Southern Tier 8

What Southern Tier 8 does

Southern Tier 8 Regional Board (legally Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board, restructured under its current name in 2018) is a government regional economic development agency serving as the designated Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development District for the US Commerce Economic Development Administration across 8 counties in Appalachian New York: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, and Tompkins, representing 56% of Appalachian NY. The organization advances infrastructure investment, workforce development, and economic opportunity by building community capacity with local partners for project and partnership development, while encouraging process efficiencies with grant compliance and administration. Its core function is grant facilitation, project development, technical assistance, and cross-county coordination for municipalities, non-profits, workforce boards, and industry clusters spanning 10 major industry sectors from advanced manufacturing to broadband and clean energy.

The organization's "products" are programmatic initiatives rather than commercial offerings, including broadband infrastructure planning, the SUD Recovery-to-Work Workforce Ecosystem, water quality and MS4 stormwater compliance (including management of the Broome-Tioga Stormwater Coalition), the Regional Opportunity Zone Portfolio covering 19 designated zones, the So-Tier Regional Portal, and the Industry Summit Platform (operating since November 2018 with 21 partners). Underlying technology consists of off-the-shelf ArcGIS-based mapping, web portals, and digital engagement platforms; the organization develops no proprietary technology products. Revenue is entirely grant-dependent, with no fees charged to end-users for core services; recent inflows include a $959,000 SUD Recovery-to-Work package in April 2021 ($480,000 from ARC INSPIRE, the largest single ARC grant since 1981), a $200,000 ARC workforce housing investment in 2022, and smaller ARC awards to regional partners including $112K for the Regional Farmers Market, $123,525 for Hartwick College's Craft Food and Beverage Center, and $83K for the CORE-TW Initiative. The organization operates with a small core team of approximately 5 staff plus contracted assistance from external firms, and was recognized with the 2021 NADO Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award for the Better Connection broadband program.

Name

Southern Tier 8

Legal name

Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board

Website

https://southerntier8.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southern Tier 8 Regional Board is a government Local Development District serving as the Appalachian Regional Commission's designated regional development body across 8 counties in Appalachian New York, providing grant facilitation, project development, and technical assistance to municipalities, non-profits, and industry clusters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Grant administration services
• Workforce development programs
• Community infrastructure planning
• Local development district

Headquarters

HQ city

Binghamton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grant Administration: Southern Tier 8 operates as a pass-through government agency receiving federal grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), US Economic Development Administration (EDA), and other federal agencies. The organization administers grant programs for member counties, municipalities, and non-profits, facilitating project development, grant writing, and compliance. Revenue is entirely grant-dependent rather than commercial.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Southern Tier 8 Regional Board operates as the Local Development District (LDD) for the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development District for the US Commerce EDA, advancing infrastructure investment, workforce development, and economic opportunity across 8 counties in Appalachian New York. The organization delivers project development, grant writing, technical assistance, and grant administration to municipalities, non-profits, and county governments, while convening regional partners through programs covering broadband, water quality, manufacturing, housing, STEM, and recovery workforce ecosystems.

Product overview

Southern Tier 8 Regional Board offers a portfolio of economic development programs designed to implement five core initiatives: Economic Development & Domestic Manufacturing, Workforce Development & Education Investment, Critical Infrastructure Adaptation & Expansion, Regional Advancement & Innovation Ecosystem Development, and Compliance, Capacity Building & Resiliency. The organization operates as a Local Development District (LDD) for the Appalachian Regional Commission and serves as the Economic Development District for the US Commerce Economic Development Administration across 8 counties in Upstate New York. The portfolio includes programs focused on broadband infrastructure, workforce development, water quality, housing, STEM education, and manufacturing support, functioning as a coordination and grant administration hub rather than a traditional product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Better Connection Program: Broadband connectivity assessment program launched June 2021 to collect data on internet speed, connection, and usage across the 8-county region.
• Water From Rain

Products and services

• ARC Project Development & Technical Assistance Staff-delivered project development and grant-writing assistance for non-profits and municipalities seeking ARC Area Development, ARC POWER, DOL WORC investments, and STEM and entrepreneurship scholarship programs across the 8-county region.
• EDA Project Development & Technical Assistance Technical assistance as the designated Economic Development District for the US Commerce EDA to develop, maintain, and implement the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
• Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Planning

Quantifiable outcome

• 66 organizations assisted; 27 project concepts reviewed; 7 projects recommended totaling $956,658 in 2019 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1965ARC is a federal regional economic development agency representing a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Southern Tier 8 serves as the designated Local Development District (LDD) for ARC, facilitating ARC Area Development, POWER, INSPIRE, Leadership, STEM and entrepreneurship programs. ARC invests in nonprofits, municipalities, education, and public entities across the Southern Tier. Key investments include $112K for Regional Farmers Market, $123,525 for Hartwick College Craft Food Center, $959,000 INSPIRE grant, $83K for CORE-TW Initiative, and $480,000 single largest ARC grant since 1981.
• US Economic Development Administration (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Tier 8 serves as the Economic Development District for the US Commerce EDA. The EDA invests in public works, economic adjustment, SPRINT, STEM, and CARES Act programs. EDA support includes the $113 million battery R&D award for Binghamton University's New Energy New York initiative and recognition of Binghamton as 1 of 21 cities leading national rebuilding efforts.
• NY State Department of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYS DOS serves as the state partner for ARC federal investment opportunities. The department provides funding alignment and program support across the 8-county region, contributing to programs including INSPIRE, IRT, and broadband initiatives.
• Greater Binghamton Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey regional partner supporting workforce initiatives, industry summits, economic development events, and the Better Connection Program. The Chamber participated in the INSPIRE recovery-to-work ecosystem and provides business network connections for the Industry Summit Platform.
• LEAF Council on Alcoholism and AddictionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in the $959,000 ARC INSPIRE grant for SUD Recovery-to-Work Workforce Ecosystem. LEAF provides substance use disorder treatment services and workforce placement support for individuals in recovery across the Southern Tier.
• Family Counseling Services of Cortland CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ARC INSPIRE project providing SUD treatment and recovery services. Family Counseling Services hired a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist to work directly with individuals in recovery, providing linkages to community resources including employment supports.
• Broome-Tioga Workforce NYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce investment board partner in the recovery-to-work ecosystem, SUD programs, and STEM ecosystem development. Robert C. Murphy serves on the Recovery-to-Work local team working with Southern Tier 8.
• Tier Energy NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean energy industry cluster network partner with local private sector partners. Tier Energy Network prepared the Clean Energy Industry Cluster Study assessing ecosystem supports for expanding manufacturing and clean energy business across the Southern Tier. Supports Tier Energy Network CEI Study and Regional Investment Portfolio development.
• Koffman Southern Tier IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey STEM ecosystem and entrepreneurship partner. The Koffman Incubator partnered with SUNY Broome and Siemens on STEM Pathways to Jobs. Also key partner in supporting iM3NY Gigafactory development in Endicott.
• SiemenssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEM ecosystem partner supporting STEM Pathways to Jobs initiative alongside Koffman Incubator and SUNY Broome. Siemens contributes expertise and resources to regional STEM education and workforce development programs.
• Rural Health Network of SCNYsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem providing healthcare workforce connections and community wellness support. Rural Health Network addresses healthcare access and workforce needs across the Southern Tier.
• Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreatment partner in the SUD Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem providing substance use disorder services and recovery support in Tompkins County.
• Otsego County Chamber of CommercesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ARC INSPIRE project and recovery-to-work ecosystem. The Chamber supports workforce wellness programs for businesses and connects employers with the recovery workforce.
• Hue Creative AgencysecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCreative agency in Binghamton, NY hired to develop the creative communication and design for the Better Connection Program (betterconnection.org), including the humorous interactive digital platform that won the 2021 NADO Impact Award.
• Greater Good Grocery / Broome County Council of ChurchessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerARC-funded project providing a grocery store in a Binghamton Northside food desert. Project was funded by Appalachian Regional Commission with Southern Tier 8 support, providing fresh food access and 10 new jobs.
• JM Murray ManufacturingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing company that received $150,000 ARC grant used toward custom manufacturing equipment purchase. The project supports ADA fluoride toothpaste formulas and other OTC healthcare products, preserving jobs and creating new business opportunities.
• Waverly School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ARC's investment in the Waverly Innovation Center for high school juniors and seniors, supporting STEM education and career development.
• Susquehanna River Basin CommissionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner enhancing and strengthening regional water quality monitoring initiatives across the Southern Tier 8 region, particularly supporting the Water Quality Improvement Program and stormwater management efforts.
• Broome-Tioga Stormwater CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner15 municipalities in Broome and Tioga counties coordinated under a shared services model for MS4 stormwater permit compliance. Southern Tier 8 staff manages public education programs, municipal workforce training, annual reporting, and data collection for the Coalition.
• Greenlight NetworkssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh-speed fiber optic internet provider that opened operations in Vestal, NY in May 2022. Southern Tier 8 supported their regional expansion to provide more affordable internet services to urban and low-income communities in the region.
• Imperium3 New York Inc. (iM3NY)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBattery Gigafactory developer in Endicott, NY that secured $85M total funding. Supported by regional industry cluster development efforts. Dr. Shailesh Upreti, founder of C4V batteries and Binghamton University professor, chose the location due to Nobel Laureate Dr. Stan Whittingham and regional industry assets.
• Binghamton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to Nobel Laureate Dr. Stan Whittingham and key partner in the New Energy New York battery R&D initiative. Binghamton University received the $113 million EDA award for battery research and development impacting the Broome County and entire Southern Tier.
• ChobanisecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional employer and manufacturing company located in the Southern Tier. Chobani is part of the region's identity as the birthplace of IBM and contributes to the area's manufacturing heritage.
• Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness of Arlington, VAsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance partner in the DDAA Learning Academy for SUD Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem assessment, working alongside regional organizations from Waverly OH, Cooksville TN, Parkersburg WV, and Marietta OH.
• Fiber Broadband AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational industry association whose Public Officials Committee is co-chaired by Bob Knight of Harrison Edwards. Supports Southern Tier 8's broadband advocacy and expansion efforts.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• National Association of Development Organizations (NADO): Trade association representing the nation's 540+ regional development organizations including EDDs and LDDs. Directly comparable as the convening body for Southern Tier 8's peer organizations and as the awarding body for the 2021 Impact Award.
• Susquehanna River Basin Commission: Federal interstate compact agency that partners with Southern Tier 8 on regional water quality monitoring and stormwater management initiatives. Comparable as an adjacent federal partner organization operating in the same geographic and programmatic space.
• New York State Association of Regional Councils: Trade association for New York's regional planning and economic development councils, of which Southern Tier 8 is a member. Comparable as the peer convening body for New York-based regional development organizations.

Broad incumbents

• Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC): Federal regional economic development agency representing federal-state-local partnership; the parent/coordinating body for all 42 Local Development Districts including Southern Tier 8. Directly comparable as the federal apex of the same Appalachian economic development system.
• Tennessee Valley Authority: Federal regional economic development corporation covering parts of seven southeastern states with authority over energy, economic development, and environmental programs. Comparable as a federal regional development entity with a similar mission structure operating at greater scale.

Regional players

• Cornell Cooperative Extension: New York State extension system operating county-level offices (including Tompkins County within the Southern Tier region) for community education and workforce development. Comparable as a regionally distributed public-benefit organization addressing overlapping rural economic development priorities.

Direct peers

• East Tennessee Development District: Tennessee-based Local Development District under ARC, performing Area Development grant administration, CEDS planning, and workforce/economic development across multiple rural counties. Direct structural and functional peer.
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission: Multi-county regional planning and economic development organization in Appalachian Pennsylvania. Comparable as a peer LDD/EDD performing cross-county planning, transportation, and economic development coordination under ARC and EDA frameworks.
• Buckeye Hills Regional Council: Ohio-based Local Development District for ARC serving a multi-county Appalachian region. Directly comparable as a fellow ARC LDD performing the same Local Development District, Area Development grant administration, and CEDS functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-tier-8

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Tier 8