Rescheduled ED Program Set for March 31st

Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc.
Presented by David Moynihan, President of the NYS Society of CPAs

David Moynihan, president of the New York State Society of CPAs, will offer a program on Wed, December 9th at 1pm on the importance of quality audits and improving the audit process. David’s presentation includes best practices in procuring an auditor, auditor-client communication, and getting the most out of an audit. This is not a highly technical presentation—rather, it focuses on management’s ethical responsibility during the audit process.

Bio
David Moynihan, CPA is President of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA). Moynihan is the partner in charge of the audit and attest group at Testone, Marshall & Discenza LLP.

Moynihan has been a NYSSCPA member since 1982 He is chair of the NYSSCPA Peer Review committee, vice chair of its Political Action committee and past president of its Syracuse Chapter.

Moynihan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and received its certificate of achievement in Governmental and Non-Profit Accounting and Auditing. He is also a member of the AICPA Peer Review Board and is on the Central Region Council of the New York State Government Finance Officers Association.

He is a member of the board of directors of the Spanish Action League of Syracuse, finance chair of St. Patrick’s Church and treasurer of Partners for Education and Business.
He is a graduate of LeMoyne College with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

About the NYSSCPA
Representing 29,000 CPAs, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) is the oldest state accounting organization in the nation, celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.

Incorporated in 1897, the Society is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to establish and maintain high standards of integrity, honor, and character among certified public accountants. Its members are CPAs working in public practice, industry, government and education in a state that serves as the home of Wall Street and major financial institutions.

The New York State Society of CPAs is located at 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016. To learn more about the Society call 800-633-6320 or visit the Society’s website at www.nysscpa.org.

Date: Wed, March 31st, 2010
Time: 9am to 11am
Cost: FREE
Location: Rescue Mission, Utica, NY

REGISTER HERE

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Guest view: Region’s future depends on several factors

The Utica OD offered the following guest viewpoint from Steven DiMeo, President of Mohawk Valley EDGE:

Many economists believe the worst of the national recession is behind us. But the nation’s economic outlook will not dramatically improve until there is evidence that:

* Consumers and business confidence rebounds.
* The economy begins to see job growth.
* Small businesses have better access to credit markets.
* Key economic indicators in housing and construction, finance and the automobile industry improve.
* Sustainable markets can be developed or induced for green technology jobs.

Keep eye on state
While the Mohawk Valley has escaped the worst of the economic downturn, our economic prospects depend on how well state government adjusts to new economic realities. State budget and regulatory policies are “out of line” with the new economic realities that have Wall Street being a smaller part of the state’s economy and takes into account structural changes in the state economy.

New York has a rich supply of low-cost hydropower, but this energy resource is not used to maximize economic growth in upstate. Part of this cheap power resource is committed for lower value uses not related to attracting or retaining economic activity in upstate or is legislatively restricted to specific areas of the state and not available elsewhere in upstate.

Without fundamental changes in tax, regulatory and energy policy, New York’s economy – particularly in upstate — will continue to struggle and the upstate region will more closely resemble that of Eastern Europe before the end of the Cold War.

While the Mohawk Valley economy’s success is largely tied to national and state economic policies, EDGE has pursued initiatives that will position the region for improved economic growth. Examples include:

Marcy NanoCenter
Marcy NanoCenter at SUNYIT and marketing to the semiconductor and advanced electronics sectors:

A global marketing effort is under way to position the Mohawk Valley region for expansion opportunities by the semiconductor industry, advanced electronics, photovoltaic manufacturing and emerging clean tech sectors.

EDGE, SUNY, SUNYIT and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York have forged a partnership to develop the 300-acre site at SUNYIT that will build off of New York’s successes to be a global hub in semiconductor manufacturing and nanotechnology.

A Project Development Agreement is being finalized that will provide EDGE with a ground lease on the 300-plus acre site and $25.6 million in state and local funds are earmarked for infrastructure, site and other improvements commencing in 2010.

In addition, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNYIT have entered into a unique cross-university partnership that links both colleges together under a $45.0 million R&D-commercialization initiative in chip design and integration that will be part of SUNYIT’s new Center for Advanced Technology and will complement efforts to market the Marcy site to a global industry.

Business park
Continued growth of the Griffiss Business and Technology Park:

Griffiss continues to achieve national recognition for its success in transforming a former military installation into a model for regional economic development. Approximately $405 million in public and private investment has occurred at Griffiss since 1995. More than 5,500 people are employed by 70 private and public employers at Griffiss.

There is also a growing cluster of software development and information technology companies co-located next to the Air Force Research Laboratory. Technology companies such as CUBRC, BAE, Alion, AIS and CACI expanded or commenced operations at Griffiss this year. The research laboratory is also undergoing changes with the expansion of new and renovation to key laboratories and technology facilities.

Master plan
Master plan for the Oneida County Business Park:

Working closely with Oneida County and businesses at the Oneida County Business Park, EDGE spearheaded a redevelopment plan for the former Oneida County Airport. The reuse plan identifies key infrastructure improvements to support immediate and longer-term requirements to program nearly 2,600 acres for economic development and complements EDGE efforts at Marcy NanoCenter and Griffiss Business and Technology Park for marketing of this location.

Brownfield development
EDGE is working closely with Rome Industrial Development Corp., Rome Community Brownfield Restoration Corp. and the city of Rome on two key economic development initiatives: * Led to the construction of a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing-distribution center by American Alloy Steel on the former General Cable site.
* Continue the redevelopment of the former Rome Cable facility by completing environmental remediation activities and demolishing obsolete buildings to create new development sites.

Outreach
Business outreach and assistance efforts: A core part of EDGE’s mission is to work with existing employers on expansion and business retention issues. Over the past year, EDGE and its partners helped ECR International consolidate operations in Utica, assisted F.X. Matt Brewing Co. on rebuilding its canning and warehouse operations that were damaged by fire and approved financing for Delta Hardwoods.

Advocacy
Business and community advocacy: EDGE has played a key role in being a strong advocate for areas business needs and has spearheaded efforts on key regional issues.

This year marked a landmark victory for the eight counties that would have been impacted by the NYRI power line. EDGE played a leadership role in working with the impacted counties and Communities Against Regional Interconnect, which was formed to oppose this effort.

A comprehensive economic development agenda for the Mohawk Valley that focuses on innovation, technology and education is in place. However, significant changes in tax, regulatory and energy policy are required in Albany if the Mohawk Valley and upstate are to attract private investment and be a beacon of opportunity for new business expansion and attraction opportunities.

Genesis Group and Chamber Alliance Present 4th Annual Regional Community Forum

The Genesis Group and The Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley present the,
4th Annual Regional Community Forum
on Thursday January 21st - 7:30am at The Radisson Hotel Utica Centre
Cost - $20.00 per person

This Community Forum will provide a valuable opportunity for officials to hear the thoughts and concerns from a variety of geographic areas and jurisdictional levels.

Participating in the forum are officials from federal, state, county and local levels of government.

For reservations, contact Genesis Executive Director Ray Durso, Jr., by calling 315.792.7187 or via email, info@TheGenesisGroup.org

The Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley includes the chambers of Boonville, Camden, Clinton, Herkimer County, Kuyahoora Valley, Marcy, New Hartford, Rome and Trenton.

Thank you!

Regional Funders Perspective on Collaboration: Watch the Video

Colgate University offered the following funders' conversation:

Dunn says that Central New York has a modest foundation community, with only $400 million in assets and $20 million in annual grants. With those funds, how can we have the most impact. He has seen many encouraging conversations about sustainability in not for profit organizations in the community, and discussions about merging, sharing objectives, and regionalization. OShea says that, as the largest funder in their area, several smaller foundations have come under their umbrella as donor advised or designated funds. This enables them to have a conversation about their interests and the impact of their charitable dollars. She also stresses the importance of the indicator study as a way to articulate the needs of the community to themselves and the community. Brown does the same thing by relying on other agencies to give them this information. They are concerned with the power differential and remind themselves to remain sensitive about this. She shares an example of a cultural organization that has systemic issues. They also discuss the definition of philanthropy and the creation of the Center for Philanthropy by the Central New York Community Foundation.

Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community

Herkimer & Oneida County Indicators
What is a community indicators study? Community indicator studies are now commonly conducted across the country to provide objective snapshots of an area's quality of life. This is an opportunity to engage in a community-wide conversation about the current state of the Mohawk Valley region and how to respond collectively to issues that we face. The indicator categories are arts and culture, economic self-sufficiency, economy, education, environment, health, housing, public safety, technology and transportation.

Why would a community want an indicators study? A community indicators study is like a check-up with the doctor. The study tells the community what areas are healthy and which areas need work. It is objective and based on facts rather than sentiment. It will help the community establish shared goals toward increasing its economic viability, well-being and sustainability. We believe that with this information, organizations and individuals will form partnerships and take action to build a vital community and improve the overall perception of our community.

Who is responsible for the indicators study? This is the inaugural project of the Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (LAVC), which is a partnership among The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., Mohawk Valley EDGE and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. The Community Foundation is taking the lead in the data collection phase of this project on behalf of the Alliance.

What is the geographic focus of the indicators study? The focus is on Oneida and Herkimer counties.

When and how are you collecting the information? The data is being collected and processed, and will be released in the first quarter of 2010. We have selected the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) from Rochester, NY as the data collection agency that can best meet our needs. CGR is collecting and analyzing data to develop a report of the findings along with an accompanying web site, which will be unveiled in the spring of 2010.

How will you decide what information to collect? We will invite community members who are experts in the 10 indicator areas for sessions where they will review the potential indicators for each category. Their expertise will help inform the specific areas of study for a focused, independent and objective measurement of key community indicators. Ultimately, these experts and the Alliance will use the data to take action.

The purpose of LAVC is to strengthen a healthy, vibrant community through collaborative leadership that identifies significant community issues, builds regional consensus, creates a shared vision and is a catalyst for change.

A plan not yet realized

The Utica OD reported that the recent $20 million Stanley Center for the Arts renovation ranks high on the list of projects expected to bring about a downtown renaissance.

But since the 1928 theater reopened in spring 2008 to the St. Petersburg Ballet’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” the increase in the number of shows has been only one-third of what Stanley officials expected.

The number has risen from 95 pre-renovation to a projected 110 shows in 2009. That’s far fewer than the 140 annual shows expected after the Stanley expanded its stage, added dressing rooms and improved the loading dock.

Yearly attendance is even more off the mark from estimates made by theater leaders in 2005, a time when they were in the midst of raising many hundreds of thousands of dollars for the renovation from governments, local donors and other sources.

Faced with recession-weary patrons, theater officials now find themselves making numerous adjustments.

Among them:
◦Executive Director Ronald Thiele has proposed a wage freeze for the Stanley’s 21 employees. The theater is also tightening spending.
◦The Stanley plans to back off for now from presenting shows itself, an avenue it had pursued as the renovation reached fruition.
◦The theater might offer more “pocketbook-appropriate” events for local residents such as Sunday matinees.
Theater officials say they are still learning how to manage what they’ve created.

“There’s a strong sea-change in the tasking of people’s time and resources,” Thiele said. “It really creates an organizational shift that we are a performing arts center.”

The lack of significant change has disappointed some of the theater’s neighbors.

“I think the Stanley is not utilizing their capabilities to their fullest potential,” said James Loy, who owns Utica’s 257 Steakhouse. “I think they could have newer, better shows in there and bring a lot more to the downtown area than what they’ve been producing.” Read more here.