Case Studies

Delivering Transformative Impact

Explore how we've helped governments and institutions achieve their economic development and partnership objectives across diverse contexts.

Public-Private Partnership

Rome, NY2023–Present5,000-Seat Venue

Rome Amphitheater at Erie Canal Village

Leading the development of a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater at the historic Erie Canal Village through a public-private partnership with the City of Rome.

The Challenge

The 216-acre Erie Canal Village site had fallen into disrepair, with historic structures rendered culturally unsound by years of neglect. Meanwhile, Rome lacked a major entertainment venue to draw visitors and generate economic activity for local businesses.

Our Approach

JGK Associates structured a public-private partnership with the City of Rome, secured a $440,000 Empire State Development capital grant for Phase 1, committed to full SEQR environmental review and archaeological preservation, and planned a three-phase buildout with 1,000 covered seats and 4,000 lawn seats.

$440,000 Empire State Development grant secured

5,000-seat venue capacity (1,000 covered + 4,000 lawn)

216-acre historic site revitalization

Projected 5:1 return on investment for Rome

Economic Development

Herkimer, NY2019–2020Strategic Plan

Village of Herkimer Strategic Economic Development Plan

Developed a comprehensive strategic economic development plan for the Village of Herkimer grounded in community interviews, focus groups, and citizen survey data.

The Challenge

The village lacked a cohesive direction for growth, faced shortages of new housing stock, code enforcement challenges, and needed to better leverage its waterfront and historical assets to attract visitors passing through to the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Our Approach

JGK conducted interviews across community sectors, facilitated focus groups at the Herkimer VFW, partnered with the Zogby Group for citizen surveys, and delivered actionable recommendations on housing, beautification, waterfront development, and tying historical assets into a cohesive visitor experience.

Community-driven strategic plan delivered

Citizen input gathered through interviews & focus groups

Waterfront & historical asset strategy developed

Foundation laid for ongoing village improvements

Herkimer County Community Development Strategic Plan

Economic Development

Herkimer County, NY2021–2022Countywide Plan

Herkimer County Community Development Strategic Plan

Served as consulting partner on a countywide community development strategic plan sponsored by the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties and Herkimer County government.

The Challenge

Herkimer County's geographic spread and low population density left innovators and businesses isolated, with no central crossroads for collaboration and no shared vision for a more prosperous future.

Our Approach

JGK conducted employer outreach and business interviews, adapted community engagement for the pandemic through one-on-one and virtual events, and helped design the Herkimer County Community Development Partnership—a new nonprofit to serve as a catalytic node connecting innovators across the county.

Countywide strategic plan published (January 2022)

Herkimer County Community Development Partnership established

Innovation culture identified across county sectors

Five-step implementation roadmap adopted

Grant Writing & Infrastructure

Frankfort, NY2020$800,000 Project

Town of Frankfort Salt Storage Facility

Secured a $400,000 New York State matching grant to build a new municipal salt storage facility, doubling the town's investment in winter road safety infrastructure.

The Challenge

The town needed modern salt storage infrastructure to maintain safe winter roads for residents, but lacked the capital to fund the full project on its own.

Our Approach

JGK Associates prepared and submitted the successful grant application to New York State, securing a 50% matching grant that combined with the town's contribution to fund an $800,000 total project.

$400,000 NYS grant secured

$800,000 total project value

New municipal salt storage facility funded

Winter road safety improved for residents

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