Are you prepared for the high-tech job growth in the Capital District?
The Town of Glenville in cooperation with the Center for Economic Growth is hosting a community forum on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Scotia-Glenville High School Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. The forum, “Opportunity Knocks,” will address the new chip fabrication plant being constructed by GlobalFoundries in Malta.
Along with a speaker from GlobalFoundries talking about the job opportunities being offered, there will be a panel of guests with a background in economic development speaking to draw connections to the state, county and local levels. Scotia-Glenville Central School District Superintendent Susan Swartz will address the education perspective too. Time for a lengthy question and answer session is also part of the program.
“We were looking for a way to give everyone a heads up on the new business developments occurring in the region and what some of the educational impacts and requirements might be and what some of the more direct impacts on Glenville might be,” said James MacFarland, director of operations for Glenville. “Economic development for Glenville is our top priority. This is another way to demonstrate it and continue to grow the opportunities.”
Town officials have been stressing increased economic development in the commercial sector in hopes of reducing the tax burden on residents. This year, the town initiated a sign grant program aimed to help small businesses purchase new signs in compliance with the town code.
This year, the town also joined the Center for Economic Growth, which is a private, not-for-profit organization working with group members and partners to spur economic development in the Capital District and Tech Valley Corridor. The town’s Small Business and Economic Development Committee meet with the CEG earlier in the year.
An economic boom won’t occur overnight, MacFarland said, but the town is looking at long-term goals for development.
“We realize this is not going to happen tomorrow or next year,” he said. “We are really trying to grow our commercial base, so there is less of a burden on the residential property owner. If that happens then what we get is a better residential housing market here in Glenville.”
Spokesman for GlobalFoundries Travis Bullard is expected to discuss the construction project, chip fabrication business and what changes to the area can be expected over time, said MacFarland. Fellow confirmed panel participants include Jeff Lawrence, executive vice president for the CEG; Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority; Penny Haynes, vice president of Academic Affairs at Schenectady County Community College; and Swartz. The forum will be moderated by David Rooney, senior vice president of Business Development and Marketing for the Center for Economic Growth.
MacFarland believes the forum has a wide appeal and encouraged the public to attend and ask questions. He said some areas of interest include education, real estate and community affairs.
“This project touches everyone to some degree,” he said. “There will be someone there talking about what jobs will be available in the Capital District in the near future, so I think students are the number one target.”
Just getting the discussions brewing about developments and how to best prepare the town is important, he said. Waiting until a boom or expansion is realized would place the town at a disadvantage.
“If you don’t start it is never going to happen,” MacFarland said.
The town is also hoping to grow the Glenville Business and Technology Park along with the Schenectady County Airport to fit the needs of GlobalFoundries and General Electric.
