Dr. Drumm Succeeds Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger as the Council's Academic Representative
The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (STREDC) today announced that Dr. Kevin Drumm, President of SUNY Broome Community College, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Council, effective immediately. Dr. Drumm succeeds Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger who has served as the Co-Chair of the council since 2013. Dr. Drumm joins Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) on the council as the STREDC continues working to grow the economy in the eight county Southern Tier region which includes: Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Delaware, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins counties.
“The statewide Regional Economic Development Councils have brought together local stakeholders in academia, business, education, and non-profits to spearhead economic development projects in their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils. “The Southern Tier REDC has invested in clean energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects to strengthen the economy of the region and create new job opportunities. I congratulate Dr. Kevin Drumm, President of SUNY Broome Community College, as the new co-chair of the Southern Tier REDC, and thank longtime co-chair Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger for his tireless efforts. Dr. Drumm’s experience and knowledge will help to advance the Southern Tier Soaring development strategy and continue the momentum of growth now and in the future.”
STREDC Co-Chair, Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) said, "Harvey Stenger’s leadership and dedication to the regional council has simply been transformative for the Southern Tier region. I am incredibly grateful for his tireless commitment to the council. Our success as a council has been grounded in his belief that the collaborations at and beyond our table are key to driving real, lasting economic opportunity in region and thanks to his innovative ideas the Southern Tier region is indeed soaring. I can think of no one better to take over for Harvey than Kevin Drumm, who will bring a new set of ideas to the table that will help us to further our focused mission for the region.”
STREDC Co-Chair and Broome Community College President Kevin Drumm said, “I am honored to assume this role on behalf of the Southern Tier. I would like to thank the Governor for this exciting opportunity and also to thank my colleague, President Stenger, for his several years of leadership in the role.”
Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said, “Serving as co-chair of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) has been a great honor. I’ve enjoyed working with so many individuals committed to improving the economic vitality of the region and am immensely proud of the many successes we’ve achieved. This program can be a model for other states and has fundamentally enhanced the quality of life in the Southern Tier and throughout New York. Kevin Drumm has been intimately involved with much of the work of the Council and his leadership will place the Council in good hands.”
Dr. Drumm became the seventh president of SUNY Broome Community College in February 2010. During his tenure, he has overseen a dramatic transformation of SUNY Broome’s campus including the construction of the $21 million Natural Science Center and the transformation of the downtown Binghamton’s historic Carnegie Library into the SUNY Broome Culinary and Event Center, training students for future careers in the hospitality industry. Before coming to SUNY Broome, he served as president of the Northern Wyoming Community College District from 2004-2010. Prior to becoming president of NWCCD, Dr. Drumm was Vice President for Enrollment/Student & Public Affairs at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Drumm’s career also includes working in a variety of student services and academic affairs positions at community colleges, universities and private colleges, ranging from Student Life Director and Assistant Academic Dean to Vice President for Student Affairs at a New Hampshire community college.
The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the governor's strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state's old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven. Through nine rounds of the REDC competition, the Southern Tier REDC has delivered $702.3 million for 764 projects.
To learn more about the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council, click here.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $7.4 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.
After nine rounds of the REDC process, more than $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.