Figliola: NY must exploit its strengths

Anthony Figliola is vice president of Empire Government Strategies, a Uniondale-based lobbying firm focused on economic development.

The most recent census data show that New York State population isn't growing nearly as quickly as the rest of the country.

Policy-makers have struggled for years to attract and retain business in our state. Under Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's initiative -- the most aggressive economic development program in decades -- the 10 regions of the state will craft their own policies and compete for money to implement them. It's a bold step to decentralize power from Albany and allow local regions to choose how best to develop their economies. But now the state must establish a plan that encompasses both a strategic and tactical approach.

Public-private partnerships: Government shouldn't be the sole party responsible for coming up with creative concepts -- private industry is an important player, too.

In Minnesota, several prominent corporate chief executives, led by the heads of General Mills and medical-device giant Medtronic, started an informal working group called the Itasca Project. Its mission was to develop programs that would help stimulate the regional economy.

The group developed a procurement program to help Twin Cities businesses gain access to lucrative contracts. The initiative was open exclusively to local vendors, allowing small businesses to compete for million-dollar contracts within these large corporations.

Recruiting international business: New York should look to China for ideas about attracting international businesses and enticing them to stay. The Chinese government has invested billions to create an economic hub for advanced manufacturing. The country has built the infrastructure needed for these companies to set up operations, including a large seaport in the northern China province of Tianjin, to easily transport products all over the world. Many U.S.-based companies, such as IBM and Motorola, have opened operations there.

While China has felt the pressure to build infrastructure to attract business, here in New York, businesses already have access to one of the largest ports in the world and three large airports close to major interstates. This infrastructure is one of the primary reasons Long Island is home to Fortune 500 tech businesses like Canon, Computer Associates and Motorola. New York needs to better market its existing advantages to draw similar high-profile companies.

New York City -- gateway to the world: The city is perhaps the greatest weapon in the state's arsenal, but it is underutilized. It's home to hundreds of international trade groups and foreign consulates, organizations that help their international members do business within the United States.

Last year the state hosted one of several U.S.-Israel Cleantech trade-mission conferences, which brought two dozen Israeli companies looking to partner or locate operations in the United States. One byproduct of these missions was the decision of Advantix Systems, a manufacturer of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, to locate in Miami. There are more groups like this, and New York should exploit those relationships.

Promoting our regions' assets: In North Carolina, there's an organization called the Charlotte Regional Partnership that covers 14 counties in the state. It's similar to groups like the Long Island Association, involving public and private partners who work to promote their region. But the Charlotte partnership goes further by actively traveling the country to position its area as an attractive place for new business. It's become the public relations arm for the region as it entices businesses to move to Charlotte.

New York has the intellectual capital and wealth of experience needed to cultivate new technologies and grow the industries that will create much-needed jobs. The pieces of the puzzle have been laid on the table in front of us. Now, we need to work as one state to promote our vast resources to the business community.