Economic & Workforce Development County Leaders Perspective A Preliminary Report Rocco J. DiVeronica Stephen J. Acquario President Executive Director

Economic & Workforce Development County Leaders Perspective A Preliminary Report Presented by: Jeff Osinski and Isabelle Andrews NYSAC

The County Economic & Workforce Development Survey A joint undertaking of NYSAC & the Dennis A. Pelletier County Government Institute, Inc. Funded in part, through a grant from the NYSDOL Designed to obtain County Leaders reaction on issues affecting economic & workforce development

About the Survey… Survey conducted during the Summer of of the 57 counties outside NYC responded Survey sent to: –County Executives –Board of Supervisors or Legislative Chairs –County Administrators and Managers

Why the Survey? Jobs and the economy are your top priorities NYSAC committed to assisting local economic growth Obtain background information on county organizational structure Pelletier Institute Sessions on Growth Issues Technical Resource Materials to Assist Counties

Most Important Issues Affecting Local Economic Development 1.Cost of doing business in New York State. (70% of respondents) 2.State and local taxes 3.Availability of a skilled workforce 4.Keeping young college graduates

Less Important Issues Population loss State employer regulations Aging of our current workforce Access to developable land

County Advantages Quality of life Quality education infrastructure Economic and workforce development programs Road and highway systems

Counties Challenges Cost of utilities (70% of respondents) Access to mass transportation Availability of local sewer and water infrastructure

Counties advantages to attracting and maintaining a skilled workforce Quality of life Quality of local schools Quality of local health care Availability of affordable housing

County challenges in attracting and maintaining a qualified workforce Availability of jobs Strength of business community Availability of affordable housing (downstate primarily, some upstate too. )

Recent Newspaper Headlines Back-Up Your Concerns BSR offers incentives to attract workers Press and Sun Bulletin, Binghamton, NY. September 7, 2006 The Age Wave: America's Retiring Workforce MetLife Study Finds Employers/Employees Worry about Aging Workforce and Retirement Security, but Few Take Steps to Address Situation Business Wire, Inc., February 28, 2006 Flight of Young Adults Is Causing Alarm Upstate Flight of Young Adults Is Causing Alarm Upstate The New York Times, June 13, 2006

More Newspaper Headlines Knock knock No Joke: Job opportunities for skilled workers are right at the door. Albany Times Union, June 5, 2006 Skilled Workers can get lost in immigration fight Rochester Democrat and Chronicle June 16, 2006 Jobs and Property taxes concern voters Albany Times Union, March 2, 2006

Lead Responsibility for Economic Development County department 31% IDA 31% Economic development corp 24% Private organization 3% Other 11%

Economic Development Services & Programs Counties provide numerous services to encourage investment & job creation Site location assistance, revolving loan fund, tourism promotion and revenue bond financing (IDAs) most frequently mentioned Alternative financing methods, research & development assistance, and export development are less frequently provided

Industrial Development Agencies All responding Counties have a countywide IDA 59% have only 1 functional IDA in County 24 counties have more than 1 IDA Counties with more than 1 IDA –65% do not have uniform PILOT policies –35% have standard procedures

Who Serves on Countywide IDA Boards? Business Leaders 100% Community Representatives 76% Elected Officials 67% Financial Institutions 47% Organized Labor 22% Educational agencies 15% Business Organizations 11% Environmental Organizations 2% Other 2%

Economic & Workforce Development Planning 33 counties (61%) responding have countywide economic development plan 35 counties (63%) indicated that there was a regional development plan 93% indicated coordination between economic development and workforce planning efforts

Participants in Countywide Plan Development County elected89 % IDAs83% Chamber of Commerce 81% Colleges & Universities61% Banks58% Community groups 53% Major employers50% Private citizens39% Labor unions22%

Lead Responsibility for Workforce Development Workforce Investment Board52% County Department43% Not for Profit 3% Other 2%

Workforce Development Services & Programs Significant number of WD agencies are still attached to Social Services oversight Some confusion about Workforce Development –Who is in charge? WIB or County Department –Services Provided (social or economic development program?) Most counties involved in developing the workforce plan for their area.(13% not involved) Mix of programs provided fairly standard

Legislative Oversight 43 counties indicated that economic & workforce development Programs have legislative oversight committees Economic development generally overseen by economic development & planning committee 48% of counties indicate workforce development overseen by Social Services or Education Committee

Reporting Most ED and WD agencies report at least quarterly to the county chief elected official Most County Leaders found the reports to be very valuable Most agencies report to the public on an annual basis.

Initial Insights Differing lines of authority within counties for workforce and economic development. Workforce development overseen by Social Services in a large number of counties. Decision makers receive different types & levels of information at different frequency Planning & development efforts do not always include significant actors

Facts to Consider US Bureau of Census Estimates 26 Counties have lost population since the 2000 Census 10 additional counties grew at a projected rate of 1% or less during 2000 – 2005 Projected retirement in Upstate Counties significantly above the national average New York will have fewer working adults per older adult than the national average

U.S. Census Bureau Estimates of County Population Decline 2000 – 2005

Projected SMSA Retirement Rates U.S. Bureau of the Census, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Estimates Binghamton16.4 Rochester16.4 Utica16.2 Buffalo15.9 Albany 15.6 Syracuse15.0 Upstate New York15.7 United States15.1

Some questions………. Does your current structure for workforce and economic development make sense? Do you get the information you need (but only the information you need) to make informed decisions? Are you involving all of the right people? Are you building on your strengths? Can you address your challenges? Can you learn from other counties?

What do you think?

Next steps for NYSAC… Compile a final survey report showing regional results Conduct follow-up interviews for more detailed insight Identify county technical assistance needs Prepare briefing & policy reports on issue areas identified by counties

The Pelletier Institute A Partnership of NYSAC & Cornell University Fostering informed, constructive and civil dialogue on the challenges we face. Policy Forums on regional and local economic development issues Expand opportunities to exchange ideas, issues and best practices. Provide access to customized technical assistance Pelletier accredited sessions at NYSAC conferences.

For more information, contact: Jeff Osinski, Director of Research Isabelle Andrews, Project Director (518)