County Administrator's Corner: Sept. '09

This is the third in a series of monthly columns provided by County Administrator Timothy O'Hearn on matters involving Schuyler County and its citizens. His first column can be seen by clicking here. His second column can be seen by clicking here.

The Business Park

By Timothy O'Hearn

In last month’s post, the focus was on the numerous economic development initiatives and success stories we have experienced in recent months.

For those of you who read Part One of this series, how many of you either thought or uttered words to the effect: “Sure, all this sounds good, but how do we know this isn’t just O’Hearn’s attempt to put a positive spin on things…If things are so great in Schuyler County, how come the Business Park still sits empty??” If any of the aforementioned rings true with you personally, keep reading as we discuss the status and overall benefits of the Schuyler County Business Park.

In my four-plus years in this community, I would dare say that the subject of developing the Business Park is the most frequent target of criticism I have dealt with both from the general public and municipal officials alike. While this is a legitimate question, it is somewhat of an unfair criticism once one learns all of the facts associated with how Schuyler County came to be the site of a shovel-ready Business Park.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must preface my remarks with the disclaimer that they are influenced by my experience in developing a corporate park while I was a town supervisor in Broome County. That being said, upon learning the history of this development, I can offer only my respect and admiration for the community leaders whose efforts and vision resulted in securing over $9 million in state and federal funds to acquire and make shovel-ready the Business Park and, perhaps more importantly, to extend water and sewer line to Watkins Glen International. I only wish that I had been half as fortunate during my tenure as a town supervisor. Upon learning that the $1 million in federal funding to site and develop the Business Park was leveraged to garner an additional $8.3 million for infrastructure expansion, i.e. water and sewer up Rt. 414 to the race track, my respect (and envy) deepens. I can remember questioning current local officials, many who were involved in this process in 2000, and the dialogue went something like this:

“OK, so let me get this straight; little Schuyler County was able to build a business park without using any local tax dollars?”

“That’s right.”

“OK, so in addition to building this park, you also fully funded the cost of extending water and sewer to the park and beyond, to include Watkins Glen International (WGI) raceway, again at no cost to the local taxpayer?”

“Right again.”

“…and the water and sewer extension, by providing adequate infrastructure to WGI, helped to retain this course as a NASCAR site, ensuring continued growth in the tourism segment of our economy by attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to our community?”

“That’s right.”

“…and WGI has since invested over $10 million in their facility and now has a regional economic impact over $173 million annually according to a 2008 market survey?”

“….Right on!”

“Wow!”

Given the aforementioned, you can understand my puzzlement as to why the occupancy of the Business Park is of such concern or the constant source of negative comments. Don’t get me wrong, no one wants to see an occupant in the Business Park more than I (Kelsey Jones being the possible exception). We need jobs as much as anyone does, and further we need jobs that pay a living wage and will sustain a family. And we will realize this goal soon. However, whether the Business Park is occupied now or in the future, the important thing is that we have it and it is already paying dividends that other communities would love to have but never will. Statistically, it is not uncommon for a Business or Industrial Park to sit vacant at its inception, often taking on average 10 years to begin to develop. Interestingly, as we approach the 10th year of controlling this site, we are on the verge of landing a substantial business.

The Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency, at its September meeting, unanimously accepted an application for a project in the Business Park. A Canadian manufacturing firm has announced its intent to construct a 22,000-square-foot machine tool manufacturing facility on a two-acre site in the park. This company has also received preliminary site plan approval from the Town of Dix Planning Board and intends to be in operation by the end of this year. This project will create 25 new manufacturing jobs with average salaries in the mid-$40,000 range.

At this writing, final financing and construction details are being negotiated and we are confident that this will be a solid anchor project and catalyst for additional development. It is also important to note that the job projection has the potential to double within five years if the business plan proves to be successful.

I hope the preceding has been helpful in creating an understanding and hopefully an appreciation for the efforts and outcomes associated with the Schuyler County Business Park. While tourism and agriculture are a significant part of our local economy, economic development efforts continue to be diversified and as a result we have been able to leverage additional resources (as outlined in last month’s column). I wish I could take credit for the efforts to site and develop the existing Business Park, and I certainly commend those who had the vision and foresight to aggressively pursue this action. I do however reflect proudly on this accomplishment and look to the future with great optimism, partly because of this asset.

Thank you for your attention and interest. The next installment will provide an update on current initiatives such as housing and public transportation, among others. Please stay tuned!

Photo in text: Schuyler County Administrator Timothy O'Hearn