Meeting Notice. Please call Michele at between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to let her know of your attendance.

Transcription

1 Meeting Notice TO: FROM: Agency Members Kenneth F. Rose, Chief Executive Officer DATE: December 14, 2015 RE: MCIDA Meeting The regular meeting of the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency is scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse, 9 Park Street, Fonda, NY. Please call Michele at between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to let her know of your attendance. cc: A. Joseph Scott, III, Esq. The Recorder Montgomery Co. Legislature The Leader Herald AIDA Members Daily Gazette DPW Department of Economic Development and Planning, Industrial Development Agency & Capital Resource Corporation 9 Park Street, P.O. Box 1500, Fonda, NY p: f:

2 Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency Meeting Agenda December 17, 2015 I. Call to Order II. III. IV. Minutes A. Regular Meeting-November 12, 2015 Communications A. IDA ABO Procurement Review Public Comments V. Chair s Report VI. VII. VIII. IX. Director s Report A. Staff Reports B. Regional Park Update Financial Report A. IDA Financial Report B. Revolving Loan Fund Unfinished Business A Marketing Program-Action Item New Business A. Florida Business Park Land Transaction Discussion B. RLF Application C. Pocket Folder Printing Services-Action Item X. Adjournment

3 Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency Meeting November 12, 2015 Meeting Minutes MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Shineman, Vice-Chair Robert Harris, Treasurer John Macci, Secretary Matthew Beck, Member ABSENT: Robert Hoefs, Chairman Daniel Wilson, Member John McGlone, Member STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Kenneth F. Rose, Chief Executive Officer Sheila Snell, Chief Financial Officer Danielle Whelly, Economic Dev. Specialist Michele Marzullo, Economic Dev. Program Asst. Amanda Bearcroft, Senior Planner/GIS Christopher Martell, Esq., Agency Counsel OTHERS PRESENT: Robert Purtell, Montgomery County Legislator Travis Bort, ABC Creative Group Sean Faulkner, ABC Creative Group Rick Purdy, ABC Creative Group Emily Drew, Recorder Ramon Rodriguez, Home Helpers I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Carol Shineman at 4:45 P.M. II. Minutes Motion was made by Matthew Beck, seconded by Robert Harris to approve the Governance meeting minutes of October 8, All members present were in favor. A motion was made by Matthew Beck, seconded by John Macci, to change with spelling correction and approve the regular meeting minutes of October 8, 2015 III. Communications Mr. Rose reported the West and Company engagement letter for the 2015 MCIDA Independent Audit had been received and signed per Board Authorization from Resolution No IV. Public Comments There was no public comment to report. V. Chair s Report Vice- Chair Ms. Shineman indicated there was no vice-chair s report. MCIDA Minutes

4 VI. Director s Report A. Staff Reports Mr. Rose indicated that the staff reports were included in the packet and should any board member have questions, please inquire directly with the staff member. Mr. Rose introduced Danielle Whelly, the new Economic Development Specialist. Ms. Whelly started on Monday October 26 th. B. Regional Business Park Update Mr. Rose indicated that the 80 year Revenue Sharing Agreement with Fulton County in relation to the Regional Business Park project was presented Tuesday night, which the Economic Development Committee then passed on to the full board for consideration at the full County Legislature meeting later in the month. Mr. Rose stated that Fulton County Supervisors reviewed the agreement and had some minor changes to the document, with the agreement still calling for a 50/50 split in real property tax revenues between the two Counties. Mr. Rose reported that on the request for annexation papers were recently filed by the two land owners. We are still unsure of the status of talks and any draft agreement between the City of Johnstown and Town of Mohawk. VII. Financial Report A. IDA Financial report Ms. Snell stated that the financial reports are in the packet for the board to review. Ms. Snell indicated there is nothing unusual to report this month. B. Revolving Loan Fund Ms. Snell indicated that the revolving loan fund report was included in the packet for board review. C. Revolving Loan Fund Annual Report Ms. Snell indicated that the revolving loan fund annual report was included in the packet for board review. VIII. New Business A. Branding Marketing Update/2016 Strategy Travis Bort, CEO/Director of ABC Creative Group, presented this year s marketing plan update to the board. Mr. Bort reviewed ABC progress regarding the website, promotional video, social media initiatives, IDA folder creation and public relations efforts. Mr. Bort introduced the public relations software that ABC uses. Meltwater, is a software that gives ABC access to thousands of reporters and bloggers around the country. Meltwater provides tracking software, allowing ABC to track and measure the mention of designated keywords in traditional and social media. Mr. Bort stated that their focus for 2016 will be on public MCIDA Minutes

5 relations for MCBDC. A large part of the public relations efforts will be to get MCBDC s positive stories out to the public. This will start conversation and generate an interest for people to share our stories and further market the opportunity in our area. Meltwater software tracks positive and negative articles, what is working and what is not. Mr. Bort stated that moving forward we could focus on public relations, launch a separate industry specific video, utilize USB flash drive business cards, or work on a community campaign. Mr. Rose thanked ABC Creative Group for coming to the MCIDA board meeting and presenting the 2016 marketing strategy. The board will go over the information that ABC provided, and will make a decision at the December board meeting regarding how the board will be moving forward with ABC Creative Group. B. UTEP Policy Amendments Mr. Rose stated that the board received the updated version of the Uniform Tax Exemption Policy that was discussed in the Governance Committee on October 8, Mr. Rose reviewed the proposed changes to the policy, including additional Tax Abatement opportunities regarding improvements to existing facilities and also the purchase of existing facilities. Mr. Rose explained that we need to be competitive. Motion was made by Matthew Beck, seconded by Robert Harris to go into executive session at 5:23 P.M. to discuss a company s financials. All members present were in favor. Motion was made by John Macci, second by Matthew Beck; all members present were in favor to adjourn executive session at 5:53 P.M. No action was taken in executive session. C. Rama Real Properties RLF Action Item Mr. Rodriguez of RAMA Real Properties LLC. spoke to the board regarding the purchase of old YMCA building in Hagaman, NY. Mr. Rodriguez reported that the process is moving forward, and that he will be resubmitting his loan application with no changes to the terms or the amount except for the location of the property. Mr. Rodriguez stated that this is a great opportunity and is very eager for Home Helper and the future. The following resolution was offered by Robert Harris seconded by John Macci to wit: RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING LEGISLATURE AMEND REVOLVING LOAN FUND AGREEMENT FOR RAMA REAL PROPERTIES AND HOME HELPERS AND DIRECT LINK OF AMSTERDAM. The question of the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Robert Hoefs VOTING ABSENT Carol Shineman VOTING YES Robert Harris VOTING YES John Macci VOTING YES John McGlone VOTING ABSENT Matthew Beck VOTING YES Daniel Wilson VOTING ABSENT MCIDA Minutes

6 The foregoing Resolution No was thereupon declared duly adopted. D. IDA Application ( Rama Real Properties) Action Item The following resolution was offered by Matthew Beck, seconded by John Macci, to wit: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A PROPOSED PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN FOR RAMA REAL PROPERTIES LLC. The question of the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Robert Hoefs VOTING ABSENT Carol Shineman VOTING YES Robert Harris VOTING YES John Macci VOTING YES John McGlone VOTING ABSENT Daniel Wilson VOTING ABSENT Matthew Beck VOTING YES The foregoing Resolution No was thereupon declared duly adopted. IX. Adjournment A motion was made by Matthew Beck seconded by Robert Harris; all members present were in favor. Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted Michele Marzullo Economic Dev. Program Assistant Attachments: Resolution Numbers 15-26, MCIDA Minutes

7 RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING LEGISLATURE AMEND REVOLVING LOAN FUND AGREEMENT FOR RAMA REAL PROPERTIES AND HOME HELPERS AND DIRECT LINK OF AMSTERDAM. A regular meeting of Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (the "Agency") was convened in public session at the offices of the Agency located at the Old County Courthouse, 9 Park Street, Fonda, New York on November 12, 2015 at 4:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and, upon roll being called, the following members of the Agency were: PRESENT: Carol Shineman Robert Harris John Macci Matthew Beck Vice-Chairman Treasurer Secretary Member ABSENT: Robert Hoefs, John McGlone, Daniel Wilson, Chairman Member Member THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Rose Sheila Snell Danielle Whelly Michele Marzullo Amanda Bearcroft Christopher M. Martell, Esq. Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Economic Development Specialist Economic Development Program Assistant Senior Planner/GIS Agency Counsel The following resolution was offered by Robert Harris seconded by John Macci to wit: Resolution No MCIDA Res

8 RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING LEGISLATURE AMEND REVOLVING LOAN FUND AGREEMENT FOR RAMA REAL PROPERTIES AND HOME HELPERS AND DIRECT LINK OF AMSTERDAM. WHEREAS, Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (the Agency ) is authorized and empowered by the provisions of Chapter 1030 of the 1969 Laws of New York, constituting Title 1 of Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law, Chapter 24 of the Consolidated Laws of New York, as amended (the Enabling Act ) and Chapter 666 of the 1970 Laws of New York, as amended, constituting Section 895-d of said General Municipal Law (said Chapter and the Enabling Act being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Act ) to promote, develop, encourage, and assist in the acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving, maintaining, equipping and furnishing of industrial, warehousing, commercial, research and manufacturing facilities, among others, for the purpose of promoting, attracting and developing economically sound commerce and industry to advance the job opportunities, health, general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the State of New York, to improve their prosperity and standard of living, and to prevent unemployment and economic deterioration, and WHEREAS, Montgomery County administers an Economic Development Program for the purpose of creating and retaining jobs, and WHEREAS, Resolution No. 160 of 2015 by the Montgomery County Legislature approved a loan request to RAMA Real Properties and Home Helpers and Direct Link of Amsterdam for an amount not to exceed $106,000 for the purposes of purchasing real estate located at Market Street, Amsterdam, NY; and WHEREAS, said applicant has requested an amendment to said loan agreement as it relates to the location of the real estate which will now be located at 58 N. Pawling St, Hagaman, NY, and WHEREAS, all other terms and conditions will remain unchanged, RESOLVED, that the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency recommends that the County Board of Legislature authorize the amendment to the loan agreement as detailed above, and FURTHER RESOLVED, that the applicant will be responsible for all attorney costs associated with this amendment. FURTHER RESOLVED, The officers, employees and agents of the Agency are hereby authorized and directed for and in the name and on behalf of the Agency to do all acts and things required or provided to carry out the terms of this Resolution, and to execute and deliver any additional certificates, MCIDA Res

9 instruments and documents, to pay all such fees, charges and expenses and to do all such further acts and things as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the officer, employee or agent acting, desirable and proper to effect the purposes of the foregoing Resolution and to cause compliance by the Agency with all of the terms, covenants and provisions of this Resolutions, and FURTHER RESOLVED, this Resolution shall take effect immediately. The question of the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Robert Hoefs VOTING ABSENT Carol Shineman VOTING YES Robert Harris VOTING YES John Macci VOTING YES John McGlone VOTING ABSENT Matthew Beck VOTING YES Daniel Wilson VOTING ABSENT The foregoing Resolution No was thereupon declared duly adopted. MCIDA Res

10 STATE OF NEW YORK ) ) SS.: COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY ) I, the undersigned (Assistant) Secretary of Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (the Agency ), do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing extract of the minutes of the meeting of the members of the Agency held on November 12, 2015 with the original thereof on file in my office, and that the same is a true and correct copy of said original and of the whole of said original so far as the same relates to the subject matters therein referred to. I FURTHER CERTIFY that (A) all members of the Agency had due notice of said meeting; (B) said meeting was in all respect duly held; (C) pursuant to Article 7 of the Public Officers Law (the Open Meetings Law ), said meeting was open to the general public, and due notice of the time and place of said meeting was given in accordance with such Open Meetings Law; and (D) there was a quorum of the members of the Agency present through out said meeting. I FURTHER CERTIFY that, as of the date hereof, the attached Resolution is in full force and effect and has not been amended, repealed or rescinded. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Agency this 12th day of November (Assistant) Secretary (S E A L) MCIDA Res

11 PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTION RAMA REAL PROPERTIES LLC PROJECT A regular meeting of Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (the Agency ) was convened in public session at the offices of the Agency located at the Old County Courthouse, 9 Park Street Fonda, New York on November 12, 2015, at 4:30, p.m., local time. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and, upon roll being called, the following members of the Agency were: PRESENT: Carol Shineman Robert Harris John Macci Matthew Beck Vice-Chair Treasurer Secretary Member ABSENT: Robert Hoefs John McGlone Daniel Wilson Chairman Member Member THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE ALSO PRESENT: Kenneth Rose Sheila Snell Danielle Whelly Michele Marzullo Amanda Bearcroft Christopher M. Martell Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Economic Development Specialist Economic Development Program Assistant Senior Planner/GIS Agency Counsel The following resolution was offered by Matthew Beck, seconded by John Macci, to wit: Resolution No RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A PROPOSED PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN FOR RAMA REAL PROPERTIES LLC. WHEREAS, the Agency is authorized and empowered by the provisions of Chapter 1030 of the 1969 Laws of New York, constituting Title 1 of Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law, Chapter 24 of the Consolidated Laws of New York, as amended (the Enabling Act ) and Chapter 666 of the 1970 Laws of New York, as amended, constituting Section 895-d of said General Municipal Law (said Chapter and the Enabling Act being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Act ) to promote, develop, encourage and assist in the acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving, maintaining, equipping and MCIDA Res. No

12 furnishing of manufacturing, warehousing, research, commercial and industrial facilities, among others, for the purpose of promoting, attracting and developing economically sound commerce and industry to advance the job opportunities, health, general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the State of New York, to improve their prosperity and standard of living, and to prevent unemployment and economic deterioration; and WHEREAS, to accomplish its stated purposes, the Agency is authorized and empowered under the Act to acquire, construct, reconstruct and install one or more projects (as defined in the Act), or to cause said projects to be acquired, constructed, reconstructed and installed, and to convey said projects or to lease said projects with the obligation to purchase; and WHEREAS, on or about November 10, 2015, Rama Real Properties LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (the Company ) submitted an application (the Application ) to the Agency, a copy of which Application is on file at the office of the Agency, which Application requested that the Agency consider undertaking a project (the Project ) for the benefit of the Company, said Project consisting of the following: (A) (1) the acquisition of an interest in an approximately 34 acre parcel of land located at 58 N. Pawling Street in the Village of Hagaman, Montgomery County, New York (the Land ) together with an approximately 17,000 square foot building located thereon (the Facility ), (2) the renovation and reconstruction of the Facility, (3) the acquisition and installation of certain machinery and equipment therein and thereon (the Equipment ) (the Land, the Facility and the Equipment hereinafter collectively referred to as the Project Facility ), all of the foregoing to constitute a facility that provides professional administrative office space; (B) the granting of certain financial assistance (within the meaning of Section 854(14) of the Act) with respect to the foregoing, including potential exemptions from certain sales and use taxes, real property taxes, real estate transfer taxes, and mortgage recording taxes (the Financial Assistance ); and (C) the lease of the Project Facility to the Company or such other person as may be designated by the Company and agreed upon by the Agency; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 859-a of the Act, prior to the Agency providing any financial assistance to any project, the Agency, among other things, must hold a public hearing with respect to the Project; and WHEREAS, the Agency desires to provide for compliance with the provisions of Section 859-a of the Act; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The Agency hereby authorizes the Agency Staff, after consultation with the members of the Agency and Agency Counsel, (A) to establish the time, date and place for a public hearing of the Agency to hear all persons interested in the Project, said public hearing to be held in the City of Amsterdam, New York; (B) to cause notice of such public hearing to be given to the public by publishing a notice of such hearing in a newspaper of general circulation to available to the residents of the governmental units where the Project Facility is or is to be located, such notice to comply with the requirements of Section 859-a of the Act and to be published no fewer than ten (10) days prior to the date established for such public hearing; (C) to cause notice of said public hearing to be given to the chief executive officer of the county and each city, town, village and school district in which the Project Facility is or is to be located no fewer than ten (10) days prior to the date established for said public hearing; (D) to conduct such public hearing; and (E) to cause a report of said public hearing fairly summarizing the views presented at said public hearing to be promptly prepared. MCIDA Res. No

13 Section 2. Any action taken by the Agency Staff in connection with the public hearing with respect to the Project prior to the date of this Resolution is hereby ratified and confirmed. Section 3. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and/or the Agency Staff are hereby authorized and directed to distribute copies of this Resolution to the Company and to do such further things or perform such acts as may be necessary or convenient to implement the provisions of this Resolution. Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. The question of the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Robert Hoefs VOTING ABSENT Carol Shineman VOTING YES Robert Harris VOTING YES John Macci VOTING YES John McGlone VOTING ABSENT Daniel Wilson VOTING ABSENT Matthew Beck VOTING YES The foregoing Resolution No was thereupon declared duly adopted. MCIDA Res. No

14 STATE OF NEW YORK ) ) SS.: COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY ) I, the undersigned Secretary of Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency (the "Agency"), do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing extract of the minutes of the meeting of the members of the Agency, including the Resolution contained therein, held on November 12, 2015 with the original thereof on file in my office, and that the same is a true and correct copy of said original and of such Resolution set forth therein and of the whole of said original so far as the same relates to the subject matters therein referred to. I FURTHER CERTIFY that (A) all members of the Agency had due notice of said meeting; (B) said meeting was in all respects duly held; (C) pursuant to Article 7 of the Public Officers Law (the "Open Meetings Law"), said meeting was open to the general public, and due notice of the time and place of said meeting was duly given in accordance with such Open Meetings Law; and (D) there was a quorum of the members of the Agency present throughout said meeting. I FURTHER CERTIFY that, as of the date hereof, the attached Resolution is in full force and effect and has not been amended, repealed or rescinded. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Agency this 12th day of November, (Assistant) Secretary (SEAL) MCIDA Res. No

15 December 9, 2015 CLIENT ALERT IDA REFORM LEGISLATION DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR On Monday, December 7, 2015, the legislation providing for certain reforms relating to the granting and monitoring of financial assistance by industrial development agencies ("IDA") for IDA projects (the "Reform Legislation") was finally delivered to the Governor after being passed by the New York State Legislature (the "Legislature") on June 19, We expect the Reform Legislation to be signed by the Governor and enacted over the course of the next two weeks. The Reform Legislation will be effective 180 days after it is enacted by the Governor The Office of the New York State Comptroller (the "Comptroller") pushed for passage of the Reform Legislation, but the final version of the law was drafted with assistance and support from the New York State Economic Development Council ("NYSEDC"). A copy of the Reform Legislation is attached, and the summary of the Reform Legislation we provided in June follows: The Reform Legislation codifies a number of actions already taken by many IDAs across the State. The Reform Legislation requires each IDA to develop (1) a standard application form for requests for financial assistance, (2) uniform criteria for the evaluation and selection for each category of projects for which financial assistance is provided, and (3) uniform project agreements, including recapture provisions, for project benefits. In addition, the Reform Legislation requires each IDA to develop policies (1) for the suspension, discontinuance, or modification of financial assistance provided for a project, (2) for the recapture of all or part of the financial assistance provided for a project, and (3) to annually monitor the progress of projects with respect to investment and job creation/retention goals. We have prepared preliminary form policies, resolutions, and documents to comply with the Reform Legislation, and we expect to be reaching out to our IDA clients shortly with advice and options regarding these recent developments. In the meantime, if you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the attorneys listed below: Contact Name Phone Number George W. Cregg, Jr. Terrence M. Gilbride Michael T. Logan Christopher M. Martell Robert J. McLaughlin Seth D. Pullen A. Joseph Scott, III Daniel A. Spitzer Jeffrey W. Stone Nadene E. Zeigler (518) (716) (518) (518) (518) (716) (518) (716) (716) (518) gcregg@hodgsonruss.com tgilbrid@hodgsonruss.com mlogan@hodgsonruss.com cmartell@hodgsonruss.com rmclaugh@hodgsonruss.com spullen@hodgsonruss.com ascott@hodgsonruss.com dspitzer@hodgsonruss.com istone@hodgsonruss.com nzeigler@hodgsonruss.com Administrative vl HodgsonRuss A T T O R N E Y S L L P

16 Bills Page 1 of 7 A07915 Summary: BILL NO SAME AS SPONSOR COSPNSR A07915 SAME AS S05667 Magnarelli Solages, McDonald MLTSPNSR Amd SS859-a & 874, Gen Muni L Relates to the accountability and efficiency of industrial development agencies and authorities; requires each industrial development agency to develop a standard application form to be used by the agency to accept requests for financial assistance from all individuals, firms, companies and developers; further requires industrial development agencies to develop policies for the suspension or discontinuance of financial assistance of PILOT. Go to too A07915 Memo: BILL NOMBER:A7915 Revised 06/18/15 TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the accountability and efficiency of industrial development agencies and authorities PURPOSE: To increase the accountability and improve the efficiency and transparency of the operations of industrial development agencies and authorities (IDAs) by requiring standard application forms for requests for financial assistance, uniform criteria for the evaluation and selection for each category of projects for which financial assistance is provided, and uniform project agreements. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section one of the bill would add three new subdivisions to General Municipal Law S 859-a: Standard application form - A new subdivision four would added to General Municipal Law S 859-a to require each IDA to develop a standard application form for requests for financial assistance from IDAs. The form would be submitted by or on behalf of the applicant, and subscribed and affirmed under penalties of perjury as true, accurate and complete. The form would be required to contain certain information including, among other things: the name and address of the applicant; a description of the proposed project; the amount and type of financial assistance requested; an estimate of capital costs of the project; the projected number of full time equivalent jobs that would be retained or created if the request for financial assistance is granted as well as certain other information relating to those jobs; and a statement acknowledging that the submission of any knowingly false or misleading information may lead to immediate termination of any financial assistance and reimbursement of an amount equal to all or part of any tax exemptions claimed as a result of the project. The IDA could require supplemental information as it determines to be necessary and appropriate, including supporting documents and information provided by or on be half of the applicant. Dniform evaluation criteria - A new subdivision five would be to General Municipal Law S 859-a to require each IDA to develop, and adopt by resolution, uniform criteria for the evaluation and selection of each category of projects for which financial assistance would be

17 Bills Page 2 of 7 provided. At minimum, the criteria would require, among other things, that, prior to the approval of the provision of any financial assistance, the IDA: assess all material information included in connection with the application, as necessary to afford a reasonable basis for its decision to provide financial assistance; and undertake a written cost-benefit analysis that identifies the extent to which a project will create or retain permanent, private sector jobs, the estimated value of any tax exemptions to be provided, the amount of private sector investment generated or likely to be generated by the proposed project, the likelihood of accomplishing the proposed project in a timely fashion, and the extent to which the proposed project will provide additional sources of revenue for municipalities and school districts. Uniform project agreement - A new subdivision six would be added to General Municipal Law S 859-a to require each IDA to develop a uniform IDA project agreement, that would set forth the terms and conditions under which financial assistance would be provided. The uniform agreement would be required to contain certain provisions, including: a description of the project and financial assistance; a requirement for an annual certification by the project owner, occupant or operator of full time equivalent jobs created and retained as a result of the financial assistance; the dates when payments in lieu of tax (PILOT) payments are to be made and an estimate of the amounts or formula(s) by which those amounts are calculated made (or a copy of an executed PILOT agreement); a provision for the suspension or discontinuance of financial assistance, or for the modification of any payment in lieu of tax agreement to require increased payments, in accordance with policies developed by the IDA; a provision for the return of all or a part of the financial assistance provided for the project, as provided for in policies developed by the IDA; and a provision that the business certify, under penalty of perjury, that it is in substantial compliance with all local, state and federal tax, worker protection and environmental laws, rules and regulations. Section two of the bill would add three new subdivisions to section 874 of the General Municipal Law to require each IDA to: (1) develop policies for the suspension or discontinuance of financial assistance, or for the modification of any payment in lieu of tax agreement to require increased payments under specified circumstances: (2) develop policies for the return of all or a part of the financial assistance provided for a project, including all or part of the amount of any tax exemptions, as specified in the policy. All such returned amounts of tax exemptions would be required to be redistributed to the appropriate affected tax jurisdiction, unless agreed to otherwise by any local taxing jurisdiction: and (3) at least annually assess the progress of each project toward achieving the investment, job retention or creation, or other objectives of the project indicated in the project application. These assessments would be required to be provided to board members. Section three of the bill would provide that the act take effect 180 days after it shall have become law. It would further provide that that the bill would apply in full force and effect to the Cities of Troy and Auburn Industrial Development Authorities established pursuant to the Public Authorities law. New subdivision 12 that would be added to General Municipal Law S 874 would apply to projects approved on or after the effective date of the bill. JUSTIFICATION: IDAS are public benefit corporations, created by special act of the State Legislature for the benefit of one or more municipalities and the inhabitants thereof. Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law provides that the purposes of IDAs are to promote, develop, encourage and assist in the acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving,

18 Bills Page 3 of 7 maintaining, equipping and furnishing industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, commercial, research and recreation and certain other listed facilities, and thereby advance job opportunities health, general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of the State of New York and to improve their recreation opportunities, prosperity and standard of living. To fulfill their statutory purposes, IDAs are authorized to provide "financial assistance" for certain types of "projects" (see e.g. General Municipal Law SS 854 (4), (14), 859 (1) (b), 864, 874). "Financial assistance" includes the issuance of bonds by the IDA to finance construction of a project and "straight-lease transactions." Since the property and activities of IDAs are tax exempt (General Municipal Law S 874; Real Property Tax Law S 412-a), the IDA may "pass through" the benefits of certain tax exemptions (real property, sales, mortgage recording taxes) to private entities which undertake projects. The "pass through" can be in addition to bond financing, or done separately, generally through what is known as a "straight- lease transaction." The loss of revenue associated with the tax exemption pass-through can be mitigated if the IDA enters into what is known as a "payment in lieu of tax" or "PILOT" agreement with the private entity, under which the private entity agrees to pay all or a portion of the amounts that would otherwise be due as taxes had the project not been an IDA project. In addition, after the project is completed, and the IDA relinquishes title, jurisdiction, control or supervision of the property, the property usually becomes taxable and its assessed value is often increased to account for improvements made during the period of IDA involvement. Because of reform legislation enacted in 1993 (Chapter 356), IDAs are required to have budgets, conduct public hearings before providing financial assistance for most projects and have "uniform tax exemption policies." In addition, IDAs can lose their authority to offer financial assistance in the form of State tax exemptions if they fail to file the required annual audited financial statement (General Municipal Law S 859). Also, the Public Authorities Accountability Act of 2005 (Chapter 766) and the Public Authorities Reform Act of 2009 (Chapter 506) added requirements for governance, reporting, auditing and property disposition that will enhance IDA accountability. While these changes have been positive steps toward making IDAs more accountable to the municipalities and taxpayers for whose benefit they are created, there remain areas where improvements are necessary, especially in light of the critical role IDAs often play in the economic well-being of a community and the potential costs in lost tax revenues. This bill would provide for additional safeguards to help ensure that the process used by IDAs in determining to provide financial assistance is transparent, uniform and deliberative, and furthers the underlying purposes of the statutes governing IDAs. Current law does not spell out an orderly procedure by which an individual or entity may request financial assistance from an IDA, or by which an IDA grants such assistance or monitors projects after assistance if provided. Instead, audits conducted by OSC have shown that the process is too often ad hoc and inconsistent from IDA to IDA, and even from project to project within an individual IDA. By the same token, several audits found that some IDAs were performing effectively and noted certain best practices. Some of the provisions of this bill were drawn from those best practices. This bill would require standard application forms for those requesting IDA financial assistance and would require IDAs to develop uniform criteria for assessing applications. Pursuant to these new requirements, the types of information IDAs would receive for each project would be more standardized and the process used to evaluate each application should be consistent and thorough. This should lead to a more uniform and transparent process, more informed decision-making by IDAs and increased confidence by taxpayers that decisions to provide financial assistance are reasoned and in

19 Bills Page 4 of 7 furtherance of the underlying purposes of IDAs, including the creation and retention of jobs within the municipality for whose benefit the IDA was created. Also, each IDA project would be undertaken pursuant to a uniform project agreement that would set forth the terms and conditions under which financial assistance would be provided. It would provide a mechanisms to help ensure that the IDA can monitor the progress of the projects, including whether jobs created or retained as a result of the project meet initial projections. It is intended that the requirement in the new subdivision six of Section S 859-a of the General Municipal Law for each IDA to develop "a uniform agency project agreement" containing certain provisions will be met by an IDA using a form of agreement that contains the required provisions. To help ensure that the affected tax jurisdictions do not suffer a loss of tax revenues for projects that do not meet job creation and retention goals or in other specified circumstance, the agreement would provide for the suspension or discontinuance of financial assistance, or for the modification of PILOT agreements, in accordance with polices developed by the IDA. In addition, the agreement would provide for the return of all or part of financial assistance as provided for IDA policies. Correspondingly, IDAs would be required to develop such policies, setting forth circumstances when there would be a suspension or discontinuance of financial assistance, or the return of such assistance. We believe this bill will greatly increase the accountability of IDAs to the taxpayers and municipalities for whose benefit they are created. It will serve to ensure a greater degree of uniformity in the application process for IDA assistance, more careful analysis and deliberation in the decision-making process and enhanced monitorship once IDA benefits are conferred. The Comptroller urges passage of this legislation. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: ' None. EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become a law and, shall apply to industrial development agencies created pursuant to article 18-A of the general municipal law and shall also apply with full force and effect to the cities of Troy and Auburn industrial development authorities established pursuant to the public authorities law; provided, however, the provisions of subdivision 12 of section 874 of the general municipal law as added by section 2 of this act shall apply only to projects approved on or after the effective date of this act. Ggjojop, A07915 Text: S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y May 29, 2015

20 Page 5 of 7 Introduced by M. of A. MAGNARELLI (at request of the State Comptroller) read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the accountability and efficiency of industrial development agencies and authorities THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 859-a of the general municipal law is amended by adding three new subdivisions 4, 5 and 6 to read as follows: 4. EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP A STANDARD APPLICATION FORM, WHICH SHALL BE USED BY THE AGENCY TO ACCEPT REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM ALL INDIVIDUALS, FIRMS, COMPANIES, DEVELOPERS OR OTHER ENTITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS. THE STANDARD APPLICATION FORM SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT, AND SUBSCRIBED AND AFFIRMED UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY BY THE APPLICANT, OR ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR SUCH OTHER INDIVIDUAL THAT IS DULY AUTHORIZED TO BIND THE APPLICANT, AS TRUE, ACCURATE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE. THE STANDARD APPLICATION FORM SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOW ING, AND MAY INCLUDE SUCH OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE BY THE AGENCY, INCLUDING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT: (A) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT APPLICANT; (B) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSIST ANCE IS REQUESTED, INCLUDING THE TYPE OF PROJECT, PROPOSED LOCATION AND PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT; (C) THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BEING REQUESTED, INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF EACH TYPE OF TAX EXEMPTION SOUGHT TO BE CLAIMED BY REASON OF AGENCY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT; (D) A STATEMENT THAT THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT THE PROJECT WOULD NOT BE UNDERTAKEN BUT FOR THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY EXPLANATION Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD A OR, IF THE PROJECT COULD BE UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY, A STATEMENT INDICATING WHY THE PROJECT SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE AGENCY; (E) AN ESTIMATE OF CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDING ALL COSTS OF REAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION, FINANCED FROM PRIVATE SECTOR SOURCES, AN ESTIMATE OF THE PERCENTAGE OF PROJECT COSTS FINANCED FROM PUBLIC SECTOR SOURCES, AND AN ESTIMATE OF BOTH THE AMOUNT TO BE INVESTED BY THE APPLICANT AND THE AMOUNT TO BE BORROWED TO FINANCE THE PROJECT. (F) THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF FULL TIME EQUIVALENT JOBS THAT WOULD BE RETAINED AND THAT WOULD BE CREATED IF THE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSIST ANCE IS GRANTED, THE PROJECTED TIMEFRAME FOR THE CREATION OF NEW JOBS, THE ESTIMATED SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFIT AVERAGES OR RANGES FOR CATEGO RIES OF THE JOBS THAT WOULD BE RETAINED OR CREATED IF THE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS GRANTED, AND AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF RESI DENTS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGION AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW OR THE LABOR MARKET AREA AS DEFINED BY THE AGENCY, IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS LOCATED THAT WOULD FILL SUCH JOBS. THE LABOR MARKET AREA DEFINED BY THE AGENCY FOR THIS PURPOSE MAY INCLUDE NO MORE THAN SIX CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES IN THE STATE, INCLUDING THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE PROJECT IS TO BE LOCATED; (G) A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER WILL NOT BE VIOLATED IF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT; (H) A STATEMENT THAT THE OWNER, OCCUPANT OR OPERATOR RECEIVING FINAN CIAL ASSISTANCE IS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL TAX, WORKER PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS; AND (I) A STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE SUBMISSION OF ANY KNOWINGLY FALSE OR KNOWINGLY MISLEADING INFORMATION MAY LEAD TO THE IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND THE REIMBURSEMENT OF AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ALL OR PART OF ANY TAX EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED BY REASON OF

21 Page 6 of AGENCY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT. 5. EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP, AND ADOPT BY RESOLUTION, UNIFORM CRITE RIA FOR THE EVALUATION AND SELECTION FOR EACH CATEGORY OF PROJECTS FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED. AT A MINIMUM, THE CRITERIA SHALL REQUIRE THAT, FOR EACH PROJECT, THE FOLLOWING MUST OCCUR PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: (A) AN ASSESSMENT BY THE AGENCY OF ALL MATERIAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AS NECES SARY TO AFFORD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR THE DECISION BY THE AGENCY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PROJECT; (B) A WRITTEN COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS BY THE AGENCY THAT IDENTIFIES THE EXTENT TO WHICH A PROJECT WILL CREATE OR RETAIN PERMANENT, PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS; THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF ANY TAX EXEMPTIONS TO BE PROVIDED; THE AMOUNT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT GENERATED OR LIKELY TO BE GENER ATED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT; THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACCOMPLISHING THE PROPOSED PROJECT IN A TIMELY FASHION; AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR MUNICI PALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AND ANY OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS THAT MIGHT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE PROJECT; (C) A STATEMENT BY THE APPLICANT THAT THE PROJECT, AS OF THE DATE OF THE APPLICATION, IS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION AND SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO OF THIS CHAPTER; AND A (D) IF THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE REMOVAL OR ABANDONMENT OF A FACILITY OR PLANT WITHIN THE STATE, NOTIFICATION BY THE AGENCY TO THE CHIEF EXEC UTIVE OFFICER OR OFFICERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR MUNICIPALITIES IN WHICH THE FACILITY OR PLANT WAS LOCATED. 6. EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP A UNIFORM AGENCY PROJECT AGREEMENT THAT SETS FORTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHALL BE PROVIDED. THE UNIFORM AGENCY PROJECT AGREEMENT SHALL BE USED BY THE AGENCY AND NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHALL BE PROVIDED IN THE ABSENCE OF THE EXECUTION OF SUCH AN AGREEMENT. THE UNIFORM AGENCY PROJECT AGREEMENT SHALL, AT A MINIMUM: (A) DESCRIBE THE PROJECT AND THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING THE AMOUNT AND TYPE, TO BE PROVIDED, AND THE AGENCY PURPOSE TO BE ACHIEVED; (B) REQUIRE EACH PROJECT OWNER, OCCUPANT OR OPERATOR RECEIVING FINAN CIAL BENEFITS TO PROVIDE ANNUALLY A CERTIFIED STATEMENT AND DOCUMENTA TION: (I) ENUMERATING THE FULL TIME EQUIVALENT JOBS RETAINED AND THE FULL TIME EQUIVALENT JOBS CREATED AS A RESULT OF THE FINANCIAL ASSIST ANCE, BY CATEGORY, INCLUDING FULL TIME EQUIVALENT INDEPENDENT CONTRAC TORS OR EMPLOYEES OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS THAT WORK AT THE PROJECT LOCATION, AND (II) INDICATING THAT THE SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFIT AVER AGES OR RANGES FOR CATEGORIES OF JOBS RETAINED AND JOBS CREATED THAT WAS PROVIDED IN THE APPLICATION IS STILL ACCURATE AND IF IT IS NOT STILL ACCURATE, PROVIDING A REVISED LIST OF SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFIT AVERAGES OR RANGES FOR CATEGORIES OF JOBS RETAINED AND JOBS CREATED. (C) INDICATE THE DATES WHEN PILOT PAYMENTS ARE TO BE MADE AND PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNTS FOR EACH AFFECTED TAX JURISDICTION OF ANY PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES THAT ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE TRANSACTION, OR FORMULA OR FORMULAS BY WHICH THOSE AMOUNTS MAY BE CALCULATED. IN LIEU OF PROVIDING SUCH INFORMATION, A COPY OF AN EXECUTED PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX AGREEMENT THAT CONTAINS THE SAME INFORMATION MAY BE ATTACHED TO THE UNIFORM AGENCY PROJECT AGREEMENT; (E) PROVIDE FOR THE SUSPENSION OR DISCONTINUANCE OF FINANCIAL ASSIST ANCE, OR FOR THE MODIFICATION OF ANY PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAX AGREEMENT TO REQUIRE INCREASED PAYMENTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES DEVELOPED BY THE AGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR OF THIS TITLE; (F) PROVIDE FOR THE RETURN OF ALL OR A PART OF THE FINANCIAL ASSIST ANCE PROVIDED FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING ALL OR PART OF THE AMOUNT OF ANY TAX EXEMPTIONS, WHICH SHALL BE REDISTRIBUTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AFFECTED TAX JURISDICTION, AS PROVIDED FOR IN POLICIES DEVELOPED BY THE AGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR OF THIS TITLE, UNLESS AGREED TO OTHERWISE BY ANY LOCAL TAXING JURISDICTION OR JURISDIC TIONS; AND (G) PROVIDE THAT THE OWNER, OCCUPANT OR OPERATOR RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHALL CERTIFY, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, THAT IT IS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL TAX, WORKER PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. S 2. Section 874 of the general municipal law is amended by adding

22 Page 7 of three new subdivisions 10, 11 and 12 to read as follows: (10) EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP POLICIES FOR THE SUSPENSION OR DISCON TINUANCE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, OR FOR THE MODIFICATION OF ANY PAYMENT IN LIED OF TAX AGREEMENT TO REQUIRE INCREASED PAYMENTS UNDER CIRCUM STANCES AS SPECIFIED IN THE POLICY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO EVENTS OF MATERIAL VIOLATION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A PROJECT AGREEMENT. (11) EACH AGENCY SHALL DEVELOP POLICIES FOR THE RETURN OF ALL OR A PART OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING ALL OR PART OF THE AMOUNT OF ANY TAX EXEMPTIONS, AS SPECIFIED IN THE POLICY, A WHICH MAY INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO MATERIAL SHORTFALLS IN JOB CREATION AND RETENTION PROJECTIONS OR MATERIAL VIOLATIONS OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PROJECT AGREEMENTS. ALL SUCH RETURNED AMOUNTS OF TAX EXEMPTIONS SHALL BE REDISTRIBUTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AFFECTED TAX JURIS DICTION, UNLESS AGREED TO OTHERWISE BY ANY LOCAL TAXING JURISDICTION. (12) EACH AGENCY SHALL AT LEAST ANNUALLY ASSESS THE PROGRESS OF EACH PROJECT FOR WHICH BONDS OR NOTES REMAIN OUTSTANDING OR STRAIGHT-LEASE TRANSACTIONS HAVE NOT TERMINATED, OR WHICH CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR ARE OTHERWISE ACTIVE, TOWARD ACHIEVING THE INVESTMENT, JOB RETENTION OR CREATION, OR OTHER OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT INDICATED IN THE PROJECT APPLICATION. SUCH ASSESSMENTS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO BOARD MEMBERS. S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law and shall apply to industrial development agencies created pursuant to article 18-A of the general municipal law and shall also apply with full force and effect to the cities of Troy and Auburn industrial development authorities established pursuant to the public authorities law; provided, however, the provisions of subdivision 12 of section 874 of the general municipal law as added by section two of this act shall apply only to projects approved on or after the effective date of this act.

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29 MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 2015 RECAP M MONTGOMERY COUNTY NY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Made of Something Stronger

30 REDESIGNED WEBSITE

31 VIDEO PRODUCTION

32 SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANCE

33 BUSINESS FOLDER

34 BUSINESS COLLATERAL Department of Economic Development and Planning, County Industrial Development Agency & County Capital Resource Corporation 9 Park Street, P.O. Box 1500, Fonda, NY p: f: April 8, 2015 Mr. Richard Piepenbring Kapstone Paper and Packaging 28 Park Drive, P.O. Box 610 Amsterdam, NY Dear Mr. Piepenbring, Business plays a vital role in the economic stability and growth of an area. Not only is it important to draw new business to an area, it is equally important to preserve existing businesses. Attraction and retention efforts, combined, are the most effective way to strengthen the local economy and provide for sustained prosperity. Montgomery County Business Development Center understands and embraces this strategy and for that reason has partnered with other local, regional, and state economic development organizations to form an alliance called the Montgomery County Economic Development Consortium. This group was strategically chosen because each entity deals with an integral facet of economic growth, such as workforce development, customized training, operational assessments and improvements, loan assistance, business planning, and grant procurement, to name a few. business card The goal of the Consortium is to reach out to existing companies, such as yours, to survey your experience of doing business here in Montgomery County. We are hoping to engage in relevant conversation so we can continue to learn more about your company and what services, if any, you may be in need of to help your business grow. By participating in this ongoing outreach endeavor, we hope to enhance our relationship with you and your company that will last for many years to come. In the near future, you will be contacted by a representative of the Consortium to set up a site visit, preferably at your place of business, during a time that is convenient for you. We sincerely hope that you will allow us a portion of your time for this extremely important undertaking. By working together, we can build a stronger Montgomery County economy as well as a stronger Montgomery County community. We look forward to meeting with you very soon. Sincerely, Kenneth F. Rose Director letterhead case study template

35 TEMPLATE DESIGN

36 PUBLIC RELATIONS

37 2016: MOVING FORWARD Community Campaign

38 2016: MOVING FORWARD Community Campaign Continued PR

39 CONTINUED PR

40 2016: MOVING FORWARD Community Campaign Continued PR Content Generation/SEO

41 CONTENT GENERATION/SEO According to Google, brand new queries make up to 15% of all searches a day and as Search Engine Land pointed out, Google processes 3 billion searches per day, which means that 450 million per day are entirely unique in nature.

42 CONTENT GENERATION/SEO

43 Evaluate, Identify Opportunities, and Make Improvements Understand Business $$ Goals, objectives, desired actions Analysis & reporting Distribution, Amplification, & Link Earning The SEO & Content Process Just like a website is never "done", neither is SEO. Like any other form of marketing it is a process that happens over time to help get desired results. Done correctly it becomes a valuable component of your digital marketing and other more traditional forms of marketing. With a holistic, thoughtful approach, your SEO aligns properly with marketing goals and becomes a natural part of your overall marketing plan. Research audience, topics, keywords How do we provide value to users on website? On-page SEO and content development Site structure, design, layout Develop strategy & tactics

44 THE SEARCH DEMAND CURVE # OF MONTHLY SEARCHES Millions 100Ks 10Ks Thousands Hundreds Top 100 Keywords Top 500 Keywords Top 1K Keywords Top 10K Keywords Tens Fat Head 18.5% Chunky Middle 11.5% Long Tail 70% # OF KEYWORDS

45 SOCIAL MEDIA VALUABLE CONTENT BETTER SEO OUTREACH PUBLIC RELATIONS

46 WHAT S NEXT IN 2016? Community Campaign Continued PR Content Generation/SEO Production of Industry-Specific Video

47 VIDEO PRODUCTION

48 WHAT S NEXT IN 2016? Community Campaign Continued PR Content Generation/SEO Production of Industry-Specific Video USB Content Flash Drives

49 THANK YOU

50 Montgomery County Business Development Center Marketing Proposal 2016 The following marketing strategies are being proposed for ABC feels that these projects will continue to build on what was developed in You have a strong foundation with your new website and video assets and the following items will allow this campaign to increase overall awareness of your assets, current campaign and services. Community Campaign Now that you have all this great messaging and materials, it s time we hit the community. ABC wants to develop an internal campaign for the MCBDC that markets your services to the Montgomery community. Our main focus will be to build and instill local pride, providing important resources to the community and promotion of this via print and digital media. This will be a natural evolution of your current campaign and assets. Budget TBD Continued Public Relations ABC will continue to use its public relations software to constantly monitor the MCBDC and its business partners in order to develop story angles. This not only measures which media channels and social media pages are writing about you, but can also gauge whether that coverage is positive or negative, allowing us to act accordingly. ABC will write and pitch six stories per year, which includes developing media relations and constant follow up ensuring quality coverage. Albany media will continue to be a focus as we pitch to our targeted media list. ABC will also track stories surrounding the various industries that Montgomery County hosts. Getting your name in print and on the web will increase your awareness and show off what you provide local businesses as well as the community. Budget $12, East Genesee Street Suite 401 Syracuse, NY

51 Content Generation/SEO Marketing Content Generation - ABC will develop more content for your site, including business and industry spotlights that will tie in heavily with our continued SEO marketing. This content will populate your site with key search terms and make the MCBDC easier to find online. This is better than paid advertising because it allows your services to pop up faster for the people who are looking for them. This keyword/content combination will give your website long legs and ensure your digital presence is always optimized. SEO Marketing - On top of the SEO services that will be provided through the development of content, ABC will ensure your website is always optimized for Google s latest algorithm changes. Your redesigned website acts as a great foundation to build on any algorithm changes that may occur and ABC will maintain the site to make sure it is fundamentally sound from an SEO perspective by constantly monitoring search engine results page (SERP) shifts and acting accordingly. Lead Generation - ABC sees a huge opportunity within your website to introduce inbound marketing. This would include a simple, but effective way of implementing resources on your website to allow you to easily collect information from prospective businesses for continued communication throughout the year. Budget $10, Video Production ABC will develop one industry-targeted video that will complement the previously mentioned content generation greatly by showing people how the MCBDC services can accommodate and assist certain industries. This will be more statdriven with impressive facts and figures about the respective industries in Montgomery County. Budget $7, East Genesee Street Suite 401 Syracuse, NY

52 Flash Drive USBs ABC would like to design and create 250, 4GB flash drive USB cards that would complement your new folder perfectly due to its small, business card-like size. This card would act as more of a media kit and could be sent out to prospective businesses, but also utilized during pitch meetings. This USB would include your videos, case studies and any other materials we could use to showcase your services to prospects. Budget $1, On top of the proposed services above, ABC will also be available throughout the year to provide the following services at our hourly rates: Account Service - $100/hr Design/Layout - $125/hr Copywriting - $100/hr Proofreading & Editing - $80/hr Research - $100/hr Concept Development - $100/hr Consulting - $100/hr Public Relations - $120/hr Client Meeting - $100/hr Video Editing - $160/hr Video Production - $250/hr Web Design -$150/hr Web Maintenance - $100/hr Search Engine Optimization - $125/hr We thank you again for the opportunity to present our recommendations for 2016 and look forward to continuing Montgomery County s Made of Something Stronger campaign. Signature: Date: 430 East Genesee Street Suite 401 Syracuse, NY