We are just 16 days away from spring (at least on the calendar), and spring’s warmth and sunshine mean something different to us all. Some see spring as the baseball season. Others see the advent of tourist season, camping season, kayaking season or golf season. But in 2025, I see this as an opportunity to usher in a new season. This would be the Season of Action, and the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce can’t wait to get started.
It comes as no surprise that the economic situation in Otsego County varies depending on your location at the moment. Some villages and hamlets are experiencing a rebirth of sorts. Investments in infrastructure, housing and Main Streets have created green shoots of small business development. Some areas are stuck in a morass of mistrust and inaction. I think most county residents have come to realize that “same as it ever was” (to quote the Talking Heads) is not the answer for today, let alone tomorrow.
Economic development within our county is currently run by a number of entities that do not seem to be part of the same team. We have various county boards, common councils, economic development groups and other organizations that have been the traditional stewards of this effort. Their portfolio includes current business growth, workforce development, job creation and impactful investment of local, county, state and federal funding streams to make this area a better place to live, work and play. My simple question today is, “How is this working out?”
Throughout my 30-year career in leadership, growth strategies and strategic development, I have been tasked with turning business operations around. In general, my job was broken down to three distinct phases. They are assessment, strategic goal creation, and finally, action. I would like to share my thoughts on these three tasks today.
Assessment: In all the places my family and I have lived over my career, not one location has more possibilities than right here. First, it is a gloriously beautiful place to live. We have three significant legs supporting our economic table. We have two institutions of higher learning, a robust tourist-based operation and a significant health care provider system., Yet, as a county, we are underperforming. Why?
We have an alphabet soup of organizations involved with economic development. IDA, OCDC, MVREC, ESD, ARC and others have a hand in this effort. How many of them are you aware of? Your answer to that question leads us to the second phase.
Strategic Goal Creation: So, if we feel (as I do) that the current structure is not as impactful and successful as it could be, we need to fix it, right? Below you will find a short list of strategic goals designed to put this county in a better position to succeed:
• Place the success of Otsego County above personal egos. Each economic development effort has its own board. They rarely, if ever, communicate with the general public or between each other. Personal egos play a large role. My suggestion would be to place more value on the outcome than the recognition.
• Create a single “Super Board” consisting of representatives from all major economic development entities. This would allow for greater communication, quicker response to issues or inquiries, and less duplication of effort. Each team member is aware of what others are doing, we all work better together. We all should share the same goals and aspirations for Otsego County.
• Pool resources across the county to increase efficiency. Instead of multiple agencies with the same number of office locations, receptionists, computer networks, administrative positions, leases, websites and leadership structures, we need to work as a team. Consolidate locations and staff.
• Create a leadership position to drive organizational success and take responsibility for performance. And finally, name someone to a leadership position that is responsible for the entire effort and the effectiveness of the entire team. We need someone willing to stand in front of a microphone, admit their mistakes and outline a plan to fix it. Not past errors of days gone by, but their own mistakes. If its a team mistake, it is the leader’s mistake. If something goes well, it is the result of team effort.
How do we, as Otsego County, institute such changes? Action. Get involved. Ask your town board, village board, city council or county board what stands in the way of teamwork. This region has so much going for it, yet we have yet to take advantage of our strengths and treat our collective illnesses.
Opportunity lies directly ahead of us and cannot be seen if we continue to look in the past. It is up to all of us to make this happen. The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is committed to this journey. Come with us.