Growth Council
Syracuse has an array of business-friendly organizations. The Greater Syracuse Economic Growth Council is one of them. Formed in 1996, the Council brings together over 20 organizations — directly or indirectly involved in economic development — to address job retention and creation.

Mission
To enhance community prosperity and opportunity through economic growth.

Members
Organizations that practice and represent the day-to-day economic development in the Syracuse area make up the "Working Partners." This group meets biweekly — or immediately as needed.

• Verizon (Formerly Bell Atlantic)
• CNY Regional Planning and Development Board
• CNY Works
• City of Syracuse
• Empire State Development
• Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
• Lakefront Development Corporation
• Metropolitan Development Association
• National Grid
• Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• TDO (Technology Development Organization)
  

In addition to the Working Partners, these organizations play an active role as "Council Members."

• Exponential Business Development
• Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors
• Home Builders Association of CNY
• Manufacturers Association of CNY
• NYS Labor Department
• Onondaga Community College
• Onondaga County Legislature
• SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
• SUNY Upstate Medical University
• Syracuse Research Corporation
• Syracuse University
• U.S. Congressman James Walsh

Economic Growth Council Partners and Resources
Verizon
Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic) is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines and nearly 10 million wireless customers worldwide, Verizon companies are premier providers of advanced wire line voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Verizon companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board
(CNY RPDB) is a public planning agency established in 1966 by the legislative bodies of Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties. The CNY RPDB was formed to help address a range of issues affecting the quality of life in Central New York. The agency administers a comprehensive economic development program that includes project development planning, a business loan program, regional marketing, and research activities. For more information, call the CNY RPDB at (315) 422-8276 or visit www.cnyrpdb.org.

CNY Works
CNY Works is a non-profit corporation that coordinates local workforce activities for employers and job seekers. This organization brings together employers, who are in need of skilled workers, with trained job seekers, who are ready to work. They develop education and training programs for incumbent workers and youth and adult job seekers who are in need of activities to enhance their employment opportunities. Through the CNY Works career center system, employers can obtain customized service for recruitment, training and retention of employees. To review employer information link to www.cnyworks.com.

The City of Syracuse's Office of Economic Development
The City of Syracuse's Office of Economic Development is designed to assist firms in relocation, expansion, and improvement of business enterprises within the City of Syracuse. The office of Economic Development has a number of economic development tools at their disposal to assist business development. The City of Syracuse in 2002 was one of seven newly created Federal Empowerment Zones in the country. This designation provides regulatory relief and tax credits to promote job growth and generate community revitalization. The City of Syracuse Empire Zone offers tax credits and incentives to qualified zone certified businesses. This powerful program can virtually reduce or eliminate business taxes, credit a business for real estate taxes paid, provide a Sales Tax Exemption for all goods and services used, provide a Wage Tax Credit for new employees and provide production companies and/or manufacturers up to a 10% Investment Tax Credit. For more information on the City's Zone Programs and other programs, please contact our office at 315 448 8100 or visit our website at www.syracuse.ny.us/deptEcoDev.asp.

Empire State Development
As New York State's economic development arm, Empire State Development (ESD) provides one-stop access to the entire array of the State's products and services for business. ESD offers a full menu of choices, ranging from financial incentives to technical expertise, to assist businesses in expanding or locating in the State. In the Counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego, contact ESD's Central New York Regional Office at (315) 425-9110. If additional information is required call its business hotline at 1-800-STATE-NY or visit them on the web at www.empire.state.ny.us.

Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, Inc.
The Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, Inc. (GSAR) began in 1928 and is a not-for-profit organization of over 1,000 Realtor and Affiliate members. GSAR strives to provide its members with programs, education and services to enhance members' ability to conduct their individual business in a competent and ethical manner, to promote cooperation among members, and to promote the public's right to use and transfer real property. For more information, visit our web-site at www.cnyrealtor.com.

Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit business organization whose mission is to create an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity and quality of life for all who live and work in Greater Syracuse. The goal of economic development is to generate additional community wealth through activities that create, retain, and attract jobs. Development financing assists local businesses with their financing needs through an array of working capital, realty, and equipment financing. Membership and services can be found at www.SyracuseChamber.com.

The Lakefront Development Corporation
The Lakefront Development Corporation (LDC), a non-profit corporation created by the City of Syracuse and the Metropolitan Development Association, and is charged with facilitating and coordinating the redevelopment of approximately 800 acres of land between downtown Syracuse and Onondaga Lake—known as the Syracuse Lakefront Development Project. The LDC aides incoming businesses locating within the various development districts, coordinates the many infrastructure projects occurring in the area, and is working closely with the New York State Canal Corporation to redevelop the Syracuse Inner Harbor. For more information on the Syracuse Lakefront Development Project, call the LDC at 315-448-2244, or visit their website at www.syracuse.ny.us/lakefront.

Manufacturers Association of Central New York
Founded in 1913, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) has a simple mission: help companies in the region thrive. MACNY provides it members with an array of expert consultants, especially in the field of human resources, as well as comprehensive data on wages, salaries, benefits and policies, and a variety of training programs, many aimed at incumbent workers. MACNY also has a full-time government relations presence in Albany—New York's capital city. For details, call 315-474-4201 or visit www.macny.org.

Metropolitan Development Association
Established in 1959, the Metropolitan Development Association (MDA) is a not for profit planning, research and development organization, serving the Central New York region, with its primary focus on Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland and Madison counties. Representing the business leadership of Central New York, the MDA is the region's private sector vehicle for the implementation of key development projects. It focuses its resources on initiatives involving economic development, education, transportation, urban planning and redevelopment, and regional growth. You can reach them by calling (315)-422-8284 or visiting their website at www.mda-cny.com.

National Grid
National Grid offers a full range of economic development services to expedite the site selection process including confidential site selection assistance, economic and demographic research, introductions to local vendor networks, and much more. Their pricing programs, Empire Zone Rider (EZR) and Service Classification No. 12 (SC 12), greatly enhances their ability to help existing and prospective customers capitalize on business opportunities. The Empire Zone Rider (EZR) is competitive with any utility pricing in the United States. For more information visit them on the web at www.ShovelReady.com and www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk.

New York State Department of Labor
The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) provides labor exchange and labor market information programs to promote Economic Development in Central New York. DOL employer recruitment drives are serviced by all local Workforce Development partner organizations, DOL offices statewide, and nationally on America's Job Bank. Economic statistics, available workforce, local wages, firm expansions and much more is available from DOL and partner agencies at www.wdsny.org/cnyes.

Onondaga Community College
Onondaga Community College, part of the 64-campus network of the State University of New York, plays a key role in meeting the needs of skilled workers required in local business and industry. Effective partnerships and alliances with local businesses and associations create a framework for identifying the training needs and delivering resources through existing or custom-developed sources. Each year, more than 7,000 students take credit courses in degree programs such as business, technology, science and liberal arts. In addition, non-credit continuing education programs such as computer software, management, personal and professional development draw more than 20,000 students annually. The Whitney Applied Technology Center and the J. Stanley Coyne Excell Center serve as "classrooms" for continuing education and training. For information, call 498-2690 or check out our website at www.sunyocc.edu.

Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency
The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) is a public benefit corporation of the State of New York created in 1970. They are committed to assisting established business and industry expand their local operations and to facilitate the location of new firms to the area. The goal of the agency is to help existing and new companies to invest and grow in Onondaga County. The agency offers business assistance in four core categories of Financing, Tax Management, Training Grants, and Infrastructure Support. For more information go to the Industrial Development Agency page of this site.

Onondaga County Legislature
The Onondaga County Legislature is the chief policy-making body for the County. The Legislature consists of 24 members, and operates through 10 standing committees. All members are elected from a single-member district to two-year terms in odd-numbered years. Five districts are located entirely within the City of Syracuse, 14 are located entirely outside of Syracuse and five located partly within and partly outside the City. Complete details can be found at www.ongov.net [elected officials].

Small Business Administration
Since 1953 the Small Business Administration (SBA) has helped small businesses succeed, from start-up through the many stages of growth. With a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, the SBA is the nation's largest financial backer of small business. They offer management assistance, business planning, financing, access to federal contracts, and much more. For more information, visit them on the web at www.sba.gov.

SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Founded in 1911, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry is the oldest college in the nation devoted exclusively to sciences related to the wise use and replenishment of natural resources. Serving some of the largest and most productive sectors of the national economy, the college's academic, research and public service programs focus on science, engineering, design and policy questions related to quality-of-life issues such as water resources, urban design, community preservation, endangered species, and pollution abatement and remediation. As a result of ESF's program depth, breadth and pioneering accomplishments, the college has earned an international reputation for excellence and its programs are emulated by hundreds of universities worldwide. Learn more at www.esf.edu.

SUNY Upstate Medical University
SUNY Upstate Medical University is nationally recognized for its expertise. It's the Central New York region's only academic health center, featuring a College of Medicine, College of Graduate Studies, College of Health Professions and College of Nursing as well as a University Hospital. The largest employer in Onondaga County with 5,300 jobs, SUNY Upstate is one of the true economic engines of the region and the University Hospital serves as the region's only Level I Trauma center. The hospital provides a potent blend of highly specialized care while answering the need for a basic continuum of care for the region's underserved populations. For more information, visit their website at www.hscsyr.edu.

Syracuse Research Corporation
Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC) is an independent, not-for-profit, multidisciplinary research and development organization. For over 40 years, SRC has played a leadership role in technology programs of national significance by supporting a broad range of federal government organizations and agencies. They have developed a trusted reputation in a wide array of technology areas ranging from advanced sensor systems and signal processing design, through information technology development, to environmental chemistry risk assessment. The Corporation's activities also focus on initiatives associated with economic development, technology innovation, environmental quality, and academic-to-industry coupling. For more information, visit www.syrres.com.

Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a major AAU university located in the city of Syracuse. The full-time enrollment is over 15,000, and the endowment and financial assets exceed $1 billion. The University has a wide range of programs and projects that reach out to the community and contribute to economic development. The CASE Center at SU is part of the New York State Centers for Advanced Technology program, with activities in cooperative research, education, training, technology transfer, and small business incubation. The many resources of Syracuse University are described at www.syr.edu.

TDO
TDO (formerly the Central New York Technology Development Organization) is a private, not-for-profit organization that works directly with technology and manufacturing companies to develop successful business strategies, implement state of the art technologies, and smooth the transition from start-ups to mature organizations. TDO is affiliated with the New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research, and is part of the federal and state Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Based in Syracuse, TDO assists small and medium-sized businesses in Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Madison, and Cayuga counties. For more information visit www.tdosolutions.com.

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