Southern Tier regional economic development leaders released a blueprint on how the region can cement its role in Upstate’s clean energy and high-tech future by creating a wide range of jobs and economic opportunities that will provide upward mobility for current and future residents for years to come.
Produced by Newmark, a global development consulting firm, the New York Southern Tier Cleantech Strategy highlights key industries — including renewable energy storage development, clean transportation manufacturing and semiconductor packaging — that the region can attract by pairing existing resources and research capabilities with additional infrastructure expansion and workforce development programs.
The study was commissioned by IDAs that make up the eight-county Southern Tier, as defined by the state’s regional economic development council boundaries. A summary of the New York Southern Tier Cleantech Strategy is available here.
The strategy builds on the region’s growing reputation as a hub for energy storage research, development and manufacturing, while also positioning it as a key future supply chain location for semiconductor and other high-tech businesses that are rapidly growing along the Thruway corridor to the north.
“The Southern Tier Cleantech Strategy is an important effort to leverage new business investment in Steuben County, positioning our region at the forefront of sustainable innovation and economic growth,” said Jamie Johnson, Executive Director of the Steuben County IDA. “By investing in clean energy and advanced manufacturing, we are not only creating high-quality jobs but also securing a sustainable economic future for our communities. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a thriving, forward-looking economy for Steuben County.”
Critically, the study underscores the importance of developing a diverse range of sites that can host new industries, from repurposing existing manufacturing and logistics facilities to developing untapped locations that can be tailored to companies’ needs.
Next steps for strategy implementation include ongoing coordination with higher education powerhouses like Binghamton and Cornell Universities; NYSEG, the region’s utility provider; workforce practitioners; and other critical stakeholders around necessary site and infrastructure upgrades, as well as development of a powerful marketing plan to promote regional strengths.