Site search

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.

Batavia City Centre is taking on a new shape and look, albeit gradually, but it’s an improvement from where it was a few years ago, City Manager Rachael Tabelski says.

With three new entrances and one entrance-turned-exit only that replaced those old, leaking, moldy silos; removal of the concourse stage and stained ceiling tiles; a grant in progress to extend the City Hall floor style into the concourse; and vacant properties being sold for future businesses, Tabelski and her colleagues are excited about every incremental change.