CommunityLink

Geneva, NY

Commerce

Visible, Viable and Vital

“The city of Geneva is going through an economic renaissance,” says City Manager Rich Rising. “We are very much committed to revitalization.” That statement is evident with one glimpse of Geneva’s downtown, which is in the midst of an exciting revitalization.

Rob Gladden, president and CEO of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce, proudly agrees. “Geneva’s self image is getting better. Downtown activity is getting better. The city is doing tear-downs and renovations. We’ve got a new hotel going in, as well as a new park being built in view of the waterfront. There are B&B’s popping up all over the place! A revival is taking place, and it’s very visible.”

A key factor in the success of Geneva’s renaissance is the Geneva Business Improvement District Management Association (GBID), an organization established in 1986 with a mission to “promote an attractive and economically viable downtown that is high quality in appearance and design, safe and attractive to property owners, business people, renters, shoppers, and visitors.” Its motto, “The Difference is Downtown,” resonates in everything it does.

The City of Geneva and the GBID help to attract and retain downtown businesses, and thus attract visitors as well, by offering three major incentive programs: the Downtown Revitalization Loan Program, the Geneva Business Assistance Center and Empire Zone.

The Downtown Revitalization Loan Program (DRLP) offers low-cost financing for real estate purchases, improvements, machinery and equipment, and/or working capital to businesses considering location or expansion in the GBID. Through partnerships with three downtown banks, up to $20,000 is available from DRLP, with a bank commitment for an equivalent sum. Financing is dependent upon funding availability.

The Geneva Business Assistance Center helps business owners develop business plans, identify funding sources, assess the current market and tackle other business issues at no cost to those considering startup or expansion in the City of Geneva. A representative of the Geneseo Small Business Development Center is available for appointments once a month in Geneva.

As a part of New York’s state-designated Empire Zone, businesses located within GBID may be eligible for such benefits as wage tax credits for newly created jobs, sales tax refunds and abatements, real property tax credit, income tax credit, utility abatements, and more.

GBID is very much appreciated by business owners. Victor Nelson, general manager of Ramada Inn Geneva Lakefront, says, “The Ramada Inn has enjoyed a relationship with the BID since the hotel’s existence … the efforts and accomplishments of the BID have been very beneficial and helpful to the downtown district as well as the city and have played an integral part in connecting the Lakefront to the rest of the city.”

With approximately 55 retail stores and 20 restaurants located in the downtown alone, it’s easy to see that shopping and dining play an important role in Geneva’s economic well-being. Geneva visitors and residents choose from tempting selections like Chinese food, bagels, waterfront dining, live entertainment, Italian fare, pizzerias and winery cafés. Many establishments make the most of local harvests to give visitors a true taste of Finger Lakes country. Several restaurants and shops are located in historic buildings that were once farmsteads, taverns, stagecoach stops and old homes, adding to the unique experience of shopping and dining in Geneva.

Family-owned orchards and vineyards both old and new make an increasingly significant contribution to Geneva’s economy. Many locations offer guided tours, gift shops, tastings and restaurants. As a result, a growing number of organized tours can be seen traveling throughout the region, bringing groups of happy visitors to experience the area and, hopefully, to return for more!

A blend of history, hard work and foresight is cultivating a strong commercial foundation in Geneva that’s definitely worth exploring! For more information on business, shopping and dining in the Geneva area, please visit www.genevany.com.