Sarah Mitchell still remembers the day the last major employer left her small Finger Lakes town. She watched friends pack up and move away, searching for opportunities that just weren’t there anymore. The local diner closed, then the hardware store, and suddenly Main Street felt like a ghost town.
That was five years ago. Today, Sarah runs the visitor center in Watkins Glen, and she’s cautiously optimistic about something she hasn’t felt in years: hope for new businesses coming to her community.
She’s not alone in that feeling, thanks to a significant development that could change the economic landscape of Schuyler County forever.
A $30,000 Investment in the Future
The NYSEG grant that’s generating buzz across the Finger Lakes region represents more than just funding—it’s a strategic investment in putting Schuyler County on the national business development map. FLX Gateway, the county’s economic development partnership, secured this $30,000 grant through NYSEG’s Economic Development Strategic Outreach Program.
This isn’t pocket change we’re talking about. The funding will specifically target marketing efforts for the Schuyler County Business Park, a 51-acre development that’s been years in the making. Located on State Route 414 just outside Watkins Glen, this isn’t your typical industrial plot hoping for the best.
“We’ve invested years preparing this site, completing due diligence, and earning the REDI Gold designation,” explains Jon Beckman, FLX Gateway Board Chair. “This grant allows us to market the Schuyler County Business Park—and the many benefits of living in the Finger Lakes region—directly to national decision-makers.”
The business park carries a New York State REDI Site Gold designation, which is like having a seal of approval that tells potential businesses everything is ready to go. No waiting, no complicated preparations—just move in and start operations.
What Makes This Business Park Stand Out
When companies are scouting locations for new facilities, they’re looking for specific advantages that can make or break their decision. The Schuyler County Business Park checks boxes that many rural locations simply can’t offer.
| Infrastructure Feature | Details | Business Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-engineered Building | 19,000 sq ft total, 11,000 sq ft available | Immediate occupancy possible |
| Utilities | Municipal water/sewer, 3-phase electric, natural gas | No utility hookup delays |
| Connectivity | Fiber broadband, highway/rail access | Modern communication and shipping |
| Location | State Route 414, near Watkins Glen | Tourist area with established workforce |
The infrastructure reads like a wish list for manufacturing companies. Municipal water and sewer services from the Town of Dix eliminate the headache of well systems or septic concerns. Three-phase electric power and natural gas from NYSEG mean industrial operations can run at full capacity from day one.
But here’s what really sets this location apart: fiber broadband access. In today’s manufacturing world, even traditional production facilities need high-speed internet for everything from inventory management to quality control systems.
“The Schuyler County Business Park is more than shovel-ready—it’s a REDI Gold–designated site with infrastructure in place and space available now,” says FLX Gateway CEO Judy McKinney Cherry. “The NYSEG grant helps us take that message directly to decision-makers.”
Taking the Message National
Here’s where the NYSEG grant funding gets interesting. Instead of relying on hope and local networking, FLX Gateway plans to use these resources for a targeted national marketing campaign that puts Schuyler County in front of the people who actually make location decisions.
The strategy includes several key components:
- Attendance at national site selection conferences
- Professional forums hosted by organizations like the Site Selectors Guild
- Direct connections with site selection consultants
- Enhanced visibility on site-selection platforms
- Updated marketing materials highlighting REDI Gold status
This approach recognizes a reality that many rural communities struggle with: the best industrial sites in the world don’t matter if the right people don’t know they exist. Corporate site selection consultants work with specific databases and networks. Getting onto their radar requires professional marketing efforts that most small communities can’t afford on their own.
The NYSEG grant changes that equation entirely. Now Schuyler County can compete with larger metropolitan areas that have dedicated economic development budgets.
Real Impact on Local Communities
For people like Sarah Mitchell, this marketing push represents something tangible: the possibility of her neighbors finding good-paying jobs without having to move away. Manufacturing jobs typically offer better wages than service industry positions, plus they create ripple effects throughout local economies.
Every new manufacturing job historically supports between 2.5 and 4.3 additional jobs in the broader community, according to economic development research. That means restaurants, retail stores, and service businesses all benefit when a major employer moves into town.
“This grant allows us to be more visible in the markets where real location decisions are being made,” Cherry notes. The matching funds requirement also demonstrates local commitment, showing potential businesses that the community is serious about supporting new development.
The timing couldn’t be better either. Manufacturing is experiencing what many economists call a renaissance, with companies looking to relocate production closer to major markets. The Finger Lakes region offers access to major metropolitan areas while maintaining lower operating costs than urban locations.
For existing businesses in the area, new industrial development means expanded customer bases, potential supply chain partnerships, and increased property values. The economic benefits extend well beyond the business park boundaries.
Building on Previous Efforts
FLX Gateway emphasizes that this NYSEG grant funding builds on existing marketing initiatives rather than starting from scratch. They’ve already established relationships with site selection professionals and have been promoting the region at various industry events.
The difference now is consistency and scale. Instead of attending one conference per year, they might be able to attend three or four. Instead of basic marketing materials, they can create professional presentations that highlight the site’s Gold designation and ready-to-go infrastructure.
“The effort builds on past national marketing but provides dedicated resources to promote the site more consistently in competitive markets,” according to FLX Gateway officials. This sustained approach is often what separates successful economic development campaigns from one-time efforts that fade away.
The organization’s strategy also aligns with broader state and regional economic development goals, potentially opening doors to additional funding and support programs down the road.
FAQs
What exactly is the NYSEG grant being used for?
The $30,000 grant will fund marketing efforts to promote the Schuyler County Business Park to national site selection consultants and manufacturing companies looking for new locations.
What makes the Schuyler County Business Park special?
The 51-acre park has REDI Gold designation, meaning it’s completely development-ready with all utilities, infrastructure, and regulatory approvals already in place.
How much space is available for new businesses?
The park includes a 19,000-square-foot pre-engineered building with 11,000 square feet currently available for lease, plus additional acreage for future development.
Where exactly is this business park located?
The park sits on State Route 414 just outside Watkins Glen in Schuyler County, providing easy access to regional highway and rail networks.
Will this actually bring jobs to the area?
While there are no guarantees, the professional marketing approach funded by this grant gives the area its best chance to compete with larger metropolitan regions for new manufacturing investments.
How does this benefit current residents?
New manufacturing jobs typically create additional employment opportunities in supporting businesses, while also increasing property values and local tax revenue for community improvements.
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