Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) Introduces Results of Agribusiness Study
- Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development Planning & Tourism
- Released: March 12, 2007
Olean, NY - Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, in cooperation with National Grid and Empire State Development, held an informational meeting and discussion to introduce the 2006 study they commissioned entitled "Agriculture Dependent Economic Development for Western New York State". The meeting was held on Tuesday, March 6th at Jamestown Community College's Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean. Informa Economics Inc., an international agriculture consulting firm and Moran, Stahl & Boyer, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in site selection, prepared the study.
Agricultural business experts John Rhodes of Moran, Stahl & Boyer and Tom Scott and John Whims of Informa Economics were on hand to present highlights of the study and answer questions. "Global and U.S. agriculture are undergoing a rate of change the likes of which has not been experienced in a generation," said Tom Scott. "Western New York has a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on these changes, with new ways of thinking and new relationships within agriculture, and with other sectors of the economy."
"Western New York's competitive land costs, close proximity to major markets and diversity of agricultural products are fundamental for attracting companies to the region," said John Rhodes. "This can be accomplished through facilitating access to new markets, developing new partnerships, and improving brand awareness."
In New York State, 36,500 farms on over 7.5 million acres produce a diverse array of food products. The State ranks #3 in the U.S. in dairy, maple syrup and corn silage. Milk continues to be New York's leading agricultural product. Organic farming and agri-tourism both offer unique opportunities for growth in the Western New York region.
"One thing lacking in the ag products you export from your region is a brand," said Rhodes. "You need to put a "face" on your product so that consumers know that the product they are buying is from Western New York and that makes it special."
The results of the study indicate that the best method of maximizing growth of the ag sector is through marketing the existing assets of the region and recruiting external companies that complement those assets. The next step in this process is to identify and organize those people and organizations that need to work together to grow the ag industry region-wide.
For additional information on the study visit www.buffaloniagara.org/agstudy.
"The rolling out of this regional plan is timely for Cattaraugus County," said Tom Livak, Director of the County's Department of Economic Development, Planning & Tourism. "The County will soon complete its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, which will provide an additional tool for the County's agricultural industry in its effort to remain competitive." The plan's output is intended to encourage long-term policy formation in support of agriculture while providing a specific short-term framework to guide local programs regarding specific agricultural economic development and land use initiatives.
The completed Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan will be available on the County's website (www.CattCo.org) in April.