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E-Newsletter | December 2015
 from the Board Chair

Season's Greetings!

It has been a busy month at CEDC.
 
We had a Membership Breakfast which drew over 100 people in November to hear about CEDC’s plans for the future. The mood was optimistic, energetic, and prepared to tackle new challenges. If you weren’t there you missed a good opportunity to rub shoulders with young and old business, social and political leaders in the county.
 
Shortly after that the County Board of Supervisors and the CEDC Board mutually approved a contract running through the end of 2016, a milestone that was widely regarded as a restoration of public trust.
 
And now we have an agenda with two big items on it:
               
1. Creating a Strategic Plan that identifies the areas where CEDC’s economic development energies are best spent in terms of (a) helping the local economy; (b) creating jobs; (c) aiding the growth and expansion of existing businesses; (d) determining the businesses we most want to attract; and (e) aligning local priorities with those of the region. AND doing all this by April. You’ll be hearing more about this work as we get it under way.

2. Recruiting a new executive leader for CEDC who can carry this plan forward when Interim President/CEO F. Michael Tucker leaves at the end of June.  AND Mike is leaving very big shoes to fill.

We will be having another big Membership Breakfast in April to unveil the plan and provide a public update on CEDC’s return to robust health. I hope you’ll attend.
 
Meantime the single biggest indicator of CEDC’s health is its membership number. That number conveys our vitality—and the strength of the constituency that stands for thoughtful economic development for the county.
 
So please take this opportunity to become a member of CEDC. It’s as easy as sending a check and a business card. But it assures you a voice in the conversation, and it can return value at many times its cost.  You'll find membership information below along with a link to our new Membership Brochure/Application.  

Looking forward to working with you in 2016.

Tony Jones, Chair
CEDC Board of Directors









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in this issue

  CEDC-Columbia County Interim Funding Agreement  has been approved naming CEDC as the lead County funded economic development agency.  The Agreement restores 2015 funding; approves 2016 funding; and extends the Tucker Strategies, Inc.contract with CEDC until such time as a Strategic Plan is completed and a new executive director is appointed – anticipated date is June 30, 2016. The Agreement also states CEDC will pay the County $114,000, representing the value of the portion of the Columbia County Commerce Park that was conveyed to Ginsberg’s Foods for its new site on Route 66 in Ghent; and stipulates conditions which need to be met for CEDC to return to recurrent annual contractual funding for 2017. CEDC is grateful to the Board of Supervisors and its economic development committee for the dialog and discussion that resulted in the restoration of funding and a commitment for 2016 funding. Agreement.

 CEDC Board Vacancies - CEDC is seeking interested individuals from its membership to serve on the CEDC Board of Directors.  The Board is interested in representation from a variety of business sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, arts/culture, and tourism.  Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to Lisa Drahushuk or mail to: CEDC, 4303 Route 9, Hudson, NY 12534.     

 November 10th Membership Meeting - There was a sense of renewed energy and excitement at Kozel's on November 10th as CEDC's Interim President/CEO Michael Tucker and CEDC Board Chair Tony Jones were joined by 100 government officials and business leaders for a Special Membership Meeting. Tucker and Jones remarked on what the business community can expect from CEDC in 2016, including a strategic planning process beginning in mid-January, followed by an executive director search in March. CEDC Marketing Director Carol Wilber rolled out the corporation's new Membership Program, describing the various levels of membership investment and benefits. CEDC attorney Andrew Howard reviewed the new bylaws, which were voted on and adopted by the membership. More.

 The Columbia Economic Development Corporation has launched its new Membership Program, with four investment levels and specific tangible benefits for each level of investment.  Over the past month, the members of the Chamber and CEDC Board of Directors have worked together to develop a joint membership which provides Columbia County businesses with the greatest range of business information and access to economic development programs and tools. Chamber members will be offered a $100 rate reduction when investing in CEDC’s Full or Associate Memberships.  CEDC encourages local businesses to consider membership in both organizations.  It’s a way to amplify your voice – not just in presenting your business, but in speaking for the interests of business in general, and in making clear that our best future is the one we can make achievable starting right now.  For more information please contact CEDC Marketing Director Carol Wilber. Membership Brochure/Application.

 Thirteen business owners received their Micro-MBAs in November as Columbia Economic Development Corporation wrapped up its 34th Microbusiness Seminar Series.  The eight-week seminar held its final class November 17th, with CEDC Board Chairman Tony Jones on hand to offer his congratulations. More. 

 CEDC and IDA projects for 2012-2015 include: American Bio Medica, Autonomous Energy, Barlow Hospitality, Beth's Farm Kitchen, Black Forest Flammkuchen Corp., Chatham Brewing Co., LLC, Dirworx, Inc.; Hudson-Chatham Winery; Eric Marrish Corp.; EZ Foods of the Northeast; Germantown Variety, Inc.; Hudson Athen Retail; Hudson Cruises, Inc.; Hudson Valley Creamery; Jim's Small Engine Repair; Laundress at Sip-n-Suds; MOD Restaurant III; Mairanda's Cutting Edge; McDaris Art; Monkshood Nursery; Pampered Cow; Paul Calcagno; Parr Inabar; Pete's Gone Fishing; Phoenix Services Group, LLC; Premier Personal Products; Primitive Twig; Pro Printers: RonnyBrook Farm; Scheriff Electrical Services; The Pampered Cow, LLC; The Vanderbuilt House; Valatie Housing Group, LLC; and SunStream Hudson.   

 The Hudson Development Corporation (HDC) is seeking your input regarding business in the City of Hudson.   If you own or operate a business in the City of Hudson, please take a few minutes to complete the short 2016 Hudson Business Climate Survey. Submissions by January 8, 2016  
  
  The 2015 Regional Council Consolidating Funding Application & Upstate Revitalization Initiative Awards will be announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 10th.  CEDC anticipates the awards will be streamed live from the governors website as in past years. Please mark your calendars and tune in!
















 

projects in the works 
 
 Hudson Valley Creamery, LLC (Livingston) - Company plans to begin a feasibility study in 2016 to determine what design and engineering processes need to be done in order to convert the Route 9 facility into a milk processing center for goat cheese.
 
 Ginsberg's Foods (Ghent/Claverack) - Ginsberg's Foods is proceeding with its expansion project on Route 66 in Ghent/Claverack. The project will result in 225 full time jobs remaining in the County and an additional 25 full time jobs will be provided when ground is broke.
 

 Solar Farm (Greenport) - SunStream Hudson I LLC/SunStream Hudson II LLC has completed acquisition of 21 acres located at 90 Blue Hill Road in the Town of Greenport and are proceeding with installation of two separate 2-megawatt solar projects on the site. Construction cost for each system is approximately $5.7 million. The Columbia County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) granted a 4% County sales tax exemption amounting to an estimated $280,000 in project savings.  A one-time payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) in the amount of $20,000 will be paid toward local sales tax to the County, and a project fee of $70,000 will be paid to the IDA. 


   



 








 





 


 



 



 

 

 

 

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Columbia Economic Development Corporation
4303 Route 9
Hudson, New York  12534
518.828.4718


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