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March 27, 2008

Plattsburgh can be a player in Tech Valley

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- Local initiatives and location have Plattsburgh and the North Country ready to be a key part of Tech Valley.

Michael Tucker, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Economic Growth, discussed developments in Tech Valley -- the 19-county region that stretches from just north of New York City to the Canadian border -- and how our area fits in.

"I'm very impressed with how you have repositioned this area of Tech Valley in the last 10 years," Tucker said.

That includes recognition as Montreal's "U.S. suburb," an emerging focus on the region as a logistical hub for the Quebec-New York Corridor and a ranking as one of the top five micropolitan areas in the United States.

GROWTH COUNTS

The headlines tend to go to large developments in the central and southern parts of Tech Valley, such as creation of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University of Albany, relocation and expansion of International SEMATECH and creation of the world's most powerful university-based super-computing center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

But small businesses is the key to revitalizing the upstate economy, Tucker said.

He said 60 percent of economic growth comes from strengthening and expanding companies that are already in business.

R&D FOCUS

A key to region-wide growth is to strengthen communities while not focusing on political and geographical subdivisions, Tucker said.

Victoria Zinser Johnson of the Technical Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State asked what he sees as the best opportunities for local growth. He said the focus on redevelopment of the Air Base and development of Plattsburgh International Airport involved some very forward thinking.

Research and development initiatives, such as working with local universities as well as those in Burlington and Canada, could work, Tucker said.

Companies tend to locate in areas that are strong R&D centers, he said.

YOUNG PROS

Tucker said the Adirondack Young Professional is similar to a group called GenNext formed in the Albany area. That group has a new initiative called Discover Tech Valley, Rediscover Home that encourages young professionals who grew up or were educated in that area to return by showing them what's available.

"We should be showing students what is available in the region at a young age," he said.

The Center for Economic Growth is a non-profit formed 20 years ago by members of the Albany business community. Originally a committee of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, its 51-member Board of Directors ranges from sole proprietors to State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Tucker said.

His presentation was hosted by Adirondack Young Professionals and sponsored by Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna LLP.

PrimeLink Director of Marketing Sarah McCune, a member of the Adirondack Young Professionals Board of Directors, said, "Events like this align perfectly with our mission."

That mission is to attract young professionals to the North Country and promote the economic growth of the region, she said.

Attorney Randall Beach of the Plattsburgh Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna office said the firm has a tradition of holding breakfast roundtables at its Albany offices. This is the first it has sponsored in Plattsburgh.

"Our intention is to expand that tradition into the North Country," he said.

dheath@pressrepublican.com

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