This summer, we’re featuring real-time reflections from CIPA Fellows currently completing internships at organizations across the globe. This week, we’re hearing from Davis Judson (’14), who is concentrating in Economic and Financial Policy.
This summer, I am working for Empire State Development’s (ESD) Finger Lakes Regional Office in my hometown of Rochester, NY. What is ESD you ask? Here is the sparknotes version: ESD is the functional integration of two entities—Empire State Development Corporation and the New York State Department of Economic Development. This integration allows ESD flexibility to use the powers of a public authority (issuing bonds, eminent domain, grants & loans, zoning override) and the powers of a state agency (tax incentives and abatement) to carry out the economic development agenda of the Governor. ESD is divided into 10 regional offices that correspond with the 10 distinct economies in New York State. Each regional office heads a Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) comprised of local business and civic leaders who guide local economic development strategies. The Finger Lakes Regional Office is responsible for nine counties (Not including Tompkins, despite it being on a Finger Lake), which means a lot of my work takes place on the road rather than in the office.
I was hired by ESD to help with the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The CFA is a competitive process for state funding that pools available money across all state agencies into a single application. The CFA handbook is 200-page document laden with legal and political jargon which I studied in order to create summary documents for my supervisors and the Finger Lakes REDC members. I assisted in educating local businesses, non-profits, and municipalities on the intricacies of the CFA at workshops held across the region. I work with our Regional Director of Grants & Loans to edit and proofread project plans for the ESD Board of Directors to ensure CFA deadlines are met. I also spent several weeks working with the State Information Technology Office on a redesign of the Finger Lakes REDC website to make CFA information more accessible.
Although I was hired to help with the CFA, much of my time at ESD is dedicated to other projects. ESD is not merely an economic development agency, but an important part of the Governor’s statewide political apparatus. Part of my job is managing events held in the Finger Lakes by the Governor and his staff. Our office generally receives one to two days’ notice before the Governor arrives in region. In that time we must secure an event location and ensure a turnout of 100+ attendees. The Governor and his aides have come to the region to announce milestones for major regional projects and to promote agendas including women’s rights and tax-free zones. Each event requires a highly orchestrated set-up, interface with local media outlets, and management of protesters—Pro-Life, 2nd Amendment, and Anti-Fracking have been the big three. I never imagined I’d be involved in security detail when I took this job.
The PGA Championship is being held in Rochester this summer and my office is the lead organization running the tourism and marketing efforts of New York State at the event. The Taste NY expo pavilion at the PGA will showcase New York State foods and beverages to media and the general public. In preparation for the event I have received food safety training and certification through the State Department of Health. I am excited that my internship allows me to take part in the PGA Championship before I return to Ithaca.
Skills I honed during my first year at CIPA have enabled me to address tasks at work efficiently. Consequently, I have earned the trust of my supervisors who in turn have expanded my responsibilities. Knowledge of business from the Johnson School, economic development from the City and Regional Planning Department, and government from the Political Science Department have prepared me to speak intelligently and confidently on the subjects ESD addresses every day. I am certain my summer experiences have prepared me in a similar way for my coursework as a second year CIPA fellow.