Economic czar: Regional strategies needed upstate

BYLINE: Bryon Ackerman backerman@utica.gannett.com

{}Spitzer appointee speaks at Herkimer chamber meeting

Observer-Dispatch

LITTLE FALLS- One strategy won't work to improve the entire Upstate New York economy, Gov. Eliot Spitzer's recently appointed upstate development czar said Thursday

Instead, regional strategies are needed and local economic development agencies must play more important roles, Daniel Gunderson said at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce's 39th annual Membership Meeting/Luncheon at the Best Western.

Other issues Gunderson focused on included retaining current businesses such as Remington Arms in Ilion and connecting small businesses to global markets.

Optimistic about Remington Arms

Cerberus Capital Management recently announced it would purchase Remington Arms in June. Gunderson said he's interested in meeting and working with the new owners when the sale is complete. He believes the purchase shows commitment and is not bad news for Remington Arms.

"I'm confident that the facility is going to be around for quite some time," he said. "We hope that the new owners will recognize what an asset it is."

Gunderson, the upstate chairman of the Empire State Development Corp., wouldn't elaborate on what specifically he and the state can do to entice the new owners to keep Remington Arms running in Ilion.

The concern raised in Herkimer County when the sale was announced meant a lot to state Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, he said.

"I think it was a clear indicator to us how fragile our economy is here in the Mohawk Valley," Butler said.

Small businesses, big markets

Gunderson plans to work with state and local leaders to secure the resources needed for current and future small businesses in the state and work with the businesses to greatly increase the number of markets they reach, he said.

"We need to position ourselves in an economy that is increasingly global," he said.

Small-business retention and growth are important topics to Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano, he said.

"We need to get bold," Scarano said. "Too long Upstate New York has fluttered."

Dick Geraty, honored at the meeting with his wife Maria as businesspeople of the year for their Geraty Pools & Spa business in Herkimer, appreciated that Gunderson plans to focus on small businesses, he said.

"Without small business in Upstate New York, there isn't a heck of a lot," Geraty said.

A regional approach

Gunderson plans to address economic development through regional strategies instead of through one standardized upstate initiative, he said.

He plans to create an upstate board with representatives from each region and representatives from higher education and industries such as agriculture and tourism, he said.

Regional offices will also start to play more important roles, and plans will be developed through regional blueprints, he said.

Gunderson said he plans to return frequently to the area, but wasn't aware of any specific plans to speak in the Utica or Rome areas soon.

He called Herkimer County a microcosm of business in the state- with tourism in Old Forge and traditional manufacturing in southern parts of the county. Going forward, though, a plan is necessary, he said.

"We can't leave our future to chance," he said.

{}Key issues

Some issues Empire State Development Corp. Upstate Chairman Daniel Gunderson discussed Thursday:

* Continuing to work to cut business taxes, property taxes, worker's compensation costs and energy costs.

* Creating jobs that will keep youths in the area.

* Securing current small businesses.

* Helping small businesses reach the global market.

* Approaching change from regional perspectives.

* Working with the tourism and agricultural industries and cooperating with higher education institutions.