Mayor's Update February 2021

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR                 

The Village of Endicott is entering a very busy and exciting time. Thanks to the work of our staff and partners, significant progress has been made over the past year and will continue over the next 3 to 5 years. We all look forward to the 50th anniversary of professional golf in our community. This significant milestone will usher in a period of major transformation in our community. Here is an update on the many developments.

Community Projects

  • We have started to collect ideas for our plans to improve Washington Avenue through new streetscapes, parking lots, and entries to the Village. We anticipate construction to begin by this spring.

  • Investors have already purchased several properties on Washington Avenue, and we anticipate additional investments and upgrades. Businesses have been moving into the Village. (McCoy's Chop House, Ruby Jewelers, Cheese Steak Factory and many more)

  • We have given the go-ahead for four properties to start renovations in the first block of Washington Avenue through the Main Street grant. We are working with four more now.

  • The Chugnut Trail continues to expand and link our seven parks.

  • We want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Endicott-Johnson arch, with Johnson City and their arch as well. Last year we had to cancel Endicott's planned celebration due to COVID restrictions.

  • This is also the 100th anniversary of the Endicott Rotary Club. We hope to participate in their celebration.

Business Projects

  • iM3NY plans to be operating by 2023. This company produces a cleaner and lower-cost Lithium-Ion battery that is key to clean energy goals around the world. The company will require almost 1,200 employees by 2028. This estimate does not include some of their corporate partners that may locate offices in our area. The research required for this development was conducted at Binghamton University. We anticipate further technology breakthroughs. The Endicott office will also serve as the Corporate Office for iM3NY for North America.

  • BAE continues to be a great corporate partner. They are a leader in Hybrid bus development, with over 13,000 buses in operation around the world. All the power trains, controls, and battery packs are made or assembled in Endicott. The Endicott facility is also a proud developer of flight controls. Every second, an aircraft takes off in the world with controls made in Endicott.

  • The BU Center for Micro-Electronic Manufacturing is located at the Huron Campus. It has expanded its scope of work to focus on flexible manufacturing for the health care industry. This facility conducts research for major industry and Government clients.

  • Progress continues on the National Pipe site.

  • AgZeit Farms has graduated from the Tiger Ventures incubator to a 10,000 square foot building on Main Street. The Village has always been a cultural melting pot with many great food providers and restaurants.

Community Developments 

  • The Southern Tier Community Center continues to make progress and serve the children and families of our region. Former Trustee Cheryl Chapman is working with the trades to develop training at the Center for students and adults. Once COVID restrictions lift, the Endicott Proud program to support adults to complete their high school qualifications will continue. Chapman also hopes to hold cooking classes for students to learn to be more independent.

  • Endicott Proud supports the Village, Town, and business associations to improve business traffic to Washington Avenue, Little Italy, and the Union District. This will be a collaborative effort.

  • There is ongoing work with the Town, County, and SBDC to support our businesses and organizations impacted by COVID. We thank continued support for the "buy local" program.

  •  There is a proposed 120 apartment complex to be located on Skye Island Drive for people 55 and older.

  • Housing Visions is now accepting applications for the affordable housing complex on Jackson Avenue where the HBE school used to be.

Village Operations

  • The community committee to assess police reform and improve diversity is completing its task. The committee will make a presentation to the public on March 2. Then the report is forwarded to the Governor's office. This committee has done great work, which will make a significant improvement in our community.

  • The committee to address issues with property owners and clean up our area is making progress with our new code attorney and coordination with law enforcement and all our Corporate Departments.

  • The Water Department continues to make progress and recently received a positive report from the Health Department. We are looking for additional well sites and filtration capability to control turbidity.

  • Thank you to our Fire Department staff. They took the initiative to develop a grant for a new fire truck and were successful. Our entire Village staff is very self-starting in finding alternative funding to make up for lower sales tax receipts due to COVID.

  • We are also working on a Clean Energy Communities grant that will provide up to $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements. It will help the Village of Endicott achieve the Clean Communities designation.

  • A second grant deals with collecting our EMT fees. We log about 4,000 calls a year! This project can net the Village about $300,000 a year!

  • We are establishing a community committee to increase communications on energy technology and New York State's energy plan, Climate Leadership, and Community Protection plan. We will start with local experts to gain more knowledge.

  • Efforts are underway to prepare for a competitive $10,000,000 NYS grant for community development. We have many projects under consideration to increase business development in the Village and create an environment that attracts and retains the talent we need.

 We are optimistic about the future of the Village of Endicott. COVID has presented a significant challenge to our businesses and service organizations. Lower sales tax revenue and lost business has impacted the Village. Our staff and partners are working through these challenges while preparing for many exciting developments that will transform the Village of Endicott over the next 3 to 5 years. Many in the Village and beyond want to be active partners in this progress. I also want to thank the Trustees for their support. We welcome everyone who wants to join us on this journey.

 Mayor Linda Jackson

 VOEMAYOR@endicottny.com

 

Alexis Belardinelli