Steuben County legislators hosted a Small Business Roundtable Tuesday at The Main Place in Hornell, bringing together local business owners, county leaders, municipal officials, and regional economic development partners to discuss ways to strengthen and expand small businesses across the county.
Direct communication between the business community and government officials was encouraged, allowing participants to share challenges and collaborate on strategies to improve business sustainability, workforce development and long-term economic growth.
Key issues discussed included labor shortages and employee retention, power supply reliability, infrastructure and zoning challenges, wage pressures, access to government funding, and housing availability. Participants also addressed tourism development, public transportation limitations, marketing strategies, and access to capital through local and regional banks.
Officials emphasized the need for collaboration and long-term planning to create a more competitive and supportive business environment in Steuben County. Feedback from the Roundtable will help guide future economic development initiatives and policy decisions.
County leaders encouraged business owners and community partners to stay engaged and participate in future sessions. Information about upcoming roundtables will be available on the Steuben County website.
