Livingston County Economic Development

05/20/2026

Exciting news for Livingston County! 🎉

Grow LivCo is thrilled to partner with Barilla America as they expand their manufacturing operations right here in Avon, NY! 🍝

This major investment strengthens our local economy, creates high-quality jobs, and reinforces LivCo’s reputation as a premier hub for food processing and agriculture. We are proud to support Barilla’s continued growth and commitment to our community 🫶🏼

Livingston County Industrial Development Agency Director William Bacon said, “Livingston County is incredibly proud to support Barilla’s continued growth and deep commitment to the Town of Avon. This monumental investment not only reinforces our position as a leader in agribusiness and advanced manufacturing, but it also creates nearly 100 high-quality jobs for our local workforce. Barilla has been an exceptional community partner since 2007, and this expansion ensures that our region will remain a vital hub for global food manufacturing for decades to come.”

Read more about this exciting development and what it means for our region!

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-nearly-170-million-two-phase-expansion-barillas-livingston-county

05/08/2026

Day 5 of National Tourism & Economic Development Week! We’re wrapping up our staff highlights by recognizing another member of our LivCo team who helps move our community forward every day.

Financing the Future
Meet Bill Waterhouse & Maureen Wheeler

Bill is our Senior Economic Development Specialist & Maureen our Deputy Director. Growth requires both a plan and the math to back it up. Bill and Maureen spend their days turning “good ideas” into sustainable local jobs through day-to-day structuring, financing and incentives, facilitating entrepreneurship classes, and reducing high barriers to entry for local startups.

Their impact can be seen in success stories like Brew in Livingston, which helped create the Libation Loop which has been recognized as the 2025 NYSTIA Excellence Award winner for Trails & Itineraries. Also keep an eye for the 250th celebration’s Revolutionary Pours 🍻

“Providing financing and incentives to businesses is essential to our residents’ quality of life and tourist attraction.” — Bill W.

“That moment in an entrepreneurship class when a student becomes a business owner and the math suddenly clicks.. that’s the reward.” — Maureen

Visit https://www.growlivco.com/culture to learn more!

05/07/2026

Day 4 of National Tourism & Economic Development Week! The momentum continues as we feature more of our dedicated LivCo team members and what they’re up to behind the scenes! 🌞

The Storytellers & Brand Builders 📖📸
Meet Ashley Comeau and Carly Jane Underwood

Ashley and Carly bridge the gap between a visitor’s digital feed and a local business owner's front door. They are also the team behind our new LivCo Merch and the relaunch of LivCo Locals! (Visit our website to learn more and how to apply) 🥳

- Fox shirts available now at The Gallery on Main St Geneseo!

- Town hoodies coming soon and will be available at Jereko Gear at the LivCo basecamp building in Mt. Morris!

We want Livingston County to be a place people choose, not just pass through.

"We need to tell the stories and create the strategies that ensure our area doesn't just survive, but thrives." — Ashley

"Cultivating connection with the people of Livingston County, helping share their stories and capturing the magic of this area is what it’s all about" — Carly

Fun Fact: Ashley is an avid traveler and tourist herself, having explored 5 continents; while Carly is a singer songwriter and forest school teacher! 🌿

Visit the link here or in our bio to find out more!

linktr.ee/visitlivco

05/06/2026

Day 3 of National Tourism & Economic Development Week! We’re proud to showcase another member of our LivCo staff whose work helps make Livingston County a great place to live, work, and visit 🌞

The Downtown Magic : Great downtowns don’t happen by accident - they are designed!

Meet Louise Wadsworth, our downtown coordinator! 🥳

For 20 years, Louise Wadsworth has been our lead in village revitalization. She’s the force behind projects like LivCo Walls, turning empty brick into "inviting stories" that draw visitors and locals alike 🎨

"We make our county a better place to live by supporting the businesses and community groups in our village downtowns." — Louise

Fun Fact: Louise once met Steven Spielberg on the set of Jaws! 🦈

Visit https://www.growlivco.com/downtown to learn more!

05/05/2026

Day 2 of National Tourism & Economic Development Week! 🥳 🌎

Today, we’re continuing the celebration by highlighting more members of our LivCo team who plays a key role in supporting our community’s success! 🙌

Meet Alexis Hinds (Econ Dev Assistant) & Judy Mendoza (Econ Dev Specialist)! 👋

Behind every thriving Main Street is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" hustle or as we like to say “the engines of execution.”

Alexis is the backbone of technical support - updating downtown building inventories and managing the data behind grants. Judy is our researcher, ensuring local businesses get the retention support they need to thrive.

Seeing the first-hand impact the work we do in this office has on our communities is why I love what I do." — Alexis

"The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that what I do helps my neighbors. When a local business gets the support they need to grow, it reminds me why I come to work." — Judy

Visit https://www.growlivco.com/resources to learn more!

Fun Fact:

Alexis: She’s a thrill-seeker on her GSX-R motorcycle but loves a quiet day off thrifting and getting coffee in her hometown of Dansville 🌞

Judy: A genealogy enthusiast who has logged more cemeteries and microfilm than most! She’s also a cat mom to a South Korean tuxedo cat and a feisty Hemingway tortie 🐈‍⬛🐈

05/04/2026

It’s National Tourism & Economic Development Week! 🎉

We’re kicking things off by introducing one of the dedicated individuals who helps drive tourism and economic growth in Livingston County! 🌎

👋Meet Bill Bacon!

Bill is our Director of Economic Development. He spends his days bridging the gap between vision and reality. Whether he's navigating complex funding or meeting with developers, his focus is on long-term sustainability for our residents.

Economic development is about looking at a vacant lot and seeing a future community anchor. That's where Bill Bacon comes in!

A flagship example of this vision is the James Steele Commerce Park in Avon. Under Bill’s leadership, our office and the IDA transformed 60+ acres of vacant land into a shovel-ready hub that is now home to major employers like UET Controls and Piranha Milling & Paving

"Everyday we aim to improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors." — Bill B.

Fun Fact: When he’s not strategizing growth, Bill is usually practicing his swing on the golf course!

Visit https://www.growlivco.com/industry to learn more!

04/10/2026

🪻🌼🌸 LivCo Spring Guide 2026 is here 🌸🌼🪻

Longer days, fresh blooms, and that feeling of wanting to be outside all the time… spring in Livingston County just hits different 🌿

From scenic hikes and waterfall views to cozy cafés, local shops, and can’t-miss events your next adventure is waiting right here. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for something new to do close to home, we’ve got you covered.

✨ Start exploring: https://www.visitlivco.com/plan-your-visit/visitor-guide/spring-summer-issue/

And don’t forget your pocket guide to LivCo is just a tap away 📲

Download the Visit LivCo app to find events, hidden gems, trails, eats, and everything in between while you’re out exploring.

Spring won’t wait… where are you headed first? 🌼

03/09/2026

Just off Main Street in Geneseo, Buzzo’s Music holds more than guitars and records.. it holds decades of stories.

Founded by local legend Al “Buzzo” Bruno, a trumpet player who came to Geneseo as a college student in the late ’60s, the shop has been a gathering place for musicians, students, and music lovers since 1970.

Places like Buzzo’s remind us that everyone who spends time in Livingston County has a story to tell. Whether you grew up here, built a business here, moved here, or simply visited and never forgot it.

That’s what LivCo Locals is all about: whether you grew up here, transplanted, opened a business or visited for a short time. We want to give people a platform to share the places, moments, and experiences that make this community special.

✨ Apply to be a LivCo Local through the link below or in our bio

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyGxcA7zRQ5LAC4SXH9_c04hx9axSetQlHY4tkidhhvZZzOg/viewform?usp=header

Tag someone whose LivCo story deserves to be heard.

02/18/2026

If you haven’t checked out Jereko gear yet, the time is now. Located in the heart of LivCo’s basecamp building (Mt. Morris, NY) Jereko is an outdoor store that has everything you need to step out the door and onto the trail 🥾

“From Boy Scouts of America campouts to earning my engineering degree, the outdoors has always shaped my path.

What started as notebook sketches of 3D-printed gear became Jereko Gear built on the belief that outdoor gear should be sustainable. After seeing the waste in outdoor retail, I committed to using plant-based plastics, sourcing used gear, and repairing equipment to extend its life.

I’ve biked long roads, climbed high peaks, and walked countless miles for moments most will never know—and that same drive fuels my mission: to help you get out there and protect the wild places we love.”

From camping/hiking gear, to his own branded items, to bike repairs and rentals.. Jereko Gear is your one stop shop to be outfitted for your next adventure big or small.

Stop in the shop to check things out for yourself or visit www.jerekogear.com to see what they have to offer! 🌿🌲

Visit www.growlivco.com to learn more about our costarter program and other great opportunitys for local businesses in LivCo!

02/14/2026

Last call📣applications for CO.STARTERS Core are due on Monday, February 16th!

CO.STARTERS Core might be for you if:

💡You have a business idea, but have no idea how to actually start a business

💵You have a creative hobby that you’d love to monetize

🏃‍♂️You have a side-hustle, but you aren’t sure if you could turn it into a full-time gig

🚀You’ve started a business, but feel stuck trying to scale it or launch a new revenue

Apply today at

Every year, Livingston County Economic Development aims to host a series of events and trainings designed to help small businesses thrive in Livingston County.