Last year we set out to introduce you to a new version of our organization, one that is working to address critical economic and community development needs in Broome County. In doing this, it is our hope that you will all consider us as an approachable partner, whether for business, education or in the non-profit community.

We’ve made great strides but know there is much work still to do. We’ve supported a number of economic development projects, both big and small, partnered to help foster and grow the entrepreneurial community, and launched a business retention and expansion program to focus on connecting existing businesses with the financing tools they need to grow. Our thought is this – if we can’t help you directly, we want to get you to someone that can.  

And if you’ve had a chance to drive by SUNY Broome, you will see the construction of The Business Center at FIVE South College Drive. This will be the new home for our offices, the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology and other economic and business development services.

This is the perfect time of year to slow down and reflect why we do what we do everyday - and who we do it for. Our friends, family, and community. We greatly enjoy serving the Broome County and are excited about the work to come in the year ahead. Through the support of our Board of Directors, we have begun working on our next strategic plan, which will take us through 2020.  These are our economic development priorities:

• The development and implementation of a Workforce Development and Talent Attraction program to promote opportunity in targeted industry sectors and leverage our community assets to attract and retain professionals to our community. We recently launched this effort that can be found at www.broomeisgood.com.

• Facilitate a collaborative approach to advancing the economic revitalization of the Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott urban cores to position the targeted areas for long-term economic sustainability.

• Address the barriers to development including infrastructure and the availability of viable development sites.

• Execute a comprehensive Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) strategy that responds to the most critical issues ranging from gap financing to strengthening the innovative and entrepreneurial community.

• Strengthen the capacity of both the IDA and the LDC to identify new funding opportunities to support our strategic goals.

As you will see, our Board, staff and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The priorities are lined are critical to our community. This doesn’t happen with one individual or organization, we need all hands on deck. We look forward to forging new partnerships in the years ahead.