Glenville officials met some key economic development goals in 2011, but efforts to increase shared services and possible consolidations are taking longer to ferment.
Glenville Supervisor Christopher Koetzle is looking back at the goals established in the town’s 2011 Strategic Plan in planning for the coming year, and he’s touting progress in strengthening commercial corridors. Koetzle is also hopeful more opportunities for shared services with the Village of Scotia and Schenectady County can come to fruition.
Redevelopment of the former Kmart Plaza was a key focus for the town and Koetzle was happy to see one of the larger vacant properties see redevelopment.
“That was our primary focus for this year, so we are pleased that can be checked off the list and see the progress that is happening in the town center,” Koetzle said.
Deputy Supervisor Alan Boulant said the Target project was going on for years and many people were involved in helping move it along. Also, he said once Target opens its doors, the town should receive a boost in development.
“Once Target opens up I firmly believe it is going to open up more avenues,” Boulant said. “Once it happens, I think you are going to start to see other things take shape.”
Town officials are looking into creating an economic development corporation, similar to an industrial development agency, to help spur future investment in the town center and commercial corridors. This was a goal of the 2011 plan.
“We are making good progress on that front,” Koetzle said.
Boulant said the current administration and town employees are all focused on economic development and have worked well together to achieve goals.
“We want Glenville to have a reputation for being user friendly for businesses and developers,” Boulant said. “I think we got the attention of the surrounding communities and the developers and business owners.”
The town also had a successful implementation of its Revitalization Economic Development Investment (REDI) Fund, which set aside $35,000 for business improvement. In 2011, the funds were applied to a sign replacement program, which provided businesses with grant funding to replace existing signs. It was aimed at providing assistance to small businesses.
Koetzle said REDI funds moving forward could be used to help small businesses expand or to create a marketing plan for the town’s commercial corridors. Boulant agreed with the supervisor that the sign grant program was successful and a portion of funds could be used for it in 2012. Boulant said the town might look into creating a small business revolving loan fund.
Infrastructure improvements will also be put in the spotlight in the coming year.
“The town made a commitment to reengage in the paving schedules, so we can make sure our roads are well maintained,” Koetzle said. “The town is far behind on its maintenance schedules because the previous administered failed to make investments in infrastructure.”
Shared services slowed
Koetzle said the town is still looking into the possibility of an increased partnership with Scotia between the highway and parks departments. He said it would utilize strengths of each municipality.
The town has more highway equipment than the village, said Koetzle, but the village has more park related equipment. He said using each municipality’s strengths could provide a “competitive advantage” for both parties.
“It is going slow,” Koetzle said about village efforts. “It doesn’t have to be consolidation.”
The aspects of increasing shared services, while included in the strategic plan, sometimes fall outside what town officials can control.
“We put in the strategic plan knowing we need a working partner. We really need other municipalities to come forward and say they are willing to explore the opportunity to work with us,” Koetzle said. “These are things I am trying to focus on … where can we help you and where you can you help us?”
Talks about a consolidated central dispatch center to be used by the town and county have stalled since the county announced it would be moving forward without the town. So far, the City of Schenectady and the Towns of Rotterdam and Niskayuna are included in the plan.
Also, efforts were halted to consolidate the Scotia and Glenville police departments when village residents decried the proposal.
Hungry for more
Boulant said his main focus for 2012 is to get a family-style restaurant to open in town, which he said was worked on throughout 2011.
“Residents come up to me … and ask, ‘When are we going to have a restaurant?’” Boulant said. “Every day I am talking to restaurateurs and business owners … I am getting to the point they are tired of hearing me say it.”
He said the town has been trying to get national chains to take notice, but he has also talked to local business owners. There are some local people interested in the prospect, he said, but he declined to name anyone specific since talks are ongoing.
“I’m trying to get some local people to take a chance and try something,” Boulant said. “I know it will be supported.”
