Economic Development

The primary goal of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board’s (CNY RPDB) Economic Development Program is to support the growth of a diverse economic base that will provide a range of employment opportunities for citizens across the Central New York Region.

To support economic growth in Central New York, the CNY RPDB administers a number of programs including project development activities, business assistance and finance, regional marketing, and various planning and research studies.

Project Development

The CNY RPDB’s project development efforts include advancing various public works, institutional, and commercial initiatives that will support job creation and economic growth in the Central New York Region. Specific activities include feasibility analyses, development of plans, preparation of applications for financing, administration of grant funds, and project management services.

A sampling of the projects that the CNY RPDB has worked on in Central New York includes: Auburn Technology Park; Cayuga County - Auburn / Weedsport Water Transmission Line; Canastota Industrial Park; Trush Business Park; CNY Regional Market - Stadium / Market / Center; Onondaga Community College Applied Technology Center; Syracuse University Research Park; Solvay Industrial Area Infrastructure Improvements; Oswego Mitchell Street Sewer; and Fulton - Nestlé Storm Sewer Improvements.

The agency is currently working on several other projects including the Finger Lakes East Business Park, the Aurelius Business Park, and the Hancock Air Park.

Business Assistance and Finance

Since its inception in 1989, the CNY RPDB’s Enterprise Development Fund has issued more than 80 loans valued at nearly $5 million to businesses throughout Central New York. This regionally based loan program was established to assist businesses with the costs associated with starting or expanding operations in Central New York. The program is administered in cooperation with the COMCO Development Corp., the Central New York Enterprise Development Corp., and local economic development agencies. Administering such a loan program allows the Board to serve as a resource to small businesses (primarily small manufacturing companies and some service related operations), and aid in creating jobs and bringing new wealth into the Central New York community.

Download the loan application.   (Adobe PDF) (This document opens in a new window.)

Regional Marketing

The CNY RPDB is actively working with the Empire State Development Corporation and local economic development agencies on a regional marketing program for Central New York. The program consists of a variety of marketing activities designed to encourage companies to choose the Central New York as a business location. These activities include preparation of print marketing material, developing relationships with national site location consultants, corporate real estate executives, assisting with regional familiarization tours, and sponsoring a professional SWOT analysis of the region. Plans are currently underway to develop a regional marketing web site.

Research and Planning

As part of its overall planning program, the CNY RPDB prepares the Central New York Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) on an annual basis. This document serves as a guide for the agency’s economic development activities in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties. It also provides a vehicle for local, state and federal officials to identify key projects that should be undertaken to support economic growth in Central New York.

For more information, view the 2005 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
  (Adobe PDF) (This document opens in a new window.)

In addition, the CNY RPDB conducts a number of research and planning studies in support of economic development efforts in Central New York. The studies include an inventory of telecommunications resources in Central New York and an analysis of the higher education resources which exist across Upstate New York. In addition, work is being completed on a reuse plan for the Carrier manufacturing site in the town of DeWitt.