E Newsletter August 2007
Projects Funded by Finger Lakes Wired Have Widespread Impact - Supporting Business Growth in All Counties
From training for the Finger Lakes winery business to implementing predictive analysis for business retention and expansion, Finger Lakes Wired is supporting activity in every county in the region - Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Oleans, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.
Partners are also working throughout the region to connect initiatives and leverage resources in support of business growth. Here is an update on recent widespread activity.
Project Updates
Job Placement and Advancement RFP
Proposals were evaluated on innovation, partnership, replicability, benefit to the region, target industries, critical skills identification, sustainability post WIRED funding and matched funding.
One response was recommended for funding:
The Friendly Home Long Term Care Facility Career Pathway
The Friendly Home program is replicable by all members of the Senior Health Alliance of Greater Rochester (SHAGR), nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the region. The Friendly Home project staff has been meeting with regional organizations who may benefit from using the curriculum developed under Finger Lakes Wired.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation - New Initiatives RFP
Proposals were evaluated on innovation, partnership, replicability, benefit to business in the region, sustainability post WIRED funding and matched funding.
*Recommended for funding:
Finger Lakes Winery Business Training & Support Program
An identified need was the lack of proper business and financial training on the part of the owners and key staff. This program will help to develop the skill sets of those key stakeholders. Training will be delivered to the participants during their slow periods will ensure better participation. It will be developed in conjunction with the NYS Wine and Grape Foundation, winery industry consultants, winery owners and the consultant who will be teaching the classes, and will be offered in small group and one-on-one counseling to ensure that participants are benefiting from the classroom experience and utilizing it in their day to day activities. In addition to the technical assistance, business loans will also be offered to the wineries and vineyards to support their growth.
*Proposals from Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park and the University of Rochester Medical Center were recommended for further discussion and inclusion under the existing Technology Commercialization project.
Expanding Science Technology, Education and Mathematics Camps
Proposals were evaluated on cost, innovation, partnership, target audience, leveraged funding and sustainability post WIRED funding. Special consideration was given for programs that increase the participation of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and math careers.
Recommended funding 150 scholarships as follows:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, 4-H Camp Bristol Hills for 51 students
- Finger Lakes Institute - Hobart & William Smith Colleges , Kids College for 22 students
- Infotonics Summer Science Camp for 25 students
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Kids on Campus for 30 students
- University of Rochester , Rochester Scholars for 22 students
Educator Internships
Educators from all nine counties were invited to apply for internships. The Internship Committee received and reviewed all employer and educator applications. Educators representing the following school districts received internships: Albion, Churchville, Fairport, Gananda, Greece , Monroe 1 BOCES, Oakfield-Alabama, Pittsford, Rochester, Rush-Henrietta, Seneca Falls & Mynderse Academy, Seneca Falls, Victor, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and West Irondequoit .
Employers in the region were eligible to receive program and financial support throughout the project. Representatives from the 3 WIB's plus RACEC were responsible for marketing the program to the region. 7 companies in Monroe, 4 companies in Ontario , 2 in Orleans and 1 company in Wayne County hosted 16 interns for the summer time frame. One Ontario County business is hosting 3 interns.
Entrepreneurship & Strategic Growth Immersion Sequence
Emphasis is placed on selecting participants with expertise in industries such as Optics/Imaging, Biotech/Life Sciences, Food/Agriculture, Alternative Energy and other clusters. RIT is working with regional partners to promote the program to such businesses, leveraging existing networks. The program will promote and accelerate scalable businesses within the region.
The Golden Horseshoe Business Challenge
The intent of the business plan contest was to stimulate the formation of new companies in the region, and to raise the profile of the entire “ Lake Ontario ” region. New collaborations have been forged as a result of the business plan contest. The winner of the inaugural Golden Horseshoe Business Plan contest was from the region.
Masters of Science in Science & Technology Commercialization
Through a partnership with the University of Texas at Austin , classes are taught via distance learning allowing students to access to this innovative program. Scholarships were provided at $10K which will impact student diversity, minority participation and the needs of the students. The scholarships are provided with the caveat that the student will work in the region after completion.
Predictive Analysis for Business Attraction
ZoomProspector will map regional assets such as real-time information about a specific site location, including demographics, workforce data, and industry information, and to be able to obtain this data on-line. Because 85% of the initial site selection process occurs via the Internet and 86% of site selectors visit websites to familiarize themselves with various locations, and to leverage current assets and marketing efforts, this interactive environment will be placed at the Greater Rochester Enterprises website
Use of this tool will put the region at the leading edge of what site selectors and corporate relocation managers are asking for, thus further enhancing our ability to compete for corporate expansion projects. Through implementation of new GIS technology products, we will position our region at the competitive forefront compared to other metropolitan regions across the country. The new tools will provide the functionality that site selectors and corporate relocation managers are asking for which puts our region in the forefront for more opportunities.
Predictive Analysis for Business Retention & Expansion
The Business Retention and Expansion project will help economic development agencies in the region become more efficient with scarce resources. The project will help identify local companies that are likely to expand or to contract so that the economic developers can intercede for a positive outcome. The initial BR&E model was tested in the 8 counties outside of Monroe and was revised due to the outcomes of that test.
To date, 1,112 companies have been identified that may have a significant change in their business (either expansion or contraction) and lists have been generated and distributed to the 10 economic development agencies in the region as follows: City of Rochester – 143; Genesee – 50; Livingston – 32; Monroe 610; Ontario – 117; Orleans – 22; Seneca – 14; Wayne – 72; Wyoming 39; and Yates 13.
Pre-Seed & New Product Workshop
Two Workshops were offered at the Technology Farm in Geneva in November 2006, with plans for upcoming workshops in other areas of the region to make it convenient for participants. The initial focus is on research institutions, principally Cornell, RIT, U of R, but could also serve Alfred and other upstate universities.
Developing a Regional Apprenticeship System
Finger Lakes , Genesee , and Monroe Community Colleges are working to establish an apprenticeship system to support the biotechnology, heath care and optics industries in the region. The model can be replicated for other industries that require high-skilled workers. The collaboration among colleges provides businesses with a pipeline of skilled workers. Articulation agreements provide workers with access to courses among the community colleges that provide a similar foundation of knowledge.
Small Business Innovation Research Outreach
The project will reach technology and manufacturing firms throughout the region to provide training and assistance to improve regional success with the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs from the federal government.
Scholarship Project
The scholarship funds were allocated based on the number of employed workers in each WIB area. Scholarships reimburse 50% of the costs for employers who upgraded the skills their workforce. More than $1.6 million was obligated with employer match of more than $3 million. Training led to industry recognized credentials, productivity improvements and transferable skills.
|
#Contracts |
Obligated |
Matching |
#Trainees |
Genesee |
3 |
$104,496 |
$114,556 |
357 |
Livingston |
5 |
$131,624 |
$137,550 |
148 |
Orleans |
1 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
TBD |
Wyoming |
1 |
$38,215 |
$207,769 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Monroe |
49 |
$926,917 |
$2,267,146 |
1,237 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario |
14 |
$252,359 |
$285,790 |
375 |
Wayne |
4 |
$63,720 |
$73,831 |
117 |
Seneca |
1 |
$49,180 |
$56,521 |
81 |
WIB |
Obligated |
Actual |
Plan |
GLOW |
$324,335 |
20% |
11% |
Monroe |
$926,917 |
57% |
72% |
Finger Lakes |
$365,259 |
23% |
17% |
Technology & Innovation Commercialization
Focus on research assets within the region, including the Technology Farm, Infotonics, RIT and UR , Cornell, Alfred and other upstate universities. The project will support the commercialization of orphan technologies from private research centers at Bausch & Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, Kodak and Xerox. This project will also work with private inventors and small firms in all nine counties.
The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN)
TEN has served more than 65 executives spanning the nine-county region. The intent of the program is to provide an environment of learning and networking for founders and CEO's of early-stage businesses to promote investment and growth.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
Students start their own business under this innovative project scheduled for expansion at SUNY Geneseo in 2007. Other areas targeted for expansion over the next several years include Hobart & William Smith College , Genesee Community College , Finger Lakes Community College, Keuka College, SUNY Brockport and Roberts Wesleyan College.
August 2007
