Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022! This milestone represents five decades of providing economic development services in Steuben County. Through partnerships between the business community, the public sector, and community organizations, the IDA’s work has resulted in over $2 billion in investment and thousands of new jobs. As the organization reflects on its accomplishments, the IDA will continue to deliver on its mission of promoting job opportunities and economically sound commerce in Steuben County through modern approaches to attracting, retaining, and growing the business community.
To commemorate our 50 years of service, we’ve created three short videos that chronicle the IDA’s history in the county, the partnerships forged within our community, and the projects that have created jobs and investment for the residents of Steuben County. View them here:
History Community Projects
Learn More About Us
Steuben County
Steuben County sits adjacent to Pennsylvania’s northern border along New York’s Southern Tier. Rich in culture, art and scenic beauty, the County has a storied history of innovation – from technology to materials science companies, across industries from wine and spirits, to healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, education, agriculture, literature, and more. Steuben County’s proximity to several major metropolitan areas including NYC provide a quick getaway for weekend adventures and access to the world.
Steuben County

About Us
The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is the designated economic development organization for Steuben County, NY, providing comprehensive economic development services to attract new jobs and investment and generate new wealth. We are uniquely positioned to provide valuable and timely assistance to help retain and grow existing businesses, and to help entrepreneurs lay the right groundwork for success. We can help you work through confusing regulations and potential obstacles and help you connect with all the right resources.
Major Employers
Steuben County serves as home to an expanding ecosystem of small start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. Businesses here develop cutting-edge technologies that literally change our world. The county is the home of Corning Incorporated’s corporate headquarters and global research and development facility, while other national and global companies operate here including Alstom, Siemens Energy, Instant Brands, Gunlocke, HP Hood, and Upstate Niagara.
Major Employers

MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Steuben County serves as the corporate home of Corning Incorporated, and their world-renowned hub for research and development. One of the world’s leading innovators in materials science for more than 165 years, Corning Incorporated has over 45,000 employees worldwide.
In addition, Steuben County is home to a number of other prominent employers including Gunlocke, Alstom, Dresser-Rand/Siemens, Mercury Aircraft, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, World Kitchen, LLC, Transit Air Systems, The PKC Group, and more. Many other agencies and businesses add to the jobs base in the area, including the booming agriculture and tourism sectors. Health care organizations like Guthrie, Arnot Health, the University of Rochester Medical Center, and a number of other specialty healthcare operations also provide significant employment opportunities.
Collaboration
As the county’s designated economic development organization, Steuben County IDA works closely with its federal, state, and local partners to provide the most comprehensive list of resources available. Through staff involvement with organizations at all levels of government, the IDA stays on top of new legislative policy and programs impacting the business community.
Collaboration
Building Our Wokforce
Steuben County's diverse and talented workforce is a key to business success and growth here. SUNY Corning Community College and our area’s employment service agency ensure workers can get the state-of-the-art training they need to remain competitive in the global economy.
Building Our Workforce

BUILDING OUR WORKFORCE
NYS
New York State’s diverse and talented workforce is a key to business success and growth here. That success is reflected in the record number of Fortune 500 companies that have made their home in New York. NYS is actively invested in workforce development efforts and programs designed to train workers for an innovation economy. New York’s unique industry-university partnerships, including NYSTAR programs and tax-free zones for businesses, also provide opportunities for businesses to benefit from university R&D resources and for students to get hands-on experience in businesses that are launching and growing here.
STEUBEN COUNTY AND THE REGION
Attracting and retaining the next generation of the best and brightest workforce talent is the #1 regional business priority, and significant funding is being invested to ensure we are developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to meet employer needs today and in the future.
To meet the current needs of the county’s employers, Steuben County offers a quality workforce with a strong work ethic. Workforce training is available through various local and regional institutions as well as Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Workforce NY to meet the ever shifting needs.

Collaboration
We are connected! The Steuben County IDA works closely with federal, state, and local partners to provide the most comprehensive list of resources available. If you have a need that we can’t directly provide, we will connect you to the right resource, at the right place, and at the right time.
“Steuben County IDA has partnered with the Town of Erwin to promote and bring industrial development to our Town. These efforts have included marketing sites within the Town, developing contacts within the industry or with specific prospects, and acting as a liaison for the Town. Most importantly, Steuben County IDA has provided tax relief by eliminating sales tax on construction materials and real property tax incentives through Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). The opportunity for a PILOT makes New York State and the Town of Erwin competitive on a national and international basis.”
Tourism
Tourism
Access
The intersections of three interstate highways not only make moving throughout the county easy, but also provide convenient access to major metropolitan areas in all directions. Within 250 miles of Steuben County, you can access major markets including New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Toronto. In fact, 1/6 of the entire US population lives within that range, making Steuben County an excellent choice for locating a business!
Access

Accessibility
Connected to the World… Located in the center of New York’s Southern Tier region bordering Pennsylvania, Steuben County is directly in line between the major market areas of New York City, Cleveland and Toronto. Three major interstate highway systems, several airports, and a comprehensive rail system enable easy access to and from Steuben County. More than 1/5 of the U.S. population lives within 250 miles of our region.
MISSION
The purpose of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is to advance the job opportunities, general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the County.
The goal is to create and stimulate an economic climate that competitively positions Steuben County to attract a talented workforce, public and private investment in infrastructure and business development, and other compatible and diverse sustainable economic development opportunities. This will be accomplished by undertaking projects and development strategies that promote business development, and assist businesses to respond to opportunities, reduce risks, and overcome barriers to ensure long-term sustainability
Steuben County IDA will work openly and cooperatively with its stakeholders to leverage the county’s major assets and build the economic development capacity necessary to catalyze and sustain Steuben County’s economy. Stakeholders include Steuben County’s residents, workforce, municipal government entities, existing and prospective businesses, educational institutions and other organizations and agencies that can serve to enhance the county’s economic prosperity.