Regional Economic Development Councils will Provide Coordinated, Comprehensive Strategy for Regional Development

By: Colleen DiPirro, President & CEO

I was honored when Governor Cuomo selected me to serve on the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council a few weeks ago.  Having participated in multiple meetings, I am greatly encouraged by the commitment from all involved.

The Council is chaired by Howard Zemsky, Managing Partner of Larkin Development Group, and Satish Tripathi, President of University at Buffalo.  They are promoting collaboration at all levels, across geography, backgrounds and perspectives.  Further, the meetings have been actively pursuing input and spirited dialogue.  The Empire State Development staff, led by Christina Orsi, has done an outstanding job of developing and distributing the data to provide us with a foundation that will lead us to successful outcomes.

The Regional Council is beginning by identifying projects that are ready for investment, have momentum and can catalyze further investments that benefit our community.  The projects will be prioritized based on how readily they can be completed and begin producing results including job creation, further investment and community renewal. 

The development of a Regional Strategy will define economic goals, coordinate actions to achieve those goals and encourage systematic communications.  This is an extremely important facet of our work and will benefit the region and the entire state in the future.

Public input is also an important component of this initiative.  The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is currently working with The BNP and Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce to present a forum for our members and information will be forwarded shortly.  In the meantime, a Community Workshop will be held Wednesday, September 14^th at Buffalo State College in the Burchfield Penney Art Center Auditorium.  Click here for a flyer with further details, or to register call 846-8247.

I will be serving as the Chair of the Western New York Bi-National Development/Logistics and Trade Work Group and am looking forward to facilitating professionals representing manufacturing, businesses and agencies involved in cross border trade.  We will be focusing on how to increase cross border trade and tourism, how to leverage the Canadian market and how to use our transportation infrastructure to grow our economy.  Please feel free to contact me at cdipirro@amherst.org  or go to the Regional Council website here to provide any input for our consideration.  Each idea submitted is personally reviewed by members of the Council.

Governor Cuomo created these councils to transform the way the State does business.  By encouraging community-driven strategies in place of top-down mandates, the State will ensure that funding and resources fulfill local needs.  Our goal is that as a result of thoughtful strategic planning, we will develop and implement regional strategies that will comprehensively and holistically address our needs and opportunities.  I am excited to participate, encouraged by the process and optimistic about the outcomes.