Seneca-Hosted Meeting Focused on
Economic Development, Tourism
McKean County’s Economic Development Director says a daylong meeting hosted by the Seneca Nation could be the beginning of looking at this part of the Twin Tiers as a “Mega Region.”
Mike Roche and Commissioner Joe DeMott represented McKean County. Other counties represented were Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Warren, Erie (New York), Allegany and Niagara.
Roche said the representatives gave a 20-minute overview of their county. He and DeMott focused on how McKean County’s partnerships are essential to the success of economic development. He mentioned the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, various municipalities and other entities.
“Today was about those partnerships and how they yield the best possible outcomes for the future of our county and region,” Roche said in an e-mail. “It was nice to tear down the borders and talk about the difficulties in attracting new business as well as the difficulties in growing our existing industries. “
He added that the problems McKean County is having are not exclusive to Pennsylvania.
“It was interesting to have the opportunity to cross the border and see the similarities and differences between PA and New York,” Roche said.
He said everyone made reference to the importance of tourism and how it is important to look at the area as a “Mega Region.”
He said there are 22 million people within a 5-hour travel period and it’s the job of economic developers to figure out how to attract them to the area.
Roche said it was a great meeting that offered opportunities for growth and continued collaboration. He said he also appreciates the Seneca Nation’s willingness to partner with McKean County and the others.
Mike Roche and Commissioner Joe DeMott represented McKean County. Other counties represented were Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Warren, Erie (New York), Allegany and Niagara.
Roche said the representatives gave a 20-minute overview of their county. He and DeMott focused on how McKean County’s partnerships are essential to the success of economic development. He mentioned the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, various municipalities and other entities.
“Today was about those partnerships and how they yield the best possible outcomes for the future of our county and region,” Roche said in an e-mail. “It was nice to tear down the borders and talk about the difficulties in attracting new business as well as the difficulties in growing our existing industries. “
He added that the problems McKean County is having are not exclusive to Pennsylvania.
“It was interesting to have the opportunity to cross the border and see the similarities and differences between PA and New York,” Roche said.
He said everyone made reference to the importance of tourism and how it is important to look at the area as a “Mega Region.”
He said there are 22 million people within a 5-hour travel period and it’s the job of economic developers to figure out how to attract them to the area.
Roche said it was a great meeting that offered opportunities for growth and continued collaboration. He said he also appreciates the Seneca Nation’s willingness to partner with McKean County and the others.
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