New York’s innovation future runs through the Southern Tier - by Stacey Duncan

New York’s economic future is being written in research labs, engineering centers and advanced manufacturing facilities across the state. From semiconductors and clean energy to biotechnology and life sciences, innovation is driving growth in industries that will define the next generation of jobs and investment.

But innovation does not happen in isolation. It thrives where strong universities, skilled workers and shovel-ready infrastructure come together. If New York wants to remain competitive in a global economy that is moving faster than ever, it must continue investing in the regions that connect research to real-world production — including the Southern Tier.

Across the state, New York has built a world-class foundation for discovery. Leading research institutions and public universities are attracting federal funding, top-tier faculty and private-sector partners. That knowledge base is fueling growth in advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy storage and life sciences, while helping create regional clusters that make it easier and more affordable for businesses to operate and expand.

We have seen the power of this model along the Thruway corridor, where semiconductor investment has reshaped the Capital Region and Western New York. Similar momentum is building in the Hudson Valley around biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. These regions are demonstrating what happens when research, workforce development and infrastructure are aligned.

The Southern Tier is uniquely positioned to play a similar role.

At the center of that opportunity is Binghamton University, a nationally recognized research institution that has received R1 recognition for the third consecutive time. Their work is driving innovation in energy systems, electronics, advanced materials and health sciences. Through major federal initiatives and industry partnerships, researchers in our region are helping shape the future of battery technology, power grids and next-generation manufacturing.

One example is the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, which is strengthening the region’s role in battery innovation and clean energy deployment. This research ecosystem has helped attract federal investment, grow supply chains and support companies that are building and scaling here in New York.

This is what economic development looks like in the modern economy. Research leads to innovation. Innovation attracts investment. Investment creates jobs. And those jobs anchor communities.

The Southern Tier offers something increasingly rare: proximity to top-tier research, access to skilled workers, and the space and infrastructure needed to grow. Businesses can collaborate directly with university partners while operating in a region where costs remain competitive and quality of life remains strong. That combination is a powerful advantage.

It is also why continued public investment matters.

Programs like FAST NY and other state initiatives that support site readiness, infrastructure and workforce development are essential tools for turning research potential into economic reality. In Broome County, we are not only preparing the Broome Technology Park concept, but also working to ensure that sites are prepared, utilities are in place and permitting processes are efficient, so companies can move from concept to construction without unnecessary delays.

Equally important is sustained investment in higher education — not only in facilities, but in the faculty, researchers and students who drive discovery. When we support our universities, we are investing in the talent pipeline that feeds advanced industries and keeps innovation rooted in New York.

This is not about favoring one region over another. It is about recognizing that New York’s strength lies in its interconnected regional economy. When downstate research, upstate manufacturing and local workforce systems move in sync, the entire state benefits.

For the Southern Tier, the opportunity is clear. We can continue building on our role as a bridge between research and production. We can attract companies that value collaboration, innovation and long-term growth. And we can create high-quality jobs that keep young people here and bring new talent to our communities.

But that future is not automatic. It requires consistent, coordinated investment. It requires policymakers to see regional development not as a series of isolated projects, but as part of a statewide strategy for competitiveness. And it requires continued partnership among universities, industry leaders and local communities.

New York has the ingredients to lead in the industries of tomorrow. The question is whether we will connect them.

In the Southern Tier, we are ready to do our part.

Stacey Duncan is executive director of The Agency, the economic development driver in Broome County; president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce; and director-at-large board member of New York Economic Development Council, Binghamton, N.Y.