2017 Annual Progress Report

Transcription

1 I-86 Innovation Corridor Annual Progress Report Acknowledging the regional and municipal partners and their accomplishments in support of the I-86 Innovation Corridor strategic priorities

2 I-86 Innovation Corridor 2017 Annual Progress Report Table of Contents Page Section 1. Introduction 1 Section 2. Progress in Business Development 2 Human Capital 2 Vibrant Communities 3 Built Environment 4 Section 3. New Initiatives Launched and Underway 4 Business Development 4 Human Capital 6 Vibrant Communities 6 Built Environment 8 Section 4. Call to Action 9 Business Development 9 Human Capital 9 Vibrant Communities 10

3 SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION The I-86 Innovation Corridor Strategic Action Plan was designed to accelerate public, private and philanthropic investment, create job opportunities, advance regional competitiveness, and create the magnetism to draw and keep young and skilled workers in the I-86 Innovation Corridor work shed. The overall goal is to create a cohesive economic development blueprint that would result in: The I-86 Innovation Corridor becoming the nexus of growth for business expansion and new business development in the Southern Tier. A strong and diverse economic base to shield the region from major fluctuations in one or more major industries. An expanded tax base, job creation and improved quality of life for the residents. A strong and lasting collaboration among the stakeholders, who will be committed to a long-term focus on the development of the corridor and be unified in meeting future challenges and embracing opportunities. Community and economic development in the I-86 Innovation Corridor is leadership driven and has a regional perspective. This progress report celebrates the regional and municipal partners and their accomplishments in support of the priorities set forth in the I-86 Innovation Corridor plan; including business development, human capital, vibrant communities and the built environment. It demonstrates the continued capacity building and strong leadership in the communities, businesses and support agencies throughout the corridor. The following individuals are acknowledged for their leadership in 2017 and their ongoing commitment to projects and initiatives to achieve the overall goals of the corridor. I-86 Innovation Corridor Steering Committee Dan Panosian (co-chair) Ed Fairbrother (co-chair) Jack Benjamin Dawn Burlew Betsey Hale Jamie Johnson Mike Krusen Rita McCarthy Tom Santulli Jack Wheeler Susan Payne, Consultant Vibrant Communities Work Group Dawn Burlew, Co-chair Rita McCarthy, Co-chair Elisabeth Corveleyn Steve Dennis Ed Fairbrother Betsey Hale Jennifer Herrick Mike Krusen Louise McIntosh Dan Panosian Susan Payne Workforce Work Group Jamie Johnson, Chair Judy McKinney-Cherry Kate Douglas Thomas Douglas Jeanne Eschbach Ed Fairbrother James Frame Christopher Goll Jim Griffin Betsey Hale Don Keddell Mike Krusen Dan Panosian Susan Payne Dan Porter Dale Ruben Tony Russo Tom Santobianco Suzanne Schapira Mark Vaughn Paul Vervalin Cori Belles Jack Wheeler Kris Yates Three Rivers Development serves as the administrative entity for the I-86 Innovation Corridor. Direct questions to Betsey Hall, President of Three Rivers Development at

4 SECTION 2. PROGRESS IN 2017 Business Development Emhart Glass completed its newly renovated facility on Kahler Road, resulting in the retention of 110 jobs and creation of opportunities for further expansion and consolidation of business operations. DeMet s completed a 100,000-square foot expansion at their facility on Daniel Zenker Drive, which allowed for the installation of state of the art equipment and resulted in the retention of 170 jobs and creation of 70 jobs. Three Cities Inc. purchased the former Wings of Eagles Restoration Hangar on Aviation Drive and will use the facility as an aircraft maintenance facility. FedEx completed an $18 million dollar new 150,000 square foot packaging distribution center at HOST in Horseheads, which will create 130 new jobs. Human Capital Corning Community College Health and Education Complex: Corning Community College opened its new $7.5 million Health and Education Complex at the former Corning Hospital site in downtown Corning. This project revitalized the property located on a major corridor in downtown Corning, and it will bring much needed workforce training for the health care industry. The project also includes future development of market rate apartment living, which is in high demand by a young professional workforce. The total projected investment in redevelopment of the former Corning Hospital site is estimated at $28 million. I-86 Innovation Corridor Workforce Scoping: In preparation for development of a strategic action plan aligned with the I-86 Innovation Corridor initiative, Three Rivers Development Corporation, in conjunction with Chemung-Schuyler-Steuben (CSS) Workforce New York, engaged E3 Engage Educate Employ, epconsulting and Thomas P. Miller and Associates to conduct a landscape review of the workforce opportunities and challenges in the three-county region. The Project Team reviewed existing documents, collected qualitative data and engaged 80 community stakeholders representing education, economic development, business and industry, and government. The scoping verified workforce development and talent attraction to be a critical issue for the region, and the consultant s report recommended moving forward with development of a comprehensive strategic plan to address the need for a strong organizational 2

5 structure, a workforce pipeline, real-time skills/abilities analytics that go beyond the traditional labor market information, and a set of cross sector strategies and partnerships to optimize the existing workforce. Subsequently, the consulting team of CAEL and Avalanche was engaged in October 2017 and a strategic action plan is expected in May I-86 Innovation Corridor Job Forecast: As part of the I-86 Innovation Corridor Housing Study, a job forecast was developed for the period based on interviews with employers and economic development professionals together with NYS Department of Labor data. The forecast is for creation of an estimated 1,600 jobs within the Corridor during the period Vibrant Communities I-86 Innovation Corridor Housing Study: The study assessed the supply and demand of market rate rental and single-family housing in the area extending from Elmira to the Town of Erwin, and north to Watkins Glen. It concluded there is demand for single-family housing that cannot be filled by the existing housing stock or the limited new construction spec houses and subdivision developments in the pipeline. Projected demand in the next three years is for new single-family houses; with the highest concentration in the $225,000 - $250,000 and $275,000 - $350,000 ranges. The study provides critical information needed to attract quality real estate developers, as well as focusing on revitalization of the existing housing stock. Artspace Market Study: Artspace and Swan Research and Consulting conducted an assessment of the space needs and preferences of artists and creative individuals, and the arts, creative, and cultural organizations and businesses in the Elmira/Corning and Southern Finger Lakes Region. The results indicate a demand for artist live/work housing project and artist studio space with a possible 24 units of affordable live/work space in Elmira or up to 30 units in Corning; creation of up to 10 studio/creative work-only spaces in Elmira and up to 20 in Corning; up to 2,000 square feet of affordable space that could be rented on a long-term basis to artist groups and small businesses; and up to 1,000 square feet of storefront/retail space for small businesses to rent. Town of Erwin Updated Town Center Vision and Strategy: In 2016, the Town of Erwin Industrial Development Agency (IDA) undertook a Visioning Project to update the Comprehensive Plan for the Town Center. The final report was adopted in 2017 and zoning law amendment recommendations were made. City of Elmira Comprehensive Plan Implementation: The City of Elmira began implementation of its updated Comprehensive Plan, and also received new resources dedicated to code enforcement and mapping of all properties in targeted revitalization areas. Corning Area Young Professionals (CAYP): Three Rivers Development partnered with the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce on the successful launch of the Corning Area Young Professionals (CAYP). 3

6 Built Environment The Big Gig: The expansion of the Southern Tier Network (STN) backbone and fiber continues to bring higher connectivity speeds to the region. The City of Corning, Town of Big Flats and Village of Horseheads have been working closely with Empire Access to development extensions from the backbone to small business corridors and residential neighborhoods in their communities. SECTION 3. PROJECTS UNDERWAY AND NEW INITIATIVES Business Development Air-Flo Manufacturing anticipates closing on a 300,000-square foot facility at HOST in Total capital investment is approximately $3 million and will increase their nearly 200-person workforce by an additional 40 full-time employees. The new facility will allow the company to consolidate manufacturing operations from five different locations and support future planned production growth with the startup of manufacturing of a new garbage packer that will include the installation of five new production lines. Arnot Mall Redevelopment: As part of its "50th anniversary" celebration, the Arnot Mall presented a plan to redevelop the mall that includes projects such construction of a Holiday Inn Express in the former Bon Ton location and creation of a hospitality, food, beverage and entertainment neighborhood. Beecher Emission Solutions Technologies (BEST) is a leading manufacturer of emission controls and filter products, has leased the former Schweizer facility in Big Flats to consolidate its Elmira operations with recent business acquisitions from Pennsylvania and Nevada. The consolidation of these operations will result in the creation of 18 jobs and a $4.3 million-dollar capital investment, which will allow this facility to be privately owned. This project was designated as a Southern Tier Priority project under the CFA process for 2017 and should receive funding for an early 2018 close. CemeCon Inc., a manufacturer of carbide cutting tools with high performance coatings, located at the IST Center in Airport Corporate Park, expanded its current 25,000 square foot facility into an additional 15,000 square foot facility on the IST campus for the purposes of creating a national headquarters and expansion of its CVD Diamond coating service. This expansion will result in the creation of 12 additional jobs. Corning Incorporated announced the Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies project at its Big Flats Innovation Support Center. This project has capital investment of $100 million and will create 185 jobs. Corning has invented a new product line, Valor Glass, for the pharmaceutical packaging marketplace and has created a new business division. Corning Big Flats LLC will construct a 204,000-square foot warehouse/storage facility on Sing Sing Road for the primary use of Corning Inc. s Science and Technology division. Total capital investment is $12.6 million and will create approximately 80 temporary construction jobs and 7 permanent full-time employees. 4

7 Family Life acquired the former K-Mart facility in the Town of Erwin and plans to move their national headquarters to this facility in Final approvals are pending for the $20.9 million Phase 1 expansion, and plans are being formulated for Phase 2 that is expected to result in an additional investment of $25 million. Golden Age Cheese Company plans to locate its manufacturing operation at the former Dresser Foundry site in the Village of Painted Post, which is located in a Brownfield Opportunity Area. The project involves a $7 million investment. Hilton Garden Inn Hotel is under construction on the north side of Corning s Gaffer District. The project is expected to be complete in 2018 and the total project cost is estimated at $20.2 million. Honcho Recycle Company Limited has selected HOST as the location of their new state of the art tire recycling plant and will occupy a currently vacant 100,000-square foot facility. The company plans on hiring employees. Micatu secured a letter of intent to purchase the 70,000-square foot former Sikorsky facility in Big Flats to relocate its corporate headquarters and establish a high-tech manufacturing facility for the design and production of a line of optical sensors for the utility industry for use within the smart grid. Micatu plans to create an additional 65 jobs and was awarded a $1 milliondollar NYS economic development grant, together with a 76 West Clean Energy competition award for $1 million as the top prize winner in Northeast Furniture has leased the 48,000-square foot former FedEx Building in the HOST for a furniture assembly operation for large scale projects such as college dormitories and hotels. The company anticipates hiring new full-time employees, as well as 5-10 employees transferring from their out-of-state location. Pioneer Credit was awarded a federal contract that will result in an increase in employment from 300 to 600 employees and several million-dollar capital investment. Ullman Associates Wealth Management has purchased the facility at 343 Daniel Zenker Drive in Big Flats. This $2.9 million project will retain 43 jobs and create an additional 20 jobs. Upstate Niagara Corporation has acquired the Kraft-Heinz plant in Campbell and will retain 125 jobs. Upstate Niagara, a large milk producer, will invest $10 million to upgrade the Campbell facility and equipment. Empire State Development is awarding a $5 million grant for the project. Wayfair, a national home furnishing e-commerce customer service business, has selected the former Corning Shared Services Building on Daniel Zenker Drive in Big Flats as the site for a future in-bound call center. The company projects creating 450 jobs over the next three years. The project is pending final NYS approvals and is anticipated that a lease will be executed in early 2018 with a third quarter 2018 start up. 21 st Century Wind Inc. is a startup prospect going into business to manufacture, sell and service proprietary high output, low life cycle cost utility-sized 3-Megawatt wind turbine generators for moderate wind applications. The company has selected HOST for an initial 100,000 square foot facility with capital investment of $12 million dollars over the first 2 to 3 years of operation. The company anticipates hiring upward of 100 employees during the early phases of operation. 5

8 Human Capital I-86 Workforce Development and Attraction Initiative: Several regional stakeholders engaged the nationally recognized consulting team of CAEL and Avalanche to work with Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties to develop a strategic action plan for talent attraction, development, and retention. This effort with result in an action plan scheduled to be complete in May Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has committed to opening a 350-student medical school on the campus of Elmira College. LECOM continues to work through the accreditation process and will have an opportunity to reapply in December 2017 after expanding staff and solidifying facility requirements in their new application. Vibrant Communities Quality of Life Index: In 2017, the Vibrant Communities Work Group developed a preliminary Quality of Life Index as a tool to both quantitatively and qualitatively assess how the communities within the I-86 Innovation Corridor compare to similar communities on a national basis. On a parallel track, The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes has been examining potential criteria to measure Quality of Life, and in 2018 will engage a consulting firm to undertake an in-depth analysis of the quality of life factors and how the I-86 area performs. The results of the analysis will inform the I-86 Innovation Corridor s Vibrant Communities Work Group about potential action steps to address deficiencies and leverage assets. Land Banks: Both Steuben County and Chemung County established land banks in These new land banks will be valuable tools in neighborhood revitalization and addressing the need for quality housing by having the ability to take control of vacant, abandoned and tax delinquent properties, and working with housing agencies and private property owners to rehabilitate these properties. The Corning Housing Partnership (CHP) is a collaboration among the City of Corning, Three Rivers Development, and Arbor Housing and Development, together with an investment from Corning Enterprises, to rebuild the dated housing stock of the City of Corning. The focus of this initiative is to refresh and develop quality housing stock in the City of Corning. Eight projects were undertaken in 2017, and the success is laying the groundwork for an expansion of this initiative. Before After Meadowbrook Apartments Phase 2 in Corning: Arbor Housing acquired the Meadowbrook Apartment complex in Corning is undertaking Phase 2 of its transformation with construction of 80 new townhomes. The $20 million project will replace outdated units that were demolished and replaced with new housing units to meet the needs of low-moderate income families. 6

9 Hanover Square Village of Horseheads has been awarded a $150,000 New York Main Street grant for a mixed-use development project to include upper story residential housing. A local developer has been identified and construction will start before the end of the year. Additionally, this project has inspired another six property owners in the Square to pursue a $1 million dollar RESTORE NY grant that will allow for the rehabilitation of several storefronts and additional market rate upper story apartments. Elmira Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative: Two-thirds of Elmira s housing stock is pre-wwii vintage. The City of Elmira is undertaking a housing revitalization initiative, targeted at distressed neighborhoods in Census Tracts 6, 7 and 10 to create mixed income neighborhoods and address issues such as slum landlords and unsafe housing. Strategies range from digitally coding blocks, enhanced code enforcement, low-interest loan programs for rehabilitation and utilizing the new Chemung County Land Bank to capture the distressed housing and identify quality developers and landlords. Economic Development Planning: City of Corning, Village of Horseheads and Town of Big Flats: In 2017, the City of Corning and Village of Horseheads each began the development of community-wide Economic Development Strategic plans. In addition, the Town of Big Flats and Village of Elmira Heights have requested funding to undertake comprehensive economic development planning processes in Elmira Heights 14 th Street Corridor Redevelopment A feasibility study will be conducted in the project area to define a vision and strategy for revitalization of this central business district in Elmira Heights. Chemung Crossings on Elmira s Southside has broken ground on its nearly $15 million mixed-use scattered site development project. The project will involve the revitalization of ten sites in the South Main, West Henry and Harmon Street area. The development will provide 8 buildings that will include 45 apartments and 3,200 square feet of commercial space. The Vecino Group, under the project name Libertad Elmira, will undertake a complete $20 million renovation of the former Jones Court located on Elmira s North side. The project will result in 94 units of affordable housing and will remove a long-blighted property. CDS Housing has started construction of an affordable Housing Community on Maple Avenue in the City of Elmira that is slated to open in the fall of This $11.87 million-dollar project will provide 50 apartments for seniors and create temporary construction jobs as well as 1 full-time site manager and 1 full-time maintenance worker. Elmira Refresh Property Redevelopment Projects: Several property revitalization projects are underway. Envision Elmira is a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Werdenberg s building. Lake Street Property Redevelopment Project involves redevelopment of Lake Street, the City of Elmira received a $500,000 Restore NY grant to stabilize these structures and a private developer will be investing an additional $6.6 million to rehabilitate the mixed-use project. The West Water Street Row House Project is a $1.2 million mixed-use redevelopment of West Water Street resulting in 16 new market rate apartments and 2 commercial spaces. The Capriotti North Main Street Redevelopment project involves the restoration and redevelopment of North Main Street in the heart of Downtown Elmira. The project will include the rehabilitation of 5 commercial units on the first floor and 18 market rate apartments on the second and third floors. Construction on this $1.5 million project is anticipated to start in the summer of 2018 and be completed late 2018 or early

10 City of Elmira Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI): The Elmira ESPRI Task Force undertook a planning process to gain an understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities related to poverty. It set a goal to break the cycle of economic hardship, increase social mobility and revitalize Elmira s target neighborhoods. From the ESPRI grant award, $800,000 will be used to implement projects under three strategic priorities: 1) increase accessibility to wrap-around services by creating a neighborhood hub model and local navigator system, 2) revitalize the vibrancy of the target neighborhoods, while increasing access to affordable rental housing and opportunities for home ownership and mixed income neighborhoods, and 3) establish pathways to employment through coordinated engagement of secondary and post-secondary education, job training and personalized career support services. A detailed action plan was prepared and implementation in 2018 is pending NYS approval. Elmira Downtown Revitalization initiative (DRI): In 2016 Elmira received the Southern Tier Regional Council s designation for a $10 million DRI award. The planning and project identification process was completed in 2017, and the following projects are expected to be underway in 2018: Construct a Mixed-Use Infill Development on West Water Street ($4M), Restore Lake Street Bridge for Pedestrian Use ($750 K), Rehabilitate Centertown Parking Garage ($1 M), Develop Clemens Square in the Heart of Downtown ($1,250 M), Create an Elevated Boardwalk in Riverfront Park ($550 K), Activate Buildings in Downtown Elmira ($1,150 M), Reconfigure West Water Street Parking ($250 K), Modernize Downtown Zoning ($150 K), Establish a Fund for Small Business Revolving Loans ($600 K). These projects will leverage private investment, increase jobs, restore historic structures, provide diverse housing alternatives, offer walkable public spaces, and position Elmira to attract future residents and businesses. Built Environment Elmira-Corning Regional Airport Terminal Expansion is underway. The airport is the busiest airport in the Southern Tier with over 140,000 enplanements in In 2016 Chemung County was named a recipient of a $40 million New York State grant toward its $58 million expansion and renovation plan; one of only two awards made in the entire Upstate New York region. The airport s importance as an anchor in the I-86 Innovation Corridor Plan served as a supporting factor in the winning application. The Host Business Park Connector Road in the Village of Horseheads will be constructed with a $20 million grant. The proposed road will route the park's truck traffic directly to Route 13 and take it off the local Horseheads roads near the complex. 8

11 SECTION CALL TO ACTION The economic development agencies in the I-86 Innovation Corridor Business Development are competing nationally and globally to retain and attract businesses in this highly competitive market place. To be successful, it will be necessary to leverage every tool available ranging from traditional data bases and outreach activities to making connections through current networks, leveraging the deep relationships of existing businesses and utilizing them as platforms for prospect identification and networking, and taking advantage of state financial incentive programs. Actions Required: 1. Focus on retention and growth of the existing businesses to ensure their long-term sustainability. 2. An outcome of the I-86 Workforce Strategy will be recommendations regarding development of a brand and promotion program. It will be important to both talent retention and recruitment, as well as, a component of the business attraction strategies of the economic development agencies. 3. Employ and exploit the relationships of Three Rivers, Steuben IDA and STEG at the international, national, state and regional levels. 4. Engage sources of innovation such as Corning Incorporated, Alstom, Micatu and more in identifying prospects and opportunities for investment. 5. Utilize intelligence gathered in databases together with recent studies and analyses to understand gaps and opportunities that will drive business attraction and investment strategies. 6. Utilize the new economic development plans being developed at the local level (City of Corning, Town of Big Flats, Town of Erwin, Village of Elmira Heights, Village of Horseheads) to drive project development and community revitalization. The workforce development and talent attraction strategic Human Capital planning process was launched in October 2017 with the engagement of CAEL and Avalanche Consulting. In May of 2018 the consulting team will have completed its report and outlined a specific action agenda. Action Required: It will be paramount that employers, economic development agencies, the education community and government come together to invest and actively participate in both the planning process and implementation of the action plan. Champions: Employers, economic development agencies, CSS Workforce NY Partners: Employers, economic development agencies, education at all levels, government agencies 9

12 Vibrant Communities The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes will be undertaking a Quality of Life study in The results will be valuable to the I-86 Vibrant Communities Work Group. Actions Required: 1. Work closely with The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes to provide information and existing data collection in support of its study. 2. Utilize the results of the study to identify the most important community indicators that define the area s quality of life and to use in the future for purposes of tracking community conditions, informing policies at the local municipal level, focusing on gaps and bringing together community stakeholders to prioritize future initiatives. Partners: Community Foundation, I-86 Vibrant Communities Work Group 1. Vibrant Communities: Housing The widening gap between supply and demand is expected to escalate with increasing pent-up demand among first-time buyers, together with hiring to fill new jobs being created by area employers and current residents seeking to move up one or more price categories. A two-pronged approach is recommended, including revitalization of existing housing stock and new single-family housing construction. Fill gap with an aggressive and dual approach Revitalize Existing Housing stock New single family ousing Construction Actions Required: 1. Increase funding to suppokrt low interest loans for rehabilitation of older house stock and infill. development, particularly in the City of Corning and City of Elmira. Expand successful programs such as the Corning Housing Partnership. 2. Recruit housing developers for new single-family construction. 10

13 3. Create planning and regulatory tools: update zoning ordinances, offer tax incentives to convert multi-family properties back to original use, offer real property tax exemption for single-family houses. 4. Extend basic infrastructure. 5. Secure funding to invest in neighborhood revitalization infrastructure. Champions: Economic development agencies, local municipalities, CHP, ESPRI Task Force Partners: Property owners, developers, Arbor Housing, Chemung County Land Bank, CHP 2. Vibrant Communities: Arts and Culture The Artspace Study outlined the following recommendations regarding the potential for creation of live/work, creative work spaces and storefront retail spaces in Corning and Elmira. Develop one or more projects that include units of live/work housing, private studio space, and/or other nonresidential creative space. There is the potential for 24 units in Elmira or up to 30 units in Corning. Create up to 38 studio or creative work spaces; with a recommendation for to 10 private studio/creative workspaces in Elmira and up to 20 in Corning. An additional 8 spaces could be created in Elmira or Corning or divided between the two cities. Local arts organizations and property owners partner on efforts to create non-residential space such as up to 2,000 square feet of affordable space to be rented on a long-term basis to artist groups and small businesses. Create 1,000 square feet of storefront/retail space for arts related small businesses to rent. Actions Required 1. Form a task force comprised of local arts and community leaders, or identify an existing local organization to represent the creative sector in any new space efforts. 2. Convene organizations with existing arts programming and/or future space plans to discuss how the space needs revealed by the study may be addressed through current community assets or incorporated into future expansion plans. 3. Identify informal or formal groups and individuals who may step into an operator role for a new nonresidential creative facility. Pair these groups/individuals with potential developers. 4. Work with local developers to incorporate live/work space and first floor retail space into planned or future projects. Champions: Arts, Creative, and Cultural Organizations, economic development agencies Partners: Developers, Property owners, and the Arts, Creative, and Cultural Organizations 11

14 3. Vibrant Communities: Poverty Reduction The ESPRI Task Force established the following goal and strategic priorities to address poverty in three targeted census tracks in the City of Elmira. Strategic Priority #1. Increase accessibility and effectiveness of wraparound services using a neighborhood Hub model with a locally based Overall Goal Break the cycle of economic hardship, increase social mobility and revitalize Elmira s target neighborhoods Strategic Priority #2. Revitalize the vibrancy of the target neighborhoods, while increasing access to affordable rental housing and opportunities for homeownership and mixed Strategic Priority #3. Establish pathways to long-term and productive employment through coordinated engagement of secondary and post-secondary education, job training and personalized career guidance Actions Required: 1. Create three "Neighborhood-based Hubs" in the each of the target census tracts, and place a community navigator in each hub. 2. Train mentors and ambassadors in each targeted neighborhood. 3. Establish a gap financing loan program to revitalize the housing stock in the target neighborhoods. 4. Work with landlords and property owners to develop financing strategies for property revitalization. 5. Establish a fund to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in the target neighborhoods. 6. Create a Chemung Chamber of Commerce Mentoring and Networking Program for entrepreneur. 7. Create a Career Navigator position to provide enhanced one-on-one guidance to the neediest job seekers in the ESPRI target area. 8. Expand the hours of the Career Counseling Center. 9. Create training scholarships via CSS Workforce NY for residents in target neighborhoods to participate in demand job such as childcare and construction trades. Champions and Partners: STEG, City of Elmira, Chemung County, Elmira City School District, EOP, Chemung County Chamber of Commerce, CSS Workforce NY, Cornell Cooperative Extension, REDEC Relending Corporation, Chemung County Property Development Corporation (land bank) 12