Economic Development News from Cayuga County
January 2020
Every year, CEDA hosts the Economic Forecast Luncheon to provide information about economic and demographic trends locally, as well as on topics and concepts that affect our area’s economic wellbeing. After tackling the  economic impact of the arts  last year, we are shifting gears to bring the community a more data centric analysis of our economy. This year’s speaker will be Jaison Abel, an Assistant Vice President and Head of the Regional Analysis Function in the Research and Statistics Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Mr. Abel’s presentation will be titled “Economic Conditions in the Nation and Region,” and will cover an overview of the US economy, regional economic conditions, and the economic outlook. There will be time available for a question and answer session at the end of his presentation.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
HOLIDAY INN, AUBURN
D anielle Szabo hired as CEDA's Economic Development Specialist
Danielle Szabo has started as Economic Development Specialist, and we are happy to have her on our team. As our EDS, she works to retain and expand existing businesses, as well as to attract new businesses to expand or relocate to Cayuga County. To do so, she identifies available commercial sites and buildings, and helps businesses navigate the myriad of programs and incentives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Danielle has over 10 years of workforce development experience with a focus on recruitment & retention strategies. She has worked with local employers in Cayuga, Onondaga and Oswego counties to build more efficient hiring and onboarding processes that have led to overall system changes. Danielle has a B.A. degree in Global and International Relations with a concentration in global politics and global culture from SUNY Oswego. She is an Auburn native and currently lives in Marcellus with her husband and two dogs. Danielle and her husband, Luke Szabo, own and operate Scratch Farmhouse Catering.
Upcoming Events
MWBE Training Tuesdays Webinar Series - A series of online capacity builder seminars to inform participants on best practices in marketing your business to NYS agencies & authorities. - Begins Tuesday, January 14
Educational Seminar: 3 Steps to a Stress-Free Tax Season - Learn h ow to beat procrastination and get started pulling your tax data together. - January 22
Strategic Thinking and Planning Workshop - This session provides a framework for an effective process for strategic thinking, decision making, and planning that will help position your organization for success. - January 24
Local Industry News
In the ninth year of the regional councils the state gave to thee, millions of dollars as a top awardee. 
Central New York won $86.2 million at the annual regional economic development council awards ceremony in Albany Thursday. The grants and tax credits will support 93 projects in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties. Seventeen of the projects are either based in or include Cayuga County. Two expansion projects — Cayuga Milk Ingredients in Aurelius and Tessy Plastics in Elbridge — will each receive $5 million in grants and tax credits. 
Abby and Mark Lepak were searching for a location to open an indoor hydroponic farm when they found a property for sale at 3554 Depot Road in Sennett — right next door to them.
There, the Lepaks are in the process of opening that business, Farm Girl Greens. The husband and wife will start growing leafy greens and herbs in about a week, Abby said, and will have produce available for businesses in about six weeks, Mark added. They plan on selling different kinds of lettuce, lemongrass, basil, arugula and more to local restaurants and farmers markets.
Photo credit: Kevin Rivoli, The Citizen
What We Do
The Cayuga Economic Development Agency (CEDA) provides businesses with easy access to all of the information, incentives and resources needed to start or grow in Cayuga County. For instance, CEDA can help businesses and entrepreneurs find a location or mentor, as well as assist in accessing tax incentives, low interest loan programs, technical assistance, or State grant funding. CEDA does this by working collaboratively with partners and experts throughout the region.