Utilities

Plentiful and inexpensive gas and electricity are provided by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and Nation Grid Power Corporation, respectively. Both companies have a long tradition of responding quickly and effectively to any consumer need or problem, and have very proactive economic development offices that can work with companies to customize services and offer special incentive rates.

Both utilities also provide a full range of products and services to help facilitate site and work force expansions among their commercial and industrial users. As well as maintaining a site inventory, Nation Grid can provide assistance in helping to identify export opportunities, partners for joint ventures and local supplier linkages. Nation Grid has an extensive research department that maintains information on the upstate New York economy, labor force, demographics and quality of life.

"UpStart '97" is interactive software designed by Nation Grid to help site location professionals evaluate the region for their current and future clients.

In addition, Nation Grid works in partnership with the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Central New York to offer hands-on technical services and funding for productivity improvements for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the company's service area. Another program, ExportNY, is a yearlong International Business Institute for area executives by Nation Grid to give companies technical assistance in entering the global marketplace.

Finally, the DaVinci Project of Central New York is perhaps one of the most innovative workforce development projects in the country. Sponsored by Nation Grid, it is an innovative consortium project to recruit electrical, mechanical, computer, civil, environmental and MIS engineers, and technical professionals to Cortland County and neighboring areas in the Central New York region. More information about the project is available at http://www.davincitimes.com.