SUMMARY BACKGROUND

Summary description of the current economic development situation of the Southern Tier West region of New York State (Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties), comprised of the northern-most counties in the federally designated Appalachia region. The region’s economic situation is consistent with this designation.

Improvements are needed with respect to educational performance at the primary and secondary levels, and with respect to preparing residents for current and future jobs. There is room for increased emphasis on STEAM education and entrepreneurial education. The region also should encourage obtaining postsecondary bachelors and advanced degrees to improve the workforce. Certain of the region’s post-secondary institutions are centers of technology research (e.g., ceramics, advanced materials, etc.), which could lead to business development through technology transfer and thorough preparation of the future labor force for jobs in technology-based businesses and in sectors that will or at least may develop from emerging technologies.