Mohawk Valley EDGE will recognize the immense impact of one of its own at its annual Leading EDGE Awards dinner on Thursday evening at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona.
The late Steve DiMeo, president of MV EDGE from its founding in 1997 until his death on March 6 at age 69, will be honored with the Christopher P. Destito Award for his “steadfast leadership and service to the community,” according to a statement released by MV EDGE.
DiMeo served as Utica’s commissioner of urban and economic development from 1984 to 1993 and then as head of the Oneida County Industrial Development. Corp. until it was dissolved in 1997 and the Mohawk Valley Economic Development Growth Enterprise Corp., now known as MV EDGE, was formed.
DiMeo is credited by both area economic leaders and politicians with playing a key role in:
- Spending decades getting the Marcy Nanocenter shovel ready and then helping to lure silicon wafer manufacturer Wolfspeed, whose fab opened in April, 2023.
- Developing the former Griffiss Air Force Base, which closed in 1995, into the Griffiss Business and Technology Park, a cauldron of high-tech economic activity and a community asset with sculpture, disc golf and walking paths.
- Turning a former golf course into the Utica Business Park.