Why is RIDC Important in today's economy?
Upstate New York has endured 40 years of recession and economic decline. Rome competes with suburbs, other cities, regions, states to attract and retain business. The City of Rome is a diverse mosaic of industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and tourism components. While RIDC endeavors to strengthen the industrial and commercial sectors, the board strives to stay current with all of the interests that play a role in the local economy.
In some cases, City governments lacks all of the tools necessary to deliver a complete economic development program. General Municipal Law, staffing, budget, and real estate limitations tend to limit the ability of local government to react quickly and comprehensively to a changing business environment. And rightly so; government should not be solely responsible for the economic vitality of a community. It takes a team.
In complex scenarios –especially where funding gaps, brownfields, and real estate issues are concerned –communities seek to enlist the partnership of a private-sector, not-for-profit corporation to bring projects across the finish line. This is where RIDC excels.
RIDC Board of Directors oversees and directs all corporate initiatives and actions. We contract with Mohawk Valley EDGE staff to carry out the business outreach and coordinated economic development activities. Rather than hire one or two direct staff members, RIDC’s relationship with MVEDGE allows us to take full advantage of the 14-member staff of accountants, planners, economists, and project managers.
Furthermore, it allows us to leverage the spectrum of resources offered by MVEDGE and partners, including:
- Rome Community Brownfield Restoration Corporation (RCBRC)
- Oneida County Industrial Development Corporation (OCIDA)
- GriffissLocal Development Corporation (GLDC)
- Rome Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council (MVREDC)
- Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD)
- MVCC & SUNY Poly
For more information check out the RIDC Primer
Past RIDC Projects
MGS Group
Wal-mart
Owl Wire
American Alloy Steel
Revere Copper
International Wire
Cold Point
Rite Aid Warehouse
(now Runnings Distribution Center)
UPS Success Drive
Con-Med Corporation
VarflexCorporation
National Grid
Nortek Powder Coatings
BAE Systems
AIS
Woodstock ‘99
GroSolar
Beeches Business Campus
NY Photonics Development Corporation
Kris-Tech Wire
General Cable Tower Illumination
and many more...
Past Project profiles
Fueling Entrepreneurship
The Commercialization Academy pairs high-caliber founders with high-potential AFRL technologies with the goals of developing entrepreneurial leaders and launching new tech ventures. RIDC is one of many community supporters.
Brownfield Redevelopment
• From Brown to Green: A Revitalization Strategy for Downtown Rome – the Downtown Rome BOA was among the first twelve BOAs to be approved and certified by the NYS Legislature.
• Currently in the Implementation Strategy phase, EDGE continues to work with the City on industrial, mixed-use, and infrastructure development in the East Rome, Waterfront, and Fort Stanwix corridors.
• Building on the success of American Alloy Steel, MSP, and Owl Wire, EDGE is also working with Rome on placemaking, green infrastructure, trail development, and adaptive reuse of historic structures in the urban core.
• Rome’s Bellamy Waterfront district is perhaps the most transformative project in the BOA, with a heavy emphasis on adventure & place-based Tourism. Following successful remediation, an area-wide redevelopment strategy is taking shape, with new construction at the Rod Mill site, Race Street, and Bellamy Harbor – with more to come.
• EDGE is also working with the Chamber and RIDC on capital project to illuminate the iconic General Cable Tower in preparation for the Erie Canal Bicentennial celebration in July.
For more information: www.romerises.com