Griffin declares call center job fair a success

Finger Lakes Economic Development Center CEO Steve Griffin told members of the board at the Nov. 18 meeting, that the job fair held at Sarrasin’s Nov. 10 brought out over 200 job seekers.  A yet “unnamed” company is considering Penn Yan  as a location for a call center.

The company is also looking at other Finger Lakes sites and in Michigan and South Carolina.  “If I had to guess we are neck and neck with South Carolina,” Griffin said. One draw-back in the competition with S.C. is the aggressive wage tax credit in that state according to Griffin. 

“They were very impressed with the quality and quantity of people here. By their criteria, it went very well.”  Griffin said team work pulled the job fair off.  Development representatives from four counties were there to help out. 

“This could be the big industry to bring in the fiber-optics Yates County needs,”  Griffin said.  Fiber optics have been on the county “wish list” for some time, as a means of improving communication and drawing business into the area.

Griffin said he hopes to hear back from the company within the next few weeks. 
In other business:

•  PROJECT:  Griffin reported that Iverson Construction  has been asked by the National Park Service to have the proposed Water Street project keep the “warehouse look.”  Penn Yan Mayor Doug Marchionda Jr. is writing a letter of support for the project, according to Griffin.

• YOUTH:  The Young Entrepreneurs group is up and running and the kids are excited about their businesses, Griffin said.  FLEDC gave a donation to these programs in the Penn Yan and Dundee Schools.

• MEETING:  Griffin said the Local Development Corporation is meeting again.  He explained that the village of Penn Yan had received a H.U.D. grant about 10 years ago for downtown facades.  The last business owner to use any of these funds was the former owner of the Odd Fellows building.

• EMPIRE ZONE:  Ryan Hallings reported he has been meeting with lots of businesses. Presently, he has four possibilities for the Empire Zone.

• DUNDEE:  Hallings said he is working with Dundee Mayor Fred Cratsley, Jr. and a committee to get a storefront co-op for artists, craftsmen and others established in downtown Dundee. 
Another group is planning a Scottish Festival for next September, including Scottish games.
Board member Taylor Fitch said, “It’s so exciting to see positive things going on in Yates County.

• HOUSES: Griffin talked about “New Beginnings,” a development started in Dundee by Contractor Paul Brown.  One home is up, he said and Brown plans to build 10 homes in five years (two per year).  The 1500-2400 sq. ft. houses will be in the $150,000 - $200,000 range.  The builder is looking for abatement and sales tax exemption for materials used.

Griffin said Cratsley is very much in favor of the project.  Fitch said he would like to have a letter of support from the Town of Starkey, since tax abatements would affect the town.

Griffin said he wasn’t asking for an approval of the application yet.  He asked that members accept that a SEQR has been applied for by the town, “we are not the lead agency.”  All members voted in agreement. Board member Jerry Hiller was absent.

The second vote approved was a resolution making New Beginnings a Sub-Agency of  FLEDC to enable sales tax exemption on materials.

• KEUKA COLLEGE:  The college needs more space at the Keuka Business Park.  Offices are now on all three floors.  Keuka would like to lease the entire third floor for 10 years and half of the second floor.  Approval was given.