[On Dec. 13], the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNY REDC) was named a “Top Performer” and awarded $86.4 million for 112 projects that will have a direct impact on our region. We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the largest total investment of any region this round, and throughout all seven […]
[On Dec. 13], the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNY REDC) was named a “Top Performer” and awarded $86.4 million for 112 projects that will have a direct impact on our region. We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the largest total investment of any region this round, and throughout all seven years of this process.
Over seven rounds, more than $1 billion in investments made through the regional council and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative have helped to transform the CNY region and its economy. The projects supported by these new awards will further our progress by creating jobs, encouraging innovative business growth, and driving greater opportunity across all segments of our community.
The latest awards also mark an important milestone for me as they were my last official duty as co-chair of the CNY REDC. I am extremely honored to have been given the opportunity to serve, and am deeply proud of this region’s track record over seven rounds. I want to thank the members of the CNY REDC, particularly my co-chair, Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena, president of SUNY Upstate Medical University, and the hundreds of community partners and CenterState CEO members working alongside us to advance this important work.
I look forward to continuing to work as a member of the CNY REDC and supporting Randy Wolken, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, and Dr. Laraque-Arena as we build on these efforts and continue to bring jobs, investment, and continued revitalization to our region. Our success hinges on our entire community working together toward a common vision of economic opportunity for all, and I am ready to begin this exciting new chapter together.
Robert M. (Rob) Simpson is president and CEO of CenterState CEO, the primary economic-development organization for Central New York. This viewpoint is drawn and edited from the “CEO Focus” email newsletter that the organization sent to members on Dec. 14.