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Broadband is key, state economic development chief says in Placid Wednesday, December 19, 2007 By HEATHER SACKETT, Enterprise Staff Writer LAKE PLACID — More than 100 local business leaders, elected officials and community members turned out at the Adirondack North Country Association’s 53rd annual meeting at the Hilton in Lake Placid Thursday. Attendees at Thursday’s event heard old familiar themes in upstate economic development from featured speaker Dan Gundersen. Gundersen was Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s pick for commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development and is the chairman of Upstate Empire State Development. Gundersen said major issues in the North Country included the widely recognized need for affordable broadband Internet and cell phone coverage. He said upstate’s relative isolation and disconnect with resources is a hurdle businesses have to overcome, and that businesses lose their competitive edge when they are lacking technologies that are basic elsewhere. He added that upstate economies have traditionally found it difficult to succeed because the tools available to them are geared toward the New York City economy and large-scale development. But Gundersen recognized the unique needs of the Adirondack Park, compared to other upstate areas. "One size does not fit all," he said. "Our challenge is to develop regional plans. We are sensitive to the fact that each (region) will require something different." Gundersen also addressed the Park’s unique need to balance economic development with environmental conservation, as well as retain the quality of life. "Smart growth is not no growth or slow growth; it’s sustained growth," he said. "We need to accommodate sustainable development as well as preserve and protect the natural environment." He also addressed the fact that a large slice of the Adirondack economy is based on tourism. "Most of the discussion within the Park is about tourism," he said. "Quality destinations must first be quality communities." He cited Newcomb as an example of a destination that is attractive to visitors because of its historical significance as the place from where then-Vice President Teddy Roosevelt made his "midnight ride" when he found out President McKinley had been shot. "There is tremendous potential, but we don’t have the facilities in Newcomb for the overnight visitors." Gundersen’s proposed solutions to these often-discussed North Country issues remained vague, but he said all of the issues will be addressed by Spitzer’s four economic pillars. The number-one objective of the administration, Gundersen said, is lowering the cost of doing business in New York state, a goal toward which the state moved a little closer earlier this year with workers’ compensation reform. Gundersen told the Enterprise that the immediate goal of Thursday’s meeting was not to develop solutions but, rather, partnerships. "Today is one more avenue for developing a consensus to speak with a single voice. It won’t result in sweeping change overnight, but little by little we will build on our successes." ANCA Executive Director Terry Martino said she was happy with the big turnout and excited that the governor is making a commitment to North Country economic development. "It was great," she said. "It was a fun day. This is the first time the chairman of the department has been at an ANCA meeting. It shows a high level of engagement in the interests of the North Country." Contact Heather Sackett at 891-2600 ext. 24 or hsackett@adirondackdailyenterprise.com. |
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