Supervisors hear presentation on opportunity, marketing

How does Wayne County become a destination within the Finger Lakes region? That was the question the Board of Supervisors addressed on Tuesday at their regularly scheduled meeting for the month of July. They heard a presentation on an Opportunity Analysis Study, which worked to address many of the concerns Wayne County residents, representatives, and business owners have voiced. Giving the presentation were Margaret Churchill, Executive Director of the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation, as well as Christopher Steele, COO of Investment Consulting Associates.Some of the problems discussed were familiar for anyone living in New York. Whether it was job creation, workforce development, or development of amenities in Wayne County. One example: The Board discussed the fact that they have just one full-hotel, which frequently remains at half-capacity. According to those presenting, this is the kind of data that industries look at when evaluating a location, or when they’re considering entering a market. That means the county has a lot of work to do if they want to pull in these industries that are currently under-represented. It has to be done through a marketing plan, according to the presenters. It comes down to getting ahead of the negative numbers or statistics that paint Wayne County as a place that is quiet, or without growth. It means taking advantage of the Internet and getting good stories out there. Collectively, the board feels like this is something that’s achievable as long as there is support from legislators at the state level. Those present lamented at the fact that many of the problems Wayne County sees are state problems, which need to be addressed at the state level. Two individuals serving on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors are seeking to fill the void, which will be left by Senator Michael Nozzolio who will not seek re-election this fall. Lyons Supervisor Brian Manktelow and Rose Supervisor Keenan Baldridge are running in Republican and Democratic primaries later this summer. Another opportunity, according to the presentation is with social media. “Social media is here to stay,” one presenter explained. It means engaging residents and those from outside the area to make Wayne County a destination. One problem that wasn’t addressed by the board was the idea that housing wasn’t addressed. Having more employment opportunities is one thing, but not having the places for those individuals to live inside Wayne County is an area where they struggle. The plan will now move to committee, with the entire board having the opportunity to adopt the plan at the next full-meeting. Watch the entire presentation and board meeting in the video window above. Be sure to check out the rest of the regularly scheduled board meeting in the two video windows below.