2007 NYSAC Press Releases
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Southern Tier Leaders Address Future Economic Growth
Southern Tier Leaders Address Future Economic Growth
County leaders in the nine county Southern Tier Region convened a workforce summit today in Binghamton to review results of a recent workforce study and discuss strategies to strengthen the economic future of the region. The meeting was sponsored by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the New York State Department of Labor.
At the meeting, chief elected county officials and workforce and economic development leaders were briefed on the results of a Cornell University study that looked at the region’s advanced manufacturing jobs. The Cornell study used a combination of existing economic and workforce data and interviews with manufacturing executives to get a snapshot of advanced manufacturing in the nine counties of the Southern Tier including Broome, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties.
“The collective intelligence of our county leaders and researchers provide us with a snapshot of the region’s economic future. From that vantage point we can more effectively work together—state and regional leaders—to create and maintain a world-class workforce system that will attract good paying jobs and strengthen the entire region,” said M. Patricia Smith, commissioner of the NYS Department of Labor.
The meeting was part of NYSAC’s Workforce Intelligence Project, a research project designed to help counties in the Southern Tier region work together to adapt a strategy designed to ensure an innovative workforce for the region’s future growth. The project, made possible with a grant from the Department of Labor, is designed to promote active dialogue between local elected and community leaders on the challenges and opportunities they will face in bringing about economic renewal on a regional basis.
“There are a number of innovative workforce development and economic growth programs out there. This project is designed to see what will happen if we can get all of those programs working together toward the same objective…renewing and promoting the economic strength of Upstate New York,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
“While our geographic boundaries separate our counties, many of our residents commute in and out of our borders to and from work. We need to understand that what lifts up one county helps to lift up the entire region. If we can prepare a regional workforce with the skills needed to hold advanced manufacturing jobs, then high tech companies will begin to seriously consider locating here,” Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala.
Attendees were also briefed on updated U.S. Census data that detailed the recent population decline in 28 Upstate counties, including five of the nine Southern Tier counties. (Map available upon request.)
“Our incentive to work together is clear. Look at any census map. People are leaving to live and work elsewhere. We have a great quality of life. We just need to do more to enhance the economic and career opportunities for young professionals and their families. Our actions today and throughout this project will help to keep people here and attract good jobs for the future,” said Chemung County Executive Thomas J. Santulli.
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for Member Counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
NYSAC Releases Policy Brief on Latest Population Estimates
Population declines mean loss of Federal funds, congressional representation and tax base
The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) today released a policy brief that examines the population estimates issued by the US Bureau of the Census, and describes the impacts they will have on New York State and its counties. The estimates released this year are used to determine the amount of Federal funding available for state and county governments for a wide range of programs and services.
“After almost 2 decades of stagnant growth, New York is facing the prospect of losing millions of dollars in federal resources, declining influence in our nation’s capital because of the loss of congressional representation,” according to the Policy Brief. “New York State’s status as the Empire State is threatened by the continuing flight of our most precious resource, our children, to other parts of the country.”
The report, which is designed to raise awareness about the shifting population trends in New York State, was sent to county executives, chairs and administrators and Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
The report is available at www.nysac.org/documents/PopulationShuffle.pdf.
“The population estimates released this year must serve as a wake-up call. Government leaders at all levels should work with business and academic leaders to address this apparent shift in our population,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “There is a tremendous amount at stake and we face long-term consequences if these estimates hold up.”
The 2010 Census will be used for drawing congressional, state legislative and local legislative districts. If current population trends continue New York State may lose two or three congressional seats following the next census.
By the Numbers (see attached map)
- 29 counties are projected to have lost population since the last census, 28 of them are located in Upstate New York.
- 10 additional counties grew at less than the State’s 1.7% growth rate since the 2000 Census.
- 23 counties experienced estimated growth of over the 1.7% rate.
- Only 3 counties exceed the national growth rate of 6.4% for the period (Orange 10.3%, Richmond 7.6%, Saratoga 7.4%).
- Most of the strong growth in New York is centered in the Hudson Valley area and NYC (Putnam 5%, Dutchess 5.4%, New York County 4.8%).
- The strongest growth in Upstate counties, other than Saratoga, occurred in Warren (4.4%), Ontario (4.1%), Seneca (4.1%) and Tompkins (4.0%).
- Biggest loss upstate occurred in the following counties; Hamilton (-4%), Chautauqua (-3.1%), Erie (-3%), Cattaraugus (-2.9%), Chemung (-2.7%), and Genesee (-2.6%).
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.
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