This section will outline the details for this Village Profile characteristic by converging the following Village Profile Survey Characteristic Groups:
- (5) Supporting a Rich Cultural Mix
- (7) Appealing to the evolving high-tech workforce
Characteristic description
This characteristic group focuses on how the Village of Herkimer can evolve to improve its economic profile along with enhancing its support for the cultural mix that is either resident to the community or in support of those expected to visit its enhanced offerings in shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Improving the Economic Profile
In review of the diverse definitions of a community’s economic profile, this document has focused on relevant economic characteristics such as dominant business sector types, unemployment rates and trends, work force characteristics by job type, major employers and industries; combined with demographic characteristics such as population, growth trends, age distribution, average household size, ethnic composition, average household income; and housing characteristics such as age/type/condition of structures, vacancy rates/trends and length of residency, availability of low-income housing, types of occupancy per renters vs owners.
It is generally viewed that the economic profile of a community (i.e. unemployment rates, work force by job type, etc.) has a direct influence on the demographic profile, such as the population, average household income, and subsequently a causal influence on the housing profile, affecting the condition of structures, vacancy, renters vs owners, and length of residency. For that reason this specific topic of economic profile will primarily focus on how to develop a positive influence on the economic characteristics of the Village of Herkimer, and thereby suggest that a positive ripple effect will occur in the demographic and housing characteristics.
NOTE – The economic profile of the Village of Herkimer must include the economic/job opportunities via businesses within the Village, as well as those employment/job opportunities that are available to Village residents by traveling to surrounding municipalities.
Refer to the section titled Statistical Profile of the Village of Herkimer for details on the current (2015) and historic profiles for population, ethnicity-race, gender, age, family and household, education, employment, income, and housing. This section will address the future state profile and (when necessary) draw from the content that earlier section.
It is generally viewed that the economic profile of a community (i.e. unemployment rates, work force by job type, etc.) has a direct influence on the demographic profile, such as the population, average household income, and subsequently a causal influence on the housing profile, affecting the condition of structures, vacancy, renters vs owners, and length of residency. For that reason this specific topic of economic profile will primarily focus on how to develop a positive influence on the economic characteristics of the Village of Herkimer, and thereby suggest that a positive ripple effect will occur in the demographic and housing characteristics.
NOTE – The economic profile of the Village of Herkimer must include the economic/job opportunities via businesses within the Village, as well as those employment/job opportunities that are available to Village residents by traveling to surrounding municipalities.
Refer to the section titled Statistical Profile of the Village of Herkimer for details on the current (2015) and historic profiles for population, ethnicity-race, gender, age, family and household, education, employment, income, and housing. This section will address the future state profile and (when necessary) draw from the content that earlier section.
Dominant Business Sectors
In reference to the Employment profile (detailed in the previous section titled Statistical Profile of the Village of Herkimer ) the most dominant business sectors of the Village are (shown as 2010 %; 2015 %; Delta/difference in %):
To put a financial profile on this business sector, according the United States Census Bureau’ QuickFacts on-line reporting service, for the year 2012 the Village of Herkimer generated over $26M in “total accommodation and food services sales”; over $79M in “total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue” and an astounding $252M in “total retail sales” or roughly 42% of the corresponding revenue generated by the entire economic profile of Herkimer County.
The other business sectors are limited in their prominence, with Manufacturing increasing from 9% in 2010 to 12% in 2015. Though this rise in manufacturing does demonstrate that there is growing opportunity in this business sector, the surrounding municipalities, such as Frankfort and Schuyler have taken a much more aggressive position to attract manufacturing per the Frankfort 5S, West Frankfort, and Schuyler Business Parks.
By establishing a complimentary persona for the Village of Herkimer, focusing on a profile rich in its offering of shopping, dining, and entertainment, the Village can raise up its regional uniqueness, attraction, and appeal to both residents and visitors.
There is no need to further develop this topic, but instead to rely on the success of the development of the Village of Herkimer to become the thriving Retail Center of Herkimer County as detailed previously in this document.
- Educational services, health care, social assistance (38%; 26%; -12%)
- Retail Trade (18%; 18%; 0%)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food services (10%; 17%; +7%)
To put a financial profile on this business sector, according the United States Census Bureau’ QuickFacts on-line reporting service, for the year 2012 the Village of Herkimer generated over $26M in “total accommodation and food services sales”; over $79M in “total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue” and an astounding $252M in “total retail sales” or roughly 42% of the corresponding revenue generated by the entire economic profile of Herkimer County.
The other business sectors are limited in their prominence, with Manufacturing increasing from 9% in 2010 to 12% in 2015. Though this rise in manufacturing does demonstrate that there is growing opportunity in this business sector, the surrounding municipalities, such as Frankfort and Schuyler have taken a much more aggressive position to attract manufacturing per the Frankfort 5S, West Frankfort, and Schuyler Business Parks.
By establishing a complimentary persona for the Village of Herkimer, focusing on a profile rich in its offering of shopping, dining, and entertainment, the Village can raise up its regional uniqueness, attraction, and appeal to both residents and visitors.
There is no need to further develop this topic, but instead to rely on the success of the development of the Village of Herkimer to become the thriving Retail Center of Herkimer County as detailed previously in this document.
Workforce Types and Employment Opportunities: Inside Village
With the current and targeted growth of the retail and services industry, it is expected that this workforce type will be dominant in the future profile of the Village of Herkimer. The retail industry (which focuses on shopping and consumer sales venues) enlists workforce labor trained (or trainable) and skilled in business, management, sales, and marketing. The statistical review (as previously referenced) notes that the retail and services workforce type provides over 50% of the employment opportunities in the Village of Herkimer.
The services industry (noted above as Retail Trade, and Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food services) has grown from 27% to 35% from 2010 to 2015, providing evidence that the success of dining and entertainment venues is on a naturally positive progression.
The remaining workforce types such as construction, maintenance, production, transportation, and material moving amass to less than 18% and are employment opportunities that are the focus of surrounding municipalities as noted earlier.
There is no need to further develop the future details of this topic, but instead to rely on the success of the development of the Village of Herkimer become the thriving Retail Center of Herkimer County as detailed previously in this document.
The services industry (noted above as Retail Trade, and Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food services) has grown from 27% to 35% from 2010 to 2015, providing evidence that the success of dining and entertainment venues is on a naturally positive progression.
The remaining workforce types such as construction, maintenance, production, transportation, and material moving amass to less than 18% and are employment opportunities that are the focus of surrounding municipalities as noted earlier.
There is no need to further develop the future details of this topic, but instead to rely on the success of the development of the Village of Herkimer become the thriving Retail Center of Herkimer County as detailed previously in this document.
Workforce Types and Employment Opportunities: Outside Village: Discrete Manufacturing
As noted earlier in this section, there are a broad set of employment opportunities focusing on manufacturing and production outside the Village of Herkimer in municipalities such as Frankfort, Schuyler, and Utica. The companies profiled are predominately discrete manufacturing, which is defined as the manufacturing of finished products that are distinct items capable of being easily counted, touched or seen.
Just a few examples of product manufacturing companies in the region include furniture manufacturer Hale Manufacturing Company (Frankfort), Turbo Machining Products (Utica), CTM (Frankfort), JBF Stainless (Frankfort), Remington Arms (Ilion), R.A. Wood Associates, LLC (Frankfort), New England Wood Pellet (Schuyler), Munson Machinery Co (Utica), Fiberdyne Energy (Frankfort), and Heidelberg Baking Co (Frankfort). These examples are a small portion of the companies of industry provide employment opportunities for Village residents that are easily within driving distance of the Village.
Based on the on-line publication from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment Statistics”, May 2016 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates; Utica-Rome, NY, the salary for manufacturing jobs ranges from the mid $30k to mid $50k per year. The skill and training required for employment in discrete manufacturing positions ranges from manufacturing operations and machining/tooling design to business management, procurement, sales, and marketing.
Just a few examples of product manufacturing companies in the region include furniture manufacturer Hale Manufacturing Company (Frankfort), Turbo Machining Products (Utica), CTM (Frankfort), JBF Stainless (Frankfort), Remington Arms (Ilion), R.A. Wood Associates, LLC (Frankfort), New England Wood Pellet (Schuyler), Munson Machinery Co (Utica), Fiberdyne Energy (Frankfort), and Heidelberg Baking Co (Frankfort). These examples are a small portion of the companies of industry provide employment opportunities for Village residents that are easily within driving distance of the Village.
Based on the on-line publication from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment Statistics”, May 2016 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates; Utica-Rome, NY, the salary for manufacturing jobs ranges from the mid $30k to mid $50k per year. The skill and training required for employment in discrete manufacturing positions ranges from manufacturing operations and machining/tooling design to business management, procurement, sales, and marketing.
Workforce Types and Employment Opportunities: Outside Village: Advanced technology
Though there have been a number of missteps in fulfilling the vision of the Marcy Nanocenter at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, as the region brings in highly advanced technology production facilities, there is very positive potential for surrounding communities, including the Village of Herkimer. As noted by Semico Research Company in their Upstate New York ams Project: Assessing the Economic Impact report, the fabrication facilities expect to infuse a peak of 1000 high tech employment opportunities along with over 6,000 jobs per (page 8):
“… support jobs, housing, food, retail operations and both private and government services. In addition, the materials and services that are part of the product being produced results in the growth of existing supplier businesses or new support businesses moving into the area.”
The skilled resources that are required for these high technology facilities are coming out of industry as well as educational institutions per the SUNY Polytechnic Institute located in Marcy, NY. The technologies supported by the Nanocenter include memory for computing devices and sensors that are targeted for (Semico, page 19) “… a broad range of products from smartphones, vehicles, tablets, PCs, wearables, health and fitness and industrial applications”.
Per (Semico, page 87), salary levels for the high technology positions entering the region can range from $45-60K for fab workers, $85K for engineers, and $130k for management positions. With the average salary level of residents of the Village of Herkimer being in the mid $30k range, in order to raise the economic level of the Village, we need to have a profile that entices the individuals (and their families) employed in these advanced technologies to take up residence in the Village.
We can only do this by enhancing our offering as a residential community that provides attractive, appealing, and competitive services when compared to surrounding communities such as New Hartford. This can be achieved, as noted in other areas of this document, by resolving infrastructural deficiencies, increasing our offering in shopping, dining, and entertainment, and creating a more attractive tax structure by developing a more consistent taxation profile to home owners.
“… support jobs, housing, food, retail operations and both private and government services. In addition, the materials and services that are part of the product being produced results in the growth of existing supplier businesses or new support businesses moving into the area.”
The skilled resources that are required for these high technology facilities are coming out of industry as well as educational institutions per the SUNY Polytechnic Institute located in Marcy, NY. The technologies supported by the Nanocenter include memory for computing devices and sensors that are targeted for (Semico, page 19) “… a broad range of products from smartphones, vehicles, tablets, PCs, wearables, health and fitness and industrial applications”.
Per (Semico, page 87), salary levels for the high technology positions entering the region can range from $45-60K for fab workers, $85K for engineers, and $130k for management positions. With the average salary level of residents of the Village of Herkimer being in the mid $30k range, in order to raise the economic level of the Village, we need to have a profile that entices the individuals (and their families) employed in these advanced technologies to take up residence in the Village.
We can only do this by enhancing our offering as a residential community that provides attractive, appealing, and competitive services when compared to surrounding communities such as New Hartford. This can be achieved, as noted in other areas of this document, by resolving infrastructural deficiencies, increasing our offering in shopping, dining, and entertainment, and creating a more attractive tax structure by developing a more consistent taxation profile to home owners.
Cultural mix profile
The future state (or vision) of the Village of Herkimer regarding enhanced offerings of shopping, dining, and entertainment were adequately covered in the section titled Retail Center of Herkimer County. However, it is important that these venues are such that it supports reasonable cultural diversity.
To put this topic into perspective, it is very common to view Italian food as an “American standard”. However prior to the 19th century, Italian food was in its infancy regarding popularity, which grew through the 20th and now 21st century where one is hard pressed to not find a pizza parlor or Italian restaurant in every city, town, or village across America.
This is an example of how a culturally unique profile becomes infused into the American cultural landscape. It should also be noted that the appeal of culturally diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences is a key attraction of popular cities throughout America and the world.
If the Village of Herkimer is to focus on supporting the dining, shopping, and entertainment interests of its residents, those from surrounding municipalities, and those visiting or vacationing in the Central New York region, then we need to develop offerings that will appeal to this broad cultural base of the population.
To identify the profile of those that would be serviced by a culturally diverse offering in dining, shopping, and entertainment, it is necessary to look at the profile of (1) current residents, (2) those attending Herkimer County Community College; (3) those occupying the high-tech workforce; and (4) those that visit Central New York.
To put this topic into perspective, it is very common to view Italian food as an “American standard”. However prior to the 19th century, Italian food was in its infancy regarding popularity, which grew through the 20th and now 21st century where one is hard pressed to not find a pizza parlor or Italian restaurant in every city, town, or village across America.
This is an example of how a culturally unique profile becomes infused into the American cultural landscape. It should also be noted that the appeal of culturally diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences is a key attraction of popular cities throughout America and the world.
If the Village of Herkimer is to focus on supporting the dining, shopping, and entertainment interests of its residents, those from surrounding municipalities, and those visiting or vacationing in the Central New York region, then we need to develop offerings that will appeal to this broad cultural base of the population.
To identify the profile of those that would be serviced by a culturally diverse offering in dining, shopping, and entertainment, it is necessary to look at the profile of (1) current residents, (2) those attending Herkimer County Community College; (3) those occupying the high-tech workforce; and (4) those that visit Central New York.
venues for cultural enrichment
Though many of the supportive efforts that align with this topic are covered in other sections of this document, it is noteworthy that include that all venues should consider the varied ethnicity of the local (and surrounding) population.
Vinod Sasidharan of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism at San Diego State University summaries diversity in ethnic group interest is clear, but requires attention when community planning:
“The least popular activities for all ethnic groups were educational and experiential activities, and here again there were ethnic differences in scores. Chinese respondents reported the greatest participation in experiential activities, while Whites and Hispanics were more likely than the other groups to engage in educational activities. African-Americans and Hispanics reported the highest levels of participation in team sports, while Whites and Hispanics were the most likely to engage in outdoor land and water activities. There were no significant ethnic differences in participation in community activities such as festivals and fairs.” Sasidharan (2004)
Vinod Sasidharan of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism at San Diego State University summaries diversity in ethnic group interest is clear, but requires attention when community planning:
“The least popular activities for all ethnic groups were educational and experiential activities, and here again there were ethnic differences in scores. Chinese respondents reported the greatest participation in experiential activities, while Whites and Hispanics were more likely than the other groups to engage in educational activities. African-Americans and Hispanics reported the highest levels of participation in team sports, while Whites and Hispanics were the most likely to engage in outdoor land and water activities. There were no significant ethnic differences in participation in community activities such as festivals and fairs.” Sasidharan (2004)
Renew of Commercial/Property Tax Base
The Village of Herkimer currently suffers from a low property tax base due to property ownership by the Herkimer County, the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Arc Herkimer, and dormant properties staged to be taken off the tax rolls by Herkimer County). Estimates place 48% of the current property profile to be untaxed, causing the Village of Herkimer to struggle to meet its financial obligations without pushing the tax burden onto taxable land owners (residential, commercial, and industrial).
In order to create the appeal of business and residential occupancy referenced above, it is required that a specific initiative be undertaken to reduce the non-taxable properties by 15-20%. Specific details will be developed specific to this initiative in collaboration with those entities that have participated or have been active in removing properties from the tax base. One example of this is to do whatever is necessary to keep properties from shifting from private or business ownership to Herkimer County or IDA, where they most often remain non-taxable. THIS IS A CRITICAL REQUIREMENT and MUST be achieved.
In order to create the appeal of business and residential occupancy referenced above, it is required that a specific initiative be undertaken to reduce the non-taxable properties by 15-20%. Specific details will be developed specific to this initiative in collaboration with those entities that have participated or have been active in removing properties from the tax base. One example of this is to do whatever is necessary to keep properties from shifting from private or business ownership to Herkimer County or IDA, where they most often remain non-taxable. THIS IS A CRITICAL REQUIREMENT and MUST be achieved.
ACTION POINTS
- Develop a Community Development plan as per strategic positioning of the Village as noted in this section, aligned with the other section influences.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, Community Development council, Herkimer Business & Professional Association, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Develop a Property Tax Recovery/Renewal Plan to reestablish non-taxable property back onto the Village tax base and reduce tax burden to spur commercial and residential growth.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, Herkimer County, IDA, Arc Herkimer, Herkimer Business & Professional Association, property investors, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Establish a Community Marketing plan that highlights 3 years of local and regional support for local businesses, advancements in community development, and recovery/renewal of property position.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, Herkimer Business & Professional Association, contract marketing, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Investigate and seek commercial/governmental sponsorship for enabling community Wi-Fi supporting community based Smart City.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, commercial property owners, State/Federal agencies, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, commercial property owners, State/Federal agencies, and the Village Board of Trustees.