2017
\
Economic
Development
Conference
PLATINUM Sponsor:
Harris Beach PLLC
January 17 - 19, 2017
Marriott Wolf Road
Albany, New York
GOLD Sponsor:
Erie County IDA
SILVER Sponsors:
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
Hodgson Russ LLP
Loewke Brill Consulting Group
BRONZE Sponsors:
Fairweather Consulting
Suffolk County IDA
PATRON Sponsors:
Capital District Regional Planning Commission/FTZ #121
Columbia Economic Development Corp.
County of Chautauqua IDA
Cuddy & Feder LLP
Steuben County IDA
Economic
Development
Conference
January 17 - 19, 2017
REGISTRATION
___ Yes, I plan to attend the 2017 Economic Development Conference
___ Member: ($275 Registration fee)
___ Additional staff from your organization may register for
this conference for $175
___ Future Member: ($375 Registration fee)
___ One-Day Rate ($200 Registration fee)
The Marriott Hotel
Wolf Road
Albany, New York
Registration
Cancellations will not be refunded after
January 9, 2017
You can pay your registration by PayPal
by clicking here and entering
the registration amount manually or go to:
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BN
If paying by check,
make payable to NYSEDC and mailed to:
NYSEDC, 111 Washington Avenue, 6th
Floor, Albany, NY 12210
Phone: (518) 426-4058
Fax: (518) 426-4059
www.nysedc.org
Accommodations
Overnight rooms have been reserved at The
Marriott Hotel, Wolf Road. The room block
is available to registered conference
participants at a rate of $144/single &
double. To make reservation, please
contact the Marriot Hotel by January 7,
2017 at (518) 458-8444 to reserve a room
for the evening of January 17th and/or
18th. When making reservations, please
request the New York State Economic
Development Council group rate.
Name: _____________________________________________________
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City: ___________________________ State:________ Zip: __________
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E-mail: ____________________________________________________
Name: _____________________________________________________
Company: __________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State:________ Zip: __________
Phone: _____________________ ____ Fax: _______________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________________
Tuesday, January 17th
12Noon - 5:00pm
Registration
1:00pm - 2:45pm
NYSEDC Committee Meetings
Refreshment Break
Sponsored by:
Cuddy & Feder LLP
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Business Marketing Committee (Open to any NYSEDC member)
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ESD Executive VP Rich Newman will present an overview of ESDCs 2017 marketing and advertising plan
Workforce Development Committee (Open to any NYSEDC member)
3:00pm - 5:15pm
Board of Directors Meeting (Open to any NYSEDC member)
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Reception
Wednesday, January 18th
7:30am - 4:30pm
Registration
8:30am - 12Noon
IDA Section Meeting
Sponsored by: Loewke Brill Consulting Group, Inc.
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“MWBE Contract Requirements: Challenges and Solutions”
Projects that receive state financial support must commit to hiring MWBE subcontractors to perform 30 percent of the project
work associated with state funding. This requirement, the intent of which NYSEDC supports, has led to project delays and cost
increases because “good faith efforts” to meet the goal, but fall short, are not provided waivers on a timely basis. This session
will review the requirements, discuss strategies for meeting the requirement, and highlight what advocacy groups are doing to
rationalize the standard.
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David M. Rubin, Senior Advisor, Sano-Rubin Construction Services, LLC
Jeff Pearlman; Acting Director, Authority Budget Office
“StateBook: New York Microsite of the Year Award”
Calandra Cruickshank; President, StateBook
Lunch
Keynote Speaker:

2:00pm - 3:15pm
Ron Gardner; Association of Minority Enterprises of New York
“Open Mic Open Forum to Discuss Compliance Experience with Best Practices Adopted Last Year”
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12:15pm - 1:45pm
James C. Johnson; Executive Director, Steuben County IDA
“ABO: Under New Management”
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Michael J. Elmendorf II; President & CEO, Associated General Contractors of New York State
Howard Zemsky; President & CEO, Empire State Development Corporation
Track Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4)
Track 1: Community-Based Economic Development
“Batavia Pathway to Prosperity: A New Model for Economic Growth”
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) in partnership with the Batavia Development Corporation (BDC), the City of Batavia, Genesee
County and the Batavia City School District, developed a comprehensive strategy to address poverty and blight in the City of Batavia. As a result of this
partnership, the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (BP²) was formed as a new community development model to create opportunities for more capital
investment and jobs in highly distressed and blighted areas of the City.
Through the BP², a new economic policy model was created – the BP² redevelopment fund- that is capitalized through a PILOT Increment Financing (PIF)
district. Through this new model, 50% of PILOT payments from new projects in the City of Batavia will be earmarked for the BP² Fund. Furthermore, the
redevelopment fund will be promoted, marketed, and made available to encourage development and re-investment within the Batavia Brownfield
Opportunity Area (BOA). The PIF district spans the entirety of the geographic boundaries of the City of Batavia and is believed to be the first of its kind in
New York State where all taxing jurisdictions have consented to full participation.
Presenters:
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Steven G. Hyde; President & CEO, Genesee County Economic Development Center
Christopher J. Suozzi; Senior Vice President of Business Development, Genesee County Economic Development Center
Track 2: Technology-Based Economic Development
“Learn How Economic Developers – in rural and urban areas – Partner with Innovation Ecosystem Programs to Help Build Their Innovation Economies”
Every community has different assets that impact its innovation-driven economy, starting with traditional supply chain services that can be transformed to
serve emerging sectors. Whether communities have a strong high-tech industry base and higher education presence, or not, participants in this session will
gain insight and ideas as to how they can more effectively create an environment to facilitate growth of their innovation economies.
Session takeaways - Presenters will discuss:
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Access to affordable and specialized facilities and equipment
Vetting process to select incubator clients, and handling virtual clients
The use of PODS and SMARTT LABS
Support for existing manufacturers known as the Accelerator Without Walls.
Wednesday, January 18th (Cont.)
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Track Breakout Sessions (Cont.)
Track 2: Technology-Based Economic Development (Cont.)
“Learn How Economic Developers – in rural and urban areas – Partner with Innovation Ecosystem Programs to Help Build Their Innovation
Economies” (Cont.)
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Mentoring and business support services geared to startup companies
Facilitation of traditional Main Street business transformation to develop integrated supply chain services
Pipeline of academic and other research and innovation expertise from in region and long distance partners
Transforming a vacant manufacturing facility into a Start-Up NY off-campus location
Presenters:
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Heather D. McDaniel; Vice President and Director of Economic Development Services, Tompkins County Area Development, Inc.
Keith Tyo; Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Plattsburgh State University
Laurie Villasuso; Executive Director, Orange County IDA
Track 3: Workforce Development
“Taking the Initiative: How Tompkins County Area Development and the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board are Collaborating to Meet Job
Requirements of Manufacturers in the Region”
Many regions are trying to find workforce solutions for manufacturers trying to fill technical and middle-skill jobs. Led by the Tompkins County Workforce
Development Board and Tompkins County Area Development, a comprehensive survey of manufacturers has been conducted in a four-county region to
identify workforce shortages; determine the potential for training based on common needs; assess level of interest in a common approach; and compile data
on best sources and training providers. This session will discuss survey findings; next steps; and, lessons learned.
Presenters:
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Michael B. Stamm; President; Tompkins County Area Development, Inc.
Julia Mattick; Executive Director, Tompkins County Workforce Development Board
Track 4: Infrastructure Development
“Case Study: Garvies Point in Glen Cove - $1B mixed-use project with a $97mm Public Use Improvement Bond repaid and a unique Tax Agreement
Structure.”
The project owner used the proceeds of Bonds issued against revenues paid under the Master Tax Agreement to fund Public Use Improvements, including
parks, roads, and publicly accessible waterfront improvements. The unique feature of the Tax Agreement was the consent of the tax jurisdictions to allow the
amounts paid to be FIRST used to pay interest on the Public Improvement Bonds, then a Priority Payment to the ATJs, and then Principal on the Bonds. More
importantly the structure needed ATJ consents such that community by-in occurred as part of the consent process. Should more large IDA projects pursue
consents of ATJs even when consents are not required?
Presenter:
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Shawn M. Griffin, Esq.; Attorney, Harris Beach PLLC
3:15pm - 3:30pm
Networking Break
Sponsored by: Capital District Regional Planning Commission/FTZ #121
3:30pm - 4:45pm
Track Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4)
Track 1: Community-Based Economic Development
“Key State Programs & Resources for Downtown Revitalization”
Downtown revitalization is a core component of a comprehensive economic development program. NYS has important programs and resources that can
support the efforts of local governments to bring their downtowns back to life. This session will feature three important programs, and will discuss how
communities and economic development organizations can access these resources and how they can be utilized.
Presenters:
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Jeff Janiszewski; Senior Vice President, Empire State Development
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RESTORE NY provides municipalities with financial assistance for revitalization of commercial and residential properties. The program encourages
community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures
Chris Leo; Director, President, Office of Community Renewal, NYS Division of Homes & Community Renewal
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OCR provides grants to communities that wish to sponsor economic development activities that create or retain jobs for LMI individuals. The goal is to
fund projects that result in high quality, full time jobs that offer a livable wages, benefits and training. OCR staff will discuss grant programs that foster
business growth via three funding activities: Traditional Economic Development that tends to fund the larger projects; the Small Business Program
that gives businesses with 25 or fewer FTE employees an extra 'boost' to allow for expansion and Micro-enterprise assistance that helps very small
businesses start-up and/or expand.
 Julian Adams; Director of Community Preservation Services Bureau. NYS Historic Preservation Office
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The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) offers investors and homeowners the opportunity to achieve the
social and economic benefits of historic preservation through Historic Tax Credit programing. The Commercial Historic Tax Credits offer both a 20
percent federal and a 20 percent NYS tax credit for the rehabilitation of income producing buildings listed (or in the process of being listed) on the NYS
and National Registers of Historic Places.
Wednesday, January 18th (Cont.)
3:30pm - 4:45pm
Track Breakout Sessions (Cont.)
Track 2: Technology-Based Economic Development
“Roundtable with Manufacturing USA Network Leaders About How EDOs Can Get Engaged”
In this session, attendees will be able to sit down in a roundtable format and discuss key technology manufacturing sectors with industry experts. There are
nine hubs in the Manufacturing USA Network around the country, and New York institutes are playing key roles in several of them, including those related to
photonics, composites, digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and flexible hybrid electronics. The purpose of these hubs is to provide technical and
R&D assistance to manufacturers statewide. These innovation-driven consortia are positioned to shape our regional economy by bringing together higher
education institutions, private industry. Economic development professionals need to understand how each manufacturing hub can support and benefit their
incumbent manufacturers. Bring your questions as you join roundtable discussions with leaders of these groundbreaking initiatives.
Moderator:
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Matt Watson; Director, ESD Division of science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR)
Roundtable Leaders:
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Digital Manufacturing: Michael G. Thurston, Research Faculty and Technical Director, The Sustainability Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology re: Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute (DMDII)
Additive Manufacturing; Dr. Bruce Kahn; Director of Business Development, AMPrint Center, RIT - re: America MAkes
Advanced Microelectronics (AIM Photonics); Tino Treiber, Government and Industry Outreach Executive, AIM Photonics
Track 3: Workforce Development
“How the best companies to work for retain and attract talent”
For the past 12 years, Dixon Schwabl, an advertising & marketing firm located in Victor, New York, has been ranked as one of the very best companies in the
United States to work for. In 2016, Dixon Schwabl was ranked as the very best PR & marketing firm in the country for which to work. 98 percent of its 104
employees say their workplace is great! This session will examine the innovative strategies Dixon Schwabl and other highly ranked companies implement to
keep talent and attract new employees.
Presenter:
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Lauren Dixon, CEO, Dixon Schwabl
Track 4: Infrastructure Development
“Closing the Digital Divide with High Speed Connectivity: What is New York’s Strategy and Why it is a an Economic Development Priority”
Across industries, broadband is redefining how we provide education and healthcare, manage energy, ensure public safety and how we store, access and
share information. Access to broadband is a necessity for the continued economic success of New York State. Yet, despite their urgent need for broadband,
approximately 2.5 million Housing Units in New York State have either limited or no access to high-speed Internet, creating a digital divide between those
communities with the ability to participate in the global economy, and those communities without such access.
Serving as the state’s single point of contact for broadband issues, the NYS Broadband Program Office’s (BPO) mission is to increase economic and social
opportunities through universal broadband deployment. By identifying broadband needs, and developing unique solutions, the BPO is helping to close the
digital divide that exist in availability rates, accomplishing the Governors goal of broadband for all.
This session will also review the steps and actions a community should take to increase the quality and availability of its broadband network.
Presenters:
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Chris Campbell; Director, Tilson Tech
Jeffrey Nordhaus; Executive Vice President, Innovation & Broadband, Empire State Development
William G. Farber, Chairman, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Reception
Sponsored by: Harris Beach PLLC
Thursday, January 19th
7:30am - 12 Noon
Registration
8:30am - 9:30am
General Session
“Principles of Leadership”
There have been many books and articles written about leadership - stories of courage, skill, style, personal attributes, and much
more. While most of what has been written is a valid list of ingredients that differentiates good leaders from great leaders, there
are a few of these seemingly common attributes that a select few leaders possess and demonstrate in a far more compelling way.
Nowhere are leadership principles developed more thoroughly than in the U.S. military. Retired Air Force General Steve Spano will
share his thoughts and observations about the qualities and attributes required to become not just a good leader, but an inspiring
leader. He will draw on more than 35 years of military and industry experience, including multiple tours of duty in Iraq reporting
to General Patraeus and senior business development positions with Amazon.
Presenter:
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Steve Spano, Brigadier General (Ret), US Air Force and President and COO, Center for Internet Security
9:30am - 9:45am
Networking Break
Sponsored by: Columbia Economic Development Corp.
9:45am - 11:00am
Track Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4)
Thursday, January 19th (Cont.)
9:45am - 11:00am
Track Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4)
Track 1: Community-Based Economic Development
“Affordable Housing: A Key Component of Your Downtown Revitalization Strategy”
Successful community revitalization requires building a mix of market rate and affordable housing. Often, economic development professionals, who are laserfocused on supporting attraction or expansion projects of businesses, are not as familiar with programs and incentives available to finance affordable housing
projects. This session will discuss state-level incentives that can be combined with local IDA incentives to build-out a community’s affordable housing portfolio. The
session will also include the perspective of an affordable housing developer, who has to navigate state, federal, and local incentive programs to build projects.
Presenters:
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Lenny Skrill; Upstate Development Director, Housing and Community Renewal
Kenneth Kearney; Kearney Realty Group
Track 2: Technology-Based Economic Development
“Funding Sources to Support Innovation Development”
High-growth startup companies and established companies seeking their next growth opportunity have significant funding needs for working capital and infrastructure that
typically require grant and equity capital sources beyond traditional economic development programs. Both public and private sector programs and funds play a major role
for businesses, but these programs may still be new to many EDOs and businesses that are most in need of these resources. Learn how to incorporate these programs as a
vital part of your daily tool kit.
Presenters:
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Jason Moore; Vice President, Investment & Portfolio Management, NY Green Bank
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Nicholas Querques; Project Manager, Technology and Business Innovation, NYSERDA
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NYSERDA Programs - presenter will discuss NYSERDA’s resources and programs to support innovation and entrepreneurship in your community.
Noa Simons, Executive Director, Upstate Venture Association of NY
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NY Green Bank – As the largest Green Bank in the nation, NY Green Bank is working with private sector project developers, financiers, ESCOs and
others to advance clean energy projects across the state. Learn what types of investments are being made and how to work with this clean energy
investment fund.
Upstate Venture Association of NY - The Upstate Venture Association of New York is a statewide organization formed to advance venture capital and
private equity investments throughout upstate New York.)
Brian Keil; Managing Director, NYS Innovation Capital Fund
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The Innovate NY Fund - The Innovate NY Fund is a seed stage business equity fund with up to $47 million to support innovation, job creation, and high
growth entrepreneurship throughout the state. The Innovate NY Fund is supported with $37 million in State SSBCI funds and $10 million from
Goldman Sachs)
Track 3: Workforce Development
“Brewers Wanted - Work for Beer”
Currently, there are over 240 craft breweries in New York State. New York’s craft beer sector is currently 4th in the country with an economic impact of $3.5 billion dollars
and it is the 5th largest beer producing state. Despite the growth, there are fewer than 30 formalize brewers training programs in the U.S. with long lists of students waiting
to learn the craft. Lack of qualified talent is hindering industry growth and impacting the quality and consistency of product. In response to the growing demand for skilled
brewers, representatives from Upstate, NY breweries approached the local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), and SUNY Schenectady County Community College
(SCCC) to address this talent shortage, develop a curriculum and certificate program to meet current demand and develop a long-range workforce pipeline. The basic skills
learned in the program are also transferable to other fields that use the concepts of fermentation science such as food production and biofuel production. The collaborative
partnership model was also designed to be replicated meet workforce training needs in other industry sectors.
Moderator:
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Shelby Schneider; Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership
Presenters:
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Christian Ryan; Head Brewer, Crossroads Brewing Co.
Denise Zieske; Vice President for Workforce Development & Community Education, SUNY Schenectady Community College
William Ressel; Executive Director, Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development Board
Lisa M. Scaccia; Director, Saratoga County Employment and Training Center
Track 4: Infrastructure Development
“An Innovative Solution to Meet Natural Gas Needs of Manufacturers”
New York’s energy policies have created gaps in the state’s supply of natural gas to key employers in several regions of New York. Some NG supply companies
see this gap as an opportunity to help meet the demand. Pentagon Energy is constructing a Compression Natural Gas Station in New Milford Pa. Through its
PIPE-LESS gas solution, it will be able to ship CNG over the road to Pipelines, Power Plants, Commercial and Industrial sites within 250 miles of its New Milford
Pa facility. The company believes it will be able to deliver 40 percent more gas than the market is experiencing today. Economic development professionals
should be aware of all options available employers to help support their growth needs with alternative natural gas solutions.
Presenters:
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Ryan Comerford; Co Founder & Principal, Pentagon Energy LLC
Alberto Chiesara; CEO & Co Founder, Pentagon Energy LLC
Chris Doherty; Business Development Manager, Pentagon Energy LLC
11:00am - 12Noon
General Session
Presenter:
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Jason Bram; Research Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of New York