INSIDE BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

Stimulating region’s economic revitalization is key to growth

By : Katie Ellis

The Greater Binghamton Coalition, an eight-member action group that includes President Lois B. DeFleur, reviewed its progress as it released its first report to the community last week.

The coalition was formed to implement the B.C. Plan, a comprehensive strategy including 110 recommendations for stimulating the region’s economic revitalization and guiding its future growth and development.

Speaking to the crowd of about 125 people, DeFleur said that it’s mutually beneficial for Binghamton University and its partners to have a vibrant, vigorous community and to continue to build and enhance its partnerships.

“Our efforts are truly multifaceted,” DeFleur said. “For instance, close to 30 percent of our students volunteer in the community and get a lot out of it while helping others.”

The coalition’s progress report is important, DeFleur noted. “It’s an important step and shows a lot of our efforts,” she said. “And it symbolizes a lot of work ahead of us as well. Our goal is to have a more diversified economy and one that builds on Binghamton University.”

DeFleur spoke of the support for the High Technology Commercialization Center and the Downtown Education and Community Development Center, as well as the University’s advocacy efforts at the state and national levels. “While we’re advocating, we’re also planning,” she said. “We want to hit the ground running, but in order to make all of this work, we’ve been making necessary contacts with a variety of industry partners and we need help with our advocacy efforts.

“The Greater Binghamton area is on the right track, but there is still much work to be done,” she said.