Theme for 2008

The theme for this year is "getting together to grow together". Our agenda starts with a survey of the statewide programs available to communities like ours, then begins to focus on regional, county, town and village resources we can call on to help each other.

Forum Agenda

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wayland-Cohocton Central School

  • 8:15am to 9:00am (Auditorium)
    Registration and Coffee
    Registration and Displays open throughout the day
  • 9:00am to 9:10am (Auditorium)
    Welcome and Forum Overview
    Welcome: Michael Wetherby, Supt. Wayland-Cohocton School
    Forum Overview: Pat McAllister, Steuben County Legislator (Moderator)
  • 9:10am to 9:40am (Auditorium)
    New Ideas for Meeting Development Challenges
    Empire State Development (NYS Dept of Economic Development)
    Regional Director, Kevin McLaughlin
    Economic Development Specialist, Joseph Roman
  • 9:40am to 10:20am
    Planning and Vision for Smart Growth in Steuben County:
        How We Can Help (Working Together)
    Southern Tier Regional Planning and Development
    - Tom McGarry, Economic Development Coordinator
    Steuben County Planning Department
    - Greg Heffner, Director
    Steuben County Industrial Development Agency
    - Jim Sherron, Director
  • 10:30am to Noon
    Overcoming the Challenges:
        Growing a Business in a Rural Area
    Gunlocke Company - President, Don Wharton
    Lent Hill Dairy Farms - Paul Wolcott
    Sweetners Plus - John Hooker
  • Noon to 1:30pm
    Lunch and Keynote Address:
        Upstate Now: A Real Plan for Job Growth
            and Economic Development
    Sperry Navone, Chief of Staff for Senator George H. Winner Jr.
  • 1:30-3:00
    How Can You Help Yourself: Questions and Answers
    - Gretchen Hanchett (Moderator), Business and Community Development Directord, ACCORD Corp
    Panel:
    - Bonnie Gestwicki- Corning Community College Small Business
    - Jeffrey Kenefick, Regional President, Five Star Bank
    - Diane Lantz, Regional Economic Development and Energy Corp
    - Scott Smith, Assistant District Director, SCORE
  • All Day
    Exhibitor Displays will be open
    Meet local development resources and local companies providing business services.