Strategically located in the Northeastern United States, the Mohawk Valley of Central New York State is at the epicenter of major commercial centers of Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Nearly 300,000 people in Oneida and Herkimer Counties call the Mohawk Valley home. They also call it Fast Track Country, representing a long-standing philosophy for doing business. Embracing this philosophy, Mohawk Valley EDGE puts companies on the fast track to success, while executives and employees and their families enjoy a relaxed lifestyle of rural landscapes with the cultural amenities of an urban concourse.

Key initiatives supporting the business Fast Track include:

• Zoned sites and buildings with immediate development potential;
• Economic assistance packages and relocation incentives;
• Top-notch infrastructure, including high-speed
  telecommunications delivery;
• Existing research and development for future technologies transfer;
• Educational resources closely aligned with development opportunities;
• A "can do" attitude towards growth and expansion, translating to exciting business opportunities with fewer roadblocks.

EDGE will help with research, planning, financing, capital improvements, site selection and technical support.

KEY INDICATORS

These locally concentrated industry groups have historically proven to fuel one anothers growth and success in the Mohawk Valley. Such business networks lead to competitive advantages for existing companies and start-ups alike. This is why EDGE has made a concentrated effort to seek out these clusters and provide an environment to foster their growth.

The Mohawk Valley has current strengths and growth potential in several industrial clusters, particularly:

	AVIATION With the legacy of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, and having once served as a regional hub for the former Mohawk, Allegheny, Empire and Piedmont airlines, the Mohawk Valley has deep roots in aviation. Today, Empire Aero Center, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries, operates a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in a refurbished former Air Force hangar. In 2006, Mohawk Valley Community College will open an aircraft and power plant mechanic training program next door to Empire Aero Center’s facility, to train the next generation of aviation personnel. A 2-1/2-mile runway and uncongested airspace make it easy to move aircraft – and the people and products they carry – to and from the Mohawk Valley.
	LOGISTICS In 2006 Family Dollar opened the third major retail distribution center in the Mohawk Valley, joining Rite Aid and Wal-Mart as national chains that have realized the logistical value of the Mohawk Valley. Interstate 90 provides east-west travel from Boston to Seattle, and access to all of North America via the Interstate highway system. Many smaller firms such as M&L Trucking have likewise recognized the advantages of locating in the Mohawk Valley, where a network of state highways provides excellent transportation to all parts of New York State and the Northeast. Large development parcels are ready to host your warehousing and distribution operation.
	METALS MANUFACTURING This cluster has a strong regional history dating to the early 1800s. From the founding of Remington Arms and Revere Copper Products almost two centuries ago to the advanced metallurgy found today at Special Metals Corporation, Homogenous Metals (a subsidiary of United Technology Corporation) and others, the Mohawk Valley has been at the forefront of this industry. International Wire, Owl Wire (owned by the Marmon Group), and TECT all have major manufacturing operations in the Mohawk Valley.
	FINANCE, INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE The Mohawk Valley has become a center of major back office operations including insurance claims, check processing and call centers. Bank of America, Federal Reserve, Bank of New York, Metropolitan Life, The Hartford, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and ACS all have major centers in the Mohawk Valley, and Utica National Insurance Company’s international headquarters are here.
	INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE Led by the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate headquarters, the Mohawk Valley has developed a significant niche in the IT industry over the last half century. Today, international firms such as PAR Technology, BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, ITT Industries and Northrop Grumman have offices in the region, and homegrown companies such as Dolphin Technology and Black River Systems are becoming forces in the industry.
	NANOTECHNOLOGY Over the last decade, New York has made a statewide commitment to this industry, investing hundreds of millions of dollars to develop shovel-ready sites and state-of-the-art facilities. A 280-acre site in the Mohawk Valley is among those being promoted for nanotechnology in New York State. This site, located on the campus of the State University of New York Institute of Technology, is served by a municipal water system with an abundant supply, dual power sources and easy highway access, is properly zoned, and is virtually shovel ready for new development. Click here to read about New York’s commitment to nanotechnolgy: www.nylovesnano.com

HIGHWAYS

Interstate 90, which runs from Boston to Seattle, passes through the heart of the Mohawk Valley, connecting the region with Albany to the east and Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo to the west. Interstate 87 passes through Albany providing routes south to New York City and north to Montreal, while Interstate 81 goes through Syracuse giving easy access to Canada to the north, and Binghamton and Pennsylvania to the south. A comprehensive network of state highways crosses the region as well, giving access to local and regional markets.

AIR

The Oneida County Airport offers facilities for private and charter flights. Passenger service to locations throughout the U.S. and abroad is available through Hancock Airport in Syracuse, less than an hour away, and Albany International Airport, about 90 minutes away.

RAIL

Conrail and the New York Susquehanna & Western provides freight service; daily Amtrak passenger service is available from Utica and Rome.

PORT

The New York State Canal System has harbor points in Utica
and Rome, with smaller facilities, including Little Falls and Ilion,
available throughout the region.

The Mohawk Valley also features several technical and vocational training programs, including the Board for Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, and Pratt at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.

ADIRONDACK SCENIC RAILROAD
Leave from Uticas historic train station and travel into the Adirondacks as far as Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. Spend a few hours or a whole day!

ERIE CANAL VILLAGE
Erie Canal Village is an outdoor living history museum. It is a reconstructed 19th century settlement on the site where, on July 4, 1817, the first shovelful of earth was turned for the construction of the original Erie Canal.

FORT STANWIX
National Monument Discover how people endured harsh lives along the Oneida Carrying Place, the superhighway of the 18th century, and directly contributed to the American victory at Saratoga and westward expansion through New Yorks gateway to the west.

FORT RICKEY DISCOVERY ZOO
A combination zoo and family fun park offering wild animals, wild play.

HERKIMER DIAMOND MINES
Surface mines (above ground) where those of all ages can prospect for Herkimer Diamonds - beautiful double- terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer, New York. These phenomenal gemstones are close to five hundred million years old.

INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame holds annual induction ceremonies in early June as the highlight of a four-day celebration of boxing and its legends.

MUNSON-WILLIAMS-PROCTOR ARTS INSTITUTE
A world-class art musuem, performing arts center and school of art for residents of all ages and home to the Pratt Institute at MWPAI.

NATIONAL DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME
The National Distance Running Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the athletes who have made contributions that have brought distance running fame and recognition.

ORISKANY BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
Considered to be a significant turning point in the War of Independence, the Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, has been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. A monument was dedicated on August 6, 1884, to serve as a memorial to those who fought so bravely and tenaciously to preserve freedom.

THE MATT BREWING COMPANY
As one of the few remaining great American regional breweries, the Matt
Brewing Company has prospered at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains
in Central New York for over a century. Tours of the brewery are a favorite
with visitors to Utica!

TURNING STONE CASINO RESORT
Casino and entertainment venue with overnight accomodations, three world-class golf courses, spa services and more. Located right off the Thruway in Verona, NY.

UTICA ZOO
Located in Roscoe-Conkling Park, the zoo is part of a recreational complex made possible by the donation of land from Thomas R. Proctor in 1909. Of the 80 acres of land set aside for the zoo's use, 35 are developed and home to over 200 animals.

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
The Museum is a hands-on learning center with emphasis on local history, environmental science, the arts, and space science. It has four floors encompassing a total of 24,000 square feet of exhibition space with hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

STANLEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
A stunning Mexian-baroque-style theater which has been the premier showplace for Central New York since 1928. Four major local presenters use the Stanley: the Broadway Theatre League which brings in touring Broadway shows; the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Great Artists Series which features the best in opera, recital artists, and dance companies; the Utica Symphony Orchestra; and the Mohawk Valley Ballet.

COOPERSTOWN, NY
Historic Cooperstown, New York is home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Art Museum and the Farmers Museum. The Baseball and Beyond theme opens visitors eyes to museums, theaters, art galleries, wineries, breweries, cider mills and the opera.

BROADWAY THEATER LEAGUE
For nearly 50 years, has been bringing top quality national touring Broadway shows to Central New York!

THE UTICA MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
The Utica Memorial Auditorium was built in 1959 on the site of the old Erie Canal and hosts events from ice hockey and business expos to the Harlem Globetrotters, circuses, rock concerts, and professional boxing and wrestling. Even Hollywood came calling when scenes from the movie SlapShot, starring Paul Newman, were filmed here. Madison Square Garden in New York City is actually modeled after the Auditorium.

UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY
Located on Route 5 in Vernon, NY, the speedway offers fantastic racing action every Sunday! Featured weekly are 358-Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, I.M.C.A.'s and Pure Stocks.

DELTA LAKE STATE PARK
Delta Lake State Park is located on a peninsula extending into Delta Reservoir. Year-round visitors can enjoy the day in one of many picnic areas, or on one of the many hiking and nature trails. There is also a boat launch and shoreline fishing for trout, pike, bass, bullhead and perch. Campers can enjoy 101 tent, trailer or RV camping sites and there is a sandy beach with swimming in the summer. For winter visitors there are cross-country ski trails.

PIXLEY FALLS STATE PARK
Pixley Falls State Park's main attraction is the 50-foot waterfall, close to the picnic area. There are 22 streamside campsites and access to numerous miles of trout streams. A cross-country ski trail runs along the Black River Canal, which is just inside the park entrance.

THE BOILERMAKER ROAD RACE
The Boilermaker Road Race is the nations premier 15K road race, bringing runners from around the world into the Mohawk Valley together in celebration year after year. Established in 1978, the Boilermaker has been selected by Runners World Magazine and Roadrunners Clubs of America as one of the top races in the country.

AMERICAS GREATEST HEART RUN & WALK
The American Heart Association is the oldest and largest national nonprofit voluntary health organization in the world dedicated to reducing death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Mohawk Valleys Run/Walk rasies more money than anywhere else in the country.

SARANAC THURSDAYS
The Matt Brewing Company opens its parking lot to thousands on Thursday nights throughout the summertime to enjoy Saranac products, great live music and comraderie.

BOUCKVILLE ANTIQUE SHOW
Over 1,000 antique dealers from across the United States and Canada on
90 acres of picturesque farmland transformed for an annual festival of
antiques and collectibles.

RIGGIEFEST
A culinary staple of the Mohawk Valley, riggies have begun to be celebrated in a yearly festival where locally owned restaurants dish up their recipes for the adoring public. Thousands come out to sample riggies and vote on the winner of the coveted Riggie Cup.

REMSEN BARN FEST
The Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts is always held the fourth full weekend in September along Main Street in the Village of Remsen. It features traditional hand crafts, authentic foods & artwork, accoustic music and street entertainment.

JAZZ FEST
Hundreds come out to enjoy relaxed Wednesday evenings with sangria and
jazz on Bank Place in downtown Utica - one of the citys fastest-growing
and eclectic streets.

MUNSON-WILLIAMS SIDEWALK ART SHOW
The MWPAI Arts Festival is the area's longest running summertime celebration. The Festival's highlight attraction, the Sidewalk Art Show, returns with 200 fascinating works in a colorful array of media.

RIDE FOR MISSING CHILDREN
The Ride for Missing Children is an awareness/fundraising event for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Mohawk Valley Chapter. The ride began in 1995 when Team Sara rode their bicycles 529 miles from Utica, New York to Washington, DC, to raise awareness and remember missing and exploited children. Now the Ride for Missing Children - NCMEC/Mohawk Valley is an annual 100-mile bicycle ride open to a limited number of pre-qualified riders.

POLAR EXPRESS
Inspired by the award winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, the Adirondack Scenic Railroad departs from Utica's restored Union Station for a two-hour journey to the North Pole (Holland Patent) and back. Santa boards the train for the return trip to greet all and present a fitting souvenir to each child.

MILLERS MILLS ICE HARVEST
The Millers Mills ice harvest each February is a community event where young and old pitch in to saw the ice by hand so that the blocks can be drawn by horses to the ice house. The ice is then used to chill the ice cream for the summer ice cream social.

To learn more about the Mohawk Valley, please contact:

STEVEN J. DIMEO
PRESIDENT
MOHWAK VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROWTH ENTERPRISES (EDGE)
153 BROOKS ROAD
ROME, NY 13441
(315) 338-0393
INFO@MVEDGE.ORG

(Mohawk Valley Economic Development Growth Enterprise)

Enticing investment to enhance business performance and fuel economic growth is a primary goal of Mohawk Valley EDGE.

A not-for-profit organization, Mohawk Valley EDGE is your one-stop shop for economic development needs and business assistance in Central New Yorks Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

Mohawk Valley EDGE (Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corp.) links the area's economic development organizations, cuts through red tape and develops financing and assistance packages to help fast-track business opportunities for companies interested in locating or expanding their operations and job base in Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

Mohawk Valley EDGE can help your company find a suitable existing building or shovel-ready site to construct a new facility for manufacturing, distribution, back office services or any other industrial endeavor.