Emergency managers in Broome County, New York, reported people trapped inside a home because of downed trees in the town of Vestal.

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Binghamton University along with the city of Binghamton and Broome County are also teaming to build a business-incubator space on a two-acre site in the city's downtown.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton

Another sector potentially prime for takeoff is gas drilling made possible by high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, but there is disagreement in Broome County over whether to pursue the opportunity.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton

The recent decline in Broome County followed improving economic conditions in New York City and other parts of the U.S., said Christian Harris, an economist with the New York state Labor Department.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton

"We really need to focus on homegrown small businesses, incubated businesses that will create an identity in our city and be proud to be here, " said Matthew Ryan, mayor of Binghamton, the largest city in Broome County.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton

Broome County Executive Debra Preston agreed.

WSJ: Dreams of Binghamton

The town board in Sanford, about 100 miles southwest of Albany in Broome County, passed a resolution in September saying there already had been hours of public comment for and against gas drilling and that no further discussion would be allowed during board meetings, although residents could still submit comments in writing.

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The board recommended county-level inquiries to decide if CMC is to continue to provide services at the Broome, Tioga and Dutchess county jails.

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