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Chautauqua County committee reframes top economic goal to focus on sustainable disposable income growth
Summary
The Planning and Economic Development Committee amended Resolution 184-26 by substitution to change the countys stated top economic-development goal from "job creation" to "sustainable disposable income growth" after a presentation from county economic-development officials and debate among legislators; the amended resolution will be offered to the full legislature for prefiling.
The Chautauqua County Planning and Economic Development Committee on Monday amended Resolution 184-26 to declare "sustainable disposable income growth" the countys primary economic-development goal, replacing language that had emphasized job creation as the number-one objective.
Mark Geist, deputy county executive for economic development and CEO of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, told the committee that measuring job creation alone misses important factors that help businesses locate and workers stay, including housing, infrastructure, workforce training and placemaking. "Jobs are the harvest," Geist said, arguing that the county should also track private investment, pilot revenue and housing units returned to productive use.
Why it matters: Committee members said the change aims to broaden the countys performance metrics beyond a single jobs tally and to emphasize household well-being rather than only headline job counts. One member described the original phrasing as "a political football," saying the title risked implying a partisan attack rather than a balanced strategy. The committee debated alternate titles and settled on language emphasizing sustainable disposable-income growth before approving an amendment by substitution.
Discussion and outcome: Legislators discussed whether the resolution should speak to county government actions alone or include the IDA and partner organizations. Several members noted the IDAs distinct legal authorities and functions and the county planning departments complementary role in setting land-use and zoning conditions. After debate, the committee voted by voice to approve the amended resolution as substituted. The clerk noted the sponsor of the original resolution will be asked whether they accept the amended version; if so, the amended version will be prefiled for the next legislature meeting, otherwise the original will be prefiled and the legislature can amend it there.
Whats next: The committee will forward the amended resolution to the full legislature for prefiling, at which point the original sponsor must state whether they support the substitute; the legislature may further amend or vote on the measure.
