Mission Statement

The Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development serves to promote the sound and orderly economic and physical growth of Broome County and its constituent municipalities. It provides technical planning guidance and assistance to the County Executive and County Legislature and implements projects and programs designed to improve the economy, environment, and physical infrastructure of the county. The department extends professional services to local municipalities and other public and private entities in the areas of land use planning and zoning, grantsmanship, economic development, cartography, community assistance, research and infrastructure development.

The Department of Planning and Economic Development consists of the following divisions:

• Planning and Economic Development
• Geographic Information System/Mapping
• Environmental Management Council (EMC)
• Binghamton Metropolitan Transportation Study (BMTS)
   

Current Planning Projects

Broome County Teams with Willow Run Foods to Reduce Emissions

Broome County Planning has partnered with Willow Run Foods to submit an application for $517,000 from the US EPA National Clean Diesel Program.  If funded, the application will enable Willow Run Foods to equip 55 tractor trailers with auxiliary power units (APU).  The installation and use of these APU's by Willow Run will result in the reduction of 52 tons of nitrogen oxides, 1.22 tons of particulate matter, 2.2 tons of carbon dioxide and the savings of nearly 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel over their usable lifetime.  APU's work by allowing trucks to be run off of the much smaller and more efficient auxiliary power engine rather than the tractor trailer engine during times when they traditionally would be idling.  A decision on the grant is expected in February 2010.

Brandywine Corridor Brownfield Opportunity Area

Broome County secured a $175,500 grant from New York State to prepare a Brownfield Opportunity Area plan for the Brandywine Corridor.  This 137-acre swath of land in the heart of Binghamton, is the gateway to the community.  By preparing a Brownfield Opportunity Area plan for this area, we can focus public and private sector investment and help the community achieve its vision.  We have hired Elan Planning and Design of Saratoga Springs, New York to coordinate this effort.  

A project website has been established for the Brandywine Corridor BOA. 

Broome County Receives Grant to Purchase Three Flood Damaged Houses

The Planning Department has received a State grant for $331,772 to purchase three-flood damaged homes.  The homes, two in Conklin and one in Kirkwood, will be demolished after acquistion as part of a flood remediation program.  The goal is to lessen the impact of future flood events on the community.  Nothing will be constructed on the properties after the demolition is completed.

The purchase price of the three homes was determined by appraisals.  None of the homes are currently occupied.  The properties were selected after applications were made by the homeowners. 

The County is now in the process of making formal purchase offers to the homeowners, and preparing the environmental reviews and necessary asbestos screenings prior to demolishing the homes.  The homes should be down by the end of 2009.

Broome County Receives Police Consolidation Study Grant

Currently there are five municipal police departments in the urbanized core of Broome County, as well as a police force in the rural Village of Deposit, the Broome County Sherriff's Department, and the State Police.  Preliminary studies by Broome County have identified $9 million in potential savings in five years through the consolidation of urban polices forces.  However many questions remain, including the impact on the level of police services, the logistics of combining forces, and the cost of streamlining equipment and operations.  To address these issues, Broome County as a lead applicant, in conjunction with the City of Binghamton and the Village of Johnson City as co-applications, has received a $50,000 High Priority Planning Grant through the New York State Department of State's Local Government Efficiency Grant Program.  The funds will be used to develop a Police Consolidation Feasibility Study and Implementation Plan to help municipalities make an informed decision about the most efficient and cost effective way to move forward with police services.

Intermodal Terminal
Bids were opened for the Binghamton Intermodal Terminal to house BC Transit, BC Lift, Shortline/Coach USA, Greyhound and retail space.  The project is funded by a mix of federal, state, and local funds.  This $12.4 million project is expected to break ground April 2009 and be completed mid-2010.  The County is working to have the building meet the standards of LEED certification, an environmental/energy efficiency rating. 

Endicott-Johnson Brownfield Opportunity Area

Using a $155,000 grant from New York State, the Planning Department hired Clough Harbour and Associates to prepare a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) plan for central Johnson City.  This area was once the industrial heart of Broome County, but it is now marked by abandoned industrial buildings that have a blighting influence on the surrounding area.  The Endicott-Johnson BOA, however, has tremendous potential.  Significant investment has already begun to take place, most notably the construction of a $48 million printing facility by Gannett Company.  The publicity generated by the BOA process has spurred further development interest.  An executive summary for the Endicott-Johnson BOA can be found here: EJ BOA Executive Summary

Intermunicipal Waterfront Revitalization Project

Partnering with the Town of Vestal, the county is coordinating a study funded in part by the NYS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to identify public access options and propose integrated strategies for development along the four inland waterways within Broome County.  There are twenty-two municipalities located on the Susquehanna, Chenango, Tioughnioga or Delaware Rivers, all with varying degrees of economic and recreational opportunities. 

Conklin Multi Use Trail

Broome County secured a $449,000 Federal-aid grant to fund a multi-use walking and biking trail in Conklin.  The trail will connect the Broome Corporate Park with the neighboring community.  Workers in the park and residents in the community will be able to walk the trail for exercise and recreation.  County crews from the Department of Public Works have completed survey work for this project, and it has entered the design phase.