Come for a visit

Stay for a lifetime

Why relocate to Finger Lakes Wine Country?

Sure the region is well known for world-class wines and picture-perfect landscapes, but did you know we're also home to businesses and industries that lead advances in science and technology? Finger Lakes Wine Country is a great place to live, work, and conduct business.

Read the stories of people who tapped into the wealth of business opportunities the region offers.

Bridget Bossart van Otterloo

Artist
Corning, NY

Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey.

What brought you to or kept you in this area?
I came to Corning after college to work as a Studio Apprentice to a well-known artist in the area - the late Thomas Buechner.

Why did you choose to start your business here?
My art business has evolved over time - I've build up clients, art appreciators, and students over the past 15 years here in the Finger Lakes area. It's an affordable and beautiful place for artists to live. I've always felt that the community here is very supportive of the arts.

What’s Finger Lakes Wine Country’s best kept secret?
The fantastic parks, waterfalls and trails around the lakes; plus, stopping for a beer or wine after taking in nature.

If someone were to tell you they were thinking about moving here and starting a business, what would be your best advice as to why they should do it?
It's a beautiful place to live and work. There are museums, great Main streets, gorgeous parks, and plenty to do without the crowdedness of a big city. The arts community here in Corning is very strong and growing fast.

Adam Bunce

Owner, Turtle Leaf Café
Elmira, NY

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Hornell, NY and raised in that surrounding area. Besides the 5 years that I spent in my early 20’s in NJ, I’ve always lived in the Finger Lakes region and its always been my home. I love seeing the distinct differences between the 4 seasons.

What brought you to or kept you in this area?
I moved to NJ from this area in my early 20’s. I feel like that was one of the best things that could have happened to me. It was my first time living on my own and first time spending an adequate time outside of NY. It wasn’t until I moved away that I realized how much I had taken this region for granted. I moved back to the area 7 years ago and I’ve appreciated the region more now than ever before.

Why did you choose to start your business here?
When I moved back from NJ there weren’t exactly an abundance of jobs in my line of work. So, I started going to school to for Childhood Education. As I was going to school I was working part time in several restaurants in the area. Some of my friends started working at Turtle Leaf Cafe from the day it opened in 2011 so it gave me a great reason to stop in and support a new local business. The Cafe felt like a breath of fresh air for this area, if felt like something from a big city that popped up right here in Horseheads. I became a regular of the Cafe and eventually got to know the entire staff and owner. Fast forward 3 years from that I eventually became the manager of the Cafe and a year after that I took on ownership.

What’s Finger Lakes Wine Country’s best kept secret?
I feel like this whole area has so much to discover. Our wine selection ranks right up there with wines from California and across the world and now we have quite a few craft brewers popping up as well that are making a good name for themselves.

If someone were to tell you they were thinking about moving here and starting a business, what would be your best advice as to why they should do it?
I have these conversations frequently and my response is almost always this… “now is the time.” The most important thing when opening a business is to know your market, you really need to know that when your doors open that you’ll be offering something that people want and will continue to come back for. If you have vision, passion, and a work ethic there are quite a few untapped business opportunities in this region that people can capitalize on…. now is the time!

Judy McKinney Cherry, CEcD

Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development
Watkins Glen, NY

Where were you born and raised?
Born in Dover, Delaware
Lived in Northern Utah from Age 17-24 (where I truly grew up)

What brought you to or kept you in this area?
I came to the area for an opportunity to help the community with their economic development efforts so I guess it was a job first with the added bonus that my daughter had chosen to remain in the region after she graduated from Ithaca College and then, Cornell University.

Why did you choose to start your business here or begin working here?
I remain 100% convinced that I made the perfect move to the Finger Lakes area, the work is rewarding and challenging and the vibe here is outstanding! There is this exquisite blend of those with deep family roots and those who have recently migrated here for the bucolic atmosphere, wholesome living and boundless recreational opportunities. All four seasons are fully represented, and while the area is serene and beautiful, within a 70-minute drive I have all the city-related amenities that I could desire.

What’s Finger Lakes Wine Country’s best kept secret?
Indigenous Fresh Water Sponges in Little Lake. No, really. It’s true. According to scientific sources the only other known locale is Lake Baikal in Siberia. It is a sign of a pristine environment and Little Lake is the most northern lake to feed into the Chesapeake Bay. I think the other best kept secret is the incredible amount and variety of musicians and musical groups. All genres of music are found in abundance in the region. Regardless of the day or time of the year you can find excellent music being performed within a short distance - if it’s not right in your neighborhood.

If someone were to tell you they were thinking about moving here to live and work, what would be your best advice as to why they should do it?
If they are seeking a place to discover new talents hidden within themselves or a refreshment of their sense of self -this is the place for them. There is so much opportunity to be as active or inactive as you want to be with the local community. There is a strong sense of place and acceptance for new comers. It’s an excellent location for the adventurous and those who enjoy experiencing authenticity in all things. Diverse year-round outdoor recreation, organic & wholesome foods, clean environment, active art & music scene, passionate animal lovers and innovative minds make this area ideal to live, work and experience.

Phil Cherry

Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension Service of Schuyler County
Montour Falls, NY

Where were you born and raised?
Westchester County, New York

What brought you to or kept you in this area?
The upstate New York quality of life.

Why did you choose to start your business here or begin working here?
I wanted a second career.

What’s Finger Lakes Wine Country’s best kept secret?
Its attraction to young "agri-entrepreneurs".

If someone were to tell you they were thinking about moving here to live and work, what would be your best advice as to why they should do it?
Natural beauty, great people and an abundance of wine - what more could you ask for?

Take the next step

Get ready to plot your next move

Exciting opportunities await you in Finger Lakes Wine Country. There is an abundance of resources available to help you relocate. Use the links below to plan your next steps.

Regional Resources

Corning & Steuben County

Elmira & Chemung County

Watkins Glen & Schuyler County

Penn Yan & Yates County

Owego & Tioga County

Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association

P.O. Box 1020
Corning, New York 14830