Nationally, businesses are suffering.
News of the Big Three automakers seeking bailout packages from the government has dominated the headlines, and it’s no secret that retailers everywhere experienced tough times this holiday season.
While exact numbers for Schenectady County aren’t out yet, those who promote business in the area are saying that county retailers are feeling the pain, too, and are preparing for a difficult 2009.
`These are very difficult times, and it’s not just in government, but it’s in private business. Everyone is looking at how they can do business differently or how they need to do business differently,` said Chuck Steiner, president of the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce.
However, he said, over the past couple of years the county had put some programs in place, allowing some business activity to possibly `lean far differently than other businesses within the region.`
He credited the Schenectady Metroplex, the City of Schenectady and also the county for putting those initiatives in place.
`Right now we have a considerable amount of activity in construction and in facilitating new business, which obviously keeps construction workers working and businesses busy, so much of that has been in place and is getting executed now,` said Steiner.
He said that much of the business and building activity that is taking place was arranged and put into action in 2008, but that it is lessening the trickle-down effect of the country’s poor fiscal shape on the county.
`Some of the impact on the economy statewide, nationally and internationally has not necessary caught up with us,` said Steiner.
He also said that he’s not `trying to sugar coat anything.`
He said holiday business was not anywhere near what was desired or anticipated, and business owners he has spoken with have said that they are aware they will have to change some of their practices to survive in 2009.
According to Steiner, in terms of new projects and businesses, growth is slowing down.
`Everyone is looking at how they can do business differently or how they need to do business differently, and they’re drawing attention to [that],` said Steiner.
There are plans in place to try to bring more businesses into Schenectady, though.
The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, for example, is trying to come up with creative ways to bring people into the city and keep them there for more than one destination or activity.
`Back in the fall, we worked with the staff and created a road map for what we want to continue in 2009 and help bring attention to local businesses,` said Jim Salango, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Metroplex Authority.
He said Metroplex officials hope to drive a little traffic to the area through various incentives, including the publishing of a glossy quarterly newsletter to promote information about downtown Schenectady, and a number of events, such as Restaurant Week, which is coming up this month. They also want to come up with new ways to drive more traffic between Schenectady County Community College and Union College. They have also come up with `experience packages.`
`[These are] where people will come downtown to do more than one thing,` said Salango. `There are so many things to do down here now. We want to package things so that people can come down here and for one price get the full downtown experience.`
The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Incorporation is also working on marketing materials, such as new maps of the area featuring local attractions and updated information kiosks.
`Driving awareness lets people know what’s here and gives them an excuse or a reason to come down. Once you know what’s available, you have much more reason to come down. It definitely makes a difference to give people that extra push,` said Salango.
On a state level, according to a survey conducted by the Retail Council of New York State where businesses can grade their success during the holiday retail season, many surveys came back with businesses giving themselves the lowest letter grade yet ` a C-.
The survey has been conducted since 1991.“