downtown Ithaca

Spotlight on Southern Tier Small Business Support and Innovation

From Ithaca’s illustrious Commons to Binghamton’s bustling downtown, the Southern Tier is home to many communities anchored by thriving small businesses.

Why are small businesses successful in the Southern Tier? Here are just a few reasons:

Transforming Downtowns 

Two New York State economic development programs are helping to reimagine local economies by reviving city centers around the Southern Tier and throughout the state: ESD's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward. Powered by the DRI, Johnson City received $10 million for projects, announced in May, that are aimed at renovating mixed-use spaces and streetscapes throughout the city, among other improvements including new housing options. By ensuring businesses have refurbished locations to operate, the DRI is creating more opportunities for business owners in the Southern Tier. 

Businesses in smaller Southern Tier cities are benefiting as well thanks to NY Forward, which builds on the DRI to invest in and enliven small-scale and rural communities. Through Round 1 of this program, Montour Falls and Waverly each received $4.5 million to realize projects – also announced in May – that will renovate local businesses, enhance downtown walkability, and upgrade other aspects that will contribute to revitalizing their respective communities.

Farmer's market produce

Supporting Strategic Investments and Partnerships

Agribusiness is a key economic driver of New York’s Southern Tier. From the abundance of produce on display every week at farmers markets in Ithaca and elsewhere, to businesses launching from innovative ideas, the region is growing its agribusiness assets and entrepreneurship. That growth is supported by New York State and ESD, through cutting-edge business accelerator programs and competitions, as well as networks of business incubators.  Supported by the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, the global Grow-NY competition supports agriculture startups looking to establish roots in Upstate New York. The accelerator is aimed at helping entrepreneurs become part of Southern Tier, Central New York or Finger Lakes regional innovative ecosystems.

The Southern Tier also fosters business growth by housing business incubators, such as Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, part of NYSTAR’s statewide network offering support for early-stage businesses. Rev:Ithaca’s accelerators fuel business ideas, including a new initiative dubbed the Protofacturing Hardware Accelerator Program, “open to anyone with a proof-of-concept prototype looking to refine their design to an engineering prototype and begin discussions with manufacturers.” Other accelerator participants include two Cornell alums who are receiving assistance with “Guzzel,” which seeks to find sustainable alternatives to cans and bottles.

Thanks to strategic investments and partnerships with local organizations, the Southern Tier is creating spaces and places for local businesses to thrive. 

Binghamton

Offering Training and Resources to Help Businesses Grow 

Binghamton is home to an Empire State Development-backed Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) which can provide new and aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs with support services including instruction, one-on-one counseling and technical assistance. This EAC, operating out of SUNY Broome, has assisted  900+ businesses, including local innovators such as Ewelina Zajac-Holdrege, named as a 2021 EAC Entrepreneur of the Year! Zajac-Holdrege is founder and creative director at Idea Kraft, a full-service creative agency. SUNY Broome was also one of the stops on this year’s Small Business Summer Series,  a multi-city tour that aimed to connect New York State businesses to essential resources, support and services.

Empire State Development also proudly works with multiple Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) throughout the entire state, including the Southern Tier. These centers provide free business advice and free-to-low-cost training to startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with goals to grow and stay competitive in NY. 

With the 2024 “Sail-Thru Summer” Initiative, ESD has encouraged and promoted collaboration with EACs and SBDCs – helping to streamline MWBE certification through their free expert guidance which assists business owners in navigating through the application process. By attaining certification, MWBE business owners open doors to new government contracts and increase their visibility to prospective customers who can access their information on the state-operated directory. 

MWBE entrepreneurs also gain access to state-backed services such as networking events, customized courses, and targeted consultations. 

Sail-Thru Summer was announced during Empire State Development’s annual MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo Series. The summer series allowed potential MWBE business owners to explore the certification process and connect with potential partner organizations. A Syracuse-based Expo event included a panelist from the Southern Tier, Ebony Hattoh, Associate Director of Equity and Justice in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at Binghamton University.  

When small business owners undertake the adventure to open their doors in the Southern Tier, one thing’s for sure: ESD and New York State will be there to support them throughout the journey!

— Ari Barmak, a sophomore at Ithaca College, was a 2024 summer intern in the Office of Public Affairs at Empire State Development, based in New York City.