President LeMura Replaces SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, Former President of SUNY Oswego
The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNYREDC) today announced that Dr. Linda M. LeMura, President of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the council. She succeeds SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, who formerly served as the long tenured President of SUNY Oswego. President LeMura, who has participated as a council member since 2015, joins fellow Co-Chair Randy Wolken, President of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), in the council’s efforts to support and promote economic growth across the five-county region. The CNYREDC is composed of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties.
“Our Regional Economic Development Council process helps to spur collaborative, creative projects that revitalize communities, attract high-tech businesses, and improve the economy and quality of life in Central New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, Chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils. “I congratulate Dr. Linda LeMura on her appointment as the new Co-Chair of the Central New York REDC. I feel confident that the Council will continue to work together with academic, business, and nonprofit leadership to ensure the Central New York region's economic prosperity under President LeMura's leadership."
Dr. LeMura, a scientist and academic, was named as the 14th President of Le Moyne College in 2014 after having previously served the college as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2014 and as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2003 to 2007. Dr. LeMura has also overseen the completion of the $100 million Always Forward campaign, the largest campaign in the College’s history. Additionally, she has worked to form strong partnerships with other institutions of higher education and is engaged in the greater Syracuse community to improve the lives and education of those in the Central New York region. Dr. LeMura earned a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology from Syracuse University and a B.S. summa cum laude from Niagara University.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be named co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council," said Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura." As a direct result of strategic partnerships among leaders in business, nonprofits, higher ed, and technology, many important economic initiatives have come to fruition to revitalize and strengthen our communities in measurable ways. I look forward to building upon the excellent work of my predecessor, Deborah Stanley, and to working with my co-chair Randy Wolken and all those involved with the CNYREDC, including our Empire State Development colleagues in Central New York and Albany. I am deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for giving me the opportunity to serve in this role."
CNYREDC Co-Chair MACNY President Randy Wolken said, "I am very much looking forward to working closely with President LeMura as CNYREDC co-chairs and know that she brings to the table a wealth of knowledge about our regional economy. I would also like to thank Deborah Stanley, for her years of tireless service to the region and to the people of New York State.”
SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “Serving as a Co-Chair of the Central New York Region Economic Development Council has been a tremendous honor. The council’s work has been impactful, creating jobs and opportunity in the Central New York region as it moves forward. I would like to offer my best wishes to President LeMura and Randy Wolken, and my thanks to all the members of the CNYREDC who have done so much in support of this region."
The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the State’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state's old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven. Through 10 rounds of the REDC competition, the CNYREDC has delivered over $839.5 million for 873 projects.
Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Now, the region is accelerating CNY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of New York State's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, the 10 Regional Councils developed long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Since the establishment of the REDCs in 2011 until the most recent round in 2021, which is still in-progress, over $7.5 billion dollars was awarded to more than 9,100 economic and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
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