“Eyes on the Future” Sees Economic Growth for Greater Rochester
A panel of economic development experts says Rochester’s advantages can overcome the obstacles
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The nine-county Greater Rochester Region is poised for an economic resurgence, if business, government and individual citizens join forces to leverage the area’s unique competitive assets. More than 1,100 heard that message from a panel of economic development experts from across the country June 12 at the “Eyes on the Future Economic Summit” at St. John Fisher College.
The summit was organized by the Small Business Council (SBC), an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance, and the Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE).
Panelists, including leading site selectors and representatives from growing communities in Florida, Texas and Nevada, cited the Rochester region’s immense resources – a ready and skilled workforce, unequalled higher education and access to a plentiful supply of water – as advantages that can outweigh tax and policy challenges. The experts urged community leaders and the audience to focus on the positives in a community marketing effort to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow.
“Eyes on the Future delivered a clear message that the glass is half full – that we can and will be successful,” said Dennis M. Mullen, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Enterprise and a member of the panel. “I have a vision that we are the most collaborative community in the world creating economic success.”
Panelists included: national site selectors, Gene DePrez and Dennis J. Donovan, and economic development leaders Larry L. Pelton, Ken Schoetz, Hon. David G. Wallace and Ron Weisinger.
“Attendees came out to hear about ‘best in class’ approaches from community and economic developers from around the country, and our special guests truly delivered,” said Tom C. Ioele, past president of the Small Business Council and Summit Event Chair. “The support demonstrated by our community proves that there is true passion for growth in Rochester. With that kind of passion, we’re certain to succeed.”
In a discussion moderated by Brian Taffe, host of Time Warner Cable’s Capital Tonight, the panelists shared secrets to creating economic progress and discussed the approaches that have proven successful in other communities. They also commented extensively on how Rochester can ignite a turn around of its regional economy.
“This nine-county region has a distinct, documented advantage,” said Donovan, a consultant who helps businesses locate operations around the world. “The Rochester region truly represents a unique, global market.”
Pelton, who has helped drive growth in his Florida community, urged Rochester to leverage the successful businesses that already exist. “You’ve got a base of successful businesses here. Find out why. What makes them tick?,” Pelton asked. “What can you do to support their growth? There has to be an environment that idolizes entrepreneurship.”
Uniformly, the panel exhorted the community to take full advantage of what may be its strongest competitive weapon: colleges and universities. “The university resources here are phenomenal. I don’t know of any community in the world with the intellectual capital of Rochester,” said DePrez, the other site selector on the panel.
Panelists agreed that high taxes are among the greatest challenges confronting business recruiters and developers in Rochester. Mayor Wallace, whose city is known as the fastest growing community in America, urged the audience to take the tax issue head on. “You’ve got a mighty voice here. You’ve got to speak loud and often about decreasing taxes in New York State,” Wallace said.
Weisinger, who represents the low tax state of Nevada, reminded the room that tax reduction isn’t the only solution. “Taxes can be overcome. You do need to reduce them but that’s not your only challenge. You must also ask: do you have a business friendly environment?”
Kenneth A. Schoetz, Chief Operating Officer, Upstate Empire State Development agreed. “As we continue to push the Governor’s reform agenda in Albany, we need to focus on the positive things that have already been accomplished,” Schoetz said. “We’re making progress and right now we should also sell our other positives to investors.”
In closing remarks, Mullen called on the community to come together. “I am asking each of you to join us in helping grow our region’s economy by promoting our many assets and participating in the economic development process. We’ll work to show them all what Rochester has to offer.”
Rochester rated #6!
According to a recent article in the Rochester Business Journal - Rochester is the 6th best city to live by Places Rated Almanac! Rated on such factors as ambience, housing, the local economy, transportation, education, health care, crime, recreation and climate, Rochester ranked above cities such as Boston, San Jose, CA and Washington, DC.
Mayor of Sugar Land, Texas Added as Panelist at Eyes on the Future
May 8– The Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance, and Greater Rochester Enterprise announce the latest panelist at the Eyes on the Future economic summit: David G. Wallace, mayor of Sugar Land, Texas. Eyes on the Future takes place on Tuesday, June 12 at St. John Fisher College from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Wallace will discuss the reasons behind the phenomenal growth of the Sugar Land metropolitan area. The quality of the economy in Fort Bend County, which includes Sugar Land, is rising at a rate greater than that of the 10 strongest metropolitan economies in the country. The size of the economy, earnings and employment all have grown at a rate much faster than 99 percent of all economies in the country.
“Mayor Wallace is a great addition to our panel of economic development officials who will share their experiences and offer ideas on how we can apply some of their winning formulas to grow our economy,” said Thomas C. Ioele, Immediate Past President, Small Business Council of Rochester.
Other economic development panelists from fast growing counties include Ron Weisinger, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority in Carson City, Nevada; Larry Pelton, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, Florida; and Kenny McDonald, Senior Vice President, Economic Development Services, Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Site selectors will discuss the criteria they consider when evaluating a market on behalf of companies looking to expand and re-locate. Site selectors on the panel include Gene DePrez, Americas and co-global leader, PLI-Global Location Strategies, Associate Partner, Strategy & Change, IBM Global Business Services and Dennis J. Donovan, principal, Wadley-Donovan Gutshaw Consulting.
Designed to promote economic development, job growth and entrepreneurship in the nine-county Greater Rochester Region, Eyes on the Future features a panel discussion moderated by Brian Taffe, host of the statewide cable news program, Capital Tonight.
Registration is free in advance or $25.00 the day of the event. For more information, go to www.eyesonthefuture.biz or contact Cindy DeVoldre at 585-256-4619.
Eyes on the Future is sponsored by AXA Advisors, Bonadio & Co., Citizens Bank, Employee Relations Associates, Inc., Empire State Development Corporation, Eric Mower and Associates, Excellus, Johnson Controls, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group, MWI, Inc., OS-Cubed, Inc., Paradigm Environmental Services, Inc., Phillips Lytle, Relph Benefit Advisors, Rochester Business Journal, and St. John Fisher College.
Eyes on the Future serves as one of several events planned throughout 2007 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Small Business Council. The Small Business Council provides services, support, and business-to-business opportunities to growth-oriented small business owners throughout the greater Rochester metropolitan area. Independent of market or industry, the Small Business Council is recognized as the voice of small business, meeting the dynamic and diverse needs of our members. For more information about the Small Business Council please go to www.rochestersbc.com.
Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) is a public-private partnership established to professionally market the Rochester metropolitan region as a competitive, high-profile place for business location and growth. Its efforts support business attraction and expansion, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation. GRE collaborates with businesses, universities, not-for-profit organizations and government leaders to ensure a unified approach to regional economic development. For more information, please go to www.RochesterBiz.com.
Job-growth conference scheduled for June 12
(April 24, 2007) — The Small Business Council of Rochester and Greater Rochester Enterprise said today they will host a conference in June called “Eyes on the Future” to address the issues of regional job growth and entrepreneurship.
St. John Fisher College in Pittsford will host the event, set for Tuesday, June 12, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Among the panelists scheduled to participate is Daniel Gundersen, upstate chairman of Empire State Development Corp., as well as economic development officials from some fast-growing areas of the country.
“Eyes on the Future will serve as an upbeat, positive dialogue, leading to immediate actions and tangible results,” said Thomas Ioele, immediate past president of the Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance.
“The event offers a unique mix of perspectives from professionals involved with economic development and corporate relocation, with an emphasis on ways to improve recruiting and retaining businesses and jobs in Greater Rochester.”
Admission to the conference is by pre-registration only and is free to members of the Small Business Council, Rochester Business Alliance and Greater Rochester Enterprise. Cost is $25 for non-members. Event PRE-REGISTRATION is now FREE! Pre-register now to avoid paying $25 at the door. To pre-register or for more information, go to www.eyesonthefuture.biz.