News
Officials optimistic about future of county
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| Michael Stenhouse, representing Hudson Park, presents an update on the 160 acre teen baseball and softball camp to the Columbia Economic Development Corporation at its annual meeting Ñ his 1986 Boston Red Sox American League Championship ring sitting prominently on his right hand. (Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
Economic Development Corp. holds breakfast
By Jamie Larson
COLUMBIA COUNTY — Speakers at the Columbia Economic Development Corporation annual meeting at Kozel’s restaurant Tuesday morning stressed that county businesses should remain optimistic in these challenging economic times. Growth, in spite of the recession, and an emphasis on attracting visitors from New York City and the Capital District were central themes of the event as well.
The meeting, which was a who’s who of nearly 90 county politicians, officials, businesspeople and entrepreneurs, featured brief presentations from representatives of five enterprises that are, or will be, bringing a lot of money into the county.
“Times are not good, or at least that’s the conventional wisdom,” Columbia Hudson Partnership’s new Executive Director Kenneth Flood said. “But there is a lot of good work taking place in Columbia County, thanks to the many talented people living within our borders.”
CEDC President and owner of Ginsberg’s Foods David Ginsberg opened the meeting by stressing the positive. “Ninety-two percent of us have jobs,” he said, “the positive should get the headlines.”
Before introducing the speakers, Flood said the CEDC, which helps support and lend to new and existing county businesses, needs to work with local communities and begin a dialogue with county chairs, many of whom were in the room. Flood said they are working to implement new 21st century marketing to attract young people to the county and convince those living here to stay. To do this, Flood said, they will be launching a new Web site and aiming to create opportunities and a better quality of life for young people in the county.
James Marlow from Local Oceans was the morning’s first speaker. He said his fish farm, in construction off Route 9 in Hudson, will use state of the art water recirculation equipment to provide fresh fish to the county, and to the 60 million people that live in and between the New York City and Albany metropolitan areas. Marlow said the fish at the farm will be free of mercury, lead and other common chemicals found in captured fish, and will be five hours from the table. He expects to farm the first batch next May.
Next, David Colby, representing the Performing Arts Collective of Columbia County, told the group that the performing arts brings $7.93 million to the local economy each year, and provides $600,000 in tax revenue. The PACCC is a collective of 24 performing arts organizations that has come together with the Chamber of Commerce, whose mission, Colby stated, is to promote and nurture performing arts in the county.
Former 1986 American League Championship Red Sox utility player Michael Stenhouse represented his new venture at the meeting, Hudson Park. Stenhouse said the huge project, which will create a teen baseball and softball camp on 160 acres off Route 9 outside the city of Hudson, with replica major league fields, is just about shovel-ready.
The facility already runs a restaurant on the property but will be building a number of structures, including 11 housing units for the teens who come to the camp. Since the camp will be seasonal, Stenhouse is hopeful those facilities can be used for student housing for Columbia-Greene Community College in the off season. The restaurant will be operational all year round, and there is a plan for an indoor field for winter play and training as well.
The Hudson Park project is projected to bring millions to the area. With an opening day scheduled for next Memorial Day, a lot of work remains and Stenhouse said he hopes CEDC will help and support the creation of a new hotel nearby which would be used by those visiting the park — and the rest of the area.
Director of Columbia County Tourism Ann Cooper told the CEDC that she is planing for and expecting a lot of visitors for the Quadricentennial celebration this summer, and announced that, in honor of the celebration, the Clearwater Sloop will visit Hudson June 11 and the replica of Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon, will be at the city’s shore the last week in July.
Lastly, Todd Erling, executive director of Hudson Valley AgriBuisness Development Corporation, said that Columbia County is one of the top five agricultural areas in the state and that CEDC needs to work together to make sure that when people from outside the state think about New York, they don’t just think of New York City. He said because of the immigration of weekenders from the city, Columbia County can “lead the pack.”
“We are constantly sharing our bounty with people from elsewhere,” he said.
Erling also said that if the county believes in itself and believe in the farms that make up 19 square miles of the county, it can reach $100 million a year in agricultural business.
“Columbia County has so many assets,” State Assemblyman Tim Gordon said after the meeting, “and so many gifted individuals. What we need to do now is pull all the puzzle pieces together.”
Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera said he is particularly excited to see how Hudson Park develops. He said he feels it could potentially bring a lot of business to Hudson and looks forward to patronizing it — as a baseball fan and softball coach.
Kinderhook Supervisor Doug McGivney said he liked the focus on optimism. He added that another benefit to the county, from his own backyard, was the news Monday that President Obama signed an Omnibus bill that included a bill to expand the boundaries of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Sight to about 300 acres, nearly its total when owned by the eighth president of the United States.
By Jamie Larson
COLUMBIA COUNTY — Speakers at the Columbia Economic Development Corporation annual meeting at Kozel’s restaurant Tuesday morning stressed that county businesses should remain optimistic in these challenging economic times. Growth, in spite of the recession, and an emphasis on attracting visitors from New York City and the Capital District were central themes of the event as well.
The meeting, which was a who’s who of nearly 90 county politicians, officials, businesspeople and entrepreneurs, featured brief presentations from representatives of five enterprises that are, or will be, bringing a lot of money into the county.
“Times are not good, or at least that’s the conventional wisdom,” Columbia Hudson Partnership’s new Executive Director Kenneth Flood said. “But there is a lot of good work taking place in Columbia County, thanks to the many talented people living within our borders.”
CEDC President and owner of Ginsberg’s Foods David Ginsberg opened the meeting by stressing the positive. “Ninety-two percent of us have jobs,” he said, “the positive should get the headlines.”
Before introducing the speakers, Flood said the CEDC, which helps support and lend to new and existing county businesses, needs to work with local communities and begin a dialogue with county chairs, many of whom were in the room. Flood said they are working to implement new 21st century marketing to attract young people to the county and convince those living here to stay. To do this, Flood said, they will be launching a new Web site and aiming to create opportunities and a better quality of life for young people in the county.
James Marlow from Local Oceans was the morning’s first speaker. He said his fish farm, in construction off Route 9 in Hudson, will use state of the art water recirculation equipment to provide fresh fish to the county, and to the 60 million people that live in and between the New York City and Albany metropolitan areas. Marlow said the fish at the farm will be free of mercury, lead and other common chemicals found in captured fish, and will be five hours from the table. He expects to farm the first batch next May.
Next, David Colby, representing the Performing Arts Collective of Columbia County, told the group that the performing arts brings $7.93 million to the local economy each year, and provides $600,000 in tax revenue. The PACCC is a collective of 24 performing arts organizations that has come together with the Chamber of Commerce, whose mission, Colby stated, is to promote and nurture performing arts in the county.
Former 1986 American League Championship Red Sox utility player Michael Stenhouse represented his new venture at the meeting, Hudson Park. Stenhouse said the huge project, which will create a teen baseball and softball camp on 160 acres off Route 9 outside the city of Hudson, with replica major league fields, is just about shovel-ready.
The facility already runs a restaurant on the property but will be building a number of structures, including 11 housing units for the teens who come to the camp. Since the camp will be seasonal, Stenhouse is hopeful those facilities can be used for student housing for Columbia-Greene Community College in the off season. The restaurant will be operational all year round, and there is a plan for an indoor field for winter play and training as well.
The Hudson Park project is projected to bring millions to the area. With an opening day scheduled for next Memorial Day, a lot of work remains and Stenhouse said he hopes CEDC will help and support the creation of a new hotel nearby which would be used by those visiting the park — and the rest of the area.
Director of Columbia County Tourism Ann Cooper told the CEDC that she is planing for and expecting a lot of visitors for the Quadricentennial celebration this summer, and announced that, in honor of the celebration, the Clearwater Sloop will visit Hudson June 11 and the replica of Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon, will be at the city’s shore the last week in July.
Lastly, Todd Erling, executive director of Hudson Valley AgriBuisness Development Corporation, said that Columbia County is one of the top five agricultural areas in the state and that CEDC needs to work together to make sure that when people from outside the state think about New York, they don’t just think of New York City. He said because of the immigration of weekenders from the city, Columbia County can “lead the pack.”
“We are constantly sharing our bounty with people from elsewhere,” he said.
Erling also said that if the county believes in itself and believe in the farms that make up 19 square miles of the county, it can reach $100 million a year in agricultural business.
“Columbia County has so many assets,” State Assemblyman Tim Gordon said after the meeting, “and so many gifted individuals. What we need to do now is pull all the puzzle pieces together.”
Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera said he is particularly excited to see how Hudson Park develops. He said he feels it could potentially bring a lot of business to Hudson and looks forward to patronizing it — as a baseball fan and softball coach.
Kinderhook Supervisor Doug McGivney said he liked the focus on optimism. He added that another benefit to the county, from his own backyard, was the news Monday that President Obama signed an Omnibus bill that included a bill to expand the boundaries of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Sight to about 300 acres, nearly its total when owned by the eighth president of the United States.
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