In this month’s edition of the G/FL Economic Recovery Series, we are featuring a whitepaper about attracting remote workers, a NYS broadband survey, regional training opportunities and October is Energy Awareness month! |
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G/FLRPC Executive Director Announcement |
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We are excited to welcome Paul Gavin to the Genesee-Finger Lakes region as G/FLRPC's new executive director! He comes to the G-FL region with plenty of experience.
Mr. Gavin started October 4th. In the coming months, Mr. Gavin will be reaching out to our community stakeholders to connect with our region and set a new course for G/FLRPC.
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Code Enforcement Officer Trainings |
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The Energy Code—a minimum building standard for energy efficiency—is applicable to new construction and renovation of commercial and residential buildings. Completing the training module gives communities opportunities for significant energy savings through improved energy code compliance. In conjunction with G/FLRPC, NYSERDA is offering two upcoming opportunities in our region to complete this training:
Tuesday, November 2nd @ Batavia EMS - registration link below
Monday, November 15th @ Penfield Town Hall - registration link below
NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program recognizes and rewards local governments for their clean energy leadership. By completing this High Impact Action, you’ll earn 200 points towards grant funding to support additional clean energy projects.
If you have any questions, please contact your Clean Energy Communities Coordinator .
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Registration Open for the Fall Local Government Workshop |
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The Fall Local Government Workshop (LGW) is almost here! Just one more week before sessions start on October 18. Please visit the LGW website for the registration link via Eventbrite, full schedule, and session details.
We're looking forward to a lot of great information at this workshop. Topics include Zoning Board Overview, Hamlets and Design Guidelines, Site Plan Review, Solar Energy Facility Planning, Flood Resilience, Land Use Policy and Equity, Affordable Clean Energy for Communities, Historic Preservation, Public Engagement, and others.
A special track of three sessions focuses on flooding along Wayne County’s Lake Ontario shoreline, but the information and discussions are applicable to many flood vulnerable places.
A few things to keep in mind:
- All sessions take place online via video conference (Zoom)
- Sessions are free but registration is required
- Register through Eventbrite by clicking this link > [to be inserted]
- Each session is individually ticketed. You will need to sign up for each session you wish to attend
- Session length ranges from one hour to two hours; please note the schedule.
- Zoom links will be emailed approximately 30 minutes before the start of each session (please check your junk and spam folders).
- If you would like credit for attending, please make sure your name is visible on the screen during the session so that we can verify attendance and provide credit.
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Upcoming HeatSmart Webinar!
Heat Pumps are a proven technology for year-round household climate control with long-term energy savings. HeatSmart Finger Lakes North wants to help homeowners across the region assess their heating and cooling options and take advantage of financing opportunities and tax credits.
Join HeatSmart FLX on September 21, 2021, at 5:30 to learn about the benefits of heat pumps and how to get the right financing for a comfortable and affordable home.
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Community Highlight - the Town of Penfield |
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The Town of Penfield, located in Monroe County, recently partnered with citizen organization Color Penfield Green to facilitate two Community Campaigns. Focusing on the Electric Vehicles and Clean Heating & Cooling Campaigns, the Town offered continuing education programs through the Recreation Department, both in-person and online, for all Senior Citizens (D.E.A.R. Program = Daytime Education at Recreation) during the day and at night for adults who work during the day.
Each campaign had different objectives. The Clean Heating and Cooling and Energy Efficiency Campaign, titled “Are you ready for ALL-ELECTRIC Home Heating & Cooling?” focused on developing partnerships with NYSERDA-approved Clean Heating and Cooling Community Campaigns that are available in the area. In addition to Color Penfield Green, the Town also worked with its Staff, Energy & Environmental Advisory Committee and HeatSMART MONROE/FLX to encourage the adoption of clean heating and cooling technologies (e.g., ground- and air- source heat pump systems and heat pump water heaters) as well as energy efficiency retrofits to homes, businesses, and community institutions.
The Electric Vehicles campaign, titled “Electric Vehicles 101: Your Guide to EVs” focused on initiating and developing partnerships with car dealerships, platform providers, and/or other EV industry partners in the area. In addition to Color Penfield Green, the Town also worked with its Staff, Energy & Environmental Advisory Committee, and local auto dealers Bob Johnson Auto Group & Hoselton Auto Mall to offer Penfield residents and businesses a variety of makes and models of electric vehicles.
The first round of both campaigns wrapped up on October 5th, with additional offerings for these courses planned for winter and spring. If you’re interested in participating, please visit the PenRec Website.
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New York State Broadband Assessment Program |
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Please spread the word and encourage your community members to participate by filling out this brief survey.
This online survey is an interactive tool which community members can access in a host of manners ranging from computers, tablets, cell phones, and, if applicable due to lack of broadband, hard copy.
The survey documents issues with respect to availability, as well as adoption, and enables communities to better understand broadband issues from the resident's perspective. Is broadband available? Do they use it? If not, why? In general, is broadband in the community effective at meeting the needs of the community?
For those with internet access, the survey will allow them to submit the results of internet speed tests to further document the actual availability of service (and not just the claims of availability made by service providers.) This interactive methodology generates statistically valid information which is also overlaid into the GIS program for accuracy.
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Attracting a Remote Workforce with Direct Incentives |
Remote work does not seem to be going away any time soon. To capitalize on this trend, many communities are offering cash and other gifts directly to remote workers, to incentivize relocation to their communities. One of the most popular direct incentive programs, Tulsa Remote, offers $10,000 cash to relocate to the City. These incentive programs are offered in nearly every corner in the U.S. and in communities of all shapes and sizes. This innovate approach to workforce development has allowed many communities to capitalize on an increasingly mobile workforce. But do these programs actually work?
This month’s white paper provides a comprehensive overview of direct-to-remote worker incentive programs that exist across the Country and gives insight on the potential economic impact.
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