By DAN HEATH
PLATTSBURGH — Here's another bright idea from The Development Corp.
The agency recently announced the start of the Institute for Development and Economic Analysis (IDEA), a new data and statistics center.
IDEA became an affiliate of the New York State Data Center in February. It will provide the latest data, workforce and economic information.
IDEA is accessible through The Development Corp. Web site: www.thedevelopcorp.com. It also has links to regional economic news, as well as business and economic columns and stories.
The IDEA initiative is being led by Development Corp. Economic Developer Erin Hynes and utilizes the talents of the entire staff at the agency.
Dr. Colin Read of Plattsburgh State is involved as a contracted researcher.
The institute will also partner with the North Country Workforce Investment Board, headed by Executive Director Paul Grasso, to track local workforce market data.
Hynes said IDEA was created to provide the corporation's clients and prospects with access to current, reliable data about economic trends and labor-market information in Clinton County.
"We believe the analyses TDC's IDEA develops will help companies with their key business decisions and give them a clearer understanding of what Clinton County has to offer," she said.
"I am excited about the opportunity to lead this initiative for the community and look forward to working to enhance the economic prosperity of the region."
Read said it is a wonderful concept. It is both a community economic-development resource and a think-tank on issues relevant to Clinton County, he said.
"As an economist with SUNY Plattsburgh's School of Business and Economics, I have sought out local entities interested in regional economic development. I very much look forward to working with The Development Corp. to further economic development in our area."
IDEA will be featured in The Development Corp.'s recently launched monthly electronic newsletter and in its traditional quarterly newsletter.
E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com
