Broome County has spent the past decade building momentum and positioning itself for new investment. Now, as major investments reshape Upstate New York, regional leaders are focused on ensuring the county is ready to seize the opportunities ahead.

The Agency Executive Director Stacey Duncan joined Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Binghamton University President Anne D’Alleva and Visions Federal Credit Union President and CEO Ty Muse recently for a wide-ranging conversation about the region’s economic future that will debut on public television Aug. 13 and continue running in the weeks ahead.

The discussion examines the partnerships and investments helping Broome County compete for new investment and jobs — from university research and workforce development to housing, transportation and development-ready infrastructure.

Much of the conversation focuses on the opportunities presented by Micron’s planned semiconductor manufacturing complex near Syracuse and the supply chain it will create. Located approximately 90 miles from the project, Broome County is well positioned to attract manufacturers, suppliers and other businesses supporting the state’s growing semiconductor sector.

“One thing Micron is going to need is a robust supply chain,” Duncan said. “We’re really well positioned to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Participants point to Binghamton University’s expertise in advanced electronics manufacturing as one of the region’s greatest strengths. D’Alleva compared the opportunity to North Carolina’s Research Triangle, where educational institutions, businesses and government partners have worked together to create a thriving innovation economy. Muse meanwhile highlighted Broome County’s proximity to major metropolitan areas like New York and Philadelphia as a geographic connection to businesses and regional economies that the Southern Tier can use to its advantage.

But capitalizing on that opportunity also requires sites where companies can locate and grow. Garnar explained that the county’s existing industrial parks are at or near capacity.

“Broome County has run out of industrial spaces to use,” Garnar said. “We need to have the property and the site and the infrastructure ready to take advantage of those supply chain jobs.”

The proposed Broome Technology Park would help meet that need by creating development-ready space for advanced manufacturers, suppliers and other innovation-driven employers before they begin searching for locations. The project is part of a broader effort to ensure Broome County can compete when new investment opportunities arise.

Throughout the roundtable, the participants return to one defining regional advantage: collaboration across sectors. Local government, economic development organizations, higher education and the business community are working together to address the interconnected needs of employers and residents.

“Our best days are in front of us,” Duncan said. “You’re going to not just come here and locate. You’re going to come here and build a life.”

Watch the full roundtable discussion on local PBS station WSKG on the following dates:

• 8/13 8:00pm “Roundtable” 
• 8/16 12:30pm “Roundtable”
• 8/20 8:00pm “Roundtable”
• 8/23 12:30pm “Roundtable”
• 9/10 8:00pm “Special Report” 
• 9/10 8:30pm “Roundtable”
• 9/13 12:30pm “Special Report"
• 9/13 1:00pm “Roundtable"