Built Environment

Focus Group Meetings

Infrastructure surfaced as a primary concern in every focus group and is a major barrier to regional resilience. Investing in public works, creating equitable access to broadband, repairing and replacing housing, and creating robust transportation systems are all critical to ensure the region is resilient to adverse weather events and economic crises.
Strengths
natural environment, waterways, downtowns with infrastructure ready to be revitalized
Weaknesses
aging housing stock and lack of modern options, limited public transit and unserved areas, areas without broadband, decreased DPW budgets, failure to use a collaborative regional approach
Opportunities
incentives for EV purchases and charging equipment, new federal infrastructure funding, regional collaboration opportunities, potential tax revenues from increasing demand for residences
Threats
global instability, inflation affecting cost of construction materials, lack of funds allocated to region
Households Without a Vehicle in 2021: Regional average 11.3%
Allegany County       Chautauqua County      Cattaraugus County
7.4%                        12.9%                               10.8 %

According to the U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. households "spent an average of $10,961 on transportation in 2021—the second largest household expenditure category after housing when spending on behalf of households, such as healthcare benefits, is excluded... Rural households spent more on transportation ($13,665) and experienced a higher transportation cost burden (17.3 percent) than urban households ($10,362 and 13.2 percent, respectively) in 2021."
Objectives
  • Objective #1 Invest more resources into public works to repair infrastructure, manage water, and increase climate resilience
  • Objective #2 Strengthen the region's infrastructure workforce
  • Objective #3 Invest in all modes of transportation and expand availability of public transit
  • Objective #4 Improve housing quality at all income levels
  • Objective #5 Expand equitable access to broadband
  • Objective #6 ​Support transition to renewable energy
SOUTHERN TIER WEST
​Center for Regional Excellence
4039 Route 219, Suite 200
Salamanca, NY 14779

716-945-5301  
​Fax 716-945-5550

STW"s mission is to help coordinate and enhance planning and development activities in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties so as to promote social, physical, and economic development in these counties.  Southern Tier West seeks to improve the quality of life for the region's people and assure that the "people of the Southern Tier West region have access to adequate occupational, educational, and recreational opportunities; environment; health care services; housing; public safety; and transportation.
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