EDA official: Medina a finalist for big economic projects but gateways are deterrent

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign on Maple Ridge Road promotes the Medina Business Park, one of the largest certified shovel-ready sites in upstate New York.

MEDINA – The Medina Business Park continues to be a finalist for big economic development projects, Medina village officials were told by an Orleans Economic Development Agency official.

The park, one of the largest certified shovel-ready sites in upstate, has 355 acres available and plentiful access to water, sewer, natural gas and low-cost electricity.

Many aspects of Medina are also a strong selling point, including a vibrant downtown and improved parks.

However, the gateways leading into the village need improvement, said Gabrielle Barone, the EDA’s vice president for business development.

She urged the Village Board to try to spruce up properties on South Main Street, and East and West Center streets. Many of these properties have chipping paint, items piled on the front porches and feel neglected.

“We have to do something about the appearances of the gateways,” Barone told the Village Board last week. “We don’t show well as to where people want to live with housing.”

Barone said the main arteries leading into the village have made upgrades in recent years, but she would like to see the community work to make it better.

Barone told the board that a Fortune 500 company had Medina as its second choice out of 85 sites.

“You’re dealing with some really heavy hitters,” she said. “We have to do something to show ourselves and promote ourselves.”

The companies have site selectors visit or company reps make the trip themselves.

Medina emerges as a strong contender, but Barone believes the look of some of the neighborhoods hurts in landing some of the prospective businesses.

Mike Limina, retired jewelry store owner in Medina, also told the board the community needs to work on the appearance of the gateways and some of the neighborhoods.

“We’ve got used to it,” Limina said at last week’s board meeting. “When you drive by it everyday you don’t notice it until it hits you.”

Barone said the village and its residents impress many of the site selectors and companies, but need just a little more to stand out from the many other competing communities.

“It just takes a lot of continued effort,” she said. “There are so many things they are looking at it.”