Q&A with Trish Ottley, Planning & Economic Development Program Manager
Tell us about your role with the City’s Office of Planning & Economic Development?
I coordinate the delivery of resources and services to support economic activity in the City. One of my top priorities is to support existing businesses including our diverse base of manufacturers. I do that through marketing and business visitation - getting out in the field and talking to business owners directly is so important. My goal is to build lasting relationships with Auburn’s business community, so businesses know they can call on me if they have a problem or new initiative they need support on.
Part of my job is to connect businesses and entrepreneurs to appropriate resources to address their needs. I maintain close relationships with partner agencies that offer assistance in areas of finance, workforce development, energy efficiency, and business planning. I also manage the City’s Small Business Assistance Program and Downtown Façade Program. These programs provide low-cost capital for projects; they have eligibility requirements and “strings” as nearly all public programs do, but they’re good programs that offer assistance not otherwise available for particular projects. More information can be found online at www.AuburnLovesBiz.com.
How does your past experience with County Planning help with your current job with City Planning?
All of my professional and personal experiences influence my current role with the City. My father was a small business owner that ran a mortgage and insurance shop in Armory Square for years. I spent many summers and part of college working for him during times of prosperity and times of distress. I understand the struggles and sacrifices that are made by small business owners, and I take to heart the importance of supporting our businesses in every possible way, especially in New York’s challenging business environment.
When I was employed at the County level, I was functioning as a community developer working on main street revitalization, farmland protection, affordable housing, water and sewer infrastructure projects; it’s all tied to economic development. To create an attractive business environment, you have to address deficiencies associated with a community’s physical infrastructure. If the building stock is deteriorated or your utilities won’t support new development, or your rural landscape is being cut to pieces by sprawling development, you’ve got to address those issues because ultimately they will hinder economic growth and sustainability.
If you look at the City of Auburn, we are mostly built up. There’s not a significant amount of vacant land available to support new development. But there are lots of opportunities for brownfield development, adaptive reuse and redevelopment of existing buildings. We’ve seen that with projects like Logan Park Lofts, Brister Mills, and the Auburn Community Hotel. I’m looking at these projects, and thinking about how we can encourage more of the same. Part of that’s understanding what we have to offer and the complex state and federal programs available to support these kinds of projects, and part involves reaching out to a unique set of developers that seek out these kinds of sustainable urban development opportunities.
What excites you most about the next 5 year picture for Auburn?
I grew up in Auburn and am so excited to be here and to be part of our City’s renaissance. Auburn, like most urban centers in Upstate New York, has suffered significant population decline; in the last fifty years we’ve lost nearly a third of our population. There are lots of reasons for that, but part of it has to do with consumer choice and preference to live in the suburbs or on a 5-acre farm in the country. My dream is to see that trend reverse, to build a thriving central city that becomes the preferred choice for residency, where folks can enjoy the easy life, the easy commute, the walk able tight-knit community that those of us who live here now know Auburn to be.
There are lots of great things happening, downtown has come alive and looks great. Transformational projects like the Musical Theatre Festival and State Street Creative Corridor are in the works, building on catalyst projects like Auburn Public Theater. A grassroots arts and cultural movement is evolving, signature housing projects are happening, we’re in talks with local companies looking to expand operations, and with developers looking to invest in the City.
These past couple years have been really tough for families and businesses, but the economy is picking up and I am very hopeful for our future. The City’s new Comprehensive Plan, Building a Sustainable Auburn, is excellent and will help guide us toward becoming a stronger, more vibrant city. There are so many creative, talented and visionary people – natives and transplants alike - working toward the betterment of Auburn that it’s impossible not be excited!
