JAMESTOWN – Members of the Jamestown Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission say several initiatives for 2013 are continuing to move forward. During Monday Night’s city council work session, three members of the commission updated city officials with a mid-year report.
Commission Chair Jennifer Satalino said that job creation and retention continue to be a main priority for the commission in 2013. That includes an effort to recruit new physicians into the area. And while some progress is being made on that front, commission Member and retired physician Dr. Lillian Ney admitted it is a challenge.
“It’s been slow,” Ney said. “Our basic obstacle is competitiveness out there in the marketplace. People are offering very large incentives to young physicians who are really laden with student loans approximating $200,000-250,000. This make it really tough.”
Dr. Ney did add, however, that the local foundations and the hospital and other medical offices have been working to develop a plan that would attract more physicians into the area.
In addition to the physician recruitment goal, the commission also updated the council on other initiatives including the Brian Gain initiative which is aimed at bringing young professionals into the Jamestown area. The commission also continues to work with other groups, such as the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, to get updates on the implementation the city’s Urban Design Plan.
City Council President Greg Rabb says it appears the commission is continuing to make good progress not only developing various long term goals, but also working with other groups and officials to help move toward meeting them.
ABOUT SPPC
The Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission was created to continuously consider, develop and make recommendations for strategic initiatives to the Jamestown City Council and other organizations within the greater Jamestown area with respect to issues involving economics, the quality-of-life, equity and opportunity and to develop and establish community-wide goals and objectives for the future. In the development and making of its recommendations, the Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission shall utilize as resources the departments of the City of Jamestown, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, public and private housing and development organizations, private enterprise and the Metro Six which is comprise of the City of Jamestown, Town of Ellicott, Town of Busti, Village of Falconer, Village of Celoron and Village of Lakewood.
Leave a Reply