Local business leaving Yates

PENN YAN—Clear Momentum is moving out of Yates County and taking 11 jobs with it. The company, which has been located in the Keuka Business Park on Route 54A, moved into the building in November 2005, and is expected to leave at the end of January. Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) director Steve Griffin said, “The primary driver is that they have been struggling to find employees.” The company needed employees with specialized background in finance to serve in the area of sales.

Griffin said FLEDC had made a huge effort to help the company find employees, but many applicants were found to be either over or under qualified. 

One of the difficulties companies such as Clear Momentum find in Yates County is the shortage of certain features that appeal to potential employees. Griffin said, “If we had more ancillary services for employees, such as housing, retail and recreation, it would help. We need all that to make it an easier sell for employers.” He said there is  a nice quality of life in Yates County, but many people can’t find the type of housing they want  and are not willing to commute. 

Griffin remains cautiously optimistic, hoping Clear Momentum will decide to return to Yates County in about four years.