Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Geneseo Small Business Development Center, located on the campuses of SUNY Geneseo and GCC, provides management and technical assistance to start-up and existing small businesses. Administered by the State University of New York, the Geneseo SBDC specializes in providing free one-to-one counseling on small business problems and offers training and instructional programs targeted to the needs and interests of the small business person.

Business and Industry Center at SUNY Geneseo

The State University of New York at Geneseo provides several services to business and industry through the College’s Business and Industry Center and the John Wiley Jones School of Business. These services include:

• Contract Research and Technical Assistance – The Business and Industry Center coordinates the delivery of assistance from faculty and college instructional facilities. Examples include foreign language translations, biochemical research, electron microscopy, foreign trade, environmental analysis, business marketing and finance, computer modeling and microelectronics. The use of observatories, teleconferencing and libraries is also arranged through the center.
• Internship Program – The recognized John Wiley Jones School of Business offers student internships in business marketing, finance accounting and economic analysis among others.
• Campus Auxiliary Services and Conference Center – The use of College facilities, conference facilities, food service and dormitory lodging by off-campus concerns is coordinated by the Business and Industry Center. Groups as large as 1,000 can be accommodated.
• Student Employment Services – Offers opportunities to business for student employees.
• Center For International Business – performs market research for companies to make informed decisions about global strategies and offers internships.
• Survey Research Center – Consultation and development/execution of survey research questionnaires.
• Office of Multicultural Affairs – Provides consultation on diversity training needs for companies.

GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (GCC) – GCC provides important business and employee skills improvement programs as well. The College BEST Center (Business & Employee Skills Training Center) supports Livingston County’s economic base by helping ensure a skilled and qualified workforce to meet the increased demands of today’s businesses. Businesses needing help in assessing and implementing employee training can utilize the BEST Center as a resource to improve and enhance business results. Training programs in leadership/management, computer technology, individual job skills (i.e. customer service, sales, marketing) or specific job skills (i.e. LEAN, OSHA, ISO, electrical) are some of the training services provided by Genesee Community College’s BEST Center. Trainings are often performed on-site at a business location. The College seeks funding for a company’s training needs when resources are available. Also, Genesee Community College’s BEST Center offers workshops and seminars in the most current business practices, professional development, self-improvement and vocational/workplace performance improvement programs.

Job Service Employer Committee

Livingston County JSEC, Inc. is a unique public/private partnership with the New York State Department of Labor and is a valuable resource for employers and human resource professionals. JSEC provides forums where employers can meet to discuss their labor needs, learn about the latest labor exchange techniques and participate in workshops and job fairs.

New York State Department of Labor

The New York State Department of Labor is New York’s primary advocate for job creation and economic growth through workforce development. The department administers New York’s unemployment insurance system, labor exchange system, and Welfare-to-Work programs. The department also oversees state worker projection programs, including enforcement of safety and health regulations in the public sector, state labor laws and federal statutes related to working conditions, wages and hours, and laws related to Public Work. The Department of Labor serves as the State’s principal source for labor market information and offers a variety of services designed to help businesses find workers and people find jobs.

Livingston County Chamber of Commerce

Since 1970, the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce has advanced the commercial, industrial, civic, and general interests of Livingston County and its trade area. The Chamber operates Livingston County's tourism program, the Livingston County Business/Education Alliance workforce preparation initiative, and Leadership Livingston. Among the services of the Chamber are:

• Business Networking
• Business After Hours
• Issues Luncheons
• Healthy Business Breakfasts
• Business Development Task Force
• Marketing Opportunities
• Business Directory
• Business Recognition Programs
• Legislative Advocacy

Utilities

Electric, gas and telecommunications utilities are deregulated whereby local delivery and supply are purchased separately. The following are local service providers.

Electric

Livingston County is served by three investor-owned utility companies. They are:

• National Grid Service area: Avon, Caledonia, Conesus, Lima, Livonia, Groveland, Geneseo Town, York and parts of the Town of Leicester.
• Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation (an Energy East company) - Service area: Nunda, Mt. Morris, Portage, Geneseo Village and parts of Leicester.
• New York State Gas & Electric Corporation (an Energy East company) - Service area: Dansville, North Dansville, Sparta, Ossian, Springwater, Leicester, and parts of Groveland and Mt. Morris.

New York Power Authority

The New York Power Authority is a state-owned energy corporation that owns and operates several electric generating facilities throughout the State including the state's largest hydroelectric generating plant at Niagara Falls. The NYPA sells its inexpensive power generally through the investor-owned utility companies. Power for Jobs: New or expanding job-creating companies utilizing a minimum of 400 KW of new electric demand may be eligible for power from the Authority.

Natural Gas

- Service Franchise Area: Caledonia, Avon, Livonia, Mt. Morris, York and Leicester.

New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) - Service Franchise Area: Dansville, North Dansville, West Sparta, Ossian, Portage and Nunda.

National Fuel Gas - Service Franchise Area: Lima

Transmission Gas & Local Production

High-pressure gas transmission lines exist in several parts of the County. It is possible for an existing utility or an independent transmission company to contract for gas transmission service. Interested companies should contact the Livingston County Development Group for details.

Telephone and Telecommunications

The Rochester Area is one of the largest telecommunications centers in the country due to the original pioneering efforts in this area developed by Frontier Communications and Global Crossings. Accordingly, the area is a frame relay network hub offering international transmission coverage in a seamless operation anywhere in the world.

Frontier is the incumbent local exchange carrier for all of Livingston County. They are the provider of local services, data, services, and internet for the business community. Time Warner Communications is the predominant cable provider.

Public Water and Sewer

Public water service is available in all the county’s villages and parts of most towns. Conesus Lake, Silver Lake, Hemlock Lake and reservoir impoundments are the principle supply source.

Public sewer service is available in the Villages of Avon, Lima, Geneseo, Mt. Morris, Nunda, and Dansville. Additional sewer and water service is provided to all population centers and travel corridors through the Livingston County Water and Sewer Authority. Water and sewer distributions and collections systems in Livingston County have adequate capacity to meet present and future needs.