Corporate Factors

The Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is the central point of contact for business development needs and activities in Dutchess County. DCEDC is a business-led, nationally recognized economic development corporation. Its mission is to attract, retain, and expand for-profit and not-for-profit businesses for the benefit of Dutchess County. A leading goal of DCEDC is to maintain Dutchess County’s healthy economic diversification through strategies that include: developing industry clusters to enhance Dutchess County’s attractiveness to businesses; supporting the creation of viable commercial properties; and marketing the county as a top-level business location. Emphasis is placed on technology-related business attraction and development, with additional significant clusters in healthcare, tourism, and telecommunications. The powerful tourism industry cluster in Dutchess County is given assistance by Dutchess County Tourism (DCT), a division of DCEDC. (See www.dutchesstourism.com ). Assistance in creating a vibrant climate for business within Dutchess County is provided by DCEDC’s External Marketing Program. External marketing brings Dutchess County’s economic development message to local, regional, national, and international audiences. These audiences are key to attracting new businesses and to creating a climate where existing businesses can thrive and grow. DCEDC’s External marketing Council (EMC) is a coalition representing many facets of business and industry in Dutchess County. Through the expertise, guidance, and support provided by the EMC, DCEDC is able to address key target audiences by means of a marketing program designed to enhance the public’s appreciation and understanding of Dutchess County as great place to live, work, and conduct business. To market Dutchess County as a flagship business location, the EMC sponsors advertising campaigns that target business periodicals and newspapers, industry-specific publications, real-estate journals, and trade journals attract business to Dutchess County and strengthen the base of support enjoyed by existing businesses. DCEDC is fundamentally a public/private partnership. The Board of Directors includes the leadership of the private business community as well as key public officials. The productive involvement of the private sector in community growth and quality of life is a key goal of DCEDC.