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Southwest NY experienced industrialization at the same time that most of the Northeast United States did. As such, the infrastructure became a well established necessity for growth in terms of both industry and population. Ever since that time, the region has pushed forth and continued to expand its infrastructure base.
Infrastructure can mean many things, all of which are important to business development. The sections below address the various types of infrastructure and explain their prevalence throughout the region. Specific infrastructure availability and capacity varies greatly. For additional information on those specific needs, please contact the proper agency as directed at the bottom of this page.
Electricity
Electrical infrastructure is available in all parts of the region. There are several suppliers that service portions of the region. Municipal electric is also available in eight selected communities in the region. Municipal power offers more competitive rates and localized service. For more information on municipal electric availability, please see the Municipal Power section under Incentives in this section of the web site.
The electrical backbone of the region is strong. Storm events can interrupt service, but in an average year the total average loss of power time is under 10 hours for most suppliers. Several generating plants can be found throughout the region. These include coal fired steam stations, hydroelectric generation, and natural gas steam stations.
In Southwest NY electricity is plentiful and reliable. Rates vary from supplier to supplier, with municipal companies generally offering the best rates.
Technology
The technological infrastructure varies greatly across the area. In many locations, the infrastructure is strong and up-to-date. In the most rural areas, technological infrastructure is slow at coming.
Projects undertaken by New York State, local and regional governments, private companies, and the telecommunications industry have resulted in considerable infrastructure in the area. Fiber Optic networks cross the region and connect it with other areas and cities. High speed (T-1, T-3, DSL, Cable) internet access is available in all populated areas of the region. A few communities have even deployed wireless high speed installations.
The technological infrastructure is continually expanding in the region. The presence of companies such as Adelphia, Alltel, DFT Communications, and Verizon has driven the expansion of the technology available in the region at a fast pace. This is expected to continue into the future.
Water and Wastewater Systems
Water, Stormwater, and Wastewater systems are generally available in the more populated areas of the region. The cities all have complex systems with excess capacity to serve their residents and industry. Smaller communities will have systems as well, though they do not always have all types of systems. For example they may have a water system, but not waste water treatment facilities.
Where these systems do exist, there is often excess capacity built into them. Most systems have been operational for many years are well maintained. Water systems draw from a variety of sources depending upon where the community is located and what is available. Along Lake Erie, water is drawn for several communities right from the lake. Inland, water sources may include springs, wells, and occasionally surface water.
Transportation
Southwest NY prides itself on its tremendous transportation infrastructure. Roads, waterways, railroads, and airports all make up part of this first class transportation infrastructure.
Two Interstate Highways traverse the region. I-90, also known as the NYS Thruway, and I-86 cross the region in an East/West pattern. I-90 connects the region with Buffalo to the northeast and Erie and Cleveland to the west. I-86 terminates in Erie to the west and connects the region with Binghamton and NYC to the east. The interstate itself is only designated as such to Corning currently. It is being upgraded to interstate standards for the entire length of the road over the course of the next few years.
Beyond interstates, US, state, county, and local roads connect all points inside the region, and in neighboring areas. In total there are thousands of miles of paved road in the region, all maintained yearly to the highest standards.
Navigable waterways located in Southwest NY include only Lake Erie. Dunkirk is an active seaport, accepting incoming vessels for delivery of anthracite coal at the electrical generating steam station located there. This seaport links the region via water to the entire Great Lakes system, as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway. Other waterways are not currently utilized for anything more than pleasure craft.
Railroad infrastructure is entrenched in the region. Two Class I Railroads (Norfolk Southern and CSX) operate in the region. As well, there are three Class III operators (New York & Lake Erie, Buffalo-Pittsburgh, and Western New York & Pennsylvania) that service the region. Several local companies are serviced by these railroads for incoming and outgoing shipments of products. Commodities hauled into and out of the region are numerous, and include coal, grain, food and food products, plastics, sand, and others.
Southwest NY is serviced by four general aviation airports. These include the Chautauqua County – Jamestown, Chautauqua County – Dunkirk, Olean Municipal, and Wellsville Municipal airports. The Jamestown airport also offers commercial passenger service through USAir. Each of these airports boasts state-of-the-art navigation systems and all have paved runways of varying length. Specific services offered at each airport varies, but can include fuel, hangar rental, commuter service, plane rental, repairs, etc.
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