Southern Tier

Contact Omar Sanders
Industry Contact Regional Director Omar Sanders

Our manufacturing legacy is fueling cutting-edge innovation

The Southern Tier is building on its strategic location and re-energizing a regional legacy of advanced and industrial manufacturing, in part through industry-university partnerships, to bring new ideas to life: from cutting-edge transportation equipment and powerful batteries that make cell phones and rail cars more efficient to advancing train technologies at light speed.    

Supported by a highly educated work force, the Southern Tier is committing and building for the future through vocational job training programs to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. From Binghamton to Ithaca, the region’s plan for strategic growth includes urban redevelopment and revitalization of cities; updating historic buildings as places for top talent to live and work and a focus on transforming the food and agriculture industry.  Take a look at all that’s happening in the Southern Tier. 

Key Industries in the Southern Tier

Homeland and Cybersecurity

New York State’s growing homeland and cybersecurity sector produces defense industry and commercial data protection products and services.

Cleantech and Renewable Energy

New York State, a leader in clean tech and renewable energy resources, is growing a green economy—aiming for 100% clean power by 2040.

Distribution

New York, with a vast transportation network and strategic access to East Coast markets, is a key distribution hub for major companies.

Agribusiness

New York State agribusiness, supporting leading companies, is fueled by farms, rich natural resources and innovative agricultural startups.
It is through transformative projects like The Raymond Corporation’s Energy Solutions Manufacturing Center of Excellence that we are ensuring that the Southern Tier region, and in fact all of New York State, are at the cutting edge of manufacturing and innovation.
Governor Kathy Hochul
Campus view in Southern Tier

Dozens of higher educational institutions throughout the region, including top-ranked Cornell University, Binghamton University and Ithaca College, offer research teaching, training, and networking resources, and also act as major economic drivers. Binghamton has now been designated America’s Tech Hub for battery innovation, commercializing research and development and boosting U.S. manufacturing in critical tech industries. 

Presentation on Battery NY

Innovation is a Southern Tier strength. The region is home to Battery NY, a first-of-its-kind R&D center supporting development of advanced, sustainable battery technologies—and a hub for creation of a battery innovation and manufacturing ecosystem throughout Upstate New York. Regional small business growth and entrepreneurial startup innovation are further supported through IncubatorWorks in Elmira, REV: Ithaca Startup Works and others providing programming, networking, mentorship and co-working spaces.

Alstom train

The region’s major anchor businesses include Corning, Raymond Corp., Lockheed Martin, and BAE. The region also is a rail manufacturing hub—Alstom Transportation Inc. is expanding in Hornell, in Steuben County and TTA Systems is a leader in rail transit vehicle vehicles, systems and components.

Copyright ALSTOM SA 2023 | Advanced & Creative Design
Aerial shot of Elmira,NY

The region’s industries are supported by access offered by the Binghamton (BGM), Elmira-Corning (ELM) and Ithaca-Tompkins (ITH) regional airports, and a vast freight railway infrastructure operated by Norfolk Southern, New York Susquehanna & Western and Canadian Pacific. The Binghamton airport is among upstate airports receiving funding from a state competition for upgrades and expansion. And there’s easy north-south access provided by I-81, which connects the Southern Tier with Canada and the mid-Atlantic and Southern states. 

Southern Tier By The Numbers:

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104.2

innovation index of the Southern Tier compared to the rest of the U.S. 

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$2.3B

yearly payroll generated by manufacturing in the region (2019) 

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5,300+

farms call the Southern Tier home 

Doing Business in the Southern Tier

Tax-Based Incentives

All forms of tax incentives that enable savings and cost advantages to businesses.

Operational Support

Programs offering assistance or training to ensure more competitive businesses.

Growth Support

Funds, loans and other means of financial support to stimulate business growth.

Innovation Development Support

Leverage New York State’s unparalleled investment in world-class tech assets, programs and expertise to grow your business.

Explore opportunities in the Southern Tier region

Visit the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council site to see strategic plans, current projects and the latest economic data, plus access funding applications and more.

Regional Office

The Southern Tier regional office works hand-in-hand with new and existing businesses to help identify economic development programs to support business growth and expansion—for building new facilities, relocating a business, expanding operations and workforce and entering new and global markets.  

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Headshot of Omar Sanders, Southern Tier Regional Director Contact
Omar Sanders
Regional Director

44 Hawley Street
Room 1508 (15th floor)
Binghamton, NY 13901
United States