Economic development groups re-align

NORWICH – A long-awaited restructuring of Chenango County’s economic development endeavors came to fruition Tuesday.

Chamber of Commerce Director David Hall told members of the county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee that the Greater Norwich Local Development Corporation - which administers Empire Zone programs - has dissolved and been merged with the Chenango Area Corporation, forming a new entity tentatively titled, “Development Chenango.”

Back in 2004, the Chamber began talking about consolidating in order to make development efforts more self-sufficient and to eliminate redundancy that was negatively affecting potential new business for the area. Changes in state funding for economic development also spurred the re-direction.

The Chenango Area Corp. was the lead economic development arm of the county. The not-for-profit organization provides general business planning, start-up services and administers economic development loan funds. Businesses and organizations that have been assisted by the Chenango Area Corp. in the past include: The Children’s Center, Save-A-Lot, Mayhood’s, Pharsalia Forestry, Morrisville State College and the Norwich Family YMCA.