BDC/IDA Director Named to Central New York Regional Economic Development Council
Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has named Garry L. VanGorder to the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, one of 10 such organizations statewide that will work to redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate growth and create jobs.
VanGorder, executive director of the Cortland County Business Development Corporation and Industrial Development Agency, is one of 19 Central New York business and economic development leaders named as a general member of the council in ceremonies today in Syracuse.
Also representing Cortland County as members ex officio are Cortland City Mayor Susan Fieszli and county legislature chair Jack Williams.
The Central New York team will be led by Nancy Cantor, the Chancellor of Syracuse University, and Rob M. Simpson, President of CenterState CEO, who will both serve as Regional Co-Chairs. The Regional Council will coordinate the economic development of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego counties.
"For too long, Albany has imposed one-size-fits-all economic development plans across the state, ignoring the unique assets and challenges of each region," Cuomo said. "Today, we are taking a new approach. With the Regional Councils, we will empower individual areas like Central New York to chart their own course for job creation and growth and we will send a clear message that New York is open for business."
The Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state's approach to economic development, from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes each region’s unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.
Currently, New York State's economic development efforts are managed through dozens of separate state and local agencies. The Regional Councils will now bring together stakeholders in every region of the state to serve as a coordinated point of contact for economic development. Each Regional Council will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy.
Each Regional Council will develop a plan for the development of their region. The state will work with the Regional Councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.
Governor Cuomo has already made historic changes to the state's economic development grant application process to support the Regional Councils. Through a new Consolidated Funding Application that combines resources from dozens of existing programs, the Regional Councils can now apply for $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy.
"Governor Cuomo's regional plan recognizes that New York's economy is as diverse as its citizens and too complex for Albany to take on alone, “Simpson said. “The challenges and opportunities facing Central New York are unique and require more than one-size fits all investments by the state. By engaging our region's business, academic and public sector partners, the Governor will get the best from Central New York and we will be a vibrant contributor to New York's overall economic health.”
VanGorder said he is pleased to have been chosen to participate. “It’s important that Cortland County have a seat at the table as we discuss regional strengths and opportunities,” he said. “I look forward to getting started.”
The ten Regional Councils cover the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York.
Central New York Regional Council Members
Regional Co-Chairs
Nancy Cantor
Chancellor of Syracuse University
Rob M. Simpson
President of CenterState CEO
General Members
Carl Bannar
Vice President & General Manager, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Kevin LaMontagne
CFO, Fulton Companies
Kathryn H. Ruscitto
President & CEO, St. Joseph's Hospital
Jim Carrick
Chairman, GIS Information Systems d/b/a Polaris Library Systems
Tony Baird
President, Tony Baird Electronics
Ann Marie Taliercio
President, UNITE HERE Local 150 AFL-CIO
Cornelius B. "Neil" Murphy, Jr.
President, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Dr. Rueben Cowart
President & CEO, Syracuse Community Health Center
Rita Paniagua
Executive Director, Spanish Action League
Jack H. Webb
Chairman & CEO, Alliance Bank
Michael Johnson
General Manager, Johnson Brothers Lumber Company
L. Michael Treadwell
Area Industrial Director, Operation Oswego County, Inc.
Garry L. VanGorder
Executive Director, Cortland County Business Development Corporation/IDA
Fred Pestello
President, Le Moyne College
Andrew Fish
Executive Director, Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce
Randall Wolken
President, Manufacturers Association of Central New York
Heather Erickson
President, MedTech
Nancy Weber
President Oswego County Farm Bureau/Owner of Mexican Pride Farm in Mexico, NY
Margaret Morin
President, 4-M Precision
Elected Officials
Onondaga County Executive
Chairman of Cayuga County Legislature
Chairman of Cortland County Legislature
Chairman of Oswego County Legislature
Chairman of Madison Board of Supervisors
Mayor of Syracuse
Mayor of Auburn
Mayor of Cortland
Elected officials will serve in an ex-officio basis and will participate in discussions and the planning process. In regions composed of more than two counties (except for the New York City region), members will include:
10 Regional Economic Development Councils
Capital Region (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington)
Central New York (Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego)
Finger Lakes (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates)
Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk)
Mid-Hudson (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester)
Mohawk Valley (Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie)
New York City (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond)
North Country (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence,)
Southern Tier (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins)
Western New York (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara)
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Garry VanGorder (607) 756-5005
July 26, 2011