Death of Steve DiMeo leaves a void in Mohawk Valley. 'He truly made a difference'

Steve DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley Edge (MVEDGE), died on Wednesday. He was 69.

“We will miss him very much,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said. “I relied on him as much as the rest of our county did, very heavily. He had a brilliant mind and was one of the – if not the smartest – men I have known in my lifetime.”

Senator Joseph Griffo, who met DiMeo in 1993 during the Griffiss Air Force Base BRAC, said we lost a “well-respected man valued across the State and Nation.”

Griffo continued, “you could see Steve’s character by the way he faced adversity toward the end. After receiving his diagnosis he epitomized courage and dignity. His legacy is that he truly made a difference. Life is a summation of experiences. Because Steve cared he left an impact. What an inspiring life to lead – to maintain a passion to do well for one’s community; that is how you come to enact change.”

A lifetime of achievement

Born in 1955, DiMeo graduated from University at Albany with a political science degree. After receiving a masters in public administration from Georgia State University he went on to pursue a career in urban and economic development, starting out as commissioner for the city of Utica in 1984.

DiMeo was the first president of MV EDGE, serving the region for over 30 years. He oversaw projects such as the revitalization of the Griffiss Business and Technology Park as well as the establishment of operations at Marcy Nanocenter, according to his Linkedin profile.

In Nov. 2023, DiMeo received the New York State Commendation Award from Senator Griffo – an honor recognizing individuals who contribute efforts to enrich the social, religious, and educational well-being of fellow neighbors, state officials said.

Picente said he felt DiMeo deserved more appreciation.

“Steve did not seek credit for the accolades he was deserving of," Picente said. "He worked tirelessly to improve this region, up until the moment he passed away. I can’t even put a number to the number of projects he was instrumental to.”

Civil service

Picente noted DiMeo’s passing in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Steve DiMeo," Picente wrote. "Steve has been by my side for over 30 years working tirelessly to make Oneida County a better place. Whether it was fighting BRAC to save Griffiss Air Force Base or leaving no stone unturned to bring a chip fab to the Marcy Nanosite, his brilliance and passion constantly elevated this entire region. I have depended on him in countless matters that have been crucial to the success of Oneida County and his loss will be impossible to replace. I will miss his wit and humor and our endless conversations analyzing the Yankees.”

Picente said he’d known DiMeo for almost his entire life, growing up in the same neighborhoods and working alongside one another for decades. When it came to economic development he referred to DiMeo as a “wizard” claiming he had the practice “down to a complete science.”

“His ability to craft a deal, working with Fortune 500 companies, was remarkable,” Picente said. “We have to continue his legacy by ensuring the projects he began are seen to completion. He would want us to keep our focus on the bigger picture and achieve more progress. Nonetheless, it’s a tough loss for all of us including the staff at MV EDGE.”

MV EDGE released a Facebook post, commemorating DiMeo’s leadership.

“Steve was more than just our president; he was the guiding force behind EDGE, the Marcy Nanocenter, Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and the entire region’s economic trajectory for the past 30 years," the post read. "He led with a tenacious commitment to our mission, constantly driving those privileged to work alongside him.”

A community, in mourning

Griffo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he was saddened by the news of DiMeo’s death.

“I am saddened to hear that Steve DiMeo has passed away. Steve was a good person, a friend and major presence and influence in the Mohawk Valley and New York State who I first met during the BRAC in 1993 and worked with ever since.”

Griffo further talked about the care DiMeo felt for the community was demonstrated through his work.

“Steve put forth an effort to not only promote the area but secure its position in such a way as to take advantage of economic opportunity," he said.

Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter extended his deepest sympathies.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve DiMeo and offer our condolences to his family, friends and the Mohawk Valley EDGE team," Halbritter said in a statement. "Under his leadership, Mohawk Valley EDGE has been a long-time partner of the Oneida Indian Nation, and we are grateful for all of his efforts to promote economic development within the region. His passing is a great loss for all who knew him and the Mohawk Valley as a whole.”

Rome Mayor Jeffery Lanigan honored DiMeo’s legacy, acknowledging his steadfast achievements.

“We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Steve DiMeo," Lanigan said. "Steven was a true visionary and his team at Mohawk Valley EDGE have been the force behind the regional economic development progress over the decades since Griffiss Air Force Base was officially realigned in 1995."

"The physical manifestations of Steve’s leadership and commitment can be witnessed first-hand with a drive or bicycle ride through the Griffiss Business and Technology Park seeing its transformation with industry, commerce and thousands of jobs. As a Co-Chair of the Local Planning Committee, his leadership was an integral part of Rome’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative success, and his willingness to assist in numerous other local development projects will have a ripple effect in the local economy for decades to come.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also released a statement on behalf of DiMeo's passing.

“I am shocked and heartbroken at this awful news. Steve DiMeo was one of Utica’s best drum majors—a longtime partner of mine in so many major economic development and job-creation efforts. We worked to rebuild Griffiss after BRAC; We fought New York Regional Interconnect when they tried to take advantage of Oneida Country; We worked hand-in-glove to bring good-paying tech jobs to the county and game-changing companies like Wolfspeed to Marcy, along with so much more."

"Steve was a uniquely effective advocate, a partner, a friend, and just a good guy. I know he will be missed – by his wonderful family and all who knew and loved him – and I know his legacy of good work and creating a brighter future for all will last forever in the hometown he so dearly loved.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Steve DiMeo dies; made big impact on Mohawk Valley