CAPITAL REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 2016 PROGRESS REPORT growth income THE CAPITAL REGION happiness culture creates jobs . new ideas economy beauty recreation solutions security Opportunity innovation momentum business connections passion movement energy manufacturing infrastructure industry sustainability workforce strategy success OCTOBER 3, 2016 • 2016 PROGRESS REPORT • CAPITAL REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 1 CAPITAL REGION CO-CHAIRS JAMES J. BARBA, J.D. ROBERT J. JONES, PH.D. PRESIDENT & CEO PRESIDENT (2013-2016) ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY CAPITAL REGION REPRESENTATIVES ROBERT BLACKMAN SINCLAIR SCHULLER VICE PRESIDENT, REALTY USA CEO, APPRENDA, INC. DENNIS BROBSTON JEFF STARK PRESIDENT, SARATOGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESIDENT CORPORATION GREATER CAPITAL REGION BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL DAVID BROWN F. MICHAEL TUCKER PRESIDENT AND CEO, CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA PRESIDENT TUCKER STRATEGIES, INC. DAVID BUICKO COO, GALESI GROUP OMAR USMANI EXECUTIVE PARTNER, AEON NEXUS CORPORATION JOSEPH DRAGONE, ED.D. SUPERINTENDENT, BALLSTON SPA CENTRAL SCHOOL JOSEPH WILDERMUTH DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT, PECKHAM INDUSTRIES TODD ERLING HON. KEVIN GERAGHTY (EX-OFFICIO) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUDSON VALLEY AGRIBUSINESS CHAIRMAN, WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HON. PATRICK GRATTAN (EX-OFFICIO) HON. HUGH T. FARLEY CHAIRMAN, COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF STATE SENATE, 49TH DISTRICT SUPERVISORS BILL HART HON. ROBERT HENKE (EX-OFFICIO) VICE PRESIDENT, U.S. BUSINESS OPERATIONS, CHAIRMAN, WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF IRVING TISSUE INC. SUPERVISORS MICHAEL J. HICKEY HON. ANTHONY JASENSKI (EX-OFFICIO) VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OF STAFF, SIENA COLLEGE CHAIRMAN, SCHENECTADY COUNTY LEGISLATURE LINDA MACFARLANE HON. KATHLEEN JIMINO (EX-OFFICIO) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY LOAN FUND OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE, RENSSELAER COUNTY THE CAPITAL REGION, INC. HON. KEVIN LEWIS (EX-OFFICIO) DREW MATONAK, ED.D. CHAIRMAN, GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATURE PRESIDENT, HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE HON. PATRICK MADDEN (EX-OFFICIO) ANDREW MEADER MAYOR, CITY OF TROY DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ALLIANCES, SIX FLAGS/THE GREAT ESCAPE HON. GARY MCCARTHY (EX-OFFICIO) MAYOR, CITY OF SCHENECTADY PHILIP MORRIS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PROCTOR’S THEATRE HON. DANIEL MCCOY (EX-OFFICIO) COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ALBANY COUNTY MATTHEW NELSON VICE PRESIDENT AND MORTGAGE OFFICER, THE HON. KATHY SHEEHAN (EX-OFFICIO) COMMUNITY PRESERVATION CORPORATION, INC. (CPC) MAYOR, CITY OF ALBANY LAUREN PAYNE HON. ARTHUR WRIGHT (EX-OFFICIO) MANAGING PARTNER AND CO-FOUNDER CHAIRMAN, SARATOGA COUNTY BOARD OF SPIRAL DESIGN STUDIO SUPERVISORS Regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/Capital-Region A MESSAGE FROM THE CAPITAL REGION REGIONAL CO-CHAIRS When our Council first convened in 2011, we understood that As you will notice in the pages of this report, for 2016 we are our work was cut out for us if we were to realize fully Governor showcasing some of the individuals whose lives and communities Cuomo’s vision of a community-driven approach to economic have been directly impacted by the Council’s investments. development. We believe this is a fitting tribute to a process that is all about improving the quality of life in our communities—led by the As charged, we developed strategies tailored to our communities’ people who live, work, and play in those communities. strengths and needs, and as result, we have built strong relationships. This approach is akin to tending a garden. First, we Our theme, “Capital Region CREATES,” was inspired by our developed a vision, and a design to reach it -- our Strategic Plan. unique assets in the creative economy—from the fine arts to Then, we found the fertile soil where our vision could take root the eclectic group of maker spaces and incubators springing by building the leadership table. Finally, our early investments up in our communities. We continue to nurture this critical in promising projects allowed us to make progress toward that mass, recognizing that creativity is the basis for all innovation, vision—and build confidence in our approach. entrepreneurship, and growth. The creative economy is more than a regional priority; it is truly a model for how we work: seeing the Projects were, and are, both large and small, ranging from the connections, the multiplier effects, and the unexpected positive Mohawk Harbor development in Schenectady made possible by developments that take place when true collaborations and an early Council investment, to the constellation of developments partnerships flourish. in the creative economy. As always, we deeply appreciate the hard work of our Council And just as last year’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative spurred members and the many partners who have lent their time, us to create an ambitious future plan, this year’s Downtown expertise, and passion to this grassroots approach to regional Revitalization Initiative allowed us a closer look at our Region’s economic development. We thank the countless individuals, cities; we considered the best way to deploy this $10 million businesses, and organizations that have contributed to this critical investment to transform not just one community, but to benefit process. our entire Region. It is our pleasure to present this report on our Region’s progress, We are confident that our DRI choice, Glens Falls, has the "right including our proposals for new investments—investments that stuff" to do just that. We have leveraged it to identify other will build on our success and harness new opportunities for downtown projects across the Region that deserve support, growth and a better way of life across our eight counties. whether through the CFA process or other funding sources. Post Script from James J. Barba It is with equal parts sorrow and admiration that I must say farewell to my colleague Robert J. Jones. Robert has been an extraordinary partner to me and to the entire Capital Region through his leadership at the University at Albany and as co-chair of our Council. Throughout his tenure at UAlbany and with the Council, Robert insisted on deepening our public engagement and expanding our collective impact as leaders in our community. He truly raised the bar as a role model for public service, and he will be greatly missed by his many partners, colleagues, and friends. It has been a great privilege to work closely with him on the Council, and I know I speak for our entire Council in wishing him all the best as he embarks on his next chapter, as Chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. • 2016 PROGRESS REPORT • CAPITAL REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 1 CONTENTS 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 CREDC STRATEGIC PLAN AND CAPITAL 20.20 6 STATE OF THE REGION - General Economic Indicators - Quality of Life Indicators - Key Regional Indicators 16 PAST PRIORITY PROJECTS - Status of Past Priority Projects - Status of ESD Past Priority Projects, Rounds 1-5 - Status of All Projects Awarded CFA Funding - Job Creation - ESD Past Priority Project Highlights - Non-ESD Past Priority CFA Project Highlights 32 IMPLEMENTATION OF 2016 STATE PRIORITIES - Downtown Revitalization Initiative - Implementing Progress through the Project Pipeline - Creating a Workforce of Today and Tomorrow 46 IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEWIDE REGIONAL PRIORITIES - Regional Economic Cluster Plan - Regional Hot Spots and Business Incubators - Regional Global Marketing and Export Plan - Regional Opportunity Agenda - SUNY & Community College Plans - Veterans’ Participation in the Workforce 58 IMPLEMENTATION OF KEY REGIONAL PRIORITIES 64 PROPOSED PRIORITY PROJECTS 98 WORKGROUP DASHBOARDS 2 CAPITAL REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL • 2016 PROGRESS REPORT • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY At the heart of the Capital Region’s to invest in projects that will create jobs success are our people. Individuals who and pathways across our eight counties. innovate. Dreamers who get things done. And creative thinkers who make the right In the Capital 20.20 plan created for connections. These leaders, from all the Upstate Revitalization Initiative in walks of life, are pushing our communities 2015, we possess a bold new blueprint forward—and strengthening New York for the Region’s future. This year’s State’s economic vitality. Over the past Downtown Revitalization Initiative six years, the Capital Region Economic provided a powerful new opportunity to Development Council has cultivated our continue the transformation of our urban natural assets, investing in the makers, the neighborhoods, while a renewed emphasis believers, and the hardworking men and this year on workforce development women who have the skills to succeed— inspires us to aim even higher as we target and the courage to create. and train regional talent. Supported by our Council’s leadership, The State’s strong economic development we’ve dug deep to truly understand our vision—along with the strategies the challenges and see our opportunities. And Region has developed and refined—leave as we expand our regional knowledge the Council in a very strong position to base, we continuously improve our ability build on our success and set a course for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth. • 2016 PROGRESS REPORT • CAPITAL REGION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 3 STRATEGIC PLAN & CAPITAL 20.20 CREATING FORWARD MOMENTUM This year marks an important transition These goals represent an overlay to the Council’s for our Region and our Council. We have approach to regional economic development: reached the end of the life cycle of our harnessing our best assets—including the natural Next-Tech Gateway