Economic Development

Adult Pitch Competition:  

The Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is excited to launch its fifth annual Kick Start Wayne County Pitch Competition, an initiative designed to foster entrepreneurship and support new business development in Wayne County. The competition offers aspiring business owners the chance to turn their innovative ideas into reality and kick start their new venture.

Find out More - Click on image below.

Kickstart Wayne County Adult Business Competition. Pitch a new Business today! Grand Prize: $20,000.

Student Pitch Competition - Soft Launch Pre-Registration

What are the products and services that our community or the world will need in the future? Who is going to create these things? How do great business or product ideas turn into amazing companies? If you or a student you know asks these questions then the Second Annual Student Business Pitch Competition is just what you need. This competition is not really a competition, it is an opportunity for students to explore possible answers to those questions and to practice pitching their business plan to potential investors. Interested students should pre-register for this event. 

Wayne County New York Bicentennial 1823-20232023 Small Business Week Recognition

National Small Business Week occurs during the first week of May each year. This year, in honor of Wayne County's Bicentennial Celebration, we are celebrating the History of Business in Wayne County. Congratulations to the 28 business who were nominated this year, especially those with historic longevity, Murphy Funeral & Cremation Chapels, LLC (est  1882); The Original Candy Kitchen (est. 1890); Hallagan Furniture (est. 1899); Youngman Orchards Farm Market (est. 1922); Secor Lumber (est. 1939); and Williamson Hardware (est. 1940).   See full list here.  

Wayne County Economic Development Programs

We can help you start or grow your business through a focused approached, loan or grant opportunities and business mentorship partners. Don't wait to explore your business ideas. Contact us today for more information. 

The Wayne County Economic Development office is combined with the Wayne County Planning office. We focus on helping local companies to successfully achieve the benefits of business development and strategic planning. Our team promotes and delivers financial incentives that fit the needs of our local business community. From agricultural and industrial development to kick-starting small businesses, we are the premier resource for all business development in Wayne County, New York.

Our Economic Development department delivers an array of business loans and state grant funding to qualified recipients. We also manage the county's Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), and the Civic Facilities Development Corporation (CFDC) all of which offer specialized and in-depth financial assistance to industrial large-scale companies, small to mid-size business, or non-profit civic facility ventures.  In addition, our Department promotes local business and industrial parks that are prime locations for new business development.

Check out great County Careers with Edge Factor 

The Edge Factor is a program that showcases videos from a variety of careers offered in multiple industries throughout Wayne County. Click on the below graphic to review some of these videos and contact us for more information on how to pursue that career. 

Click on image below for information on Careers in Wayne County.

Wayne County Careers 2022

Kickstart a New Business with Microburst Grant

There are a variety of programs currently available for new and existing small businesses. One such program for NEW BUSINESS is the Microburst Grant Program. Click on graphic for more information. 

Wayne County Kickstart MB 2022 Opens in new window


Vision

Our vision is a balanced local economy through attraction, retention, and growth of businesses, focusing our efforts on our targeted business sectors, providing the opportunity for symbiotic growth of our businesses and successful careers for our residents.

Agency Information

Click on image below for Wayne County Economic Overview

Wayne County cover