MDA to be honored by Workforce Management with the Optimas Award

The Metropolitan Development Association (MDA) of Syracuse & Central New York has been named as a 2008 recipient of an award in the field of Workforce Management and Development. Workforce Management magazine has chosen the MDA to receive this year's Optimas Award for Partnership.  The Optimas Award for Partnership is given for developing innovative collaborations and creating relationships that serve business, workers, and the community. The MDA is being recognized for our work stemming from the Essential New York Initiative, creating collaborations between the public and private sectors, our outstanding colleges and universities, and economic development organizations across the 12-county central upstate region. Given the importance of a talented and skilled workforce in a knowledge-based economy, attracting, retaining and developing talent is now as significant as attracting companies. There are two Optimas winners from the area this year. MDA director Dr. Paul Kronenberg and his staff at Crouse Hospital, who are the 2008 recipients of the Optimas Award for General Excellence.  Past Optimas winners have included Intel, Goldman Sachs, Google, and groups such as The Global Workplace Collaboration. The award for partnership is a recognition for the progress that MDA is making, not just as an organization, but as a region.  The Optimas Awards ceremony will be held in October, in New York City.