Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce March Membership Meeting Minutes

Date:                March 25, 2008

Time:                8:00 AM   

Location:          Boys & Girls Club

Kevin Brady opened the meeting and introduced Peter Fairweather

Peter Fairweather Consulting

Peter has been hired to perform an economic development study in the Saugerties Area (from downtown to Kings Highway corridor)

Study contains the following:

• What makes Saugerties Competitive?
• Define a unique Strategy
• Goals
• Execution

EDC performed a survey of area businesses

• Cost of Benefits
• Access to Government Financing
• General Business Climate
• Availability of Quality workers
• Workplace skills
• Workforce transportation ex bus routes and other forms of public transportation

80% of new jobs come from existing businesses

What is here that we can grow as a source for future jobs?

Identify what are the kinds of firms that we can attract

Target Industries  

• Research and Development firms
• Artists, performers and promoters
• Logistics and light manufacturing

What is the Saugerties market area for retail in downtown businesses?

            5 minute radius

            10 minute radius

            30 minute radius

            45 minute drive time (south to Walden and North to Capital District

            60 Minute radius (West Point and Albany)

Local retail sales are higher than the household spending which means that people are coming into the area to make purchases however we do have “Leakage” because the box stores are located in driving proximity

Downtown area has learned to focus on specialty products

How do we attract Industries?

How do markets develop?

You have to offer superior quality or lower price or you will lose

Suggestions from membership

• Alternative Parking
• Alternative Truck Route
• Review of Traffic Patterns

Saugerties has significant cost advantages

• Wages are less
• Constructions Costs are less
• Real Estate Costs are significantly lower

Marketing

• Promotional Materials Developed
• Coordinate with UCDC and HVEDC
• Targeted mailing List
  • NYC/Westchester
  • Albany
• Green Technology (way of keeping costs down)
• Work closely with existing firms that are already here
• High tech is already underway (Precision Flow, Markertech, Fehr Bros, HITS)
• Create user friendly outreach follow up
• Create a support system for Downtown businesses
  • Downtown business group
  • Downtown Business Improvement District
  • Chamber should be the catalyst for the support system

Kevin Brady announced upcoming meetings

• Next membership meeting scheduled for March 30^th 6:30 pm Kiersted House
• Featured speakers will include a representative from the Saugerties Farmers Market as well as the Saugerties Public Library

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully Submitted by:  Miriam Adams/Secretary