As an economic development organization, we’ve always sought to connect ourselves to the community in deep, lasting ways. Our goal is to be the dynamic catalyst, partner and investor in Broome County. Our mission is to deliver significant benefits, job opportunities, development sites, and an overall enhanced quality of life to our home.
We have also strived to connect ourselves to Broome County in ways beyond growing and developing our area’s economy while always circling back to our main purpose. We want to become a constant and positive force in the community, conveying clear messages of both hometown pride and a community ripe with investment opportunity.
Economic development is about a lot of things, such as identifying the right building or site, access to transportation, a vibrant workforce and a financial package that makes a project work. It is also about an unapologetic pride in our community, our businesses, and in our people. We strive to inspire this confidence and excitement when we promote Broome County as the “perfect size for opportunity.”
Four years ago in Broome County we set a call to action, to “Thrive Here. Thrive Now.” This message was aimed at helping everyone in and around our area to see the different ways we truly thrive, such as the flourishing network of small businesses we have all over the triple cities, or the acclaimed higher education system here with Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, and our nationally recognized K-12 schools.
In 2016, we made it clear that “Economic Development is a Conversation.” Though there are many moving parts in any deal negotiation, loan assisted with, or site selected, the first step in economic development is picking up a phone and letting us know what your needs are. A conversation starts with an idea or a thought, but can end with a new investment or dynamic project.
Projects like, the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Regional Distribution Center, in the Broome Corporate Park began with a need for better access to markets and has resulted in an incredibly rewarding and dynamic project for our region. The DSG, Inc. Distribution Center includes a total investment of more than $180 million and will create approximately 466 jobs over the next five years. We worked with the company and several state agencies to put together a $30 million incentive package to move the project forward, receiving the 2017 Large Project of the Year Award from the New York State Economic Development Council. In addition to a thriving distribution center, the company will soon open their first-ever eCommerce center this fall.
“Broome County: A Good Life” program, creates a signature piece of our place-based economic development efforts to retain and attract talented and skilled workers to Broome County. Broome is a place where you can have the ideal personal and professional-life balance. Because Broome is good. And good is a choice. This year, our program received the 2019 Selene Eaton Award for Excellence in Community Based Economic Development.
Economic development, in Broome, is defined by countless things. Investment. Workforce. Talent. Startups, and so much more. We are at the beginning of a very exciting time in Broome County, where knowledge, vision and opportunity are colliding to create impactful partnerships and dynamic economic opportunity. We are creating the formula for the future.
Great results require great partners and we are proud to work with the multitude of organizations that believe in Broome County, like we do. Together we are unstoppable. #defineyoureconomy #Broomeisgood #thrivenow #futurereadybroome.
Stacey Duncan is the executive director of The Agency: Broome County IDA/LDC, Binghamton, N.Y.