A panel to discuss the economic, transportation and developmental implications of the booming technological research movement in the Capital District met on Wednesday, July 30.
The Guilderland, Bethlehem and Colonie chambers of commerce hosted a Tech Valley panel breakfast, Wednesday, July 30, at the Century House in Latham featuring a number of local speakers.
Mike Tucker from the Center for Economic Growth, County Executive Mike Breslin, and Ray Melleady from the Capital District Transportation Authority spoke about the University at Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Building, the Vista Technology Park and Advanced Micro Devices.
`It was fantastic, and very well attended,` said Kathy Burbank executive director for the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce. `The group of people there were ranged from commercial real-estate developers, to town board members, small business people, banks and large businesses. It was truly representative.`
`It opened the dialogue between the small business chambers and the community,` said Marty DeLaney, president of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. `It was a great first step.`
She said many people are interested in what benefits `Tech Valley` can bring and some are worried about commuter traffic and housing.
Many small business owners asked about how they can take advantage of the emerging `Tech Valley` and how they can position themselves to be ready for it when it reaches its full potential.
DeLaney said `Tech Valley` extends `from the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Canadian border and everything in between.`
Breslin spoke about how the county plans to harvest the potential of a local boom in high-tech industries.
He spoke primarily about creating jobs and the use of the Empire Zones program and the Al Tech Loan Fund.
The fund helped get Albany Molecular started 14 years ago, Breslin said, and now they are a hugely successful company.
He said Empire Zones such as those in downtown Cohoes and North Green Island have seen tremendous growth as a result of the program.
Breslin credited Empire Zones, in the three years they have exited, with creating more than 500 jobs and generating local investments in the $150 million range.
He said the biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology service opportunities are plentiful, and have great potential. Microchip research in the Albany area is cutting edge, especially at the SUNY nanotechnology building.
`The growth of small information and computer-based companies here will make us well positioned for years,` Breslin said.
Computer chip manufacturer AMD is considering locating one of its plants in Saratoga County, which could further boost the area’s research edge.
Breslin emphasized the role of municipal governments in fostering an environment conducive to economic growth.
He called for a `more efficient and effective government.`
Communication between the municipal governments and small businesses is key, Breslin added.
Keeping the government efficient will allow business costs to stay low, and keep businesses here and flourishing.
`Creating jobs is a huge focus of the county government,` Breslin said. `There will always be a number of people who need our services.`
Once you build a strong work force, Breslin said, banks, hospitals and other services will follow.
Breslin said the programs that support the elderly, sick and abused fluctuate with the economy.
Revenue and jobs help keep those programs flourishing, he said, adding that keeping the young, high school, college and recent graduates in the area is pivotal.
`We need to be sure that we are able to attract youngsters,` Breslin said. `They should find opportunity for employment, as well as a place to live in the way they want to live without traffic.`
DeLaney said keeping the youth in the area rests in the fostering the success of local high-tech industries.
`It’s so simple. Two-words — good jobs,` she said.
Almost all of the attendees were concerned with what kind of traffic a boom will bring, and Breslin said that preemptive measures are already in place to keep congestion as low as possible.
Malleady said his key concern was how does `Tech Valley` affect the average citizen. He said smart investments and planning is key.
`What are we doing today to make public transportation more viable?` he asked. `What can we do to really make mobility more effective.`
Breslin said they did not want to create a situation like in Austin, Texas, another technological hotspot, where the traffic congestion is excessive.
Breslin also commented on the tremendous amount of technological research available to local businesses because of the boom.“