A Vision for WORK

Jobs that build dreams

A community with a growing economy, providing jobs that sustain comfortable lives, where people feel confident they can build a future.

WORK Outcome Goals:

• Our community will have sustainable, strong economic growth.
• Our young people will choose to settle here to build their futures.
• Our work force will have the education and training to make our region competitive in the global marketplace.
• Our people will have the economic means to maintain a reasonable standard of living.
• Our workplaces will be family friendly.

WORK Action Goals:


JOBS

55. Increase the number of higher paying jobs:
• raising incomes to at least the national average
• allowing employable residents to work at their full potential
• providing incomes that sustain families

56. Add jobs to create population growth:
• at a rate that will strengthen the economy while preserving our quality of life
• attracting people with skills to our community

57. Create more apprentice and intern jobs:
• for people of all ages, at entry level and for career change or welfare-to-work transition
• to advance the skill level of our community’s entire workforce
• to familiarize people with job opportunities and requirements
• to develop good work habits and job search skills

58. Provide benefits for businesses which hire the hard-to-employ:
• such as worksite supervision and mentoring for those workers
• until they have proven they can be successful without such supports

59. Encourage family-friendly work places:
• with help to develop policies and programs such as on-site day care, family leave, flex time, etc.
• with data to show that such policies make good business sense

60. Provide education programs that lead to jobs:
• by offering more accessible, affordable, and job relevant continuing education
• at convenient times and locations
• including technical training, language skills, college prep, mentoring and apprenticeship programs
• featuring partnerships between local employers and educational institutions

61. Facilitate welfare-to-work transition:
• with more programs such as JOBSPlus!
• with more help and incentives for employers
• with assistance to meet needs such as child care and transportation

return to top
back to goals


BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

62. Combine all economic development agencies:
• for greater effectiveness and efficiency
• as a key aspect of being a united community

63. Reduce the cost of doing business:
• to be competitive with other regions
• becoming a "business friendly" community

64. Increase school/college-business partnerships:
• to provide more resources for public schools
• to prepare students for the world of work
• to give young people who grow up here assurance they can build a future in their own hometown
• to keep college students here after graduation
• to develop locally marketable applications of research and technology

65. Be the information technology hub of NYS:
• by linking high-tech communications and transportation.

66. Involve farmers in economic development:
• recognizing the importance of agribusiness to our local economy

67. Provide training opportunities for small business:
• teaching and supporting entrepreneurship
• with training and technical support
• and increased venture capital, loans, grants, subsidies, space in incubator centers
• creating an entrepreneurial business climate
• that guarantees fair and equal treatment for minority and women entrepreneurs

68. Buy local products and services:
• as a matter of community pride and well as to help the economy

return to top
back to goals