For Immediate Release: May 5, 2016
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Public Meeting Scheduled for May 18, 2016
Ray Brook, NY - The Town and Village of Lake George, in collaboration with The Adirondack Park Agency (APA), will prepare an economic development plan for the Hamlet areas and commercial centers of the communities of Lake George. The APA is working in partnership with the municipalities through its Hamlet Economic Planning and Assistance (HEPA) initiative.
The planning process will involve significant public outreach to gain insight into the goals of local stakeholders, identify a vision for the communities, and formulate plan components. An initial kickoff meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th at 6:00PM. The meeting will take place at the Town of Lake George offices located at 20 Old Post Rd, Lake George, NY 12845. The public is encouraged to attend.
The Town and Village are also offering the public an opportunity to provide input through an online survey. The survey is found online at https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/Bt6e8.
Once complete, the Lake George plan will include analysis of current economic conditions, a vision for the communities' future, potential development areas and implementation objectives and strategies to achieve the communities' goals. The plan will build upon the Towns Gateway Project which will transform part of Route 9 into a boulevard complete with a median, sidewalks, bike lanes, and street trees.
"The Agency's HEPA initiative is a community-driven process to develop and implement economic improvement plans for Adirondack communities. We are excited to work with the Town and Village of Lake George to help them achieve their economic and community development goals," stated APA Chairwoman Leilani Ulrich.
"We are eager to develop a joint economic development plan for the Town and Village," stated Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais. "This plan will help us to identify opportunities to diversify our economy with new year-round employment as well as to expand our visitation seasons."
"One of the important messages we hope to come out of this process is that Lake George is open for business. In Lake George we have a high quality of life, a beautiful place to live, strong brand recognition, and a talented and entrepreneurial workforce. We expect this plan to highlight and capitalize upon the tremendous business climate available here," explained Town of Lake George Supervisor Dennis Dickinson.
Through the HEPA initiative, the APA builds partnerships with Adirondack communities to help them achieve their economic and quality of life goals. During the process, staff work with local governments to facilitate a public input process to identify community economic development goals. APA assists with the development of the plan with the goal to expand existing businesses and attract new projects. A local stakeholder workgroup, with assistance from the APA, is responsible for implementing the plan.
"We believe the plan that will be developed by the Town and Village through the HEPA initiative can serve as a roadmap to a prosperous and sustainable future for Lake George. Even after the plan is complete, APA staff will be available to help the communities achieve their goals," continued Chairwoman Ulrich.
Elected officials and from the Village and Town of Lake George, have teamed up with the Lake George Chamber of Commerce, EDC Warren County, and the APA's Economic Services and Planning Divisions to direct overall plan development. This stakeholder group will work with the public to identify plan components and implement the plan once it is adopted.
"We are excited to assist the Village and Town with this endeavor," stated EDC Warren County President Edward Bartholomew. "Work is global now and companies can locate and export from any place in the world. Why not locate your company in the one of the United States most beautiful areas - the Warren County/Lake George Region?"
"Lake George is already one of the world's most recognized destinations. Through this process I expect that we will attract even more visitors, expand our visitation seasons, and diversify our economy," stated Lake George Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Consuelo.
The Adirondack Park Agency launched the HEPA initiative in 2014. All of the Park's 102 towns and villages are eligible to participate in the HEPA initiative. The initiative is a free service performed by the Agency's Economic Services and Planning divisions.
The APA also provides technical services for existing and prospective businesses, local and regional economic developers, and community planning and development organizations. Services include market analysis, feasibility studies, project siting and permitting, and assistance with industry recruitment and retention.
For more information contact Dan Kelleher, Special Assistant for Economic Affairs at 518-891-4050 or visit www.apa.ny.gov.
The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law.
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