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.

Natural Environmental Assets and Issues Profile

Good environment quality, but facing threats including air, soil, and water contamination.

The region’s physical environmental assets that provide economic opportunity include outdoor recreational assets; climate, arable soils, and land available for cultivation: water resources; timber resources; and oil, gas, gravel, and mineral resources. The region’s primary land uses include forest/woodland and agriculture. There also is an opportunity for increased development of specific appropriately managed eco-tourism opportunities.

Actual or potential threats to the ongoing availability of physical environmental assets and resources, from both quality of life and economic development perspectives, include pollution (example: Chautauqua Lake), sprawl, overutilization, and inappropriate utilization.

The region’s short growing season can constrain or prohibit certain types of agricultural crop production. However, certain crops are economically feasible to cultivate, and certain types of agricultural sector activity, e.g., livestock and timber, thrive in the region’s climate. Winters can be harsh, negatively impacting transportation and increasing heating and business operating costs.

The region is located within a day’s travel of large northeastern metropolitan areas, placing the region in proximity to a large domestic market. However, transportation to the extra-regional domestic market still is required, which takes time and imposes additional costs when compared with competing businesses located inside larger metropolitan areas. Additionally, the distance from urban areas in the past has contributed to difficulties in attracting certain types of skilled labor. The proximity of the region to the larger Buffalo metro economy exerts significant impact on the region’s economy.