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Steve Hyde's retirement plans? Step out of the limelight, help with a new grandchild

Steve Hyde speaking of years of working at GCEDC with board, staff and thanking family and friends. Photo by Steve Ognibene

By Howard B. Owens
Apr 30, 2024, 8:15am

At only 61, Steve Hyde isn't planning a second career after his final days with the Genesee County Economic Development Center; he's planning to try out an actual retirement -- for awhile, at least.

"My kind of core values in retirement, I think are, I want to spend more time with my family, do a little traveling," Hyde said in an exclusive interview with The Batavian on Monday. "I'll try to be around to help out, but it's time to step away from the limelight and the leadership role a little bit."

Hyde has led the EDC for 21 years, overseeing the construction of eight shovel-ready industrial parks, including WNY STAMP, the Genesee Valley Agribusiness Park, Apple Tree Acres, Buffalo East Tech Park, and Gateway I & II corporate parks, among them. During that time, GCEDC has assisted more than 500 projects, from building expansions to whole new factories, worth a combined $2 billion-plus of investments leading to the creation of thousands of new jobs and increased tax revenue for municipalities and school districts.

GCEDC CEO out of the spotlight during ceremony for big yogurt plant he helped put on the map

By Howard B. Owens
Jun 3, 2013, 11:05pm

Throughout the 90-minute opening ceremony for the new Muller Quaker Dairy Plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, Steve Hyde sat in the second row and smiled.

Not one speaker -- and there were five of them -- mentioned Hyde by name. There was no official recognition of his work

Empire State Development to receive partner of the year award at GCEDC annual meeting

By Press Release
Apr 17, 2024, 6:06pm

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced that the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) will receive its Economic Development Partner of the Year award at the GCEDC’s annual meeting.
“In just the last few years, Genesee County has experienced some of the largest economic development projects

Hancock responds to questions about her endorsement of COR Development subsidies

By Howard B. Owens
Jun 5, 2013, 5:45pm

When we e-mailed a series of questions to Steve Hyde seeking more details on the process by which tax subsidies were approved for COR Development to redevelop a portion of Batavia Towne Center, we also e-mailed five questions to Mary Pat Hancock, chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature.

Under state

GCEDC announces approval on four projects with a promise of 22 new jobs

By Howard B. Owens
Jun 7, 2013, 9:12am

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved four projects at its June board meeting. They total approximately $2 million in investments as well as the retention of 91 jobs and the creation of 22 new jobs.

“All of the projects being considered by the board are investments

During stopover in Batavia, DiNapoli says IDAs should not broadly interpret law on tax breaks for retail

By Howard B. Owens
Jun 2, 2013, 5:37pm

The state law meant to curtail tax breaks by IDAs for retail developments should be defined as narrowly as possible, according to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

If IDAs broadly interpret the law and push through subsidies for projects that should be outside its scope, then reforms may be necessary, DiNapoli said

Libertarians say their message resonates locally, ready to compete in City Council race

By Howard B. Owens
Jun 8, 2013, 9:50pm

"Liberty is local" was a recurring theme of speakers today at the inaugural convention of the Genesee County Libertarian Party.

Some 60 people gathered Homestead Event Center in the Batavia City Centre to ratify the party's charter and nominate the party's first two candidates for office.

Jim Rosenbeck and Lisa

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