Regional Thinking

It’s absolutely critical to giving the area a badly needed competitive edge.

Though sometimes forced by external events, there are signs of the beginning of the type of regional cooperation that is essential to the future of this part of New York state.

The Rochester region, and western New York in general, must begin to better position itself to meet the demands of the global marketplace. Political boundaries are artificial barriers to prosperity.
Smart leaders must tap the region’s assets, wherever they might be.

Though the preference by local leaders was to place the Center of Excellence in Photonics in Monroe County, all involved have accepted that having it 30 minutes away in Canandaigua still poses great benefits for the Rochester region. After all, 5,000 new jobs could be created around Rochester over 10 years.

It also seems that the city of Geneva saw the big picture in its decision to extend its Empire Zone to include Eastview Mall.

The mall is now eligible for substantial tax abatements over the next 10 years, and the new designation is a major reason why Nordstrom is considering opening a department store there.

Geneva leaders recognized that using its Empire zone status to help Eastview become more attractive to retailers also helps the region and Ontario County become more competitive. Remember, plans are under way to convert Syracuse’s Carousel Center into the biggest mall complex in America.

Consider, too, the regional thinking that’s starting to take place as a result of the redrawing of congressional district lines. Yes, we too wanted a congressional district to remain based in Monroe County. But now that four congressional districts enter Monroe County, there’s at least the possibility of having more clout than ever. The local AFL-CIO is already thinking differently. In the past, it endorsed congressional candidates unconcerned about the choices of fellow union members in Buffalo and Syracuse. That’s changed.

Regional thinking, though talked about a lot in recent years, is finally starting to percolate. To step up the process, local business, community and elected leaders should go to the Web and take a look at myregion.org, a tool created in Central Florida to make a seven-county area more competitive. Such a tool is needed here to help take the blinders off.

Copyright 2001 Gannett Rochester Newspapers