Business Facilities - May 2008 - (Page 38)

FEATURE Economic Awakening in the Mohawk Valley DiMeo says that adherence to smart growth principles and support from the private and public sectors to develop sites for their highest and best use, has, for the most part, prevailed. “We have done everything in our power—and received the public and private sector support necessary—to structure and implement deals that benefited the developer and the region, rather than just the developer,” he says. DiMeo emphasizes that public support must come from local and state government as well as from the federal government. Although GLDC always has maintained a significant private-sector component in its board composition, public-sector consensus remains an important part of the Griffiss success model. “Working unilaterally is sometimes tempting, but you simply cannot work in a vacuum and expect to receive the public support that you need to close on a prospective deal,” DiMeo says, adding that strong bipartisan political support from federal, state, and local elected officials helped move the redevelopment process forward. The final step in the acceptance stage was convincing the region that what was once a restricted facility, which had been cloaked in secrecy for the better part of four decades, is now a highly diversified business and technology park. Global recognition. Global impact. Griffiss Business and Technology Park is home to organizations with global impact through innovative research, products and services. The largest MRO in the Northeast. Premier R&D facility. Global nose-to-tail solutions provider for the aerospace and defense industries. Global leader in advanced defense and aerospace systems. 907,000 square-foot distribution facility serving 10 states in the Northeast. Mohawk Valley EDGE 153 Brooks Road Rome, New York 13441-4105 Tel: (315) 338-0393 Toll Free: 1-800-765-4990 Fax: (315) 338-5694 Web: www.mvedge.org E-mail: info@mvedge.org Get in, get global. Your business can be a Griffiss Park success story too. #0714 at www.BusinessFacilities.com 38 M AY 2 0 0 8 “It took time, but eventually people started to recognize that the character of our region’s economy had changed for the better and that, although it may be different than it was in the past, there can be life after a base closure,” says DiMeo. Regarding economic diversification, Shawna Papale, GLDC senior vice president of economic development, says that the profile of employment has changed to the extent that Griffiss is attracting a better mix of private employment and higher-paying jobs than it did in its previous incarnation as a military base. “The growth at Griffiss not only includes local growth, but actually draws new population to the region, as high-profile companies are attracting bright young college graduates and highly skilled workers from throughout the United States,” Papale says. What does the future hold for Griffiss Business and Technology Park? DiMeo believes the key ingredients for continued success include attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, and the continued implementation of regional economic development strategies. “The region has overcome a major economic dislocation, and has positioned itself for long-term economic growth. Now it just needs to embrace the attitude that it can continue to successfully compete in a global marketplace,” he says. “Transforming Griffiss from an Air Force base to what it is now is not the ultimate objective. Griffiss will continue to evolve just as cities and regional economies will continue to change. The economic development successes of today will give way to what will become the successes of tomorrow.” http://www.mvedge.org http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

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Business Facilities - May 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots The UK's Most Lucrative Locations, Pound for Pound Economic Development in a Flash Corporate Moves: Massachusetts Florida: A Ripe Climate for Innovation Innovating Big in Rhode IIsland Retail Set to Ride Out a Recession Corporate Moves: New Jersey South Carolina: A Sweet Spot in the Southeast Endless Opportunities in North Carolina Economic Awakening in the Mohawk Valley Metro Spotlight: Alexandria, LA Where Call Centers Call Home Texas Receives First Business Facilities State of the Year Award Advertiser Index Inside Livexchange

Business Facilities - May 2008

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