforsubstantialgrowthoverthenext5years.Tocatalyzethisgrowth,the

regionwill:

Createaregionaldatastorageinfrastructureandmarketingstrategythatwillenablecompaniestomoreeffectivelycompeteforbackofficeservices.

Fosterclosercooperationbetweentheregionscompaniesandinstitutionsofhighereducationtoacceleratetechnologytransferandalignworkforcetrainingprogramswiththeskillsets

requiredbythesector.

EnergyInnovation

TheFingerLakesispoisedtobecomethestatesleadingcenterofresearchandmanufacturingforthe

nextgenerationofenergystorageandgenerationtechnologies.Theregionhassignificantcompetitive

advantageinthisfieldwithastrongfoundationofinnovativeacademicresearchandleadingprivate

sectorR&Dandmanufacturingacrossawiderangeofenergytechnologiesincludingfuelcell,solar,

wind,biofuel,andnuclearfusion.Overthenext5years,theregionwillcontinuetoleveragethese

resourcesforgrowth.Specifically,itwill:


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Encourageenergycompaniestoexpandandrelocatetotheregionthoughthedevelopmentofshovelreadysitesandotherincentives.

Createtheresourcesandinfrastructurethatwillacceleratetheresearchanddevelopmentandcommercializationofnewenergytechnologies.

Priorityprojects:U.S.Renewable/EmpireStateAcceleratedCleanTechnologyInnovationInitiative,

SenecaAgBioGreenEnergyPark,NYBESTCommercializationCenter

AgricultureandFoodProcessing

TheFingerLakesisthebreadbasketofNewYorkState.Theregionwillbuilduponthisleadershipinthis

sectoroverthenext5yearsbycontinuingtoleverageitscompetitiveadvantagesandproximitytomajor

marketsto:

Increasethevalueofagriculturalproduceandincreaseexports; Supportthecreationandexpansionoffoodprocessingcompaniesintheregion,through

incentivesandacademicprivatepartnershipstogainmanufacturingefficienciesandaccessto

newmarkets. Investinprojectsthatcreatesynergybetweentheregionsagricultureandenergysectors,

particularlyintheareaofbiofuels.

Priorityprojects:SenecaAgBioGreenEnergyPark,GolisanoInstituteforSustainabilityatRIT

TourismandtheArts

FingerLakestourismandartsmakevitalcontributionstotheregionseconomicvitalitybystimulating

commerceandstrengtheningtheregionshighqualityoflife.Theregionwillcontinuetoleverageits

substantialrecreational,cultural,culinary,andhistoricassetswithaparticularfocusonmakingthe

FingerLakesaninternationaldestinationforwinelovers.Keystrategiesoverthenextfiveyearsthatwillincreasethenumberofvisitorsandrevenueinthesectorinclude:

Investinthedevelopmentofuniqueculturalassets; CapitalizeontheFingerLakesuniquerecreationalassets; Promotetheregionsgrowingwineindustry;

Priorityproject:FingerLakesMuseum

Fiveyearprojectsandactions:SenecaArtandCulturalCenteratGanondagan,FingerLakesBoating

Museum,BristolMountainResortredevelopment,CanandaiguaLakefrontDevelopment,TempleBuilding

SanctuaryRenovation.

CRITERIAUSEDTOSELECTCATALYTICPRIORITYPROJECTSANDACTIONS

PriorityprojectsandactionsidentifiedbytheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilwill

createjobsandtransformationalventures,generatingincomeandwealththatwillbeharnessedto

preserveandenhancetheregionshighqualityoflifeandresources,expandeconomicopportunityfor

all,andsupportservicesthatbetterourcommunity.Prioritywillbegiventothoseprojectswithfirm

commitmentsforfinancialsupportandstronglikelihoodofachievingtheexpectedoutcome.


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ProjectCriteria

20% JobCreationandRetention

Totalnumberofnetdirectjobscreatedand/orretainedperstatefundinginvestment.Doesitbuildonkeyindustryclustersandemergingindustry?Doesitsupportsmallbusiness

developmentandfosterentrepreneurialactivityandinnovation?

20% LeveragingCapital

Theratiooftotalinvestment(publicandprivatedollars)totherequestedstatefundingshouldideallybe5:1orbetter.Theamount/percentofprivateinvestmentcommittedtoensureproject

sustainabilityandadecliningrequirementforpublicsupport.Financialcommitmentsmustbe

firm.

15% AccesstoOpportunity

Thealignmentofjobopportunities,includingboththosebeingcreatedandretained,withcommunityskillsets.Projectcontributestoimprovingaccesstoeconomicselfsufficiency

throughretrainingofskillsforimpoverishedindividualsandstrugglingcommunities.Project

supportsadvancementofminorityandwomenownedbusinesses.

15% ImmediacyofImpact

Lengthoftimetojobcreationandpositiveeconomicbenefit.Istheprojectreadytogo?

15% JobQuality

Compensationlevelofthejobscreatedandinfluenceoverthecreationofadditionaljobsandeconomicgrowthintheregion(multipliereffect).Permanentjobsversusthosewhichare

temporaryinnature.

15% Alignment

Projectsconsistentwithandinalignmentwiththeregionsstrategicgoalsandobjectivesasexpressedinthestrategicplan.


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V.REGIONALIMPLEMENTATIONAGENDA

TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilhasidentifiedninepriorityprojectsthatit

recommendsforimmediatestatesupport.Theseprojectsrepresentcriticalopportunitiestobuildupon

theregionsstrengthsandcompetitiveadvantagesandimmediatelyacceleratejobcreationand

economicgrowth.Theprojectsalsoreflectthecouncilsdesiredevelopaplanthatrecognizedtheneed

toadvanceeconomicdevelopmentacrosstheninecountyregionandreflectthedynamicanddiverse

natureoftheFingerLakeseconomy.

Thesepriorityprojectscanbecatalyzedbyinitialinvestmentsfromthestatefromthisyear'sbudget.

Futurestateandprivatesupportwillberequiredforfullimplementation.

[Note:detailsregardingorganizationalstructure,operationalarrangements,leverage(publicandprivate

investment),specificcommitments,andtimeframe/implementationmatrixwillbedevelopedforeach

priorityprojectandwillbeincludedinthedraftcirculatedtothecouncilonNovember9.]

PRIORITYPROJECTSANDACTIONS

EmpireStateAcceleratedCleanTechnologyInnovationInitiative/U.S.RenewablesGroup

Cleantechtheprocessofharnessingrenewablematerialsandenergysourcesrepresentsoneofthe

fastestgrowingindustriesintheworldtoday.U.S.RenewablesGroup(USRG)aninvestmentfirmwith

morethan$2.2billionofcapitalundermanagementtoinvestinrenewableenergyhasproposedtwo

distinctandsynergisticprojectstocreateacleantechclusteratEastmanBusinessParkinRochesterthat

willattractandgrowbusinessandcreateasignificantnumberofhighpayingjobs.

EastmanBusinessParksuniqueassetsmakeitoneoftheregionskeyindustrialdevelopmentsites.The

sitehasmorethan2.5millionsquarefeetofavailableexistingoffice,manufacturing,laboratory,andwarehousespace,significantspacefornewbuildingsanddevelopment,andindependentinfrastructure

includingawatertreatmentplant,a120megawattpowerplant,andrailroadservicethroughoutthe

site.

PhaseOne:FulcrumBioEnergyaCaliforniabasedcompanyhasproposedtheconstructionofa$300

millionstateoftheartbiofuelgeneratingplantattheEastmanBusinessPark.Thebiofuelfacility

whichwillbeoneofthemostadvancedwastetoenergyplantsintheworldwillhavethecapacityto

convert250,000tonsperyearoflandfilled,postrecycledmunicipalsolidwasteinto30milliongallons

oftransportationgradeethanol.Thisindustryleadingenterprisewouldimmediatelyboosttheregions

reputationasacleantechhubandlaythefoundationfortherecruitmentofcleantechcompaniestothe

cluster.

PhaseTwo:USRGthenproposesapartnershipthatwouldcreatetheEmpireStateAcceleratedClean

TechnologyInnovationInitiative.Thegoaloftheinitiativeistoidentifyandfostertherapid

developmentofmorethanadozennewinnovativecleanenergybusinessestobelocatedatEastman

BusinessPark.Thestatesupportforthisphasewouldcomeintheformofa$50millionloanfromNew

YorkStatetoacceleratethecreationofthefund,backedbytheassetsofEastmanBusinessPark.USRG

willseektopartnerwithothernationalandinternationalcoinvestorstoaugmentfundinvestments

withanadditional$250millionoverfivetosevenyears.Thefundwillhelpaddressthechronic


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shortageofstartupcapitalandhelptranslatethetremendousinnovationcapacityofupstateNew

Yorksresearchuniversitiesintonewcleantechcompanies.

Thisprojectrequires$5millionfordesign,sitepreparation,andfundingsupportfortheFulcrum

BioEnergyplantand3newcompaniesthatwillrelocatetothepark.Theprojectwillrapidlycreate

approximately100fulltime,highwagepositionsand,overtime,theprojectwillcreate1,200jobsinthe

firstfiveyearswithmoreinyearsfollowingandwillgeneratesubstantialeconomicbenefitforthe

region.

Totalprojectcost:$242.6million

RequestedNewYorkStatefunding:$13million

Jobcreation:1,200direct,500construction

TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilrecommendsthatthephaseoneoftheU.S.

RenewablesGroupprojectreceive$4millioninfundingsupportand$7.5millioninExcelsiorTaxCredits.

ThisinitiativesupportstheregionsEnergyInnovationstrategy.

FingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperative

AccordingtotheKauffmanFoundation,inanaverageyeartherearethreemillionjobsatstartupfirms

(firmslessthanoneyearold).Newestablishmentsreplacejobslostatfirmsthatshrinkorgooutof

business.Inordertocreateaflourishingeconomicecosystem,theFingerLakesregionneedstocontinue

toinvestininnovation,talent,andcapitalandtietheseresourcestogetherintoacohesiveand

coordinatedsystemthatspanstheentireregion.

TheFingerLakesregionproposesthecreationoftheFingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperativean

interconnectedhubandnodesystemtosupportentrepreneurshipandinnovationanddriveregional

economicgrowthacrossallindustrysectors.Thecooperativewillbringstreamlinedprogramsand

servicestoentrepreneursandsmallbusinessesthroughouttheregion,withoutreachtounderrepresentedgroups,suchasMinorityandWomanBusinessEnterprises(MWBE)andyoung

entrepreneurs.Theproposalcouldalsoserveasamodelforotherregionsofthestate.

ThehubfacilitywillbelocatedcentraltotheregionclosetoGreaterRochesterInternationalAirport

withsatellitenodesestablishedineachcountyintheFingerLakesregionwherelocalentrepreneurscan

gatherandconnectviavideoconferencetechnologywiththesystemsoverallsetofcoordinated

servicesincludingaccesstocapital,mentoring,andlowcostbusinessservices.

TheFingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperativewillserveabroadrangeofbusinessesfromsmall

serviceenterprisestotechnologybasedstartupsacrossallindustryclusterswiththegoalof

acceleratingthegrowthoflocalsmallbusinessesbymovingclientsthroughtheformation,incubation,

andacceleratedphasedofgrowth.Itwillleveragethesolidinfrastructureandprogramsthathave

alreadybeendevelopedbyHighTechRochester,VentureCreations,theSmallBusinessDevelopment

Centers,andtheIndustrialDevelopmentAgenciesthroughouttheregion.

FundingforthecentralhubandtheregionalnodeswillberaisedfromthesaleoftheexistingHighTech

Rochesterfacility,privatesectorcontributions,andfromstateandfederalgrants.Theprojectssponsors

willmatchthisstatesupport3to1withotherprivateandpublicsectorfundinganditisestimatedthat

thisinitiativewillcreatemorethan2,000newjobsinthefirst5yearsofoperation.


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Totalprojectcost:$40million

RequestedNewYorkStatefunding:$12.5million

Jobcreation:1,070directand1,000indirect

TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCoucilrecommends$2.5millioninfundingsupport

and$7.5millioninExcellsiorTaxCreditsfortheFingerLakesBusinessAcceleratorCooperativeproject.

ThisinitiativesupportstheregionsstrategytoFosterEntrepreneurship,Innovation,andBusiness

RetentionandExpansion.

RegionalInternalHarvestingandEconomicGardening

MostofNewYorkStatesfuturegrowthpotentiallyupto80percentwillcomefromtheexpansionof

existingbusinesses.TheFingerLakesregionhasproposedthecreationofanew,innovativeapproachto

businessretentionandexpansion(BR&E)thatfocusesonharvestinginformationanddataonexisting

companiesandeconomicconditionsandgardeningorworkingwithexistinggrowthoriented

companiestohelpthemexpand.Thisapproachisbasedonsimilar,highlysuccessfulBR&Eprograms

thathavebeenimplementedinotherstates.

GreaterRochesterEnterprise(GRE)withthesupportoftheEdwardLoweFoundationandin

partnershipwiththeFingerLakesregionsindustrialdevelopmentagencies(IDA)andMonroe

CommunityCollege(MCC)isproposingthecreationofasystematic,softwaredrivenapproachto

collectingandanalyzingstrategicbusinessdatatoidentifyopportunitiesandmitigateobstaclesto

growth.AkeycomponentofthisinternalharvestingstrategyisaBR&Esoftwareplatformthatwill

enablethecreationofaregionwidedatabaseconsistingofprofilesofindividualcompanies,metricsto

monitortheirperformance,andtheabilitytotrackandmanageoutreachandreferralsanddevelopa

morecomprehensiveunderstandingofbusinessclimateandperceptions.

GRE,MCCandpossiblyanotherSUNYinstitutionwillusethissoftwaretoestablishanindustrydeskthatmonitorsthisdatainrealtimetoidentifythreatsandopportunities,focusingonkeyindustry

clusters.TheESDregionaloffice,SUNYinstitutions,localWorkforceInvestmentBoards,andeconomic

developmentorganizationswillallbeconnectedviathiscommonsoftwareplatform.

ThesecondelementoftheFingersLakesBR&Einitiativeiseconomicgardening.Thisisaninnovative

entrepreneurshipcenteredeconomicgrowthstrategythatfocusesphasetwocompanies(1099

employees)andhelpsthembecomelarger.Thebasicelementsofaneconomicgardeningapproachare:

providingcriticalinformationneededbybusinessestosurviveandthrive;developingandcultivating

regionalassetsbeyondbasicinfrastructure,suchasqualityoflifeandaccesstointellectualresources

andqualifiedandtalentedemployees;developingconnectionsbetweenbusinessesandthepeopleand

organizationsthatcanhelpthemtaketheirbusinesstothenextlevel.

Thisinitiativewillserveasapilotprojectforsimilareffortsthatcouldbereplicatedbyotherregionsof

stateandpotentiallyconnectallofNewYorkStateseconomicdevelopmentorganizationsundera

singleBR&Edatabase.

Duringthenextfiveyearstheplancallsforengagementwith30to50secondstage,growthoriented

companieseachyear.Theinitiativewillbesupportedandleveragedbytheresourcesofallninecounty

IDAsintheFingerLakesregion,GRE,andMCC.Therequestedstatesupportfortheeffortwillbeused


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toprovidetheintegratedsoftware,training,anddatabasemanagementandallotherresources

requiredtoexecutetheeffort.



Jobcreation:500direct

TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilisrecommending$500,000infundingsupport

fortheRegionalInternalHarvestingandEconomicGardeningproject.Thisinitiativesupportstheregions

strategytoFosterEntrepreneurship,Innovation,andBusinessRetentionandExpansion.

TheGolisanoInstituteforSustainabilityatRIT

TheGolisanoInstituteforSustainability(GIS)atRITwasestablishedtoserveasaplatformfor

universities,corporations,andgovernmentsaroundtheglobetocollaborateinthecreationof

innovativeeducationandtechnologydevelopmentsystemsrelatedtosustainabledesign,lifecycle

engineering,remanufacturing,andpollutionprevention.RITintendstobecomethefirsttechnological

universitytoprovideafullspectrumofcareerfocused,integrated,andinterdisciplinaryprogramsthatembodytheprinciplesofsustainabilityinproductdevelopment.Theuniversitywasrecentlyawardeda

federalgrantof$13.1millionandhasreceived$10millioninstatefundingtobuildthefacilitytohouse

theinstitute,whichiscurrentlyunderconstruction.

RITisrequestinganadditionof$10millioninstatefundingforGIStoequipasetofspecializedlabsand

testbedsintechnologyareassuchassmartbuildings,microgridandecoIT,fuelcells,electrical

propulsion,sustainablebuildingmaterials,andsystemsmodelingandsimulation,amongothers.The

labsandtestbedsenablecorporationstotapintotheexpertiseoffacultyandstudentstoacceleratethe

developmentandcommercializationofnewproducts,anddemonstratenewandemerging

technologies.Thenewstatefundingwillleverageadditionalsupportfromcorporatepartners,severalof

whomhavealreadymadefundingcommitmentstosupporttheprogrammaticactivitiesoftheselabsandtestbeds.RIThasastrongtrackrecordofsuccesswiththismodelwhichhasbeenusedbyRITs

CenterforIntegratedManufacturingStudies(CIMS)inworkingwithsmallandmediumsizecompanies

todevelopprototypeproductsanddevices.Thisapproachfitswellwiththetypesandsizeofcompanies

thatareattheforefrontofthegreeneconomy.

Thisinitiativewillyieldasustainableandlongtermreturninjobsandeconomicgrowth.Aneconomic

impactanalysisofGIS,conductedbytheCenterforGovernmentalResearch,suggeststhattheinstitute

shouldcreateover700jobsdirectly.Themoresignificantimpactswillbeoffsiteandcatalytic.CIMS

GISsprecursorworkscloselywithinnovatorsintheregion,particularlyfirmsintherapidlygrowing

remanufacturingindustry.ContinuedinnovationandoutreachbyGISfacultyandstaffcouldspurthe

creationofmorethan5,000jobs,maintainingandenhancingtheregionandstateasleadersin

sustainablebusinesspractice.



Jobcreation:750directand5,000indirect


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TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCoucilrecommends$5millioninfundingsupportfor

theGolisanoSustainabilityInstituteatRITproject.ThisinitiativesupportstheregionsEnergyInnovation,

andAdvancedManufacturingstrategies.

UniversityofRochesterHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovation

TheUniversityofRochesterandIBMhaveagreedtopartnertocreatea$100millionHealthSciences

CenterforComputationalInnovation(HSCCI)dedicatedtoapplyinghighperformancecomputing

solutionstothenationshealthchallenges.Astwoofthelargestemployersinthestate,thispartnership

willenhanceRochesterspositionasaninternationalcenterforbiomedicalresearchandamagnetfor

researchfunding,scientifictalent,industryandacademiccollaboration,andprivatesectorjobgrowth.

Thispartnershipwhichwillcreatethemostpowerfulcomputersystemdedicatedtohealthresearchin

theworldwillbringtogethertwoinstitutionswithlonghistoriesofinnovation,nationalstatureinthe

fieldsofmedicineandhighperformancecomputing,andtrackrecordsofleveragingstrategicpublic

investmentsintosubstantialeconomicactivity.TheHSCCIwillalsogiveIBMasignificantR&Dpresence

intheregion.

ThecenterpieceofHSCCIwillbeanarrayofBlueGene/Qsupercomputersthatwillbehousedatthe

UniversityofRochestersnewstateoftheartDataCenter.Thissystem,anditscapacitytoanalyze

largeamountsofinformationquickly,holdsthekeyto21stcenturymedicineandwillenablescientists

tocompilecomplexgeneticandproteomicprofilesofindividualsanddiseases,forecasthealthtrendsfor

entirepopulations,andinterpretdatafromadvancedimagingsystemsordevicesmonitoringhealthin

realtime.

In2008,IBMgiftedasingleBlueGene/PtotheUniversityofRochester.Sincethattime,ithashelped

attractmorethan$34millioninnewresearchfunding,includinga$12milliongrantfromNational

InstitutesofHealth(NIH)tocreateaCenterforBiodefenseImmuneModelingthatwillusecomputer

modelingtofindwaysofboostinghumanimmuneresponsestolethalviruses.Anadditional$37milliongrantiscurrentlyunderconsiderationbytheNIH.

TheUniversityofRochesterandIBMhavecommitted$66milliontowardthisinitiativeandare

requesting$33millionfromNewYorkStatetoacquireandhardware,makenecessarycapital

improvements,andhireadditionalresearchfacultyandcomputationalsupportstaff.

Theprojectisconservativelyestimatedtoattractatleast$134millioninnewresearchgrowthatthe

Universityover10years.Additionally,giventheexperienceofothersimilarIBMuniversitypartnerships,

includingthosewithotherinstitutionsinNewYorkState,itisanticipatedthattheHSCCIwillstimulate

regionaleconomicactivityinthelifesciencesbygeneratinginnovativenewtechnologiesthatcanbe

spunoffintocommercialventuresandmaketheregionattractiveforrelocationofexistingcompanies.

ItwillalsostrengthenandpotentiallyexpandexistingresearchpartnershipstheUniversityhaswith

industryleaderslikeCareStream,BauschandLomb,Siemens,Samsung,Intel,Johnson&Johnson,Pfizer,

andmanyothers.AnanalysisbytheCenterforGovernmentalResearchprojectsthattheHSCCIwill

generatemorethan800jobsbothattheUniversityandinthecommunity.



Jobcreation:400directand400indirect


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TheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilrecommends$5millioninfundingsupportto

supporttheHealthSciencesCenterforComputationalInnovation.Thisinitiativesupportstheregions

AdvancedHealthCareandFosterEntrepreneurship,Innovation,andBusinessRetentionandExpansion

strategies.

NYBESTCommercializationCenter

NewYorkStateledthenationinbatteryjobsin2010and,throughsignificantstateinvestmentthrough

NYSERDA,hasestablishedleadinguniversityR&Dprogramsinthefield.However,largeinvestmentsin

commercialization,particularlybytheStateofMichiganandseveralAsiancountries,threatenNew

Yorksongoingleadershipinthishighgrowthsector.

Commercial,costeffectiveenergystoragetechnologywilltransformtwooftheworldslargestandmost

essentialindustries:energyandtransportation.Energystoragewillallowthewidespreaddeploymentof

renewablessuchassolarandwind.Theelectrificationofvehicleswillreducerelianceonimportedoil

andreducegreenhousegasemissions,andresultincostsavingsforconsumers.

TheNewYorkBatteryandEnergyStorageTechnologyConsortium(NYBEST)hasproposedthecreation

ofthecommercializationfacilitythatwillacceleratemanufacturingandjobgrowth.NYBESTconsistsof

over80membersincludingindustryleaderslikeGeneralElectric,BAESystems,andGeneralMotors,

numerousstartupfromacrossNewYorkState,aswellthestatesleadingresearchuniversities.

TheNYBESTCommercializationCenterwilladdressacriticalgapinthestatescurrentR&D

infrastructureaccesstothesuiteoftest,validation,prototyping,andpilotmanufacturingcapabilities

necessarytodeploythenextgenerationofenergystoragetechnologies.Thesecapabilitiesaredifficult

forindividualcompaniestoprocureatareasonablecost.Consolidatingtheseresourcesintoone

locationwillhelpexistingNewYorkStatecompaniescompetegloballyandsendapowerfulsignalto

industrythatthestateintendstobeaninternationalleaderinthedevelopmentandmanufacturingofadvancedenergystoragesolutions.

NYBESTpreferenceisthatthecenterbelocatedatEastmanBusinessParkinRochester,however,ithas

alsoidentifiedanalternativelocationintheregion.TheEastmanBusinessParkwillprovidethecenter

wi

finger lakes draft strategic plan 11-1-11

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