Week in Review: October 28 – November 1, 2019
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Times Union: 5 younger Capital Region women creating their own legacies
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Proctors dominates regional arts ecosystem
“Over the past decade, the yearly attendance and annual budget of Proctors have both more than doubled, making the Schenectady-based arts organization a colossus in the local cultural scene.
Proctors now attracts about 800,000 people a year to the varied programming in all of its venues, from touring Broadway musicals in the 2,656-seat Mainstage theater to stand-up comedy in its 82-person Underground room, and from arts education programs to community events. That’s about as many people as go to the region’s next five largest nonprofit performing arts institutions combined, and the total of their collective annual budgets, about $17.5 million, is roughly $10 million less than Proctors spends all by itself.”
GE Global Research to increase scientific workforce in Niskayuna
“General Electric Global Research is moving to expand its research staff as it expands its role from being GE’s in-house R&D lab to also doing contract work for government agencies and other companies.
Vic Abate, the senior vice president who runs GE’s Niskayuna research campus and serves as chief technology officer for the 283,000-employee conglomerate, said it is a significant change for Global Research, but a change in organization rather than mission.”
Halfmoon payroll firm continues expansion, adds second building
“A local human resources company has expanded its footprint in town, acquiring the building next door and retrofitting it with many of the amenities that have helped it win annual best-workplace honors for much of the last decade.
GTM Payroll Services cut the ribbon Thursday at 9 Executive Park Drive but also will continue to occupy 7 Executive Park Drive, its headquarters for nearly 20 years.”
Live at SPAC: $9.5 Million Visitor Services Improvement Project
“A $9.5 million renovation project at Saratoga Performing Arts Center will improve visitor services and add year-round event space.
SPAC will undergo a complete replacement and upgrade of the existing concessions and restroom facilities. Two new concessions buildings will replace the existing tent structures, which have lacked proper security, infrastructure and storage space. In the center of the main plaza a new open-air covered pavilion will further establish a more park-like aesthetic, while restoring the original sight lines from the Route 50 bridge to the Victoria Pool.”
Demolition starts in downtown Glens Falls, signalling rebirth of run-down corridor
“Demolition of a former Off Track Betting parlor, an old bar and a juice bar started Monday on South Street in Glens Falls, a signature piece of a proposed $10 million downtown revitalization plan.
Cristo Demolition of Albany will spend the next three weeks tearing down three South Street buildings to open up space for a 10,000-square-foot Market Center event space that will serve as the focal point of the commercial corridor.”
Proctors receives $1 million gift from Wright Family Foundation
“Proctors Collaborative has received a $1 million donation from the Wright Family Foundation as part of a matching grant challenging Proctors to raise an additional $1 million.
‘With Proctors Collaborative, Schenectady has become a leader for arts and community development,” said Wright Family Foundation chair Heather Ward in a prepared statement. “We believe in their regional vision and we hope this gift will challenge other philanthropists to match our investment in the organization.’”
Barley and rye growers want to build brewery and farm-to-table restaurant in Saratoga County
“The owners of the West Wind Ag barley and rye farm want to open a brewery, taproom and farm-to-table restaurant on their 308-acre farm in Moreau in northern Saratoga County.
Rachel McDermott and James Czub of West Wind are seeking town approval to develop a 3.97-acre portion of the farm that the family operates on Old West Road in Moreau.”
Battery storage project moves forward
“Town planners could vote on a proposed battery storage project next week, planning board chairman Joseph Izzo said.
Members of the public had an opportunity to learn more about the proposal by Glidepath at a recent public hearing.”
CSX property in hand, HDC moves forward with Kaz redevelopment
“The Hudson Development Corporation has completed the closing of the $175,000 deal to acquire CSX railroad property which board members said will allow them to move forward with developing the former plastics warehouse property.
The acquisition of the parcel of land less than one acre in size along Front Street from the CSX Corporation would provide primary access to the Kaz Warehouse property at 14-17 Montgomery St., which is slated for redevelopment, HDC board members said.”
“Coxsackie’s downtown is tiny but has the essentials: bank, general store, post office, library, real estate agency, wine shop, Italian restaurant and apartments in renovated buildings.
It’s all within a short walk of a public park along the Hudson River.”
