Created as the state’s school to improve working conditions and work relations, ILR has been a part of economic development in New York since 1945.  Its mission rests on related assumptions: that better workplace performance makes a better economy, that scholarly knowledge improves practice, and that conflicting interests can find common ground, promote a common good.  With a vast array of education and professional services, ILR Extension puts the mission in action across the state and beyond, contributing to many facets of economic development.

“New York State has placed enormous importance on the issues of workforce and economic development.  State and federal funds have been set aside to address these critical issues, which are indeed core to the workplace.  There appear to be new opportunities. . .to assist the state in understanding and addressing these issues.” 
Cornell University ILR Land Grant Mission Review Panel
July 2002

Today economic development takes on added urgency.  Optimistic promises of human resource centered economies driven by knowledge-based innovation and efficiency square off against the threats of sluggish economic growth and rising economic inequality.  From the neighborhoods to high chambers of world institutions, employers organizations, unions, educational institutions, governments and NGOs struggle with the challenges.

“Actionable knowledge is that knowledge that practitioners use in everyday life to produce their intended consequences. . . In my experience, the universities most likely to take this challenge seriously are those that take action seriously, such as professional schools like ILR.”
Professor Chris Argyris
Harvard University

Cornell ILR Economic Development Initiatives undertaken in 2003 will focus on:

• Industry research and education aimed at quality job growth
• Regional economic development strategies led by labor-management partnerships
• Community-based high road economic development innovations
• Joint resident-extension projects to build capacity for practical and scholarly contributions to workforce and economic development policies and practices.

Download our powerpoint presentation.