New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo awarded $93.7 million to the Central New York Regional Economic Development Councils for being a top performer among New York’s 10 regional councils.

Cuomo created these councils in 2011 to oversee economic development with a performance-driven approach. Created to work as a contest, the program is designed to jumpstart the economy and create a wave of job growth for New York state, according to a Dec. 19 SU News release.

The CNY-REDC is co-chaired by Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor, according to the release.

In 2011, Central New York earned a “Best Plan” designation and was gifted $103.7 million as a top economic performer. This year Cantor, along with co-chair Robert Simpson, president of CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, has brought a number of new projects to the Syracuse city area, according to the release.

These projects include a renovation of Syracuse Stage, the creation of a rainwater harvesting-and-reuse system for the Carrier Dome, added improvements to the Connective Corridor Facade Improvement Program, a renovatedWestsidewarehouse and numerous other projects in and around the area, according to the CNY-REDC’s website.

But any benefits the university will see as a result of Cantor’s chair position are purely coincidental and were not caused by her job with the CNY-REDC, said Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs at SU.

“The governor’s office has very specific rules that they need to follow,” Quinn said. “The people in the chair position need to refuse their own personal connections and interests. All projects that are connected to the city of Syracuse and its university have been approved by a board prior to Cantor’s involvement.”

The ultimate goal of these projects is to put the decision-making in the hands of the local economy, he said. The focus is on regional development that supports sustainability, arts and culture in the Central New York area, tourism and businesses that will help bring in new exports, Quinn said.

All of these developments will both directly and indirectly benefit the university, he said. Students will see the investments being put to use through student involvement in the projects.

There will be engineering students involved in the Save the Rain project with the Dome, renovation of the Westside warehouse and Connective Corridor, Quinn said. The benefits include real world experience and allowing students to work with professionals.

The projects can also help SU attract more students, although that is not the only goal, he said.

“I think a successful city of Syracuse seeing economic growth will attract students, but hopefully more than just students will be attracted to the area,” he said.

While the focus of these economic development projects is not on SU, the university will see and feel the upcoming benefits within the next few years.

“To have a strong university, we need a strong city and a strong community,” Quinn said. “The various programs are put into place to boost the entire area in a positive direction.”

Published on January 13, 2013 at 11:19 pm

Contact Erin: erkelly@syr.edu