Track Progress and Updates
Economic Track
Cortland continued to show stability in 2006 through 2007. Business investments included Cayuga Press, Cortland Plastics, Alpla, Phoenix, Bestdeck and Marietta, which could be adding up to 150 new jobs. Morrisville State College announced plans to build a $17 million “green energy” facility, and Greek Peak completed financing and broke ground on a $38 million expansion project. Employment projections for yearend 2007 look very optimistic, and unemployment levels in 2007 were among the lowest in 17 years.
Downtown development and neighborhood revitalization continued to make strides, with an $8.3 million project by Housing Visions which should be completed in 2008. Cortland Regional Medical Center is contemplating a major expansion project. Small business formation remains at an all-time high. At the same time, wage growth continues to lag behind the state and the nation. A shrinking workforce presents challenges ahead.
Economic Priorities for 2008 include:
- Encouraging employers to look at wages and benefit statistics to attract and retain talent
- Promoting entrepreneurship and new business development
- Enhancing connections between schools, colleges, and businesses
- Enhancing community based planning for development and community investment
Health Track
The need for increased access to mental & behavioral health services continues to be the most pressing need in Cortland County, followed by the need for chronic disease control and injury prevention education.
The Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) has convened a “Capacity Building” Committee for Mental Health Services. The committee consists of providers and consumers of mental health services and is looking for avenues to increase locally available mental health services. Working with Cortland County Mental Health, the SVHC submitted a federal application to designate Cortland County as a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area for the low income population. Other efforts to address these issues are:
- The Child & Family Clinic Plus initiative that provided screenings for behavioral health issues among 4th & 9th graders
- An awareness and education campaign through a series of articles published monthly in the Cortland Standard
- The local chronic disease coalitions continue to conduct public health outreach and expand worksite wellness programs
- The Seven Valleys Health Coalition maintains a directory of health and human services, along with a calendar of health education events on line, at www.sevenvalleyshealth.org.
Health Priorities for 2007-2008 also include:
- Decrease rates of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
- Increase the public’s awareness of the value of good oral health, and promote available dental services
- Increase access to affordable health care
- Maintain preparedness for emerging health issues, communicable disease surveillance & control, and maintain low teen pregnancy rates.
Housing Track
Major revitalization of the South Main Street Corridor in the City of Cortland is underway. Housing Visions Consultants, Inc. acquired 10 buildings on or adjacent to South Main Street for development of 30 quality, affordable housing units for low and moderate income families. Housing Visions will rehab 5 buildings, demolish 5, and construct 3 new buildings with completion in the fall of 2008.
It was through a series of Housing Confabs, which began in 2005, that the community identified the deteriorated condition of the county’s housing stock as a priority issue and resolved to address it. The Housing track is a collaboration of individuals, organizations, and service groups working on public-private investment to improve Cortland’s Housing. Housing Confab V is slated for October 2007.
For previous report cards and comprehensive assessments go to: www.sevenvalleyshealth.org/projects/cc.htm
Youth Track
The Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition (CACTC) is guided by a process that allows us to identify major issues in our community, prioritize efforts, and use proven approaches to make positive change in a coordinated fashion. In order to provide a clear, consistent message from cradle to college, the CACTC carefully chose 12 scientifically validated programs that, when implemented correctly, will:
- Positively change parental attitudes and involvement in their children’s problem behavior
- Improve families’ abilities to manage problems
- Direct efforts toward families with histories of problem behaviors
- Improve neighborhood attachment and community organization
- Decrease the availability of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana
To date, 6 of the CACTC programs have been implemented, and CACTC partners are actively pursuing funding for the remaining 6.
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