This section examines how the overall economic conditions
and trends in the Village and the Western New York Region might influence reuse
of the PCG site. To help assess these economic forces the project team sought
the input of planning and economic development officials, business owners and
other stakeholders. In addition, three studies that concern themselves with the
economic conditions of the Region and the Village were reviewed.
A
number of the above sources note that the economy of Western New York, which was
once based on heavy manufacturing industries, has undergone dramatic changes
over the last three decades. This change is noticeable in the Village of Gowanda
as its major industrial employers have closed, and the area economy has become
primarily dependent on employment in the government sector.
Based on our research it is clear that there a strong
need for the Gowanda community to reestablish a diverse local economy.
Economic diversity will help provide residents with broader employment opportunities, and it will help the area survive economic downturns that every employment sector experiences. Manufacturing and tourism have been identified as two prime ways for the community to create wealth by attracting resources from outside the region.
Manufacturing. There is not a current demand in the
Gowanda community for sites to house large manufacturing facilities, nor is
there likely to be in the foreseeable future given the change in the economic
structure of the region. There is,
however, a need to create “shovel ready” sites for light industrial uses and
service oriented industries if the Village and region are to stay competitive
with other communities in the Northeast. Due
to its unique locational attributes on the waterfront, the Peter Cooper site
might not be appropriate for direct placement of an industrial facility;
however, the site could play a significant role in attracting commerce to the
Village as an attractive asset for companies considering nearby properties.
Tourism. Increasing
tourism opportunities that center on Cattaraugus Creek and the Zoar Valley has
been specifically targeted as an economic development strategy for the Village.
The Peter Cooper Gowanda site is in an advantageous position to help the
Village achieve its “nature-based” tourism goals by virtue of its unique
location.
Recent
Developments. At the September 2002 public meeting held by the
Cattaraugus Creek Basin Task Force to discuss the Draft Reuse Assessment and
Concept Plan, a representative of Cattaraugus County made a presentation on the
Allegany Park Perimeter Study currently underway. The study is evaluating alternatives for a major Regional
Trail Network that would eventually connect two of the largest New York State
Parks – Letchworth and Allegany and extend as far north as Gowanda (and
possibly on to Buffalo in the future). Construction
is beginning in the spring of 2003 on a major component of that system, a trail
connecting the communities of Salamanca, Little Valley and Cattaraugus using an
abandoned railroad right-of-way. The County representative expressed a strong
desire to include the PCG site in the proposed trail network as a major
destination, as its size and location would lend itself to providing services
and facilities for hikers, horse riders and extreme sport enthusiasts, whom the
extensive trail system would appeal to. The
Village is now actively involved with the Perimeter Study to explore how the PCG
site could fit into the trail system.
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