May 2, 2024
COOPERSTOWN, NY – Through a collaborative effort by 10 organizations in Otsego County, a new partnership with the What’s Upstate NY initiative has resulted in the launch of a new website that answers a need for an inclusive and engaging recruitment tool showcasing the region. The cornerstone project, WhatsUpstateNY.com, features profiles and information about Otsego County, and serves as a comprehensive place for potential talent to explore why Otsego County and the Mohawk Valley is a dynamic place to play, live, and work. It was launched April 23 at a special event held in Oneonta for the participating organizations.
Partners in this endeavor include Otsego County organizations: Community Foundation of Otsego County, Destination Marketing Corporation, SUNY-Oneonta, Hartwick College, Otsego Now, Springbrook, Otsego Chamber of Commerce, Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, Otsego County Government, and Otsego Innovation and Acceleration Center. Regionally the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida County, Mohawk Valley Edge, and Oneida County Tourism spearheaded the creation of the website. This project showcases residents, events, and places of interest through storytelling to show the rich diversity of the entire area.
Cassandra Harrington, President & CEO of Destination Marketing Corporation, will take the lead on this project. Cassandra said, “Otsego County has long dreamt of creating a website like WhatsUpstateNY.com where new and potential residents can get a sense for our quality of place. I am thankful that the Greater Utica Chamber and partners have extended the offer for Otsego County communities to showcase their unique contributions to the vibrancy of the Mohawk Valley. Every new resident starts as a visitor and often visitors don’t have time to stray too far from the main attractions. This is a great way for Otsego County to flaunt the people and places that make up the social fabric of our neighborhoods.”
Jeff Katz, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Otsego County added, “We have many positive stories to tell throughout Otsego County and our diffuse online presence makes it difficult for potential new businesses and residents to learn about all we have to offer. WhatsUpstateNY provides a one-stop shop for workforce recruitment and development, as well as a place to enhance community connection.”
A vital tool developed through WhatsUpstateNY is the integrated Job Board, a collaborative platform that brings together job listings from the participating organizations and businesses. For a nominal fee, employers can enjoy a comprehensive Employer Profile Page including company details and industry type, with links to social media. Job listings are automatically scraped and updated twice a week from existing online postings, requiring no additional effort on the participating businesses part. These positions are promoted through the regional network, social media, and eNews to maximize exposure. Interested organizations can get started by reaching out to the What’s Upstate NY team for details.
What’s Upstate will continue to evolve and develop as the region grows, including offering focused tours for potential recruits, connecting newcomers to the area, and much more. Special Projects Officer for What’s Upstate NY, Sean Farrell said, “The partnership with Otsego County is another exciting step in celebrating Upstate NY. The website embraces the diversity of our area through storytelling and highlights everything that makes us the perfect place to live, work, and play. We want to hear stories that spark an interest in visiting that may lead to a relocation to Upstate New York.”
For more information, please visit WhatsUpstateNY.com/live-upstate/otsego-county/