finger lakes draft strategic plan 10-24-11

8/3/2019 Finger Lakes Draft Strategic Plan 10-24-11

1/17

FLREDCStrategicPlanDRAFT102411 1

ACCELERATINGOURTRANSFORMATION

FINGERLAKESREGIONALECONOMICDEVELOPMENTCOUNCILDRAFTSTRATEGICPLAN

October24,2011

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Page

I.ExecutiveSummary 2

II.RegionalAssessmentofExistingConditionsandEconomicOpportunities 5

III.EconomicDevelopmentVision 13

IV.EconomicDevelopmentStrategyandComponents 15


2/17


I.EXECUTIVESUMMARY:

TheFingerLakesregionofNewYorkStateisaninternationalcenterforoptics,photonics,andimaging;

hometoWegmans,oneofthenationsleadinggrocerychains,andConstellationBrands,theworlds

largestpremiumwinecompany;has18universitiesandcollegesandranksatornearthetopinper

capitadegreesinthesciences,engineering,andmathematics;hasthenationsleadingschoolofmusic

andleadingmuseumdedicatedtothehistoryandpreservationofphotographyandfilm;isthestates

leadingproducerofagricultureproducts;hasoneofthelowestcosthousingmarketsinthenation;has

thehighestpercapitalevelofexportsinthestateandisamongthetopfiveinthenation;has10high

schoolsrankedamongthebestinthenation;ishometooneofthetoptenuniversitiesinthenationin

sponsoredresearchwhennormalizedforfacultysize;possessessevenpercentoftheworldsfresh

watersupply;isrankedfifthinthenationforpatentspercapita;andhasoneofthehighestqualityand

lowestcosthealthsystemsinthecountry.

Theseachievementsarestrongevidenceoftheregionsresiliency,broadeconomicfoundation,highqualityoflife,andabilitytoharnessinnovationtoreinventitself.

Toreachthispoint,however,theFingerLakesregionhasundergoneabreathtakingtransformationthat

radicallyalteredtheeconomiclandscapewithinthespaceofageneration.Formuchofthe20th

century,theregionseconomywasdominatedbyfour,largemanufacturingbasedcompanies.Inrecent

years,thesecompanieshavelosttensofthousandsofjobs.In1982,Kodakalonehadmorethan60,000

employeesintheregion.Todayithas7,000.Asrecentlyas30yearsago,themajorityoftheregionstop

employerswerelargeindustrialbasedcompanies.Today,fiveoutofthetoptenprivatesector

employersintheFingerLakesareinstitutionsofhighereducationandhealthcareandtheUniversityof

Rochester,withmorethan20,000employees,isthestates6thlargestemployer.

ROCHESTERMSATOP10EMPLOYERS

1980 2010

Kodak 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.


3/17


EMPLOYMENT:ROCHESTERMSA

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

economylikeitspastwillbedrivenbyinvention.Thebirthplaceofphotography,xerography,the

HPVvaccine,andthesoftcontactlensalsospawnedfirmsthatthriveinintenselycompetitivemarkets

likefoodretailingandpayrollprocessingthroughbusinessprocessinnovation.Futureinnovationwillbe

developedandexploitedthroughpartnershipsbetweensophisticatedfirmsandtheregionsdeeparray

ofcollegesanduniversities.

TheFingerLakesregionhasledNewYorkStateinjobgrowthoverthepastthreeyearsandcurrentlyhas

thestateslowestunemploymentrate.In2011,theBrookingsInstitutelistedRochester'seconomyasoneofthe"Top20StrongestPerformingMetroAreas"inthecountry.Rochesterisoneofonlynine

metropolitanareasthathaverankedinBrookings'Top20inthethreeyears.

Despitetheseachievements,theregionisnotwithoutsignificantobstaclesthatneedtobeaddressed

andovercome.Theseincludeanaginginfrastructure,pocketsofpoverty,accesstocapitaltocreateand

growbusiness,andabusinessclimatethatcandeterinvestmentandgrowth.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%25%

30%

35%

40%

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


4/17


TheFingerLakesregionsfiveyearstrategicplanbeginswithacommitmentamongallmembersofthe

counciltocooperateineffortstoachievegreatercostefficiencybyfindingnewmeanstoconsolidate

governmentpurchasingorganizations.

Overthenextfiveyears,theFingerLakesregionwilltakethestepsnecessarytobuildonitscollective

strengthsandcompetitiveadvantagestoaccelerateprogressandjobgrowth.Specifically,theregion

willtakestepsto:spurinnovationandentrepreneurship;strengthenthepartnershipbetweenthe

regionsuniversitiesandcollegesintheareasresearchofworkforcedevelopment;catalyzebusiness

creationandgrowthinkeyindustrysectors;investincommunitydevelopment,strengthenbusiness

recruitment,retention,andexpansionefforts;andmakestrategicinvestmentsinresearchand

development,technologycommercialization,andinfrastructure.


5/17


II.REGIONALASSESSMENTOFEXISTINGFINGERLAKESCONDITIONSANDECONOMICOPPORTUNITIES

Thirtyyearsago,majorindustrialcompaniesdominatedtheFingerLakeseconomy,employing

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

andGeneralMotorsemployednearlyafifthofthelocalworkforceandindirectlyhadanimpactonhalf

ofregionseconomy.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.TheFingerLakesregionremainsNewYork

Statesmostsuccessfulmanufacturinghubandisbestequippedtocontinuethestateslong

manufacturingtradition.

Theregionisthestatesleadingproducerofagricultureproductsandhasapplieditsmanufacturing

expertisetofoodprocessing.Itisnoaccidentthattheregionishometotheworldslargestpremium

wineproducerandoneofthenationsleadinggrocersandleadsthestateandmuchofthenationin

exports.

Qualityoflifeassetshavealsobeenessentialtotheregionsrevitalization.TheFingerLakesarehome

toleadingculturalinstitutionsandawineregionthatattractsmoreacclaim,andmorevisitors,every

year.

Healthcarehasalsoplayedanessentialroleintheregionstransformation.Fewregionsinthenation

havehigherqualityatlowercost,reinforcingtheregionsappealtonewfirms.Alonghistoryof

planningandcoordinationamongtheregionshealthprovidershascreatedasystemthatisanational

modelofefficiencyandcostcontrol.Deeplyentwinedinitsclinicalexcellenceisarobustemphasisonhealthresearchanddevelopment,supportingagrowingclusterofpharmaceutical,biotech,andmedical

devicefirms.

Twokeyelementshaveplayedacentralroleintheregionsrecenteconomicsuccess.Innovation

whichhasalwaysbeenattheheartoftheregionseconomyisnowbeingharnessedbyanew

generationofentrepreneursandcompaniestocreatenewproducts.Andtheregionshighlyskilled


6/17


workforcehasenabledcompaniestoassemblethemanagerial,technical,andscientificteamsnecessary

tocompeteintheglobaleconomy.

KEYECONOMICCLUSTERS

HIGHEREDUCATION

HighereducationintheFingerLakesregionplaysathreefoldroleintheregionaleconomy.Itservesas

aneconomicdriverthroughitsroleasbothamajoremployerandresourceforresearchandinnovation

anditanchorstheregionsqualityoflife,anincreasinglyimportantaspectofeconomicdevelopment.

Thetotaleconomicimpactofthehighereducationsectorontheregionisestimatedtobecloseto$5

billionannually.

The18collegesanduniversitiesintheFingerLakesregioncollectivelyemployapproximately33,000,

withacombinedpayrollof$2.2billion.Addingintheimpactofjobsindirectlygeneratedbythese

institutions,thehighereducationsectorcontributestoatotalof46,400jobsthroughouttheregion.

Theseinstitutionsgenerateanadditional$1.9billionineconomicactivityintheregionthroughother

institutionalpurchases,includingconstruction.Twooftheareacollegesanduniversitiesareamongthe

toptenemployersintheregion.TheUniversityofRochester(withmorethan20,000employees)isnotonlytheareaslargestemployer,butitisalsothesixthlargestemployerinthestate.RochesterInstitute

ofTechnology(withmorethan3,200employees)istheninthlargestregionalemployer.

Approximately85,000studentstodayareenrolledattheseinstitutions,withasignificantpercentagein

boththeindependentandSUNYcampusescomingfromoutsidetheregionandthestate.Spendingby

studentsattheseinstitutionsandthevisitorswhocanbeattributedtothemadds$513milliontothe

economyeachyear.

Theregionisoneofthemostproductiveinthenationasmeasuredbydegreesawardedinfieldsthat

arecentraltoeconomiccompetitiveness.TheRochesterMetropolitanStatisticalArea(MSA),51stin

populationamongthenationsmetroareas,ranksatornearthetopinnumberoftotaldegreespercapita(fourthinthenation)andthoseconferredinkeyscienceandtechnologyfields.Theregionranks:

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

Theregionscollegesanduniversitiesattractsignificantresearchfundingfrominstitutionssuchasthe

NationalInstitutesofHealth,theNationalScienceFoundation,theDepartmentofDefense,Department

ofEnergyandotherfederalagencies,theNewYorkStateEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority

andotherstateentities,plusprivatefirms,particularlythepharmaceuticalindustry.Thesedollars

supportthousandsofhighlyskilledjobs.Theregionsuniversitiesalsoplayacriticalroleinprivate

sectorR&Dthroughresearchpartnershipsbyhelpingaddressspecificindustryproductdevelopment

goalsandprovidingaccesstounique,universitybasedscientificresources.

Forthepasttwoyears,theUniversityofRochesterhasreceivedmorethan$400millioninannual

researchfunding.Whenfederalresearchawardsarenormalizedforfacultysize,theUniversityof


7/17


Rochesterplaceseighthinthenationinproductivity.In2011,RITreceived$52.5millioninnew

researchawards,includinggrantsandcontractsforresearch,instruction,outreach,andconstruction.

Abyproductofacademicresearchisintellectualpropertywhichcanbeharnessedforprivatesector

growth.Foreightofthelastnineyears,theUniversityofRochesterhasbeenamongthetop10

institutionsinthenationinroyaltyrevenuereceivedfromitslicensedtechnologies.Notableexamples

includevaccinetechnologiesthatledtothecreationoftwouniversalpediatricvaccinesandtwo

vaccinesthatblocktheinfectionthatcausescervicalcancer.Since1996,51startupcompanieswere

createdbyUniversityofRochesterand14byRIT.

Venturecapital,focusedonearlystagetechnologycompanies,hassupportedthisgrowth.Excell

Partnersapreseed/seedstageventurefundfoundedin2005hasmade21investmentstodate;the

RochesterAngelNetwork,alsostartedin2005,hasmade18investmentsinto14localcompanies.The

TrilliumGroupandotherupstateVCshavemanagedseveralearlystageventurefundsthathavealso

investedlocally.

Theregionhasawellestablishedsupportinfrastructureforearlystagestartupcompanies,including

theUniversityofRochesterassociatedHighTechnologyofRochesteranditsLennoxTechEnterprise

Center,theBioVentureCenter,andExcellPartners.RITsVentureCreationsandtheUpstateMedTechCenterinBataviaalsoprovideincubationandaccelerationsupportearlystagetechnologycompanies.

Thepaceoftechnologicalchange,combinedwiththeglobalizationofcommerce,hascreatedalabor

marketinwhichnewentrantscanexpectacareerworkingformanydifferentfirms,ofteninmultiple

occupations.TheFingerLakesregionhasdemonstrateditsabilitytoprovideafullrangeofeducational

opportunitiestoindividualslookingforadvancementorneedingtoretoolforadifferentcareer.

Manyattributetheregionscapacitytoabsorbtherecentjoblossestotheabilitytoretrainworkers

acrossavastarrayofnewcareers.

ADVANCEDHEALTHCARE/LIFESCIENCES

PerhapsthestrongestexampleoftheFingerLakesemergenceasaknowledgebasedeconomyisthe

regionsgrowinghealthcaresector.Approximately200lifesciencescompaniesintheregionemploy

nearly6,500individualswithearningsof$619millionandtheregionshealthcaresectoremploys57,000

physicians,nurses,otherhealthcareprofessionals,andsupportingemployees.Ofequalimportance,

theregionshighquality,lowcosthealthsystemisacriticalfactorinattractingcompaniestoexpandor

relocateintheregion.

Theregionshighereducationinstitutionsarewellalignedwiththesectorandofferanarrayofdegree

programsrangingfromlicensedpracticalnursingormedicaltechnologycertificateprogramsatthe

communitycollegesthroughnursing,medical,andgraduatedegreesfromtheUniversityofRochesters

SchoolsofMedicine&DentistryandNursing.TheUniversityofRochestersSchoolofEngineeringand

AppliedSciences,RITsCenterforBioscienceEducationandTechnologyanditsalliancewithRochester

GeneralHospital,Monroe,Genesee,andFingerLakescommunitycollegesallofferbiotechnology

degreeprogramswhichsupplytheregionsgrowingnumberoflifesciencecompanies.Theregionalso

hasactivemiddleandhighschoolSTEMandworkforcetraininginitiativesincludingprogramssuchas

iSciWNYwhichhelplaunchstudentsintocareersinmedicineandscience.

AdvancedHealthcare


8/17


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.TheRobertWoodJohnsonFoundationandtheUniversityofWisconsinhaverecentlyrecognizedthehighqualityofour

healthsystem,highlightingthelowrateofuninsuredadults,higherthanaveragesupplyofprimarycare

providers,abilitytopreventunnecessaryhospitalizations,highpreventativescreeningrates,and

appropriateuseofhospice.

LifeSciences

Thereareagrowingnumberoflifesciencescompaniesintheregionrangingfromlargeestablished

firmssuchasBausch+Lomb,CooperVision,CarestreamHealth,andOrthoClinicalDiagnosticsto

smallercompaniessuchasasVaccinex,SimPore,Oyagen,VirtualScopics,andiCardiacTechnologies.

Theregionhasastrongfoundationofuniversitybasedmedicalresearchandintellectualpropertycreation.TheUniversityofRochesterMedicalCenter(URMC)hasreceived$1.4billioninbiomedical

researchfundingoverthelastfiveyearsandfilesanaverageof47patentapplicationsperyearonits

medicaldiscoveries.BoththeUniversityofRochesterandRIThavestrongresearchandtechnology

commercializationprogramsinrelatedfieldssuchasengineeringandcomputerscience.Theregionhas

ahistoryofsuccessfulandproductiveacademicandindustrypartnershipsinthefieldofmedicine,

includinghealthsystemspartnershipswithBausch+Lomb,CareStream,Pfizerandotherlocaland

nationalpharmaceutical,biotech,andmedicaldevicecompanies.

OPTICS,IMAGING&PHOTONICS

Buildingonitsimaginghistory,theFingerLakesregionisnowaninternationallyrecognizedcenterfor

opticsandphotonicsinnovation.Rochesterishometomorethan50leadingbusinessesfocusedon

opticsandimaging,boastingacriticalmassofoptics/imaging/photonicsrelatedcompaniesthat

employs31,000andgenerates$2.8billioninpayroll.

TheregionsopticsindustryincludesremotesensingcompaniessuchasITTGeospatialSystems,

sophisticatedsupplychainfirmssuchasCorningTropel,JMLOptical,RochesterPrecisionOptics ,CVI

MellesGriot,andsmallerstartupventuressuchasLumetrics, andASEOptics.


9/17


TheclusterissupportedbysignificantandleadingresearchprogramsattheUniversityofRochesters

InstituteofOpticsthenationsfirstopticsresearchprogramandsourceofhalfofthenationsoptics

Ph.D.sandRITsCenterforImagingScienceandMicrosystemsEngineeringprograms.

TiestoSUNYAlbanysCollegeofNanoscaleScienceandEngineeringwerestrengthenedwiththemerger

oftheregionsInfotonicsCenter,nowcalledtheSmartSystemTechnology&CommercializationCenter.

OtherkeyinstitutionsincludetheRochesterRegionalPhotonicsClusteranorganizationof60optics,

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.Itishometoethanolandbiodiesel

manufacturing,includingNewYorkStatesfirststateoftheartdrymillethanolplantWesternNew

YorkEnergyinOrleansCounty.TheFingerLakesisaworldleaderinfuelcellresearchanddevelopment

conductedatGeneralMotorsandDelphi'sFuelCellActivityCentersandinrolltorollfilm

manufacturing,akeyenablerfornextgenerationsolarapplications.Theregionisalsoaleaderinthedevelopmentofbatteryandenergystoragetechnologyforheavydutytransportation,electricgrid,and

otherapplicationsandsupplychainresourcesinwindenergy.

Inacademicresearch,theUniversityofRochesterishometotheLaboratoryforLaserEnergeticswhich

receives$60to$70millionayearfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyandisanessentialcomponentof

anationalnetworkoffederallyfundedresearchcentersinvestigatingtheuseofnuclearfusionasa

sourceofenergy.RIT'sresearchactivityanchoredbytheGolisanoInstituteofSustainabilityandthe

NanopowerResearchLaboratoryincludesprogramsinwindenergy,solarpower,biomass,andfuel

cells.TheNewYorkStateAgriculturalExperimentStationinGeneva anationalleaderinagricultural

researchanddevelopmentisconductingresearchinthefieldofbiofuelsproductionwithafocuson

developingthenextgenerationcellulosicethanol.

ADVANCEDMANUFACTURING

Successfulmanufacturersapplyinnovationbothproductandprocessinnovationtothemarketplace.

TheregionstwoengineeringschoolstheKateGleasonCollegeofEngineeringatRITandtheHajim

SchoolofEngineering&AppliedSciencesatUniversityofRochesterhelpFingerLakesfirmsturn

innovationintojobcreation.TheCenterforIntegratedManufacturingStudiesatRITsupports

technologytransferandexploreshowdomesticfirmscancontinuetobesuccessfulinglobalmarkets.


10/17


TheFingerLakesmanufacturingexpertisesupportsseveralclusters,oftenanchoringabusiness

concentrationthatincludesfirmsinmanufacturing,service,evenretail.Forexample:

GleasonCorporation,theworldsdominantsupplierofcomputernumericallycontrolledbevelgearcuttingequipmenttotheautomotivesector,supportsenergyinnovationbysellingits

precisionmachinestowindturbinemanufacturerslikeGeneralElectric.MKSInstruments

providesRF,DCandpulsedDCpowersupplies,measurementandcontroldevicesandsoftware

servicestothesolarpowerindustry.

Kodaksrolltorollhighspeedcoatingprocesslonghasbeenamarvelofchemicalandmechanicalengineering.Thisuniquecapacityisnowbeingappliedtonewsolarenergy

products.Optimax,Americaslargestopticsmanufacturer,providesprototypeopticsfor

aerospace,displaytechnologiesandsolarapplicationsandOEMproductionopticsforthe

semiconductor,militaryandmedicalinstrumentsectors.

OrthoClinicalDiagnostics,adivisionofJohnson&Johnson,supportsmedicalresearchandclinicallaboratorieswithtestingdevicesandsoftware.Bausch+LombandCooperVision

competetodeliverinnovativetechnologytoeyecare.

Inthefoodprocessingcluster,technologyempowers140workersatBarillaAmerica,Inc.inAvontoproduce81,000tonsofpastaeachyearandLiDestriFoodsFairportmanufacturing

facilitycanproduceonemillionjarsofpastasauceeverydaywitharosterof400workers.

BUSINESSSERVICES/SOFTWARE/TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TheFingerLakesregionishometooneofthestrongestembeddedconcentrationsofbusinessservices,

softwareandtelecommunicationsexpertiseinthecountry,primarilytheresultofthespinoffof

noncoreintellectualinfrastructureandworkerstrainedatXerox,RochesterTelephone,andKodak.

Combined,thisclusteremploysover47,000withapayrollofjustunder$3billion.

LeadingbusinessservicefirmssuchasPaychexandtheSutherlandGlobalServices,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


11/17


agriculturalandfoodprocessingclusterrepresentsacrucialpartoftheregionseconomy.Combined,

agricultureandfoodprocessingemploynearly19,000,earningincomeof$700million.

TheFingerLakesregionleadsNewYorkStateinsalesofmilk,fruitandnut,cornandorganicproducts.

Theregionleadsthestateinsalesofallcrops,harvestingonethirdofthestatetotalbyvalue,andin

salesofallanimalproducts,producingonequarterofthestatetotalbyvalue.In2007,halfoftheland

intheregionwasdedicatedfarmland,thehighestpercentageofanyregioninthestate.

Theregionisrenownedforitsgrapeandwineindustry,producing41,403tonsofgrapesannually.The

regions90wineriesand9,124acresofvineyardsaccountfor85percentofthestateswineproduction.

Astrongframeworksupportsthegrapegrowingandwineindustries,includingUncorkNewYork,the

NewYorkWineandCulinaryCenter,andtheCornellCooperativeExtensionFingerLakesGrapeProgram.

Theseprogramshelpwinemakersthroughresearchandconnectthemtomerchantsandtourists.

Nearby,CornellUniversitysCollegeofAgricultureandLifeSciencesprogramsinviticultureandenology

provideeducationandresearchfortheregionswinemakers.

TheFingerLakesregionisanimportantproduceroffruitsandvegetables.Inadditiontograpes,the

regionisaleaderinappleproduction,helpingtomakeNewYorkStatesecondinthenationintheapple

industry.Otherleadingcropsincludesoybeans,cabbage,sweetcornandonions,thoughthelistofallcropsgrownintheregionismuchlonger.Asaleadingproduceroforganicproducts,theregionenjoysa

boomingnetworkoffarmersmarkets,farmmarkets,andCommunitySupportedAgricultureprograms.

TheFingerLakesregionleadsthestateindairyproduction,producingover2millionpoundsofmilkeach

yearandmakingNewYorkStatethethirdlargestdairystateinthenation.Dairyproductsareexported

tomarketsandusedlocallybycheeseandotherfoodandbeveragemanufacturers.Theregionalsohas

acriticalmassofbeefcattleoperations.

Farmersreceivesupportfromavarietyofprogramsthatoffereducationalandtrainingaswellas

agriculturalresearchandadvice.EachoftheregionscountieshasalocalCCEassociationwhich

supportsprogramssuchastheNorthWesternNewYorkDairy,LivestockandFieldCropsTeam,theLakeOntarioFruitProgram,andtheCornellVegetableProgram.

CornellUniversitysNewYorkStateAgriculturalExperimentStationservesagriculturalproducers,food

businesses,andconsumersthroughoutthestate.Thestationworkstopreventfoodbornepathogens,

fightinvasivepestsanddiseasesthatthreatencrops,developnewmarketsandcultivatenewfruitand

vegetablevarieties.AdditionalregionalresourcesincludetheAgriculture&FoodTechParkinGeneva,

FingerLakesCulinaryBounty,FingerLakesSustainableFarmingCenter,theNewYorkFarmBureau,and

theWine&GrapeFoundation

TheFingerLakesregionpossesseskeyassetsthatmakeitidealforfoodandbeveragemanufacture.The

regionishometolocallygrowncompaniesaswellasglobalmanufacturersthathavebeendrawntothe

area.ConstellationBrands,foundedandbasedintheregion,istheworldslargestpremiumwine

producer.OthersignificantlocalprocessorsincludeWegmans,LiDestriFoods,SenecaFoods,andHigh

FallsBrewing.GlobalfirmsKraftFoods,Motts,andBarillaalsohavemajorprocessingfacilitiesinthe

region.

Theregionoffersfoodprocessorstwocriticalcompetitiveadvantages:abundantfreshwater(theFinger

Lakesregionencompasses7percentoftheworldsfreshwater)andeasyaccesstomajorNorth


12/17


Americanmarkets.MorethanonethirdofthecombinedpopulationoftheU.S.andCanadalivewithin

500milesoftheregion,reducingthecostandthetimeneededtogettheirproductstomarkets.

TheregionsmanufacturersalsobenefitfromRITsCenterforIntegratedManufacturingStudiesFinger

LakesFoodProcessingClusterInitiative,whichfocusesonimplementingsustainablemanufacturing

processtechnologiestoreduceoperatingcosts,minimizingenvironmentalimpacts,openingmarket

opportunities,startingnewbusinesses,andretainingandgrowingjobs.

TOURISMANDTHEARTS

TheFingerLakesandtherecreationalcommunitiesalongLakeOntariocontributeimmeasurablytothe

regionsappealandqualityoflifeandarepowerfulassetsthathelpattractbothnewbusinessesandthe

nationshighlymobileandfootlooseworkforce.Scenicbeautyandrecreationalandculturalattractions

alsodrawvisitorstotheregion,withFingerLakeswinecountryrapidlybecominganinternational

destination.

Theregionluresvisitorswhoseekfinedining,winetasting,antiqueshopping,whowanttoexperience

itsmanyandvariedlocalfestivals,orwhowanttohike,bike,orkayakalongtheErieCanal,Genesee

River,theregionspicturesquelakes,oritsnumerousparks.Theirlodging,meals,andshoppingpurchasescontributesignificantlytotheregionseconomy.Clusteremploymentestimatedbasedon

proportionsofaccommodations,culture,recreationandamusements,foodservice,passenger

transportation,andtravelretailconsistsofover25,000jobsandcontributes$500milliontothe

regionsincome.

Theregionisrichwithhistory,havingplayedamajorroleinthenationsindustrialdevelopmentand

transportation,theUndergroundRailroad,andtheWomensRightsmovement.Thathistoryisdisplayed

innumerousmuseumsandhistoricalsites,includingtheGeneseeCountryVillageandMuseum,the

SusanB.AnthonyHouse,andWomensRightsNationalHistoricPark.

Rochester,thestatesthirdlargestcity,offersnumerousattractions,includingtheGeorgeEastmanHouse,thenationsleadingphotographymuseum,andtheStrongMuseumofPlay,theMemorialArt

Gallery,theRochesterMuseumandScienceCenter&StrasenburghPlanetarium,GEVATheatre,the

RochesterCityBallet,andtheHochsteinSchoolofMusic.BeyondRochester,attractionsincludethe

NewYorkWineandCulinaryCenter,GanondaganStateHistoricSite,CMACPerformingArtsCenter,

NazarethCollegeArtsCenter,andtheSonnenbergGardensandMansionStateHistoricParkin

Canandaigua.TheannualCornHillArts,XeroxInternationalJazz,andLilacfestivalsdrawvisitorsfrom

acrossthenationandRochestershometownsportsteamstheRedWings,Rhinos,Flash,Americans,

andRazorbacksprovidegreatfamilyentertainment.


13/17


III.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTVISION

VISIONSTATEMENT

TheFingerLakesregionwillcontinuetodiversifyandreinventitself,whileremaininghometomanyof

Americasbestcompaniestoworkfor.Wewillcapitalizeonourmanyassetsincludingrenewable

naturalresources,adiverse,talentedandhighlyeducatedworkforce,aswellascelebrated

entrepreneurialandphilanthropicspiritstoproudlypositionourselvesamongthemostprosperous

regionsintheUnitedStates.Wewillbuilduponthoseareasinwhichwearealreadyrecognizedas

leadersasthestatestopagriculturalregion,aninternationallyrecognizedcenterforopticsand

photonicsandanationalleaderinpercapitaintellectualpropertyandhighereducationdegrees

granted.Wewillleverageandexpandasuccessfulhistoryofcollaborationbetweenpublicandprivate

sectoremployerstomaximizeourstrongbasesinadvancedmanufacturing,thearts,tourismandbasic

andappliedresearchinmedicine,scienceandtechnology.Throughtheseefforts,wewillbealeaderin

innovationandcommercialization,withagoalofcreatinglongtermemploymentandeconomicgrowth

forcitizensthroughouttheregion.

GOALS

AccelerateJobCreation

WhiletheFingerLakesregionhasledNewYorkStateinjobgrowthinrecentyears,theregionmust

continuetomakestrategicinvestmentstogeneratethistrajectory.Thisentailsestablishingan

environmentthatisconducivetothecreation,retention,attraction,andgrowthofbusiness,aswellas

aligningtheregionsexceptionaleducationalandtraininginstitutionsandresourceswithindustryneeds

todevelopaworkforcewiththeskillsrequiredtocompeteintodaysgloballycompetitive,technology

drivenmarketplace.Specificgoalsinclude:

Regionalnetjobgrowth; Jobgrowththatisequaltoorexceedsnationalperformance.

FosterGrowthandExpansioninKeyEmergingIndustries

Theregionmustcontinuetomaketheinvestmentsthatfostercreationofnewcompaniesandpropel

expansionofexistingcompanies,particularlyinsectorswiththehighestpotentialforfuturegrowth.

Specificgoalsinclude:

Creationofnewcompanies; Growthinrevenueofexistingcompanies; Reductioninbarrierstominorityandwomenownedbusinesses.

StrengthenRegionsHighQualityofLife

Byanymeasure,theFingerLakesregionoffersanexceptionalqualityoflife.A ccesstocultural

amenities,recreationalactivities,alowcostofliving,nationallyrankedschools,shortcommutetimes,

andhighqualityhealthcare,combinetomaketheregionanexcellentplacetowork,live,andraisea

family.Specificgoalsinclude:


14/17


Continuetoimproveaccesstohealthandlowercost,improveleadingpublichealthindicators,andmaketheregiononeofthehealthiestinthenation;

Strengthenneighborhoodsandcommunitiesthroughaffordablehousing,downtownredevelopment,andhistoricpreservation;

Increasesgrowth(attendanceandrevenue)inrecreationalandculturalactivities;

CRITICALISSUES

Topromoteeconomicgrowth,communityandbusinessleadersmustworkwithstateandlocalelected

officialstoovercomethreesignificantobstacles:abusinessclimatethatishinderedbyexcessive

taxationandregulation;anaginginfrastructure;andinsufficientaccesstocapital.

ImproveBusinessClimate

EconomicgrowthintheFingerLakesregionhasbeenseverelyunderminedby abusinesstaxclimate

thattheTaxFoundationranks50thinthecountry.NewYorkerspaysomeofthehighestcombinedstate

andlocaltaxesinthenation,aproblemmagnifiedinupstatewheretheratiooftaxespaidtohome

valuearethehighestintheU.S.Hightaxes, inefficienciesingovernment,andanoverreachingregulatoryenvironmentarestranglingourbusinessesandinhibitinghomeownership.Thetaxand

regulatoryclimatelimitstheabilityofthosewhoremaintoreinvestinourcommunity,makecapital

improvementsandcreatejobs.

Whilemanyoftheseissuesarerelatedtostatepolicies,therearealsostepsthatcanbetakenonthe

locallevelthroughefficiency,cooperation,andconsolidationofserviceswhichcanlowercost,improve

accountability,andremovebarrierstogrowth.

ModernizeInfrastructure

TheFingerLakesregionsinfrastructureisagingandinneedofrepair.InMonroeCountyalone,252ofthe608bridgesinspectedbythestateDepartmentofTransportationarecurrentlycategorizedas

structurallydeficientorfunctionallyobsolete.InboomingOntarioCounty,26percentofthe

inspectedbridgesmakethatlist.Whiletheregionstransportationinfrastructureisgenerally

consideredsufficientintermsofoverallcapacity,thereareseveralkeypointsinthenetworkthatare

bottlenecksand,consequently,poseasignificantbarriertogrowthunlessremedied.Investmentsare

alsoneededacrosstheregiontoupgradeandrepairwaterandsewerlines,andtoimprovebroadband

internetaccess,especiallyinsomeruralareas.

AccesstoCapital

Oneofmostpersistentobstaclestogrowthofearlystagetechnologycompaniesisaccesstoseedand

venturecapital.WhileNewYorkStatehasmadestridestoaddressthisgap,thisremainsasignificant

regionalchallenge.UpstateNewYorkonlyreceived3.3percentoftotalstateventurecapitalfunding,a

disparitythatisevenmoreglaringwhentakingintoconsiderationthefactthatthe$4.2billioninannual

statewideuniversityR&Dexpendituresareroughlysplitbetweenupstateanddownstate.Without

adequateaccesstoventurecapital,theregionwillfailtocapitalizeononeofitscorestrengths:

harnessingnewtechnologicalinnovationforeconomicgrowth.


15/17


IV.ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTSTRATEGYANDCOMPONENTS

REGIONALSTRATEGIES

StrengthenAcademicandIndustryPartnerships

Collaborationbetweentheacademicandprivatesectorshasyieldedtechnologicaladvancesthathave

propelledregionaleconomicgrowthinalternativeenergy,sustainability,lifesciences,andoptics,

photonics,andimaging.Toensurefuturegrowth,theregionwillcontinuetostrengthenandencourage

thesepartnershipsby:

Streamliningandacceleratingthematuration,transfer,andcommercializationofuniversitybasedintellectualproperty;

Developingtheprogramsandsharedresourcesthatallowclosercollaborationbetweenacademicandindustryscientiststomeetthespecificresearchanddevelopmentneedsofthe

privatesector; Buildingaregionalecosystemthatmoreeffectivelyharnessesuniversitybasedinnovation,with

aparticularfocusonfosteringthecreationandgrowthofearlystagecompanies.

AlignWorkforceDevelopmentEffortswithSectorNeeds

TheFingerLakesregionsrobustfoundationofeducationalinstitutionscombinedwithitsothertraining

resourcesareresponsibleforcreatingandsustainingahighlyskilledregionalworkforce.Tomeetthe

currentandfutureneeds,propelgrowth,retraindisplacedworkers,andprepareforemergingfields,the

regionmust:

Expandopportunitiesfortheregionsworkersandcatalyzethecreationofhighskill,highwagejobs;

Developtheeducationandtrainingprogramsneededtoprovideworkerswiththeskillsetsforkeygrowthindustries;

Addressregionalworkforceshortagesinhealthcare,informationtechnology,middleskillsmanufacturing,andotherkeyfields.

MakeStrategicInvestmentsinInfrastructureandResearchandDevelopment

Tosustaingrowthandstrengthenemergingsectors,theregionmustcontinuetoinvestinthe

transportation,communication,andenergyinfrastructure,andR&Dfacilitiesandprogramsthatensure

growthandattractnewbusinessestotheregion.Specifically,theregionmust:

Investinresearchandcommercializationfacilitiesandotherresourcesthatwillstrengthen

universityandprivatesectorR&Dandpromoteclosercollaborationbetweenacademicand

industryscientists;

Investinculturalinstitutionsandotherkeydevelopmentprojectsthatpromoterecreationandtourismandimprovequalityoflife;

Investinkeyprojectsthatwilladdresstransportationbottlenecksthatarebarrierstogrowth; Expandbroadbandinternetaccesstotheregionsruralcounties.


16/17


TargetHighGrowthCompaniesandIndustries

Upto80percentofNewYorkStatesfutureeconomicgrowthisestimatedtocomefromtheexpansion

ofexistingbusinesses.TheFingerLakesregionishometoahostofcompaniesthatarepoisedtomove

beyondthestartupandintotheexpansionphaseoftheirgrowth.Theregionmustcreatetheretention

andexpansionprogramsandinfrastructurenecessarytohelpitsexistinggrowthorientedcompanies

becomelarger.Thismustincludeeffortsto:

Developsystemsthatmonitorandidentifyfirmsandsectorswithhighgrowthpotential; Reachouttogrowthorientedbusinessesandprovidethemwiththeresources(capital,business

services,marketing,leadershipdevelopment,etc.)thatwillenablethemtoaccelerateproduct

development,accessnewmarkets,andscalebusinessmodels;

Addresslocalandstatewidebarrierstogrowthandcompetitivenessandreducethecostofdoingbusiness.

StrengthenandPreserveCommunities

Inordertocontinuetoimproveandstrengthenitscommunities,createeconomicopportunityfor

diversepopulations,andgrowandretaintheregionsworkforce,theFingerLakesregionmust

implementcommunitydevelopmentstrategiesthat:

Reinforcetheidentity,senseofplace,andcharacteroftheareathroughdowntownredevelopment,adaptivereuseofexistingbuildingandinfrastructure,andhistoricpreservation;

Enrichlivingenvironmentsthroughincreasinghomeownership,mixedincomeunits,andenergyefficiency;

Strengthenpublictransportationinfrastructure; Improveaccesstocreditandcapitalforrevitalizationandreinvestment.

FosterInnovationandEntrepreneurship

AccordingtotheKauffmanFoundation,allnetnewjobsintheU.S.overthepast25plusyearswere

attributedtotheformationandgrowthofcompanieslessthan5yearsold,withnewfirmsaddingabout

threemillionnewjobseachyear.EntrepreneurshipiswhatbuilttheFingerLakeseconomyandthe

regionsbiglocalcompanies,suchasXerox,Bausch+Lomb,Wegmans,Frontier,Paychex,Kodak,RF

Communications,ConstellationBrands,andSenecaFoods,allstartedhere.Inorderfortheregionto

becomeanationallyknowninnovationandcommercializationcenter,itmust:

Strengthenandexpand(bothintermsofcapacityandgeographicreach)theregionsnetworkofincubationandaccelerationfacilitiesandbusinesssupportandnetworkingservices;

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

particularlythosewithdomainexperienceinkeysectors;

Expandopportunitiesforminorityandwomenownedbusinessenterprisesthroughimprovedaccesstoinformationandassistanceandsupportiveservicesprograms.


17/17


CRITERIAUSEDTOSELECTCATALYTICPRIORITYPROJECTSANDACTIONS

PriorityprojectsandactionsidentifiedbytheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilwill

createjobsandtransformationalventures,generatingincomeandwealththatwillbeharnessedto

preserveandenhancetheregionshighqualityoflifeandresources,expandeconomicopportunityfor

all,andsupportservicesthatbetterourcommunity.Prioritywillbegiventothoseprojectswithfirm

commitmentsforfinancialsupportandstronglikelihoodofachievingtheexpected

ProjectCriteria

20% JobCreationandRetention

Totalnumberofnetdirectjobscreatedand/orretainedperstatefundinginvestment.Doesitbuildonkeyindustryclustersandemergingindustry?Doesitsupportsmallbusiness

developmentandfosterentrepreneurialactivityandinnovation?

20% LeveragingCapital Theratiooftotalinvestment(publicandprivatedollars)totherequestedstatefundingshould

ideallybe5:1orbetter.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.

finger lakes draft strategic plan 10-24-11

Documents