ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
in North America began formulating forward plans
on how to interact with the Amazon HQ2 ‘supply
chain’ through strategies and new tactics, rather
than focus on the components of the bid itself.
TOMPKINS COUNTY AREA
DEVELOPMENT
Visit with the Executive Director Tompkins County
Area Development (September 14) Michael Stamm.
Topics discussed:
a. Community infrastructure investments to
attract private investment – The strength of
the various public/private board structures add
tremendous weight and influence to advocacy
for major developments. A lot of time spent on
relationships (read: private developers, Cornell
University, local municipality place-makers)
allows careful manoeuvring of prioritised
opportunities in the areas of: higher education,
tech-inspired micro manufacturing, software,
mobile and tech-enabled service company
support, agriculture and tourism, Michael Stamm, Executive Director of Tompkins County
Area Development
b. How to use political influence to articulate
policy positions on ED issues – particularly with
red-tape reduction and transitioning workforce
competency, The economic impact (direct company investment),
indirect and induced regarding being a regional and
global market leader in areas of:
c. How to respond to specific state and federal
opportunities where ‘shovel-ready’ needs strong
alignment and board agreement,
d. How to position regional economies to
embrace ‘waves’ of restructuring activities
and subsequent re-organising of capital flows.
(60,000 private sector jobs in 2013 – service
providing jobs account for 93% of employment
in Tompkins County). Higher education in the
region is the dominant sector and employer and;
e. How to achieve a balanced ‘energy mix’ of
renewable and traditional energy sources while
aiming to maintain a ‘calm’ debate that balances
local jobs with environmental preservations.
As appears to be universal phenomena, the
relationship between headcount, budget and areas
of attention need to be carefully balanced for
meaningful impact. Tompkins Area Development
is mindful of this and spends a great deal of time
in the advocacy space, making connections at the
state and federal levels of government to deliver on
their strategic intentions.
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY CENTRE OF
EXCELLENCE (SYRACUSECOE)
Visit with the Associate Director of Partner
Programs Syracuse University Centre of Excellence
(September 13) Tamara Rosanio
Topics discussed:
a. Clean energy (research and development and
deployment – RD&D)
b. Syracuse ‘Lab to Market; Market to Lab’
research and innovation program. With a
primary focus on environmental and energy
systems, the practical elements of the R&D
provide ‘live and real time’ demonstrations
of building functions and features (such as
heating, ventilation, air conditioning, ventilation
– HVAC innovations) that attract further funding
and commercial opportunities with local and
global interest). The green building movement
(as a global growth sector) affords industry,
government and university collaborations.
c. The ‘live’ examples demonstrated the value
of research opportunities that aim to provide
practical solutions to local and national
challenges and the subsequent export
opportunities. The ‘partner’ network and
construction of lasting and mutually beneficial
relationships relies heavily on human and
capital resource commitments (medium term)
from all partners.
VOL.11 NO.1 2018 | 21