In 2015, the New York State Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) was created to strategically focus on the economic development of Upstate NY, as part of the  Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) initiative, which created long-term, regionally-based strategic plans for economic growth in each of New York State’s 10 geographic regions. The Finger Lakes region is known for its natural beauty and resources, from glacier-formed lakes to world-renowned wines. With Rochester as its urban hub – home to 19 higher education institutions and cited as the country’s 7th “brainiest” large metro— the region is home to innovative thinking and a vibrant business community.  Finger Lakes Forward: United for Success (FLXFWD), the URI-winning strategic plan developed by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council (FLREDC), identifies key industry pillars and enablers, focusing on prioritizing investments based on regional strengths and opportunities for growth in the following industries:

• Optics, Photonics and Imaging
• Agriculture and Food Production
• Next Generation Manufacturing and Technology

The plan also identifies support for key areas that are crucial to sustaining the region’s industry growth, including investment in: higher education and research; entrepreneurship; and anti-poverty workforce development programs. 

All together, these will help create an ecosystem of sustainable economic growth in the Finger Lakes working toward growing jobs, increasing regional wealth, driving private investment and reducing poverty in the region.