The New York State Senate

J2716

Senate Resolution No. 2716

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Steuben
County Industrial Development Agency

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Steuben County Industrial
Development Agency; and

WHEREAS, For five decades, this vital agency has steadfastly
provided economic development services to the communities and residents
of Steuben County, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded through an act of the New York State Legislature in
June of 1972, the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
advances the job opportunities, general prosperity, and economic welfare
of the people of the county; and

WHEREAS, In January of 1973, the agency took its first action of
record approving bond financing for Gold Seal Vineyards in the amount of
one million dollars; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in its first ten years of existence, the
agency leveraged $123,825,000 of new investments in Steuben County; and

WHEREAS, At its annual meeting in November of 1982, the Steuben
County IDA appointed Mike Manikowski as its first paid Director and Jim
Griffin as the Assistant Director; in December of the following year,
the agency moved its offices from Corning to space in the Shannon
building in the Village of Bath; and

WHEREAS, In October of 2019, the Steuben County IDA approved
incentives for Abundant Star, the agency's first solar project; two
years later, it announced the attraction of LP Building Solutions to the
IDA Industrial Park in Bath, leveraging a $24 million investment; and

WHEREAS, Through partnerships between the business community, the
public sector and community organizations, the remarkable
accomplishments of the IDA can be seen throughout the county; companies
like Corning Incorporated, Instant Brands, Upstate Farms Cheese, HP
Hood, Alstom, Siemens Energy, and countless others have all benefited
from the IDA as the organization has grown through the years; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Steuben County IDA creates and stimulates an
economic climate which competitively positions the county to attract a
talented workforce, public and private investment in infrastructure and
business development, and other compatible and diverse sustainable
economic development opportunities; and


WHEREAS, Since its inception, Steuben County IDA has leveraged more
than $2 billion in new investments, creating thousands of new jobs; and

WHEREAS, In the last 25 years, the IDA has attracted over 3,000
jobs; the organization saw its focus evolve as the economic development
industry became more holistic in its approach, shifting from traditional
industrial projects and broadening its efforts; in addition, the IDA has
focused on other sectors, such as tourism, housing, and renewable energy
to better expand the county's economic base; and

WHEREAS, Projects such as the redevelopment of the former Corning
Hospital site demonstrate how economic development organizations can
utilize a variety of tools to drive development; this investment
redefined an entire block in the City of Corning by removing a closed
hospital and attracting investments into education, housing, and finance
to help meet the broader needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, This expanded focus is the driving force behind the IDA's
current successes; in 2022, the county will realize nearly $1 billion in
new investment in a single year; projects range from large scale
renewable energy to infrastructure development supporting investments by
companies like Amazon and LP Building Solutions' new finishing facility,
creating 61 new jobs; and

WHEREAS, During its first 50 years, the IDA has successfully
attracted new investments and jobs to the county, and during the next 50
years, the organization will hold true to its mission of advancing the
job opportunities, general prosperity, and economic welfare of the
people of the county by continuing to grow the business assets of
Steuben County, New York; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Steuben County Industrial
Development Agency; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency.