Not too long ago, the story around Broome County wasn’t a great one. We were losing jobs, losing people and watching opportunities pass us by.
Now the question is simple: are we going to keep this going or let it slip?
Because things are finally moving. You can see it — new housing going up, long-vacant buildings getting a second life, energy returning to places that felt stuck for years.
But growth doesn’t just keep going on its own. If we want it to last, we have to keep pushing.
A lot of that work isn’t flashy. It’s preparing sites before companies even come calling. It’s upgrading infrastructure — roads, water, sewer, public services — the basics that make everything else possible. It’s the behind-the-scenes work that determines whether we land the next opportunity or lose it to somewhere else.
That’s what the proposed Broome Technology Park in Union and Maine is about. If we want the jobs of tomorrow, we have to be ready today.
And we’ve got a real shot. Companies like BAE, CMP and Raymond are investing and expanding right here in Broome County. At the same time, the semiconductor industry is taking off across Upstate New York, bringing tens of thousands of jobs.
We can be part of that — or we can watch it happen somewhere else.
Our local schools are stepping up. Binghamton University continues to drive research and talent. SUNY Broome is growing again, especially in programs tied directly to good-paying jobs.
BOCES is training people with real, hands-on skills that employers need.
We’re also doing a better job connecting workers to those jobs. Our efforts at Broome Workforce are helping close the gap between opportunity and the people ready to fill it.
Broome County needs good housing, childcare
But jobs alone aren’t enough.
If people can’t find housing, they won’t stay. If they can’t find childcare, they won’t take the job. If workers can’t build a life here, companies will look elsewhere.
That’s why the new childcare center at Oakdale Commons matters. That’s why more than 1,500 new housing units matter. And it’s why investments in parks, public spaces and community events matter too.
People want more than a paycheck — they want a place to live, raise a family and be part of something.
And it’s working. Broome County has added about 10,000 jobs in the last five years. This is not the time to get comfortable.
The Broome Technology Park deserves a serious, honest look from residents and local leaders. This isn’t about rushing development – it’s about being prepared for it.
We can grow the right way. Protect green space. Manage traffic. Make sure infrastructure keeps up. Do it smart.
But doing nothing is a decision, too — and it’s the wrong one.
If we don’t prepare now, we will fall behind. Other communities are already getting ready. They’re not waiting.
And when we lose opportunities, we lose people right along with them.
Upstate New York is on the rise again. Broome County should be part of that story. But only if we decide to be.
Jason T. Garnar is the Broome County Executive. Contact him at [email protected].
