The Regional Economic Development Councils represent a new operating model for economic development in New York State.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a process to bring all economic development functions to the table in each region to collaborate on a plan for their future. The Regional Councils will help drive regional and local development across New York for years to come. This manual is intended to aid the Councils as they define the strategies that will begin to transform their regions.
Focused, cohesive economic development can only come about through thoughtful planning – that is why the Regional Councils are being asked to develop five-year strategic plans to implement their vision.
Strategic planning is a time-tested method for creating a broad vision linked to specific actions that can bring together a region for a common purpose. It focuses on the future, while learning from the past, and will guide each Regional Council’s work to transform their regions and improve the economy for all New Yorkers.
Regional collaboration — stakeholders working together across geographical, industry and political boundaries — is essential for successful economic development in today’s economy.
People now live and work across local, county and state borders. Regions are the scale in which housing, labor and job markets intersect, and which many infrastructure investments are made. Today’s economy is increasingly based on the exchange of information and ideas, and is widely dependent on technology. The internet and other new technologies allow people to conduct business successfully across geographic boundaries. This enhanced connectivity promotes
the seamless development of business across the State, Nation, and World.
The goal of the Regional Councils is for regional stakeholders to form effective coalitions that develop, support and achieve common economic objectives. Similar efforts have been referred to as “civic regionalism”, where a variety of partnerships and alliances among business, government and community groups advance a common vision and create opportunities regardless of existing
governance structures.
